Your first drag meeting: what to expect, what to bring, how to stand

The first time you go to a drag meeting, two things surprise you. One is the noise, which is bigger than you expected even if someone warned you. The other is the pace: a few seconds of action, then a pause, then a few more seconds, all day long. Knowing the rhythm makes the day much more enjoyable. This is a spectator's guide, not official advice. For the rules at a particular venue, check with the track.

Before you go

Find the meeting through the sanctioning body's event listings or the track's own site; the NZDRA lists sanctioned events. Check:

• Gate times and ticket prices. Some meetings sell tickets at the gate only; others online.
• Whether there is a pit pass. Many meetings let spectators walk the pits, sometimes for an extra fee. It is the best part of the day.
• The weather. Drag racing does not happen on a wet track. Rain delays are common, and a meeting can be called off if the track cannot be dried.
• What is allowed. Rules on chilly bins, alcohol, dogs, drones and chairs vary between venues.

What to bring

• Hearing protection. Non-negotiable, for every member of your group. More on this below.
• Sun protection. Strips are wide open spaces with very little shade. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
• Layers. Mornings and evenings can be cold even in summer, especially at airfield venues.
• Something to sit on. Grandstand space can be limited. A folding chair or a cushion helps.
• Food and water, or cash for the food trucks, depending on the venue.
• Patience. A meeting runs for hours. The quickest classes often run later in the programme.

Protect your hearing

This is the most important thing in this piece. Drag racing, and especially the nitro classes, is loud enough to damage hearing. WorkSafe New Zealand treats noise as a serious workplace hazard because noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and builds up over time; the same physics applies to spectators.

Earplugs or earmuffs that are rated for loud noise are the minimum. Many regulars wear both at once for the quickest classes. Children's ears are more vulnerable, and earmuffs sized for children are widely sold. If you are standing near the start line when a fuel bike or car runs, do not wait to see how loud it is before covering up.

Understanding the start

Each pair of competitors goes through the same routine:

1. The burnout. Riders spin the rear tyre in a shallow water box, then on dry track, to heat and clean it. This is the loudest, smokiest part for spectators near the start.
2. Staging. Riders roll forward into the beams at the start line. The small lamps at the top of the christmas tree, the tower of lights between the lanes, show when each lane is in position.
3. The tree. Amber lamps count down to the green. Leave too early and the lane shows a red light, which usually loses the race.
4. The run. A few seconds later it is over. Look to the scoreboard at the finish line for elapsed time and speed.

Our piece on reading a timing slip explains the numbers you will see.

Where to stand

Watch from where the track tells you to. That sounds obvious, but it matters: barriers and fencing are positioned for a reason, and the areas closest to the racing surface are kept clear for safety crews and officials.

• Near the start line is the most popular spot: burnouts, staging, the launch. It is also the loudest.
• Around half track you see the bikes at speed, and it is often less crowded.
• Near the finish you can see who wins the close ones, although it is harder to follow the launch.

Do not climb fences or stand on vehicles to get a better view. If something goes wrong on the track, marshals and safety crews need clear access, and debris travels further than people think.

In the pits

If you have pit access, enjoy it, and follow pit etiquette:

• Ask before touching anything and before taking close-up photos of someone's bike or setup.
• Keep out of the way of vehicles moving to and from the lanes. They have right of way and limited visibility.
• Watch for teams working. Between rounds a crew may have very little time. Wait for a quiet moment to ask questions.
• Mind the fuel. Methanol and nitromethane are hazardous. Stay clear of fuelling areas and never smoke in the pits.
• Keep kids close. Pit lanes are busy, and children are hard to see from a tow vehicle.

Most racers love talking about their machines when they have a minute. Ask about the last run, or the timing slip, and you will usually learn a lot.

After the meeting

The final rounds are often late in the day, and the quickest classes may run last. If you can, stay to the end. Leaving traffic can be slow, so many regulars wait for it to clear.

One last thought: the people running the meeting are mostly volunteers. If you enjoyed the day, say so to the gate crew on the way out.