Introduction to the
VDBC Racing Format and Classes

Last Updated: May 2009

The Victorian Drag Boat Club Incorporated has a class to suit all types of boats, such as inboard, outboard, jet or stern drive, the VDBC can place your boat in a class that will be competitive. These are called “Bracket Classes”. The VDBC has many types of hull configurations including Flat Bottoms, Vee-Bottoms, Tunnels and Hydros. So, if you have mid mount, rear engine, or outboard ski boat, or quick lake racer, you can get yourself, and your family involved, in an exciting, safe sport, with plenty of friends within the club to cheer you on.

So, how does it work! The class of boat depends on the speed of the boat that you, or the club nominates. If you don’t know how fast your boat goes, the VDBC will run you through the course and a speed and elapsed time will be recorded against your boat by laser timing. Having done this, the club can now put your boat in a class with other boats that do the same or similar speeds. By having this type of racing, every boat has the chance to win some and lose some, but being very competitive in the nominated class.

Racing Format

The VDBC racing runs a “Round Robin” format for all its drag race classes, including the Pro Classes. This means that whatever class you race in, you will race every boat entered in that class once. You gain 5 points for a win, 3 points for a runner up, 5 points for a legal single, and zero points for a DNS, DNF, a break out, or in some cases, a red light at the start. At the completion of the round robin racing, the computer counts the points, and the two boats that have the highest amount of points, go to the trophy dash. During the season a point score is added to every boat and you have the opportunity to become the “High Points Champion” for your class each season. The prestigious No.1 for your class!!

The Start

All boats in the class are sent out on to the water in their allocated racing lanes, either lane 1 or lane 2. With the aid of a “holding rope”, which keeps all the boats from moving around behind the course, they await the starters instructions. The boat racing in lane 1 shall be in lane 1 and the same for lane 2. The floating “Christmas Tree” consists of a red, amber and a green light for each lane. On top of the tree, is a flashing red light. When this is on NO BOAT will move as there usually some form of danger on the course. When it’s your turn to race, the starter will call you up with the flashing amber light.It will flash for approx. 10 seconds. When the light goes solid, both drivers must be seen by the starter to acknowledge one another, start their boats and proceed to the pre start buoy at a slow pace. By this, we mean you must look at the other boat and maintain your speed. If one boat cannot start he/she is to wave to the other competitor that they have a problem. If your speed is correct on approach to the start lights, they will remain solid. If one boat is approaching too fast, then that lane will receive a very quick flashing amber light to slow you down to match the other boat. Approach speeds will vary slightly from class to class. Bracket boats approach a little quicker than a bow wave.

The green light will be given when starter is happy with your approach. Timing will commence once the green light is given. Continue on pass the Chequered buoy for a full pass, and your elapsed time and speed will be recorded if you are the winner.

BRACKET CLASSES

Social Stock - >65mph: This class was recently introduced to encourage owners of regular type ski boats to come along and enjoy the thrill and excitement of drag boat racing. Boats competing in Social Stock are very conventional, usually with no modifications. Breakout speed is 66.00mph or 107kph, however a legal pass can be 65.99 mph or 105kph. A great introduction class and then go water skiing!

Stock Eliminator - >75 mph: This class of boat has a “breakout” speed of 75.00 mph or 122kph. This means that any type of boat can race in this class provided they run under this speed. A legal pass can be 75.99 mph or 121 kph. Lots of action here, from mid mounts to outboards, super close racing.

Modified Stock - >85 mph: This class of boat has a “breakout” speed of 85.00 mph or 140kph. Again, any hull or engine combination. A legal pass can be 85.99 mph or 137 kph. Some pretty tough inboards in this bracket, and some tough outboards as well!

Super Stock - >95 mph: This class of boat has a “breakout” speed of 95.00 mph or 156kph. Any hull or engine combination. A legal pass can be 95.99 mph or 153 kph. Really close racing in this class, especially the “inboard versus outboard” rivalry!

Super Competition - >105mph: This class of boat has a “breakout” speed of 105.00 mph or 170kph. Any hull or engine combination. A legal pass can be 105.99 mph or 168 kph. Very tough competitive class with superchargers up against tunnel rams and injection! This is last step before going to the Pro Classes.

PRO CLASSES

Pro Competition - >115mph: This is a relatively new class, and although a bracket class, is regarded as the first of the pro classes. It is not unusual for boats in this class to have Superchargers with carburettors bolted on top of them. The odd blown and injected engine also runs in here but no methanol allowed. Racing fuel, pump gasoline allowed. Ford versus Chev rivalry is alive and well here and is just sensational racing

Unlimited Outboard (UOM): This is not a Bracket class, but a full on quarter mile drag race. Any speed is allowed. This type of boat regularly competes in other bracket classes when numbers are low in their own class. There’s nothing like watching outboards when there is only the prop in the water and the hull is not even touching the water. Keep watching!

Limited Hydro Under (LHU): This is a Hydroplane class with engine capacity under 367ci. Speeds exceed 130mph (209 kph) in this class. Competitive racing right to the finish line, and great side-by-side competition.

Blown Hydro Limited (BHL): Again, another Hydro class, this time a 500 cubic inch limit applies, limited to a 8-71 Supercharger, and single speed transmissions, in other words, no Lenco or Owens type transmissions. Speeds around 170 – 180 (289 kph) mph are quite exciting to watch.

Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD): One of the most exciting to watch, the BAD is an open class. Superchargers permitted, normally no restriction of engine capacity. Never take your eyes off these guys when they’re racing.

Blown Alcohol Flatbottom (BAF): The “Funny Cars” of Liquid Asphalt! Usually called a ‘surfboard with a blown motor’! Speeds around 135-145mph (233 kph) are not uncommon, and although not as quick as their USA counterparts, just as exciting to watch. Wings at the rear of the boat stabilise these crazy boats, so never, ever, go to the food stand when they race. Just awesome!!

Blown Alcohol Hydro (BAH): The quickest and fastest of all the alcohol classes raced in Australia, the BAH’s run around 220mph (354 kph). Speeds regularly seen are 185 to 200mph (321 kph). E.T’s can be as quick as 5.50 seconds to cover the quarter mile. If you like noise, speed and colour, these boats are definitely for you!

Top Fuel Hydro (TFH): The ultimate drag racing machine! Although this class is currently an exhibition class, the appearance of the 1st TFH in Australia, the ‘Nitro Thunder’, from NSW, has generated plenty of interest. Speeds of 250 mph (400kph) are common in the USA, and ET’s around 4.6 seconds are unbelievable to watch and hear. The thunderous noise generated by a 6,000+ hp engine, is the most awesome, most amazing boats to watch. Next time you see the TFH entered to race, you must not miss it!!!

Safety - The Victorian Drag Boat Club boat rescue teams are responsible, not only for the safe recovery of a driver in the event of an accident, but also for putting out on-board fires, pulling up sunken craft, searching for lost parts after a crash, and even watching the water to be sure that the racers are run as safely as possible. Just imagine sitting in a rubber wet suit in 30 degree temperatures for 8 hours a day. It ain’t easy!! These teams are constantly in training, with practice sessions conducted sometimes two to three times a year. They hone their rescue skills, like retrieving a capsule, and open boat recovery, in case of a boat sinking. The Rescue 1 team discuss ways in which to expedite the rescue operation or make it better in any other manner. Rescue 1 team members constantly discuss various rescue scenarios, and review each team member’s duties during a rescue operation. Members of Rescue 1, include qualified and certified divers, paramedics and fire fighter experts. Our safety team ‘sweep’ the course in the morning for any floating debris and continue to ‘sweep’ the course at down times, like when a boat is under tow due to a breakdown. This is an important role a as even a small stick or aluminium can could tear a hole in a boat at speed and cause a serious accident. The VDBC prides itself in it’s Safety Crew and our safety record!

For more information on any specific class above, send us an email on secretary@vdbc.com or contact the Secretary on 0425 814 750.