adminsix-event 2012 drag racing season at Donnybrook and the organisers reported yesterday that there has been a lot of interest expressed in the event and in particular with regards to the newly imported timing equipment.
Total prizes of US$5 250 have also been of particular attraction to prospective drag racing competitors, and the organisers said they were most grateful to all their sponsors for this terrific support, particularly at a difficult time of the year
Susan Zevgolis, the Dragpro Club secretary, yesterday said that both male and female competitors are expected to participate this weekend, as well as a contingent of Bulawayo drivers and vehicles – not previously seen in Harare.
“The full programme of events has been finalised and the event gets underway at 9am on Saturday.
“There will be eight vehicle classes and two motorcycle classes. It is also anticipated that as the drag racing sport grows in popularity and numbers in Zimbabwe, provision will be made for more classes, including diesel powered vehicles,” Zevgolis said.
Drivers are expected to arrive throughout the morning on Saturday where they can compete in timed grudge matches and acceleration testing.
Zevgolis said drag racing participants wishing to compete for the “class prizes” (three places in each class) and for the final Elimination Competition in the afternoon, will need to “qualify” by running at least three timed runs during the “shoot outs” which will be held between 2pm and 3:45pm.
The Eliminations will ultimately present the day’s fastest car and fastest bike.
This is always a great spectator event.
“A sound off competition will also be held from the Pit Area during the course of the day and this is a great crowd entertainer. Finally, the day will culminate in a prize giving ceremony at 5:15pm.
“We (the organisers) are also delighted that some of the sponsors will have stands at the event, so if you are needing auto spares, tyres, oils and lubricants or just product advice and information, this is a great opportunity to support the event’s sponsors,” Zevgolis said.
She also said that there will be entertainment for the whole family in the form of jumping castles, water slides, mechanical bull and a “drop-in” by the sky-divers.
But what is drag racing?
A drag race is an acceleration contest hosted on a track called a drag strip. This race, which is always between two vehicles at a time, begins from a standing start and is contested over standard distance commonly 400 metres.
The losing racer in each heat is eliminated and the winner progresses to meet the next challenger until one overall winner emerges, becoming the grand champion.
The race is started by means of an electronic device commonly referred to as a Christmas Tree because of its multicoloured starting lights – red, amber and green – which flicker on and off at the start of the race.
Two light beams are positioned across the starting-line area in front of each car and are connected to trackside photocells which are wired to the Christmas Tree and then to electronic timers in the control tower.
The two separate performances monitored for each run are the elapsed time and speed, each for each lane, vehicles being timed independently.
Drivers are disqualified for leaving the starting line too soon or breaching the lane boundary, either by crossing the centre line, touching the guard wall or striking a track fixture such as the photocells.
Online Reporter