On this page, you'll find all the necessary information regarding Great Lakes Dragaway's Bracket Series racing. We offer an easy outlet for friendly competition among racing enthusiasts of all ages. For a complete list of rules and payouts, please call today. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

      Classes:

Top ET  -    (Box)  -      1/8 mile  -  4.00 - 7.70

Mod ET  -  (No-box) - 1/8 mile  -  5.00 - 9.00

Street Class:  .........  1/4 mile  - 12.00 - slower

Bike / Sled  ..............   1/8 mile -   All Run

Juniors .....................    1/8 mile   Junior Pro   /   Jr SuperPro

All vehicles must follow IHRA rules.

1. Race Entry Policy:

 a)     Entry in more than one bracket is allowed, but it is your responsibility to be on time for the appropriate class. If not, you will be disqualified.

 b)     One vehicle using two different numbers cannot be entered into the same class.

 c)     A vehicle may only be driven by one driver during eliminations. No sharing (or changing) vehicles once eliminations have begun. Only one driver per class.

   2.  Racetrack: 

 a)     The Christmas Tree will have the two bottom amber bulbs shielded. All bulbs will be pointed directly at the driver.

   3.  Electronics:

a)     TOP-ET – Delay boxes and timed throttle stops only. No down track throttle stop timers, stutter boxes, etc. Wiring from the trans brake button must be direct to the transbrake (i.e. not thru any relays or other electrical devices).

b)     MOD-ET – Only a transbrake and/or two-step rev. limiters are allowed. No throttle devices, Boxed Removed. Wiring from the transbrake button must be direct to the transbrake (i.e. not thru any relays or other electrical devices).

c)     Street – No devices of any sort are allowed. Foot brake only. Slicks and open headers permitted, 2-wheel line locks also permitted but only on non-drive wheels.

d)     Bike/Snowmobile – Will run Together in their class.

e)     Computer and Data Recorders:

Computers are not allowed in bracket classes. Factory/OEM installed computers are permitted. However no down track info may be displayed inside car. Playback tachs; ok.

Data recorders are only to be used to record vehicle functions. They must be activated by a separate switch and not activated by any other switches on the vehicle. Systems may only display data after a pass or run. Any device that assists in determining track location is prohibited and grounds for suspension.

f)      Stutter boxes are not allowed in any class.

   4.  Points:

a)     Awarded to the driver only, unless you sign up as a team before April 30, 2024

     All drivers must be registered at this time. Maximum 3 drivers per team, and no driver

     can be registered on more than one team in the same class.

 b)     A vehicle can be substituted but only before 1st round. 

 c)     Points will be kept for all competing vehicles.

     10 Points for attendance – Regular race 

     10 points for every round won 

     5 points for combo race winner

 d)     All races count towards point totals.

   5.  Parking:     Parking is NOT Reserved!   Pick the spot you like. 1^st come – 1^st served. Please Park courteously.

   6.  Burnouts:     All vehicles are allowed to burn out across the starting line. 

   7.  Dial-Ins:       

a)     By the time you reach the line by the red/blue barn (at the front of the staging lanes), your    dial-in must be in place. Once you cross that line, the dial-in must be displayed and cannot be changed, unless the Race Director instructs you to do so. If you change your dial-in beyond that point, you will be disqualified. 

b)     Regardless of lane conditions, you may not change your lane choice once you pass the line by the red barn.

c)     Once you have staged, your dial-in is yours; right or wrong!! A good rule of thumb is to always check the score-boards/or dial-in boards before you start your burn-out.

   8.  Basic Rules:

a)     For the Combo Race, each class will race until they are down to one. The TOP-ET racer will run the MOD-ET racer for the winner/runner-up money! If there is an uneven number of entries in TOP or MOD Class, a racer will get to skip a round and wait until a finalist is determined in the other group.

b)     When you light your stage beam, you are telling the starter you are ready! It doesn’t mean you will be ready in a few seconds. The starter has many responsibilities. He watches for debris and fluid on the track, for leaks from under your car, to see if the previous cars have cleared the shutdown area, double backups, proper staging procedure, etc. The starter works hard to achieve the fairest starts possible and occasionally a faster or slower start will happen. But it is the same for both drivers! So please RACE YOUR COMPETITION, NOT THE STARTER! Your last staging motion must be in a forward direction. The Compulink Autostart function will be used and set at 10 seconds. The 10-second timer starts when 3 bulbs are lit and both of the pre-stage bulbs (one on each side of the tree), and the stage bulb on one side of the tree.

c)     Once you light the pre-stage or stage bulb you cannot back up, unless directed by the Starter. If you do; you will be disqualified.

a)     When staging “DEEP”, do not stop your forward motion after the staging light comes on. Proceed to deep position and be ready. Also you must write deep on the sides of the vehicle so the starter can see it. Deep staging is the sole responsibility of the driver. 

b)     The race begins once you reach the water box. If you break at that point, you are disqualified.

c)     Once you are paired up, if you break on the way to the water box, and never get to the water box, you are given the chance to repair your vehicle, but must have it repaired in time to run after the last pair in that category. You and your opponent will be pulled to the side. No extra time will be allowed. If you do not make the time frame you are disqualified and your opponent will receive a competition bye run.

d)     Your Time Run on Sunday will begin at approx. 10:00. The Bracket Race will begin shortly after. We will not wait till 1:00pm to start.

     9.  Bye Runs:

For all classes, best reaction time during second time run will determine first round bye. In subsequent rounds, bye runs are determined by the best reaction time from the previous round; (buybacks in the 2^nd round are NOT eligible for 3^rd round bye run). You will carry that bye until the driver uses or loses it. Drivers are only eligible for 1 bye-run per race. In the event that there are 3 cars left in the semi’s and all three cars have had a bye already, the car with the best reaction time in the previous round will receive the bye for that round. Lane choice for the finals is determined by coin flip.

   10.  Pairings:    Lane assignments are as follows (but can change at any time):

Pick the Lane you want. Odd is Left Lane – Even is Right Lane

When 1 Lane has no cars, 1^st car goes Left, 2^nd goes Right.

Short Staging will be utilized by Juniors           

Announcer will call lanes

   11.  Time Trials:    Rotation: MOD ET, TOP ET, Street

  Saturday AND Sunday     Gates Open at 8:00AM

Time Run Session #1 starts approximately 10am

   12.  Scoreboards:

Are unofficial and for your convenience. The tower clocks are official and will be final should a discrepancy occur.

   13.  Buybacks:

Buybacks are available after 1^st ROUND ONLY for all classes. The buyback fees are $50.00 for TOP ET and MOD ET; and $25.00 for Street class. Buybacks for Bike/Sled are $35.00

All Buybacks will Advance to 2^nd Round.    (There are No Buybacks in Juniors)

   14.  Breakage:

If you break coming off the trailer and never make a pass, you will receive a full rain check. 

If you break in the waterbox or on a time run a partial credit will be issued (i.e. the difference between your entry fee and fun racing fee)

   15.  Rain:

In the event the race is called off before 2^nd round is complete

If the second round of racing is complete in all categories, it’s a race – NO RAIN CHECKS.  In the event the race is called off before 2^nd round is complete, your receipts will be used as your rain check; so don’t lose it!! You will be charged a $25.00 fee for the rain date and the remainder is credit applied to your next race date. No refunds will be given. 

   16.  Race Conditions:

Remember, when staging your vehicle, you are accepting all track conditions, your opponent’s dial-in, and even the weather. You are stating that you are race ready. The time to address a problem is before you stage, not after the run has started.

   17.  Pit Areas:

a)     Spinning tires in the pits can result in Suspension.

b)     Speed limit in the pit area is 5 mph, and 15 mph on the return road

c)     Burn-outs are not allowed on the staging lanes or roadways.

   18.  Inspection During Race:

At any time during eliminations and at the conclusion of every final round in every category, ALL vehicles will be subject to an inspection for safety and valid equipment (proper electronics or lack thereof). Any violation will result in disqualification and loss of points and prize money. 

   19.  Dispute Procedure:

At any time during the event if you have questions or problems; you must see the Staging Director. RACERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE TOWER!! Tell the staging director that you have a question or problem and you need to speak to the Race Director. The Race Director will then meet you at the barn; and you can discuss your situation at that point. 

    Final Note:

As a racer, you and your crew must act professionally at all times. Un-sportsmanlike conduct (i.e. yelling, swearing, threats, cheating, etc.) will not be tolerated by any means. Any incident of this sort will result in disqualification and a possible one full year suspension. During race eliminations, our track crew acts as referees, just like in football. We make calls when we see them, and then we decide what the penalty is. When the penalty is stated, it is final, just like football. You will always have one party that is disgruntled and not happy, but let’s face the facts, that is the nature of what will happen. Yes, there will possibly be some bad calls or calls not made that should have been, but just like in football, the game or race continues regardless. And just like in the game of football, if someone during the race conducts himself or herself in an un-sportsmanlike manner, they will be disqualified.

Great Lakes Dragaway 

New Paragraph