Street Machine Drag Challenge 2018 – racer tips and schedule

With just over three weeks until Street Machine Drag Challenge kicks off, here are some tips for newbies

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THERE are three weeks to go until Street Machine Drag Challenge roars into life for 2018. While some racers are ready to roll, there are plenty of others that are still thrashing, including us! In the meantime, here’s some info to help the event run smoothly.

ANDRA LICENSE INFO:

If you don’t have an ANDRA license, a Divisional Day License (DDL) will be available at each track. However, this only applies to cars running 12.00 or slower, 11.00 or slower (if car has factory four-wheel discs and airbags) or down to 10.00 if car is manufactured 2008 or later.

If the DDL doesn’t apply to you, you’ll need either an ANDRA Super Street License or Unlimited Drag License (UDL).

The Super Street license applies to cars running down to 11.00-seconds, as well as cars running down to 10.00-seconds that either have current ANDRA tech or are manufactured after 2008.

If Super Street doesn’t apply to you, you’ll need an UDL and your car will have to be tech inspected relative to it’s performance.

And you’ll need to front to Drag Challenge with your ANDRA license, log book and tech inspection sticker.

Need to find an ANDRA tech inspector in your area? Look for the ‘Competitor’ tab on andra.com.au and then choose ‘Divisional Councils’ to contact the DC in your state. They’ll hook you up with a local inspector.

Inspections take time to turn around from start to finish, so if you still need one, get cracking!

All the forms you need to apply for a license or logbook can be found here.

BE SEEN!

WE recommend bringing at least a couple of flashing warning lights in case you break down or have to stop on the roadside after dark. Having recently been involved in an accident in this type of situation, it has become crystal clear to us that Joe Public won’t see you in time – even with hazard lights on. Safety triangles are better than nothing, but lights are better. There are cool LED road flares available on eBay for cheap – grab some now!

A NOTE ON TYRES:

THIS year, there will be no racing on regular street tyres, as they chew up our lovely track prep! That means you’ll need to run soft compound drag radials or a slick. You can, of course, swap over to normal street rubber for the daily drive.

SIGNAGE:

JUST like at Hot Rod Drag Week, Drag Challenge competitor vehicles should be void of large sponsorship signage. This is a street-car event, and it is important the cars look like street machines, not race cars or taxis! Unless your car is an actual taxi, of course!

Lettering or logos must be less than 150mm tall on the side or front of the cars and are limited to a single sponsor, company or name. Retro lettering on gasser or vintage muscle car-style cars is allowed within reason.

Front windscreen banners, large door stickers and partial or complete vehicle wraps displaying sponsors, workshops or competitor companies to Drag Challenge sponsors will need to be removed before the registration day, Sunday 11 November.

Signage on competitor vehicles’ rear windscreens, trailers and roof racks is open, but should not bring the event into disrepute or attract the wrong kind of attention.

REGISTRATION DAY SCHEDULE

Sunday 11 November – Calder Park Raceway

All competitors are asked to meet us at Calder Park on Sunday, to complete Drag Challenge registration. You will be met at the gate and given instructions for the day. Scrutineering times will be staggered by class to help the day run smoothly.

During this day we will scrutineer your car & trailer, complete all necessary paperwork, supply vehicle signage and merchandise and conduct group photos

9:00am – DYO scrutineering

12:30pm – DYO group photo

12:00pm – Outlaw Aspirated, Radial Aspirated & Outlaw Blown scrutineering

1:00pm – Radial Blown scrutineering

4:00pm – Class cars group photo

5:00pm – Gates closed

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Monday 12 November – Calder Park Raceway

7:00am – Gates open

8:45am – Drivers’ briefing

9.00am – Racing starts (Class cars only)

10.00am – Racing starts (DYO cars)

3:00pm – Racing finishes

3.30pm – Timeslips cut-off

Tuesday 13 November – Swan Hill Raceway

7:00am – Gates open

8:45am – Drivers’ briefing

9.00am – Racing starts (Class cars only)

10.00am – Racing starts (DYO cars)

3:00pm – Racing finishes

3.30pm – Timeslips cut-off

Wednesday 14 November – Sunset Strip Mildura

7:00am – Gates open

8:45am – Drivers’ briefing

9.00am – Racing starts (Class cars only)

10.00am – Racing starts (DYO cars)

3:00pm – Racing finishes

3.30pm – Timeslips cut-off

Thursday 15 November – Swan Hill Raceway

7:00am – Gates open

8:45am – Drivers’ briefing

9.00am – Racing starts (Class cars only)

10.00am – Racing starts (DYO cars)

3:00pm – Racing finishes

3.30pm – Timeslips cut-off

Friday 16 November – Calder Park Raceway

12:00pm – Gates open

2.45pm – Drivers’ briefing

3:00pm – Racing starts (Class cars only)

4.00pm – Racing starts (DYO cars)

9:00pm – Racing finishes

9.30pm – Timeslips cut-off

10:00pm – Trophy presentation

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