These rules are specific to All ET Bracket racing.  They do not include specific rules concerning vehicle technical inspection.  For technical questions, consult the most current edition of the NHRA rulebook.

1.0               Pre-Race

1.1               Every effort will be made to give racers an appropriate amount of time for cool-down between rounds. Racers purposefully holding up competition may be disqualified at race director’s discretion.

1.2               Upon reaching the head of the staging lanes, all vehicles must be prepared to fire and race. Failure to fire within an appropriate time limit is grounds for disqualification.

1.3               Burnouts across the starting line are permitted when designated by category. Vehicles should not cross the starting line under power on any burnout.

2.0               Dial-In/Index

2.1               It is up to the driver to verify dial-ins prior to staging. Dial-ins will be displayed on reader boards in front of the burnout area and on the scoreboards once the race is set.

2.2               If the event of a race delay (track cleanup, weather, etc) where both vehicles are backed off and shut off for a significant period of time behind the water box, drivers may change dial-ins.

2.3               In the event of a rerun where one or both drivers have completed or partially completed a run, drivers may change dial-ins prior to rerunning race.

2.4               Drivers backed-off and quickly restaged at starter request are not considered delayed or rerun. Dial-ins may not be changed.

2.5               In categories where “Crosstalk” is utilized, vehicles must have an “N” immediately following the dial-in if the driver does not wish to use crosstalk.

2.5.1          As there is no visible indicator on the Chrondek system that “Crosstalk” is active other than a light on the starter’s box, a missed crosstalk run will always be rerun. 

2.5.1.1    Crosstalk is designated on the tower log and time slip as Tree: “X.3”

3.0               Auto-Tree

3.1               When utilized, auto-tree will be used during time trials and eliminations.

3.2               The standard full-tree setting for Chrondek C44 is 1.7 seconds from fully staged to tree count.

3.3               The standard pro-tree setting for Chrondek C44 for motorcycles is 1.3 seconds from fully staged to tree count.

3.4               Auto-tree is activated upon pre-stage of both vehicles.

3.5               The standard time-out for auto-tree is 10 seconds.

4.0               Disqualification

4.1               Vehicles missing a round of eliminations, unless they are a laddered bye and have requested to sit out or are asked to sit, are considered losers for the missed round.

4.2               Vehicles and/or drivers not meeting safety rules for elapsed times and speeds recorded will be disqualified at race director’s discretion.

4.3               Drivers committing unsafe acts or vehicles that exhibit unsafe characteristics under speed will be disqualified at event director’s discretion.

4.4               All races are considered valid when the tree counts down.

4.4.1          A vehicle that does not leave the starting line, but is fully staged when the tree counts (receives a green light) is considered a winner if:

4.4.1.1    Opponent fouls

4.4.1.2    Opponent breaks out

4.4.1.3    Opponent crosses a boundary or contacts a track fixture (wall, timing block, etc)

4.4.1.4    Opponent is disqualified for any post-run rules infraction

5.0               Change of Vehicle

5.1               Vehicle replacement is not permitted after first round of eliminations, including eliminations utilizing a buy-back.

5.1.1          If an event is rained out and resumed at a much later date, a competitor may use a different vehicle at race director’s discretion.

5.2               Unqualified Categories

5.2.1          Prior to the beginning of eliminations, drivers may change vehicles provided replacement vehicle has passed tech and meets the specific requirements for the category. Time trials will be provided for the replacement vehicle at event director discretion.

5.3               Qualified categories

5.3.1          Drivers competing in a replacement vehicle will have all previous times voided and must re-qualify during designated qualifying sessions.

5.3.2          Once round one is completed, a vehicle may not be replaced.

6.0               Bye Runs

6.1               Bye runs are determined by ladder position or random draw

6.2               In the event in an unladdered category where all remaining vehicles have had a bye-run, the next bye will be based on a coin toss.

6.3               In all-run, unladdered categories, the bye-run driver will wait until the end of the round to determine if a bye is needed. The bye vehicle will race the last vehicle in the lanes if the car count is even.

6.4               Ladder bye-runs may run at any time in the order.

6.5               Vehicles pre-selected for a bye run may be asked to sit out the run at the event director’s discretion.

6.6               Vehicles may sit out a bye run at driver’s option granted that, upon request, the driver fires the vehicle and shows that is could self-stage.

7.0               Pairings/Lane Choice

7.1               Laddered categories

7.1.1          In the first round of a laddered category, lane choice is awarded to the higher qualified vehicle.

7.1.2          Lane choice for subsequent rounds will be awarded to the better performance (based on the qualifying format) recorded in the previous round (Example: based on closer to dial or better reaction time).

7.1.3          Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Street and Junior Dragsters are paired using a standard NHRA sportsman ladder.

7.1.4          Motorcycle is paired with a NHRA pro ladder.

7.2               Unladdered Categories/Rounds

7.2.1          Pairings will be based on reaction time ladders.

7.2.2          Lane choice is determined by reaction time. Best reaction time will have lane choice.

7.2.2.1    In the event only two lanes are utilized, lane assignments may be determined as the lower numbered lane automatically assigned to the left lane

7.2.2.2    If, at the end of the round, there are multiple cars left in a single lane, they will be assigned lanes by the designated track official.

7.3               Rain Dates

7.3.1          If no more than a single round of competition has been completed prior to a complete rain-out where the race will not be rescheduled for a significant amount of time (i.e. more than a single day later), the race director may determine that a new ladder will be generated after an additional random-paired round.

7.3.2          A ladder will not be regenerated if at least one laddered round has been completed before a rain-out.

8.0               Reruns

8.1               Vehicles must run in the same lanes during a rerun. Dial-ins may be changed.

8.2               An appropriate amount of time will be afforded racers for cool-down prior to re-running a race.

9.0               Points Accumulation

9.1          Each category will be awarded points as listed below in the NHRA Points spreadsheet.

9.2               Drivers not entering their next respective round of racing will be awarded the previous round points.

9.3               Drivers who do not ladder will be awarded 10 show points when a tech card is purchased and is returned to authorized personnel. Refunds and or rainchecks will not be given show points.

9.4             Laddered drivers who do not appear in first round will be awareded first round points according to their respective car count.

10.0            General

10.1            During Team Sacramento ET Series events, co-drivers are permitted only in the Street category.

10.1.1      Co-drivers must be at least 16 years of age.

11.0               Buy-Backs

11.1               In categories where pairings are based on previous round performance, buy-backs will be seeded into the bottom of the field based on performance.

11.2               If buy-backs are to race each other with only the winners advancing, pairings will be based on previous round performance.  The highest qualified vehicle will receive a bye if there is an odd number of buy-backs

11.3               If buy-backs are not required to race each other or seed into a ladder, they may enter randomly like a winner.

12.0               Expected Conduct

12.1            Drivers and or crew members who do not conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner at any time will be disqualified from the event and can be disqualified from all events for the remiander of the racing season. Included but not limited to, exhibition of speed, Illegal substances or alcoholic beverages, physical or verbal altercations with racers, crew, staff and spectators. Pit Crew members are the responsibility of the driver.
12.1.1 Suspension of event participation is at the sole discretion of the Event Director.

13.0               Notification

13.1            All Notifications are mailed to NHRA within seven (7) days of infracted incident. All Drivers may request a review of decisions made on race day and post race notifications with five (5) days.