Providing an outlet for better mental health“First Time Drag Racing Spectator”
So you’ve decided to head down to the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana and watch your very first drag race, but you’re not really sure what to expect. The Western Nationals is usually a pretty good event, but this year there’s the added bonus of TOP FUEL !!! so it’s going to be epic.
Spectator Tips
But as your first time, what do you need to know? What do you bring? Where are you allowed to go? What time should you be there? … so many questions, so you don’t look like a newbie and you’re sure not to miss out on anything.
Where is the event, and how do I get there?
Drag Racing is held at the Perth Motorplex – Anketell Road, Kwinana. There is plenty of parking onsite (both free and VIP), but it is a very large facility so there will be some walking involved.
What time should I be there?
While all the advertising boasts that the feature event starts at 4pm there is plenty of racing from 11am. But this can be a very long day for the uninitiated. To make sure you download the schedule and pace yourself so don’t miss out. (Also give yourself plenty of time to wander around and meet the drivers during the qualifying rounds, before they start getting too serious)
NOTE: If you arrive before 1pm you will need to enter through the Competitor Gate. You won’t be able to park inside the gates, so it’s best to purchase your ticket in advance and only bring what you can carry.
When will YOU be racing?
Our race times are attached in the image (or download the full schedule from Motorplex.com and highlight Super Sedan). Saturday is all qualifying, so you’ll see us out on track 4 times throughout the day. On Sunday we only have the one qualifier, so any racing after 1.30pm will be dependant on our winning the previous race.
Can I bring the kids?
Yes you can. But be aware that really little kids may not like the loud noises, and with Top Fuel being the feature event it will be as loud as drag racing gets. Please make sure everyone has ear protection.
What should I bring?
Keep in mind that there’s a lot of walking, so if you do bring chairs, esky etc then a fold up trolly will come in handy.
Chairs or cushion: The grass area is lovely to sit on, but after a full day you may find that a cushion, blanket or folding chair will be more comfortable.
Food & Drink: There’s a wide variety of food vans available (including a bar) and plenty of water refill stations. But you can bring your own. Please note that alcohol is NOT allowed, neither is glass or knives. These will be confiscated on entry.
Weather Protection: The weather for the weekend is a little all over the place, but there are some shady locations throughout the stands. Bring a hat and sunscreen. (Sorry, no umbrellas or structures.) When the sun goes down the temperature does drop significantly, so if you’re there all day/night, bring some warm clothing. (I’ve been known to wear shorts during the day and a beanie and scarf at night)
Comfy Shoes: you can walk everywhere, so make sure you’re comfortable.
Ears & eyes: It’s bright and it’s loud. Please arrange for ear protection. You can purchase ears and earplugs onsite, but it’s best to come prepared. If you have kids coming, please explain the importance. Some cars may not appear loud, but the loud ones are REALLY loud and not just on the track.
Camera / Phone: don’t forget your camera and some extra charge.
Where am I allowed to sit? Can I wander around?
Depending on how “in the action” you want to be will depend on where you choose to sit. A silver ticket will allow you to sit anywhere in the stands (except in the chairs). Come in, setup your space and then you are free to wander around the complex. Come down to the pits area and see all the cars up close, chat to the drivers and crew, see engines being rebuilt between rounds, and there’s even lots of merchandise available.
Have your race schedule handy so you know when to head back up to the stands so as not to miss your chosen racers.
Look but Don’t Touch
Please respect the belongings of the racers and other spectators.
Where are you?
We are all the way up the back – check the image on this page.
Can I talk to the racers?
While the racers do make every effort to answer questions and have photos taken and sign autographs there will be times when they need to focus on preparing for the upcoming race. Use your discretion when wandering around the pits. If they look busy, just stand back out of the way and watch or take photos.
There is some track downtime in the schedule when many of the racers will stop for some dinner before racing gets serious.
Safety is paramount!!!
Watch where you are walking, and keep an eye on the kids. Many of these cars have limited visibility, and there are a lot of highly volatile fuels around and cables that can trip you up. If you need to look at your phone – please step aside to a safe area.
Also please take note of signs specifying no entry areas (such as the track, staging lanes, officials box)
Understanding the Race
Don’t want to look like a newbie when you’re watching us race? Then here’s a couple of tips to help you understand what’s happening on track.
Why do they do a burnout?
Most of the cars have smooth (slick) tyres, and the track – while it looks shiny – is actually very sticky.
The tyres need to be warmed up so they stick better to the track. If you’re trying your luck on a “Whoopass Wednesday”, this doesn’t work on normal street tyres.
Why did one car leave before the other?
Our racing format is called “Dial Your Own”, which is a handicap style of racing allowing different speeds of vehicles to race each other fairly. During the competition rounds you will notice that each car has a time (eg: 9.51) written on the window. This is the estimated time (ET) they expect to do the quarter mile in. The car who has the fastest time (ET) on the window will be held back on the start line to allow the slower car a head start. After that it’s about who gets to the finish line first. But …
… the faster car just lost?
There is a rule, first or worst. If the car leaves too early they will “red light”. Automatic loss.
If they go outside their lane – Automatic loss.
If they go quicker than their time on the window – Automatic loss – unless the other car red lit, or also went quicker but by more.
What is a reaction time and a holeshot?
The time it takes for the car to get from the start line to the finish line includes how long it takes for the driver to react to the green light. Races have been won purely on one driver being quicker off the start – known as a holeshot. Too quick and the driver will “red light”, too slow and their opponent could win the race … it comes down to 1000’s of a second.
Why do only some cars have a parachute?
The parachute is a rule requirement depending on the speed of the car. You’ll notice some of the group 1 cars actually have 2 parachutes to help them slow at the top of the track. So do we … watch for the pink at the end of the track.
What is a Christmas Tree?
What is a Christmas Tree?The lights in the middle of the lanes is called a Christmas Tree.
The top two rows are for staging. This is when the vehicle lines up on the start line. It’s done in two stages, making sure both lanes are correctly lined up before the countdown starts.
The orange lights are the countdown (Heads Up racers will see these flash together once)
The green light is the go light … but racers will actually start to leave the line before the green light has lit up. Watch closely and you will start to see cars lifting in anticipation of the green. (Hence the name of my book – Don’t wait for the green light)
The red light will appear if a) there is no-one racing in that lane or b) the driver left before the green light.
Flashing lights will appear if there is an issue on the track and no-one is allowed to race.
Qualifying, Winners and …
During the qualifying rounds, all racing is “heads up”. The racers are just “getting their eye in”, checking their car, checking the track and weather conditions.
When racing starts there’s 2 kinds of competition. Elimination means that the winner goes through to the next round and the loser gets to sit in the stands and watch. (In my case it’s my chance to shout my team a well earned drink.)
And “Chicago Shootout” style. This means the racers compete every race and the most wins at the end is declared the winner.
We are racing elimination style racing, which means that we will only race the next round if we win the previous one.
Accidents do happen 🙁
Unfortunately this is a risky sport, and accidents do happen. Please show respect and allow the safety crew to follow their processes. And keep in mind that you may be sitting near a racer or family member who knows that person on track.
TOP FUEL CARS
You may hear a lot of fuss about the Top Fuel Cars, and after you’ve experienced them you will fully understand. They aren’t just about watching how fast they go, you actually physically feel their power from up in the stands. Yes their burnout procedure is loud, but be fully prepared for the race launch. If you have kids, then even if they have ear protection, make sure they put their hands over the top of their ears as added protection. IT’S LOUD …
* * * * *
This is just a small introduction to what will be a very full event, and we really hope it’s just the beginning for you. Enjoy and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you see a crew member in the crowd and you’re not sure what’s happening on track, just ask. We’re pretty approachable and always happy to share more understanding about our sport.
