Welcome! Thank you for coming to zMAX Dragway!

For your convenience, we have assembled this Competitor Guide which is your single-source for information on the following:

~ A welcome from those who bring this event to you~ Glossary of things relevant to this week’s events~ Contacts for the many services available to you~ Pit Vehicle information~ Race Critical information~ Safety information~ Logistical hints to help you more efficiently utilize the facility~ Safety responsibilities~ Purse / Payout information~ Schedule of events~ NHRA and ZMAX Dragway Rules and Regulations.

It is our responsibility to provide the opportunity for you to appropriately utilize safety measures with respect to the current climate. It is your responsibility to apply them in a manner that suits your comfort level.

As the safety and enjoyment of our guests and your experience here depends on the collective understanding of these guidelines, all are responsible for understanding and complying with the contents of this document. If you have any questions or are unclear on anything in this Competitor Guide, please contact the tower immediately.

We hope you enjoy your stay with us!

~ ZMAX Dragway Track ManagementFootnote: In accordance with the most recent state mandates to help manage the spread of COVID-19, all competitors, visitors

and staff on-site at Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte will be required to wear appropriate face coverings until at least July 17 or such a time as state restrictions are relaxed. We appreciate your attention in this matter and support to help us keep everyone safe and healthy.

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A “Welcome” from your Announcer…Welcome to ZMAX Dragway, “The Week” at Charlotte,

and the 2020 edition of the National Hot Rod Association’s Summit Racing Equipment Junior Drag Racing League’s largest event in

the world … the one and only Eastern Conference Finals!

My friends call me Homer and I will serve you in a number of roles during your event here this week.

I promise to strive to make this the most enjoyable and memorable event you will ever attend, and to that end, I will do everything I can to help!

You may e-mail me at: HomR@StillwellRacing.com, or text me at: 770-971-0571.Whether it’s e-mail or text, all electronic communication is conditional*:

A- I do not accept anonymous texts, so be sure to include the racer’s name in the first communication, otherwise future exchanged will be blocked.

B- I am not the complaint department, but then again,you shouldn’t need one this week anyway. If you do encounter a problem or challenge, we will do whatever we can to help you.

C- I do not monitor these real time, so if your needis urgent, please come to the tower to address it right away.

(*If used negatively, inappropriately or excessively, it will be blocked, so be respectful with it.)

As a courtesy, we are also working on other avenues through which you can contact us in a contact-free manner. I will keep you updated with the changes and improvements throughout the event.

As the event progresses, we are constantly looking for great stories, examples of outstanding sportsmanship, generosity, and all of the great things human nature brings to this sport. PLEASE be sure to let us know when you experience or witness such an occasion or event. Everyone likes success stories!

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The tower serves several roles here:

A~ Lost and found: If you lost something, or found something … please notify me.

B~ Receiving department: If we receive a package for you …

… I will announce it.

C~ Parts call-out contact: If you need a part or service … please notify me.

D~ Name mispronunciation correction department. You will see I work very hard to get names right because they are your family’s legacy. I do ok, but may not get the more difficult ones without your help! If I mispronounce your name once … correct me IMMEDIATELY, and I will get it right from then on. If I mispronounce your name twice, it’s only because if you didn’t correct me the first time, it can be assumed it was correct and I will continue to call it that way until you do correct me.

E~ Pizza party announcements: Everyone gets 1 free announcement…

… more if you invite me!

F~ Team Spirit Cheerleading Section: (I wear a 3XL shirt … … just sayin’.)

G~ Birthday and anniversary wishannouncement center: We collect them throughout the day and do them each night,so be sure to get them in early!

H~ New-comer photo sign-up:If this is your racer’s FIRSTEastern Conference Finals, come and meet me during “Homer Hour” one night and I can get you registered to be included.

H~ Graduation photo sign-up:If this is your racer’s LASTEastern Conference Finals, send me an e-mail with your phone number, and your driver’s full name. I will keep you posted on the scheduled time and date for it.

My wish for your family:I hope you leave here with many new friends, I hope you have a great time, I hope you

make memories you will keep for a lifetime, and I hope you do well in competition!… and in just that order of importance.

~Homer4

Trivia:Orange.

Services:~ Dump station / Fixed and portable: There is a dump

station located near the shower-house. Also, there’s a portable unit making the rounds as the event proceeds. We will provide you with details on how to contact them over the P.A. throughout the course of the event.

~ Event T-Shirt availability: The 2020 Official ECF Event Shirt will be available at the concession stand. We will make an announcement as soon as they arrive.

~ Fuel check: May be done complimentarily, or at the insistence of any official during competition. This service is provided at the scales.

~ Fuel: Located at zMAX Pavilion near Gate 1, shown here:

Time ShackScales

~ Fuel delivery contact for RV/Camper use: Will be announced once finalized.

~ Ice: Available at concession stands. Delivery availability, if any, will be announced once finalized.

5

Trivia:He sure hustles

his driving school.

Services:

~ Radio broadcast channel:

~ Scales: Located on the return road. Cars will be weighed at the discretion of officials during competition.

~ Showerhouse: Located adjacent to the temperature check building just outside the staging lanes.

~ Tech location: zMAX pavilion located near Gate 1. (See “Fuel”.)

~ Starter (Emergency): Any starter placed in the vicinity of this stand may be used to start your car if your engine stalls on the starting line.

~ Photography: Photo Sports USA will be on-site taking individual, team and group photos. Their contact information is available in the tower.

91.1 fm

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~ Aesthetics / Appearance: Advertising, message on cars and/or drivers and the appearance of drivers must be age and audience appropriate. Advertising for products restricted by law to adult purchase/use are prohibited.

~ Age Group: You should have determined age group for participation prior to this event and indicated that age group on their personal entry form. Changes are not allowed at the event. Willfully falsifying age information is grounds for disqualification, and further action in the sole and absolute discretion of the NHRA. Ages submitted on team rosters are unofficial.

~ “Badges of Honor”: Just for fun, throughout the course of the event, there are several ways you can win special decals for your race car:If you go “Trip Zip” on the tree, you will earn a “Trip Zip” sticker,If you go “James Bond” (.007) on the tree, you will earn a “Quick Draw” sticker,If your E.T. is “Dead with a Donut” on the dial-in on your time-slip,

you will earn a “Dead Donut” sticker.(Simply bring your time slip with you to the announce booth

to collect your “Badge of Honor”.):

~ Crew Chief starting line protocol: The next kids in line are watching your behavior and learning from your example. Behave in a manner your kids can be proud of and you hope they aspire to emulate by congratulating the other racer’s family, win or lose.

~ Curfew: Definition: All under 18 must be at their trailer, under their family’s direct supervision after the established time, typically one-hour after the completion of the day’s on-track activities. Four-wheelers and golf carts are to be driven by the supervising adults after curfew to avoid confiscation.

Glossary

~ Finish Line: The finish line, is 660’ down track, halfway to the regular ¼ mile finish line towers:

~ Engine Warm Up: A qualified driver must be in the vehicle if the engine is running. The drive belt must be removed, or the car must be on solid jack stands.

7

Trivia:He flew to the

big island.

~ “Heartfelt Horn Honk”: At the moment of curfew on Thursday night before ECF eliminations, EVERYONE is invited to participate in this. We will all give a good 30 seconds of our longest, loudest horn-honks as:

Heartfelt thanks to all friends/competitors for a week of good racing…Heartfelt best wishes to all friends/competitors in the ECFs…Heartfelt best wishes for safe travels home for everyone…Heartfelt appreciation for those who worked hard to host the event.

~ Lights: “When OUR lights are on … YOUR lights are on.” So when we turn the track lights on, you must from then on, have a tail-light lit for your time to be allowed.

~ Listening devices: Per NHRA, no communication devices may be in the car during a run.

~ Parachute deployment (Hangin’ the Laundry!): Wildly celebrated during time trials and eliminations unless otherwise advised based on conditions. To participate: Prior to the run, show Homer your “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” tag removed. (Notice the white square on the front of the tower behind which he sits.) If for whatever reason we cannot allow it, we will wave you off and ask you advise your driver accordingly.

This is THE ONE EVENT where everyone wants to hang the laundry. All drivers are expected to have taken the initiative to learn how to pack their parachutes themselves, so getting parent approval to deploy is a complete non-issue.

“Cool ‘chute” Award- Alyssa Rabon

(When loading up at the top end, be careful not to lay the chute on anything hot.)

~ “Homer Hour”: Since tower access is limited, all of the stickers racers earn throughout the event will be handed out in person at a location accessible to everyone. Stay tuned to the P.A. System for locations and times.

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Trivia:Envy.

~ Shut down / Track Exit: Familiarize yourself with the shut down and exit area before your first lap.

~ Radios: Per the NHRA rulebook, no crewmember may use any means of electronic communication in or near the staging lanes.

~ “Ready line”: This is where Cowboy checks to see if you are to be fastened in, ready to receive the command to start your engine. As Alan Reinhart says, it’s the “Ready Line”, not the “Hey, Gimme a Minute” line.

~ Restarts: In eliminations, if an engine stalls after initial start-up, one chance will be given to restart the engine within a reasonable time at the Starter’s discretion.

~ Rule book: NHRA 2020 “Speed For All” applies universally.

~ Schedule: A preliminary schedule is at the back of this packet, but please check daily for schedule changes before leaving the track.

~ Speed: Drivers running faster than 85 mph during eliminations will be disqualified.

~ “ POW!”: That rudely obnoxious expletive Homer uses every time he sees a Junior Dragster racer hangin’ the laundry. Stickers are earned by those who give him that thrill.

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Trivia:It’s a HEMI!

~ Stuck throttle: If your throttle sticks, DO NOT attempt to turn off the track. The track official will wave you on by.

~ Team rosters: May be adjusted by a team representative due to absent team members, through the end of time trials on Thursday. Drivers may not change tracks, only teams within a track.

~ Team spirit: Encouraged heavily, although must not encroach into the staging and/or starting line area.

~ Starters at track entrance: It is agreed that starters left unattended in the track entrance may be used by others and/or moved to the start line where others may use them as well in an emergency. If you prefer not to share, simply don’t leave it unattended in the tunnel. ZMAX Dragway and NHRA are not responsible for abandoned starters.

~ Tech Cards: Prior to arriving at tech inspection, please have your tech card (from your welcome packet) completed in a thorough and well-thought-out manner. Elaborate on your driver’s successes, stories and provide us with interesting content appropriate for broadcast. Bring your valid, Junior Drag Racing League Participant Card and all of your safety equipment with you. (Helmet, neck collar, arm restraints, gloves, jacket, pants and shoes) Body panels do not need to be removed, and the NHRA Summit JDRL decal must be on both sides of the car.

~ Staging: Touching the car after it’s pre-staged is grounds for disqualification. The driver must stage the car under its own power.

~ Starter: The decision of the Starter and/or Event Coordinator is final regarding action on the drag strip.

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Trivia:Do the wave!

~ Tower / Official visibility: Do not stand between any car and the tower because we need to be able to see your car, get your dial-in, etc. Be self-aware.

~ Track “code”: Be sure it is appearing on your time slip beginning with ECF time trials on Thursday. Team points depend on you confirming the track has recorded the correct code.

~ Vandalizing: Staff or cameras documenting vandalizing is grounds for dismissal.

~ Vendor Protocol: Commercial sales of parts and merchandise are limited to pre-registered vendors on the Manufacturer’s Midway. No commercial sales of any kind will be allowed in the pit area..

~ Water balloons: None permitted. No exceptions.

~ Towing: For visibility reasons, dragsters must have a brightly colored flag mounted to it at least 5 feet above the ground when attached. Cars must be towed, not pushed.

~Time Shack: This is where you pick up your time slips. Please park out of the traffic lane and be sure it won’t roll before walking over to get your time slip.

~ Tire wraps: Must be removed at the head of the lanes prior to heading for the waterbox. Continued refusal to do so is grounds for disqualification.

~ Respect/Consideration for others: The time shack attendant sits in a box all day long. The EMT sits in an ambulance all day long. The Safety Safari sits in their trucks all day long. The starting line staff stands in the heat all day long. The ticket booth staff stays there all day long. You have NO IDEA what it means to them to get a box of candy … a card … or even a visit to break up their day.It’s a great way to show how you can care for those who work hard to help you.

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Footnote: In accordance with the most recent state mandates to help manage the spread of COVID-19, all competitors, visitors and staff on-site at Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte will be required to wear appropriate face coverings until at least July 17 or such a time as state restrictions are relaxed. We appreciate your attention in this matter and support to help us keep everyone safe and healthy.

<16

Pit Vehicles:

~ Age restrictions: One must have a valid driver’s license to operate ANY motorized vehicle off-track on ZMAX Dragway property. This includes allvehicles powered by fuel or electricity including golfcarts, 4-wheelers, motorbikes of any kind and scooters.

~ Vehicle operation: With a posted speed limit listed, any vehicle running “wide-open” or full-throttle is considered to being operated unsafely, and will be subject to confiscation. For any violation, vehicles may be confiscated for any term from overnight, through and including the end of the event at the track’s, or Sheriff’s discretion. Everyone on the property

must comply with thedirections of NHRA and/or track staff.

~ Excessive passengers: Vehicle capacity is limited to the number of seats available. For example, a 4-seat golf cart can carry 4 … not 5 or more.

~ Improperly equipped vehicles: Any operated after dark without lights.

~ Non-motorized Transportation: Skateboards, scooters and other means are not permitted.

~ Passing in traffic lanes: None permitted under any circumstances.

~ Staging lanes: Pit vehicles are neither permitted in, nor allowed to drive through the staging lanes. After off-loading the race car, park tow vehicles in the lot to the right of the staging lanes, just before the PhotoSports USA exhibit.

~ Vehicle registration: All powered vehicles must be pre-registered, with registrations displayed on them. Decals typically available on the first Monday of the event.

Personal golf carts, low-speed vehicles, motorized bikes, motorized skateboards, etc. are prohibited in the campground and outside the confines of the pits at zMAXDragway. Pit vehicles will only be permitted within the gates of zMAX Dragway. At the conclusion of each event day, pit vehicles may be parked in a designated holding area inside Gate 1 at zMAX Dragway.

Any racers, family or crew found to be in violation any of the following, or additional regulations as outlined in the NHRA rulebook, could face consequences ranging from confiscation to disqualification from the event.

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Trivia:Greatest

Spectacle in Racing

“Race-Critical” information~ Auto Start: The Christmas Tree will be on “Auto-Start” for all age groups. Once

three staging lights are on, the driver of the car that is not staged will have 10 seconds to light the second bulb. (15 seconds for the 6-9 year old group). Once both cars are staged, the Christmas Tree will fire at a pre-set, random interval. If you roll through the lights, you can lose your race.

~ Breakout rule: E.T., drivers running quicker than .40 under the barrier or faster than 85 mph during eliminations will be disqualified per the NHRA Rulebook.

~ Burnouts: May not cross start line under power. Racers observed by staff or cameras doing burnouts anywhere but the

race track water box or staging area may be dismissed from the event.

~ Call to the lanes: Come when you’re called. Out of respect for your competitors,

come no later.Out of respect for the staff,

come no sooner.

~ Car number: It should appear horizontally on both sides. If your number is vertical, please highlight the first number (circle with shoe polish,or underline with electrical tape, so we don’t have to ask you every time). Also, your car number should not blend with the car color so much it can’t be read.

~ Courtesy staging: Expected from those ages 10 and up. This means, once pre-staged, a driver must allow the competitor to pre-stage prior to lighting the stage light. The Starter may pull you back if you do not observe this.

~ Crew Chiefs: Only two Crew Chiefs are permitted on the concreteportion of the start line. All others must remain on the asphalt.

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~ Deep staging: Done at driver’s risk. You must write “DEEP” on both sides of the car which even if done, may not guarantee that opportunity. If you accidentally deep stage during a race, that is howyou will run. During time trials, if a driver in the 6-9 age group unintentionally deep stages, it will be at the Starter’s discretion whether to pull them back. If the other car has been staged for some time, the tree may come down. In such an event, the run will be considered valid.

~ Dial-in location: Must appear on both sides of the car. If you’re using a dial-in board, it must face the tower, which is on the right here at ZMAX. Hand-held dial-in boards are not allowed, and the dial-ins cannot be on the tires.

~ Dial-in protocol: Must be available to your opponent before you leave the staging lanes headed for the water box, and may not be changed after that point.

~ Dial-in accuracy: Confirming dial-in accuracy prior to staging is the driver’s responsibility, so be alert. Although every effort is made to enter correct data, mistakes can happen by both competitors and officials. Once a driver pre-stages, there will be no recourse if the dial-ins were posted incorrectly. Confirming dial-in accuracy prior to staging is the driver’s responsibility, so be alert.

~ Driver name: First and last name, large enough to be read from as far away as the track announcer and tower officials are positioned, is best.

~ Engine Start: No dragsters may be pushed to the water-box and started there, they must IDLEfrom the ready-line towards the water box under their own power. NO WHOMPING until they’re aimed down track for obvious reasons.

~ Face shields: Must be down PRIOR TO taking the tree.

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Trivia:Monkey bars.

~ Lane selection: Odd-numbered lanes run left side, even-numbered right.

~ Spectators area: Spectators must remain off of the concrete grid. They may sit on the walls however they must keep their legs from hanging over the competition side of the walls.

~ Tire Covers: Must be removed before leaving staging lanes.

Hot tip: When the ambulance needs to go … … it needs to go … just sayin’.(Don’t stand in front of the ambulance.)

~ Push backs: Racers are allowed one pushback to do a burnout per run.

~ Reckless driving: Excessive speed exiting the track is grounds for disqualification and dismissal from the event.

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Trivia:Been racing

since I was a CID

Safety:

“Cowboy”

Your best friend in this department is the man you all recognize as the face of this event. Nobody cares more for the safety of the Junior Dragster racer than they guy who makes sure your kids are buckled in correctly and wishes every single racer good luck before every single run. The legend himself …

… it’s “Cowboy”!

~ Safety gear: All must be in place from engine-start to car-stop, which must take place prior to passing the time slip shack.

~ Squirrels out of the cage: Properly belted, the shoulders are in contact with the seat. Those who are caught by person (or by camera) with their shoulders breaking contact with the seat and/or exiting the roll-cage while their dragster is moving will be disqualified from the race. There is zero flexibility in this rule, and we do expect full, unconditional, parental support in enforcing this as the driver’s safety should be every parent’s priority as well.

~ Summary: Anyone found to display blatant disregard for the safety of others or themselves, may be disqualified and dismissed from the event at the discretion of racing officials.

~ Vehicle operation / towing: All cars must stop prior to passing the time shack and be shut off and towed back from that point. Since state law restricts those under 16 from operating motorized vehicle with traffic on the roads, driving your car back to the pits can result in arrest, confiscation of the car, dismissal from the event and a fine.

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Trivia:LODRS

2020 “Yearbook” autographs:A page to collect your favorite autographs, jot down your

favorite memories and exchange contact information.

17Trivia:What 4 tracks?

Participant awards:Every qualified racer will receive a medallion,

Summit Racing Equipment goodies, event decals and more. A personalized award certificate will be sent to the racer’s home track after the event.

2nd rnd win 3rd rnd win 4th rnd win 5th rnd win 6th rnd win R/U Win*

$50 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $1,500

Purse payout / Team Awards

Team awards:Points are awarded for each round. Whoever

earns the most points by the end of event will be the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals Team Champions, in which case each of the 10 team members, and the team host track will receive a Wally.

Individual awards:Awards are distributed in each of the eight age groups by the schedule below.

They are not cumulative, and the Champions will receive a Wally.

Tie Breakers:In the event of a tie for team awards, the first tie breaker is the number of event

champions. If a tie still exists, the second tie breaker is based on tie-breaker points awarded for runners-up (4), semi-finalists (2) and quarter-finalists (1). The team with the most tie-breaker points wins.

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Trivia:Ten HUT!

Schedule of events(Schedule subject to change)

Friday, July 10Gates & Campground Open 11:00 am – 10:00 pmRegistration & Tech 11:00 am – 7:00 pmVendors & Midway Setup 11:00 am – 10:00 pmMike Bos Memorial Parents Race TT 5:00 pmPrelude To The Shootout TT 5:00 pmEliminations for both races Follows

Saturday, July 11Gates Open 8:00 amTech Inspection 8:00 amTime Trials (all classes) 9:00 am Index Eliminations To follow

Sunday, July 12Gates Open 9:00 amChurch Service 9:30 amTime Trials (one round) 10:30 amBracket Eliminations Follows

Monday, July 13Gates & Campground Open 9:00 amTech Inspection 9:30 amQuick 32 Q1 10:30 amQuick 32 Q2 11:30 amQuick 32 Eliminations During T&TTest ‘n Tune Noon – 5:00 pm5K Shootout 5:00 pm

Tuesday, July 14Gates Open 8:00 amTech Inspection 8:30 amFun Race T1: ages 13-17 9:00 amEliminations Follows T1

Wednesday, July 15Gates Open 8:00 amTech Inspection 8:30 amFun Race T1: ages 6-12 Follows T1

Trivia:2 Aces

beats most

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Schedule of events(Schedule subject to change)

Thursday, July 16Gates Open 7:30 amTech Inspection 8:00 am – 5:00 pmTime Trials; 2 per age group 8:00 am

(Run Order: 6-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-17)

Friday, July 17Gates Open 7:30 amTech Inspection 8:00 amTime Trials; 1 per age group 8:00 am

(Run Order: 6-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-17)Eliminations Follows TTSpecial Awards Ceremony Follows Eliminations

Saturday, July 18Gates Open 8:00 amFinal Eliminations 9:00 am

(Run Order: 6-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-17)

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Trivia:You get 5

seconds of TV each day.