OVERVIEW
The Drag Illustrated Winter Series strictly adheres to the safety and race procedure standards and guidelines of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The 2025 NHRA Rulebook is available for download by clicking here.
THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY TO ALL CLASSES:
FUEL
Racing gasoline and methanol permitted. The use of nitro methane, nitroparaphins and/or propylene oxide is strictly prohibited.
ENTRY / REGISTRATION PROCESS
The Drag Illustrated Winter Series utilizes online registration. Competitors are required to purchase race credentials online prior to the start of the event. No tech cards will be sold at the gate. Credentials can be picked up at Drag Illustrated Winter Series Registration upon entry to the facility.
PIT VEHICLES
All pit vehicles entering the facility must display race vehicle number and class designation on both sides of the vehicle.
Every pit vehicle entering the racing facility must be assigned to; and is the responsibility of; the competitor of an entered vehicle in Drag Illustrated Winter Series competition. The competitor will assume full legal responsibility for any damage to property (or other damages) caused by pit vehicles bearing their competition number, whether the driver is operating a pit vehicle or not.
Pit vehicles may be operated from “Gate Opening” until two hours after competition ends each day. Pit vehicles in operation after this period may be impounded until after the event is completed.
Motorized or Electric Skateboards, Roller Blades, Roller Skates. Push Scooters, and other vehicles of this type are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from the pit and restricted areas.
Operators of pit/support vehicles must be 16 or older and have a valid drivers license. All vehicles are limited to a 10mph speed limit.
Pit vehicles will be impounded, until after the event is completed, for any infraction of above rules, reckless operation of pit vehicle or any operation deemed inappropriate or unsafe by Drag Illustrated Winter Series or facility officials. The driver of the entered vehicle may be disqualified from competition, fined and/or removed from the property for failing to comply.
PROPER USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Seat belts must be worn and adjusted in such a manner that the driver’s torso and head cannot extend outside the parameters of the roll cage.
The loosening and removal of seat belts, helmets, gloves, window nets, lifting of helmet shield and removal of any safety equipment is prohibited from the time the vehicle leaves the ready line until the vehicle comes to a complete stop on the return road.
Fire bottle safety pins/clips must be removed from fire suppression controls from the time the vehicle enters the water box until the vehicle comes to a complete stop on the return road. Fresh air systems must be on and providing airflow to the driver’s helmet from the time the vehicle leaves the ready line until the vehicle is on the return road. Fresh air systems recommended for all drivers.
Violators will be subject to disciplinary action in the sole and absolute discretion of Drag Illustrated Winter Series Director of Competition.
TECHNICAL INSPECTION
Prior to competition, all cars and drivers must pass Drag Illustrated Winter Series (DIWS) technical inspection. Prior to technical inspection, competitors are required to fill out the DIWS Competitor Registration Form with 100-percent accuracy, including exact engine displacement. Any false information on DIWS Competitior Registration Forms is grounds for disqualification and removal from the Drag Illustrated Winter Series.
During the initial tech procedure, DIWS technical staff reserves the right to inspect any and every portion of the competing vehicle to ensure rules compliance, including teardowns, weight checks, displacement verification, etc. Do not enter your vehicle for competition if you are not prepared to prove the legality and compliance of your vehicle.
Prior to, during, and after the qualifying and/or eliminations, DIWS reserves the right to inspect, seal, impound, and/or teardown any racer’s vehicle for any reason or impound any vehicle and/or parts as deemed necessary. Refusing teardown inspection and/or disassembly can result at minimum in the disqualification of the vehicle from competition, and immediate removal of the vehicle, owner, and crew from the racing facility.
Any engine, transmission, or power adder (e.g., turbo, supercharger, nitrous etc.) change that occurs following the initial tech process and during qualifying or eliminations must be reported to DIWS Technical Department for proper inspection before any further qualifying or elimination passes are made. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the disallowance of the qualifying or elimination run.
Prior to competition, all vehicles and driver equipment must undergo a technical inspection. DIWS makes no representations, warranties, or assurances that a technical inspection will:
- 1) Detect any problem with a vehicle or a driver’s personal equipment or clothing.
- 2) Detect any problem with rules compliance, or
- 3) Prevent injury, death, or property damage.
The competitor agrees that the competitor always bears the ultimate responsibility to ensure the safety of competitors’ vehicles and to ensure that competitor complies with all applicable DIWS and NHRA rules. The competitor agrees that the competitor is in the best position to know about the construction and operation of participant’s vehicle, equipment, and clothing, and whether there has been compliance with all applicable DIWS rules. If a competitor changes engines during an event, they must report to tech to make the DIWS Director of Competition aware of the change. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the event.
DRIVER REQUIREMENTS
Racers must possess a government issued, current, valid driver’s license.
All drivers must sign a liability waiver and photo release during registration.
If the driver is not the car owner, the driver must have all required documents (as stated below), and must attest as stated in the waiver that they have the car owner’s permission to be in possession of and to race the vehicle.
Drivers must be at least 16 years of age to compete. If drivers are at least 16 years of age, but under 18 years of age, their custodial parent or legal guardian must be in attendance with them during on-site tech and registration, as well as for the duration of DIWS. Both the custodial parent and child will be required to appear in person during tech and registration in order to sign the releases and waivers onsite.
Drivers must have a valid NHRA, PDRA or IHRA license.
CONDUCT
Any participant found under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is subject to immediate disqualification and removal from the event and the potential for being banned from DIWS events.
Unsportsmanlike conduct or actions deemed by the race director or other event official to be unsafe may result in disqualification or removal from the event and the potential for being banned from DIWS events.
REQUIRED DECALS
Special DIWS event decals and sponsor decals are required for all participating vehicles. Any non-approved decals or signage may be prohibited.
DIWS, at its discretion, reserves the right to reject any decals, signs, names, advertising, promotion, or graphics that it feels is inappropriate or unacceptable at DIWS.
TIMING SYSTEM
All races are run on auto start.
Any computer or tree malfunction resulting in any error that would change the outcome of the race will be rerun at the discretion of DIWS.
RACE FORMAT
DIWS is contested over the eighth-mile. DIWS utilizes a .400 professional tree.
QUALIFYING FORMAT
DIWS competitors are provided four or five qualifying sessions over the course of two days (two or three per day) prior to final eliminations unless otherwise dictated by weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances.
DIWS competitors are required to alternate lanes for qualifying passes.
ELIMINATION FORMAT
DIWS elimination round pairings are determined by chip draw until the final round matchup is determined. Time and location of chip draw will be determined by DIWS officials, but is tentatively scheduled to take place immediately following the conclusion of the fourth round of qualifying.
Lane choice in competition is determined by the quicker car from the previous round.
DRAG ILLUSTRATED WINTER SERIES DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
John Sears
[email protected]
305-607-5597
