how to build a drag strip

How Wide is a Drag Strip? There was a lot of testing to see how the strip would work, whether I'd need to fit any cork borders (no - the cars ran pretty straight) and how to stop the cars after the finish line sensors. Nov 24, 2010. These questions all factor into whether or not building an NHRA-approved racing course on the private property makes sense for your situation. 4 sensors per lane. Even with racers going quicker and quicker, it was beyond the clubs wildest dreams that they would ever have doorslammers run down the track. By connecting the 2 rails, it creates a "short" when the car is coasting, and the motor stops quicker. The construction of a drag strip can range from $5,000 to $100,000. This is our journey in building a race car on a working man's budget. Don't worry. More. Many street-legal drag radials should only be used on dry pavement. But after being approached by the Slamfest organisers in 2009, this is exactly what happened. However, if notit might be worth considering buying some land in another state and moving there temporarily until construction has finished (if possible). When a car leaves the starting line, it has to accelerate up to speed before it reaches the end of the track or else it will lose time because it didnt get up to speed in time. The local motorsport governing body would also have to have involvement unless the establishment wishes to run its own licensing system for competitors. In 1999 Portland drag racers would spend their Saturdays hanging a few skids down at the local airport. First you must buy a suitable piece of land, close to half a mile long, and at least a couple of hundred feet wide for most of it's length, so as to have room for necessary spectator's seats, garage area, parking, etc. A racing driver must slow down before crossing over any barrier between lanes at a race track because it could cause a collision if someone is behind him or her. An official drag strip requires at least 25 feet for each lane. The type of material used also influences its price tag: concrete is about two times more costly than asphalt and has higher maintenance requirements than asphalt does due to its tendency toward cracking over time (especially when exposed to excessive moisture). Many adults have an interest in drag racing for many different reasons. While doing the engine swap, get rid of the power steering and fit a manual rack. I was erring towards Tyco track as the lane spacing is slightly wider, but the . If I were building it, I would start with (2) 4" drain lines on each side . Do not turn in front of another vehicle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. John Cleary went guarantor and 6 club members entered into agreements with John, so that if the poo hit the fan they would all be liable for a portion of the debt. If you take the time to do it right the first time, a drag strip can be a lifelong investment you can pass on to your children when you retire. Some of the most well-known drag strips in the U.S. were built back in the 50s and 60s. A one-eighth-mile track costs approximately $50,000. Typically, insurance companies will require proof of liability coverage in case theres an accident involving a driver at your track. For example, if there were 10 racers participating in an event with $1 million worth of prize money up for grabs and each racer paid $100 for entry fees, then each racer would owe the track owner 10%. 10 in stock Add to cart Join our forum to ask and find answers to your production-based drag racer design . Some strips may even have a total of four lanes for drivers. The expenses related to this are simply immense, so this is why we should always look at ways in which they can be reduced or eliminated through negotiation. But I did want a medium-term solution using plastic sectional track. what is important is that you give this style of racing a chance. You should be able to get track specs from the NHRA with a phone call, and maybe even some rough price estimates. Engine Systems Kit - Part #: P5160258AC - $5,495.00 -. These factors will also determine how much does it cost to build a drag strip. Such courses have been in use for many years and have traditionally been about 1 mile long. Today, its how to build a drag strip. The membership on pro teams brings some prestige for members who can afford this type of career opportunity that does tend to come along very often. If there is one thing all drag race tracks have in common it is that they are all expensive and complex projects to construct. Lets break the cost down into three main areas: construction costs, equipment costs and ongoing operating costs. It would be best to have a collaboration between the government and the regulatory motorsport institution. Fans can look forward to match racing between two nostalgia nitro funny cars and two nitro front engine dragsters. Not from a lack of trying mind you. Firstly, the scope of the facility would need to be established. The length of the dragstrip is not that important. I think 1/2 mile of shutdown is the minimum for 1/4 miles cars running say 120 mph, and if you want to run 200+ mph cars you will need at least 3/4 mile. Yeah Todd, I was thining it would mostly be for the street racers, this area I found is right in the thick of where all the street racing takes place on the north side of town. I would have to agree with fitz if you are talking about building one as a business. Finally, if all these steps arent done professionally on-site then we estimate this could add another week or two at least depending on the complexity/skill level required etc. This could prove difficult, though, as obtaining the necessary license requirements could be hampered. Assemble your track pieces. Since everyone signs a waiver I wonder how much the insurance would be You might be in luck - they have been trying for years to open a dragstrip in MA, CT and RI. JavaScript is disabled. Is this track in your backyard or something you will hold races with spectators etc? Here are some tips on how to get started: 1. After 2 years of toil and hard work South Coast Raceway opened its gates to racers and fans on February 4th 2006. 700m of run-off is required as a safe distance for the vehicle to stop. There are instances where drag strips are also used to measure a standing kilometer top speed run. Yesterday we showed you how to build a race track. As Scott explains, we are definitely running groups 3 and 4 but were looking closely at the feasibility of group 2. What kind of infrastructure already exists nearby (roads)? ), scales if you want them, and whatever else you need in the way of hardware, and then the payroll for your staff. The first thing that you need to consider is the kind of surface that you want to use. Scheduled for the 4th and 5th of January 2013, the RARS round is part of the ANDRA drag racing championship for sportsman racers, consisting of groups 2, 3 and 4. Access roads, parking infrastructure, water, and power infrastructure would also prove crucial within such an establishment. This is why you should always make sure that you have a landowner who is willing to assist and cooperate with you if you want to build your own drag strip. Lets just say step 2 took a lot longer than step 1. There are two stages to this - building the car and tuning it. These tracks can be found in many different parts of the world, but most are located in North America or Europe. Often, a watchtower is constructed in line with the drag strip, which officials utilize to scrutinize race starts and finishes. While this is quite the wide range of prices, there are some factors that can help to determine what kind of budget a particular track needs and how much it will cost. The total cost depends on what you choose for the topmost layer but should start at around $100 per square foot for simple concrete or asphalt surfaces with no special features such as grooves or seams; it could increase significantly if you go all out with fancy graphics or colored tarmac like at airports where airplanes taxi onto runways beyond which theres nothing but grass fields surrounding them, Grandstands are not just for racing fans. Building a drag strip is an expensive endeavor, but it can be done for less than $500,000 if corners are cut carefully. :biggrin: Just throwing this out there. 1/10 gives you a few options as far as setups and chassis layouts so we'll start there. After barely 20 days of build time, Troy's coupe made it to TROG in Riverside, California . A timing system consists of computers and sensors that are used to record this information. The Car Our race team is converting a 1995 Mustang GTS into an 10.90 second Super Street race car for NHRA and IHRA competition. A very good question and with lots of variables. South Coast Raceway has come a long way in 6 years, none of which would have been possible without the generosity of sponsors and volunteers. It also depends on whether or not you want any safety equipment such as fencing around the track. They are the primary safety zone for vehicles and spectators, as well as a place to stage cars before they take off. [3] While drag strips can, theoretically, be only one lane with measurements taken, they are typically at least two lanes wide. Once again they were unsuccessful sourcing funding from the government so they decided to organise an overdraft. A percentage of event winnings is collected by private drag strip owners who have invested in their own racetrack instead of leasing one from another business or agency. A drag strip is the official name for a race track that is used exclusively to race automobiles with racing cars. You are using an out of date browser. You can either go for asphalt or concrete. On average, a drag strip owner makes $1 million to $2 million every year. For example, if a hot dog stand sells 100 hot dogs at $3 each, they would give back an extra $300 to the track owner after paying their expenses (rental fees, utilities). If you study a slot car track wiring diagram, you'll see that is all any 3 wire controller is doing, creating a "short" when the brakes are applied. This policy isnt just to protect the drivers who utilize your drag strip its to protect you from costly legal or medical fees in the event of an accident. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Eavestrough vs. Gutter Is There a Difference? Some private tracks are free for people to use if they have their own equipment. Take the time to do your research first, though. Now all they needed was the funding (much easier said than done). For the princely sum of $1 the club now had a 10 year lease on a piece of land that would fit an 1/8th mile drag strip. EH0DRA European H0 Drag Racing Association. My Auto World drag strip has had a lot of use at fairs and shows and at Worthing HO Racing in the eight years since I shipped it over from the States. The biggest expense for most private tracks is insurance. they make their money by charging admission and having vendors sell stuff in the parking lot. The surface of your drag strip is the most expensive component, but it also depends on the length of your track. Add chat time display (with radius configuration options) A couple of us in the UK send cars to races in the USA, so it might be nice to do something this side of the Atlantic. The 8 Best 16-Volt Batteries for Drag Racing, How To Drag Race Legally The Complete Guide. Like most temporary facilities however, when traffic at the airport increased it meant that the drag racers would need to find a new purpose built home. Bruton Smith is still thinking about buying the NHRA which could mean a 1/4 mile track at TMS. Quote. Cars, Gear, Fitness Whatever your interest, well keep you interested. The cost of renting or purchasing grandstands will depend on the size of your event, according to Bruce Razin of USA Track & Field magazine. I hope so with the proxy races. DRAG STRIPS Custom built slot car tracks by Gerding Fast Tracks 1/8 mile (40 minimum) 1000 (55 minimum) 1/4 mile (72 minimum) All 1/24 scale slot car drag strips will be built as free standing (not wall mounted). Previously, drag racing comprised individual competitors taking average road-going vehicles and modifying them to compete in a race. Continue to the end of the pavement and exit to the right. Maybe you could buy one and convert it. Walk In Refrigerator For Home: A Walk Through Overview. There are lots of factors that determine how much it will cost to build a drag strip: how much land do you have available? If you are the owner of a track and you have previously invested money on it, then you should do your best in order to make sure that you protect it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But we also have a love for all things fast. When you host streel legal nights, you will not make money from those events, but it should cover . There are zoning laws to be considered, especially in more densely populated areas. In heads-up racing, each driver races against only one other driver at a time. This includes things like the right wheels the right exhaust the right interior and the right paint. Most drag strips require that the owner of the property has a business license, and that the track is open to the public. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Another big step forward for South Coast Raceway is the inclusion of a round of the Rocket All Stars Racing Series (RARS) to the calendar. Thank for that info stu, a buddy told me he thought the 2 local 1/8 miles tracks here sold for around $1M, I don't think one could be built where I'm thinking for less than that for sureespecially $550k, cause real estate is getting rather expensive around herebut with the closest track on the verge of closing, your options in FTW are go to Denton which is 40 miles and is 1/8 mile, go to Ennis which is 1/4 mile but is 75 miles away Back in 1981 a friend who worked as an estimator for an asphalt company told me that a two lane road was about $1,000,000 per mile including grading, bed, and asphalt. Once youve decided where exactly you want to put your track down, then all thats left is deciding what kind of surface material will make up its surface. 1/5th. Local fans will be able to experience drag cars and bikes they would otherwise be unlikely to see in the flesh. GMHTP Project Power Trip 10-Second Turbo-T, 05 Turbo hyabusa street/strip/show 400+ hp. This way, you will be able to get many more years out of your investment. Racing lights, buildings for organization and storage, and even restrooms will all be essential once your drag strip is finally up and running. 16 Pins 5y D Collection by Daniel Parris Similar ideas popular now Layout Drag Racing D Daniel Parris Slot Car Drag Strip layout D Daniel Parris Slot Car Drag Strip layout Slots Slot Cars Stripping However, it does provide drivers with better traction thanks to its flexibility under stress caused by heavy vehicles speeding down it; so if youre looking for something that can withstand high speeds without costing too much money upfront or having any major issues down the road then concrete might be your best bet. And that's without worrying about building a dragstrip. Today it is one of the most common forms of motorsport in the United States and Canada with professional competitions such as NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series being broadcast live on television. The Slamfest continues to be a marquee event for the track and the 2013 edition will be no exception. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. , Scott recalls. Hello Andy, regarding drag racing by proxy - is that run two cars at a time and reliant upon the reaction times of two drivers or is the power simply switched on so the cars start simultaneously? What about an old airstrip? A shutdown area is required at all tracks so that drivers can safely come to a stop after crossing over any barrier between lanes at a race track. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1 McLaren F1 GT. Some tracks will have a timing system that allows you to see how fast your run was, but its not necessary for the first time out. While these might seem unnecessary since you dont have any employees or spectators yet, theyre still necessary so that when accidents do happen at some point in time they wont cause financial ruin for yourself or others who may be involved in them. The first is whether or not this is something that will bring value to your life. This said, the surfaces are often prepped with rubbery or glue types of material, allowing for a stickier surface, enabling better traction. That will bring sponsors and spectators. They used some sort of brick that has black glass in it (?!). This can be a factor of negotiation when it comes to security. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How much does it cost to build a performing arts center, How much does it cost to build a pergola diy. This figure can vary depending on factors such as location and revenue generated by the track. If you want to drag race, you've got to do it on a racetrack under the proper conditions. With the Brighton Speed Trials more than likely cancelled this year, it would be apt to hold an HO race down here. It was a very special day club secretary Scott Cleary remembers. The cost of the construction of a drag strip is determined by the following factors: land, concrete, asphalt and labor. Its important to consider that these costs do not include labor or maintenance over time. Report post. Prices for custom-built grandstands range from $400 per seat and up; manufactured ones typically cost less than $150 per seat (including delivery). The biggest expense is the construction of the track itself. A dragstrip can be used for driving on a city street, on dirt or asphalt, or even it can be an indoor racing bat. The racetrack barrier system prevents vehicles from leaving their lane during a race by using physical barriers and/or electronic systems to detect if drivers leave their lane during a race. Typically, a standard drag race is run along 14mi (1,320ft or 402m) from start to stop, with a run-off area that follows. So when we came across HD Forums member SpaceReapersNOLA and his amazing Dyna drag bike project, we were immediately interested. Drag strips are great investments and they will provide you with many years of fun, make sure that you invest your money in the right way! The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Now, you could obviously attempt to build your own wheelie bars from scratch get some 1-1/4 and 1-1/8 tubing, cut it . Initially the plans were to start small and keep costs down. If it is public then there will be more costs involved such as paying for insurance and maintenance costs. (This post was last modified: 29th-Apr-20, 09:49 AM by. You can either go for asphalt or concrete. You may also need workers compensation insurance if you hire employees or contractors to help with your project and this should definitely be considered before hiring anyone or contracting out work on your property. If it isnt, then your car will not reach its top speed. View attachment 266257. The answer is more complex than you might think. Striping is important for keeping racers from crashing into each other. The dragstrip is 13' 2" from starting line to the finish line. Local polices like those concerning sound and air pollution, will also need to be considered before you can break ground. Watchtowers and office spaces are also part of the infrastructure. Including costs for lights timers, etc.. Not taking into consideration the land purchase since the land alone would vary significantly in cost. Walt then turns the force transfer bar two "flats" of the wrenching area on the force transfer bar to set the preload on the spring at ride height. These tracks are usually used for testing purposes by those who own cars that are designed for racing at high speeds. This cost will vary by both region and specific areas of town: a lease in the heart of Manhattan could cost over $80,000/month in rent. Something went wrong. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The same type of track in asphalt would be twice as expensive at $150 per square foot, $150,000 for one mile. What chassis,motor etc type of thing . A dragster is a vehicle that uses nitromethane fuel, usually in the form of liquid spray, and is controlled by computers, while a Top Fueler is a car that uses nitromethane and allows drivers to set their own engine. For instance, a 1-mile long concrete surface will cost approximately $80 per square foot to install, and $80,000 for a 1-mile strip. Bring up drain risers for 6" x 12" drains every 20' at the walls. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The cost of building a drag strip depends on the number of lanes you want to have. A larger track will also require more equipment and concrete, and the asphalt could cost more as well. View attachment 266260. I have a ton of them sitting collecting dust.Our track closed a couple of years ago.We raced 16d motors and super 16d motors.We had a 4 and a half inch nascar class,the Parma Flexi chassis was the dominent chassis.We also had a GTP class.There were 2 classes . If you have a large track and you have a lot of cars coming in every day, then this number can go up significantly. I love slot cars! I thought that's part of what we were paying for to race there? Racing Drag Strip $ 22.00 or 4 interest-free payments of $5.50 with Get your Drag on wait. These grandstands take on pyramid type seating structure, often found on the main straights of popular racing circuits around the world. 8. If you have the space you can really get a great looking drag strip; if you have a small space to work with, you can simply recreate the starting line and you'll still end up with some great photo opportunities. The total track length should be around 1202m. The surface needs to be at least 3 inches thick and should be around 1,000 feet long. Customize your comic Get creative with your own color scheme, layout, font style and combination of stickers, icons and illustrations. This Tech Tip is From the Full Book, HOW TO REBUILD AND MODIFY CARTER/EDELBROCK CARBURETORS.For a comprehensive guide on this entire subject you can visit this link: LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK HERE Massive 15,000 person grand stand and V.I.P viewing area will entertain all your guests while the drivers and crew work away in the 6x stall work stations (1x single/5x double). A wee bit out of the ordinary, but I built a portable drag strip using tyco track and a VERY modified 1/64 scale diecast drag system from dragmasters.net and power the system by using parts from electric scooters, with a choice of 24v or 36v. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The car is light, aerodynamic, powerful and the aftermarket is bursting with performance parts to lower your ETs and raise your MPH in the quarter mile.