Snowmobile Drag Racing – 101
Webster’s defines a drag race as an acceleration contest between vehicles. It is basically a race from a dead stop, in a straight line, over a fixed distance. The first vehicle to cross the finish line is the winner. Hence the definition as an acceleration contest, as the vehicle with the greatest amount of acceleration is usually the victor. The most popular forms of automotive drag racing known to the general public are those sanctioned by the NHRA and IHRA and broadcast on television. The main attractions at these events are the top professional classes including Pro-Stock, Pro-Mod, Funny Car and Top Fuel.
Snowmobile drag racing is just a little different than the automotive drag racing you may have seen on TV and presents its own list of challenges. Not the least of these challenges is the surface that is raced on. Unlike the meticulously prepared asphalt of a major NHRA event, snowmobiles are raced on some of the most unpredictable surfaces imaginable. Although they can be raced on asphalt, they are most often raced on snow, ice, and grass (yes, grass).
The Distance: On snow or ice the distance is normally 660 feet (one-eighth of a mile). On grass/dirt, the distance is most typically 500 feet.
# of Snowmobiles: Unlike automotive drag racing which is between two cars, snowmobile drag races can be between 2,3, or 4 snowmobiles. Typical snow drags involve heats of 4 snowmobiles at a time.
The start: Most sanctioned events will use a set of timing lights to start the race. Typically the lights will change from yellow to green. Green means go. Should a racer leave the start before the green light is illuminated, a light beam across the starting line is broken and a red light will appear indicating that the racer jump started and is disqualified from the race.
Webster’s defines a drag race as an acceleration contest between vehicles. It is basically a race from a dead stop, in a straight line, over a fixed distance. The first vehicle to cross the finish line is the winner. Hence the definition as an acceleration contest, as the vehicle with the greatest amount of acceleration is usually the victor. The most popular forms of automotive drag racing known to the general public are those sanctioned by the NHRA and IHRA and broadcast on television. The main attractions at these events are the top professional classes including Pro-Stock, Pro-Mod, Funny Car and Top Fuel.
Snowmobile drag racing is just a little different than the automotive drag racing you may have seen on TV and presents its own list of challenges. Not the least of these challenges is the surface that is raced on. Unlike the meticulously prepared asphalt of a major NHRA event, snowmobiles are raced on some of the most unpredictable surfaces imaginable. Although they can be raced on asphalt, they are most often raced on snow, ice, and grass (yes, grass).
The Distance: On snow or ice the distance is normally 660 feet (one-eighth of a mile). On grass/dirt, the distance is most typically 500 feet.
# of Snowmobiles: Unlike automotive drag racing which is between two cars, snowmobile drag races can be between 2,3, or 4 snowmobiles. Typical snow drags involve heats of 4 snowmobiles at a time.
The start: Most sanctioned events will use a set of timing lights to start the race. Typically the lights will change from yellow to green. Green means go. Should a racer leave the start before the green light is illuminated, a light beam across the starting line is broken and a red light will appear indicating that the racer jump started and is disqualified from the race.
