What is Pro ET Drag Racing?
Pro ET drag racing is a handicapped form of competition commonly known as "Bracket Racing."
In this class of racing, two race cars of different performance can race on a even basis. The racer decides beforehand what elapsed time (dial in) he or she is going to run. This time is then displayed on the rear of the race car to enabled the race controller to log it into the computer to work out the handicap for each racer.
When 2 racers are on the start line the elapsed times (dial ins) for each vehicle are compared, with the slower car receiving a headstart equal to the difference of the two. Using this system, any two vehicles can be paired together to produce a competitive drag race.
As an example:
A racer in lane 1 decides they can run the quarter-mile in 9.00 seconds and the racer in lane 2 decides on the time of 10.00 seconds. When the christmas tree lights count down the racer in lane 2 will get a 1.00 second headstart over the racer in lane 1.
By the finish line both racers should arrive at the same time if they have chosen the correct elapsed time (dial in) for their car. Sounds easy but some races are decided by thousandths of a second, dial in the wrong time and you lose.
If both vehicles cover the quarter-mile in exactly the same elapsed time, the win will go to the driver who reacted quicker on the start line when the green light shows. The reaction to the green light is called "reaction time." Both lanes are timed independently of one another, and the timer does not start until the vehicle actually moves off the start line. This makes start line reaction very important.
Starting the race:
After both race cars are staged, the "Christmas Tree" is activated and three amber lights and one green are sequenced. Drivers use amber lights as a guide to gauge when the green light is coming on. Leaving the startline too soon and a the bright red "foul" light shows. End of race for a red light.
What is "Break-Out" and/or "Red Light"?
If a driver go quicker than his or her "dial-in" this is a "break-out," and the win goes to the driver in the other lane. If both drivers break out, the win goes to the driver who breaks out the least.
Another form of disqualification is a foul start (or "red light"). This happens when the driver reacts too quickly and drives away from the start line before the green "go" light.
If one racer gets a red light and the other breaks out, the red light takes precedent over the break out.
