First Time Racers

If this is your first time visiting Clarenville Dragway, there are a few little things you may or may not know.  I'll give you the run down on what to expect if you are a first time drag racer.

As you turn right off the highway, you will pull into the racer/spectator entrance of the dragway.  You may encounter a line of cars waiting to get in.  This line contains both racers and spectators, be patient, this usually doesn't take long.  You will be greeted by the track staff who will ask if you are racing or spectating.  Your response, "Racing of course?", as if to imply that there would be any better reason to be there.  The track attendant will then proceed to ask you a number of questions.

Have you raced here before?  NO?, then you will have to fill out a sheet which contains various details including your name, vehicle make, model and year, engine displacement, sponsors etc. and at this point you will be given a car number.  This sheet will be returned to the track staff when you enter the pits and have your car tech inspected, but I'm getting ahead of myself now.  

You will also be asked which class you plan to race in.  For most first timers, you may want to try the street or hobby class, just to get your feet wet.  The class rules can be found under the track info link, along with the accompanying cost to race in that class.  When you pay, you can pay to race either Saturday, Sunday or both, the best value is obviously the weekend pass.  This also entitles you to bring in 1 (one) pit crew member, any additional passengers must pay admission fees.

From there, you will be directed to the left, through the gate and down towards the drag strip.  There is always an ambulance parked near the track with a barrier across as not to allow you to enter the track area til all has been cleared for you to safely enter the track area. This is where you may experience your first real rush, because, often, as you wait there may be time trials or competition runs in progress and you have a perfect view, sitting about 3/4 track, so some of these guys pass down the track in front of you doing well over 100 MPH at this point.  This is where you'll feel your first case of nerves, quite a rush.

Once it's safe for you to proceed, the barrier will be removed and you will be directed to turn right and proceed towards the pits, make sure you watch out for cars returning from the bottom of the track.  As you approach the pits, use caution, often times, cars are stopping or slowing down to enter their pit spaces, and some race cars don't have brake lights or turn signals, others may be pulling out.  Once you enter the pits, you may want to check with track staff to see where a good place for you to park or pit your car.  Some of these spaces are reserved by racers who purchase a pit space for the entire year, that why it's wise to check.  This is where you will park for the remainder of the race day.  It's always a good idea to get a pit space next to a buddy if possible, this way you can share tools, coolers, bbq's etc, you know the important stuff.

After you have parked your car, check with the track staff to have the tech inspector visit you in your pit to check and ensure you have all the safety equipment necessary for the modifications you have and to check that your car is in safe operating order in general.  The tech inspector will place an indicator on your windshield that your car has passed the safety inspection and put your car number in your window.  He/she will also take your information sheet to the tower so the announcer can let fans know who you are, what you're driving and who you sponsors are when you make a pass down the track.  Now, you're ready to race.