Preface
These rules were developed to be used as a guide. We feel that the fewer the rules the fewer the problems, therefore we will try to keep the rules to a minimum. We would like to thank all the people who put vast amounts of time into these rules. We have tried to make our rules as liberal as possible and yet achieve what is necessary for safety and equality.

General Rules And Regulations
The American Sand Drag Association (ASDA) makes and enforces the rules, and may from time to time change, modify, add or delete any part or all of, any rule, at any time, for any reason that is deemed necessary. The rules may be changed without notice, however the ASDA will endeavor to notify all affected racers in a timely manner. The ASDA will not arbitrarily change any rule without good reason and after deliberation.

The rules are developed to promote safe, competitive racing, and should be interpreted in that light.

The ASDA shall reserve the right to refuse racing privileges and/or pit access to anyone at any time.

The ASDA shall have the authority to appoint track officials as it sees fit. Any person or group of persons that verbally or physically menace the ASDA or its officials may be PERMANENTLY BARRED from any ASDA event and will otherwise be dealt with in the harshest manner.

All entrants MUST attend all drivers meetings and make themselves aware of the racing circumstances, as to not hinder the flow of the racing program.

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DRUGS, or other ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES shall be allowed in the staging area and the drivers and riders shall not use any of the substances mentioned before or during an event, as long as they remain in competition. Any driver or rider that is impaired shall not be allowed to compete and no fees will be returned.

Each driver assumes the complete responsibility for their pit crew or the people associated with their vehicle. Any rules infraction committed by a crew member shall reflect directly upon the driver. The driver will be required to rectify the problem, or be subsequently penalized according to the rules stated herein.

No glass containers will be allowed in the staging or racing area and it is suggested that you and your crew do not use any glass. The tire or foot you save may be your own.

Specific Rules and Regulations
Sand drags, unlike asphalt drags, are designed to be run on uneven sand or dirt tracks. In building, preparing, or modifying your vehicle for sand drag racing, a competitor should keep in mind that the promoter will try to maintain a suitable racing surface. However, there may be holes at the starting line or in the track surface, ridges down the track, uneven surfaces and rocks or other debris on the track. These obstacles are not intended to make the race any more difficult, but are part of the sport. The promoter will endeavor to remove all the problems before the race. It is up to the individual to determine if the conditions are unsafe for their vehicle. It is the option of the racer to race or not. If the track is deemed suitable and the racer chooses not to race he/she will lose that race, but will not be disqualified from further competition.

Class or Bracket Explanation and General Regulations
Each racetrack that is sanctioned by or runs under the ASDA rules will run by the general rules. However, the individual racetrack and promoter will determine how the brackets are aligned and scored. It is up to the individual racer to make him/herself aware of the local race program.

Pro Brackets
Pro brackets will be determined by time and adjusted according to local customs. Each track shall have the option to run full handicap brackets or time groups and will determine the number of said groups or brackets. The pros will race for a purse, based upon the number of entrants in each group, or for a guaranteed amount posted by the local promoter for each group or bracket.

Sportsman Brackets
Sportsman, 4-wheel-drive, pee wee, intermediate and junior brackets are predetermined by the local promoter for each individual race. Brackets will be based upon the performance of the vehicles and their driver or rider. Equality and fairness is assured to all the entrants, either local or visitors. It is the racers obligation to be aware of the local rules. If you don't know, ask for help. Every promoter will help to the fullest extent to make your race equal and fun. All sportsman races are trophy only, unless prizes are announced.

Ladder Placement
Ladder placement is up to the local custom, however we suggest a blind draw for first round pairings. If you are not sure, ask an official. Remember it is up to you to know the rules.

Bye Runs and Legal Singles
Bye runs are predetermined by the number of racers in a bracket or group. The ladder placement will determine who gets the bye and which round will have a bye. No bracket or group will have a bye run in the final race. A legal single is a run that two racers are scheduled to race each other, however for some reason one of the racers can't make the race. The racer that takes the starting line under his own power is an automatic winner and will advance to the next round. A vehicle on a bye or legal single run is not exempt from disqualification. Disqualifications on bye and legal single runs are for crossing the center line, going out of bounds or hitting the timing equipment. Breakouts will not be a disqualification. A competitor will have 60 seconds to fire or fix his vehicle after his opponent has fired. A competitor will have 60 seconds to fire once the staging crew calls upon him to fire and proceed to the line.

Registration and Tech
All vehicles must be registered before entering the staging lanes for time runs. Vehicle tech will be up to the individual promoter and his crew. No racer will be required to have more than the rules require, unless notified in writing by the promoter. All vehicles must be inspected and pass tech at least once a year. All vehicles that have been inspected must display the inspection sticker at every race.

Vehicle Numbers
No duplicate numbers will be allowed. No letters other than assigned letters will be permitted. ASDA assigned numbers will always take priority over local numbers. Numbers may be requested and will be assigned on a first-come-first-assigned basis. All vehicles must display their numbers in three places on the vehicle, one on each side of the vehicle and one on the front facing forward. The numbers must be easily read by the staging crew. Vehicles displaying more than one number may be disqualified or not allowed to race until such problem is rectified to the satisfaction of the staging officials.

Event Procedures
All brackets: Driver or crew member must remain with the vehicle at all times while in the staging area. Any unattended vehicle may be disqualified at the officials' discretion.
Eliminations: The entrant and vehicle must be in proper staging lane before the lanes are closed. Any entrant not in the lanes when eliminations begin for that bracket will be disqualified, unless other staging arrangements have been made prior to the start of eliminations.

Breakouts
A breakout is going faster than your dial-in time or bracket time. Breakout procedures will be in effect for all paired runs during eliminations. There is no breakout cushion. If both competitors breakout in the same run, then the competitor closest to their dial-in time will be declared the winner of that race regardless of who reached the finish first. Single or bye runs may run as fast as they wish without disqualification, however if any other infractions occur the racer will be disqualified. For example crossing the center line or hitting the timing equipment.

Race Procedure
These procedures will be followed at all events. All participants are to know and follow these procedures. If a driver does not comply, disqualification may result.

A. It is the driver's responsibility to be in the proper staging lane when his/her class is to be run, and to have the vehicle ready to run when called upon. Cooling and heating the motor is the driver and crews responsibility and should be completed before the vehicle is called to the starting line. It is not the staging crew's responsibility to tell the driver when to fire for heat, nor is it their responsibility to cool the vehicles. Vehicles are to move through the staging line in a timely and orderly manner as directed by the staging crew.

B. When in the staging lanes, the driver or crew member must remain close to the vehicle at all times, and be ready to pull forward when asked to do so. If a vehicle fails to start there will be only a 60 second grace period. After the grace period expires, the other competitor will be sent to the starting line. The running competitor will be given the green light as soon as the vehicle stages, regardless if the other car fires or not. No equipment, batteries, tools, or trailers may be left in the staging lanes.

C. When directed to do so by a track official, the driver will pull to the pre-stage line and stage the vehicle. At this point no person other than the officials and the driver are allowed to approach the vehicle. All staging must be unassisted (except peewees). Once a vehicle is fully staged (both lights on) the other competitor has 15 seconds to completely stage his/her vehicle. If the other competitor is not fully staged within the allotted time, the starter will start the staged vehicle, thus red lighting the non-staged vehicle. If it is apparent to the starter or the promoter that both vehicles are playing games, the starter will motion the vehicles to the line. If neither vehicle will stage, then at his discretion, the starter or promoter will activate the tree, thus causing both vehicles to red light and be disqualified without reinstatement for that race.

D. Once a race has been concluded the racers will drive or maneuver their vehicles to the extreme side of the shut down area or into the hook up area if provided. If the vehicle is driven back to the pit area it must be along the designed roads and with care, not exceeding the speed limit of 10 mph. Vehicles that must be towed should be removed from the track area as fast as possible to expedite the racing program. Any driver who does not operate his/her vehicle in the appropriate manner is subject to disqualification and/or expulsion and/or loss of points for that race and/or year. This rule is designed to be as tough as necessary to make the pits and return road safe for everyone. The speed limit applies to all vehicles, tow, pit bikes, cars, trucks and race vehicles.

Infractions
A rules infraction occurs when there is a violation of a rule or procedure. Infractions vary in degree of severity. The following is a partial list of infractions listed in order of severity.

1. Menacing an official, either verbally or physically.
2. Crossing the center line.
3. Hitting a cone, timing equipment or going out of bounds either to the side or center of the track.
4. Excessive wheel stands, burnout's or loss of control of the vehicle as determined by the ASDA officials.
5. A red light foul or leaving before the timing system is activated.
6. Breakout during eliminations

REMEMBER: FIRST FOUL-- WORST FOUL (see explanation at the end of the rules section)

Not completing the course under power is not an infraction, however vehicle must stage and start the timing equipment under its own power to be considered a run. If both vehicles break and do not make the full run, then both vehicles will be disqualified from the next round. Once any person other than the driver touches and/or helps the vehicle in any way after the green light is on, the vehicle is disqualified.

Exception: Once a red light or out of bounds foul occurs, the broken opponent (if they have started the timing equipment) will be declared the winner and the crew may then attend to the vehicle. If no red light or other visible infraction occurs, the vehicle crossing the finish line first will be declared the winner regardless of breakout or not. There will be no rerun. Once the driver of a broken vehicle asks for, or is given help, the vehicle is disqualified unless stated here in.

Legal Single and Bye Runs
A vehicle on a single or bye run is not exempt from disqualification due to the commission of an infraction. If on a single or bye run the driver commits an infraction, he/she will be disqualified the same as if two vehicles had run. There will be no points or awards for that run. Breakouts are covered in the section concerning this subject.

Dual or Paired Runs
A. In a case where both vehicles fail to fire or have mechanical problems, and neither can stage, then the run may (at the discretion of the officials) be postponed to the end of that round for that class. If neither vehicle can fire and make it to the line, then both will be disqualified. No points or awards will be given unless it is the final round. Then the prize money will be split evenly and the trophies will be flipped for. In no case will any previous races be reversed.

B. If one (1) vehicle is properly staged and the other vehicle does not stage, for any reason, within the allotted time (15 seconds), that race will become a legal single run and is subject to the single run rules. The vehicle that failed to stage is considered a no show and is thereby disqualified.

Track, Pit and Staging Lane Rules
Pit Area: No Class A vehicle may be started or run without a person in the driving position. No Class M vehicle may be started or run without a person in the riding position or standing beside the throttle with kill switch attached.

Staging Lanes: The driver responsible is responsible for the conduct and actions of his/her pit crew and all persons with him/her. Any penalties and/or rules infractions will be assessed against the driver as well as the person involved. No alcoholic beverages, drugs or controlled substances shall be allowed in the staging area. Drivers shall not use any of the mentioned substances before or while still in competition. Any driver that is noticeably intoxicated or otherwise unsafe to race will be disqualified on the spot, with no recourse.

Testing of transmission brakes within the staging/hot box area is prohibited.

Purging of nitrous systems within the staging/hot box area is prohibited.

While in the hot box or track area, all crew members are required to wear a minimum of long pants & closed toe shoes.  Long sleeve shirts are also recommended but not required.

Track Area: No person, other than track officials will be allowed on the track after the car is in the pre-stage lights. Infractions will result in immediate disqualification of the vehicle involved.

No vehicle may be worked on or touched by the crew after the vehicle's front wheels have entered the safety zone before the starting line. (excludes Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Eliminator)

A vehicle may be disqualified if a member of the crew trips the light beam (either intentionally or inadvertently) while either vehicle is approaching the line for competition.

If a competitor notices a rule infraction or a dangerous condition, tell the competitor. If the problem is not corrected, contact an official. It is up to the competitor to help the officials watch the rules. We do not expect you to enforce the rules. Any rules infractions must be brought to the officials before the race. Any complaints after the fact will not alter the results of any of the previous races.

No glass containers are allowed in the staging lanes.

No excessive reving of motors will be allowed.

Safety Requirements
Because of the wide variety and diversity of the types of vehicles that we have in sand drag racing, it is hard to describe and mandate specific rules for each vehicle. We have made the rules as broad as we can to cover all vehicles in competition, however every once in a while innovative people come up with something new. Anything not covered by these rules will be dealt with on an individual basis, to the best of our ability. It is solely the responsibility of the driver to comply with these rules. It is not the ASDA, the officials or your crew's responsibility to protect you. It's your life, protect it. To keep this as simple as possible we have designated vehicle types as follows:

Type 1 - Dragsters, Buggies and Rail Type Automotive Powered. (Class A)

Type 2 - Pickups, Hardtops and Stock or Stock Appearing 4 Wheel Drive. (Class A)

Type 3 - Motorcycle, Snowmobile or Non Automotive Powered. (Class M)

Unless otherwise stipulated, all safety rules apply to all vehicles. It's Your Life -- Protect It!

Batteries:
All batteries must be securely bolted down. Any battery in the driver's compartment, or where the driver is not protected by a firewall, must have a cover sufficient to keep the acid off the driver. Inner tubes and rubber straps are prohibited. We suggest and strongly recommend the new (SVR) no gel or fluid-type battery for all applications.

Blowers:
All blowers require explosion restraints. Blower blankets are recommended.

Brakes:
All type 1 and 2 vehicles must be equipped with a minimum of (2) functional hydraulic axle brakes, or (1) large functional brake if mounted on live axle. No go-cart brakes. No excessive lightening or drilling of brake components is allowed.

Chain Guards:
All chain-driven vehicles must have a 180-degree guard if other than factory components are used, or if motor location has been altered. All class A vehicle guards must be 3/16-inch steel or ¼-inch aluminum minimum. All class M vehicles must have a guard that will prevent any part of the driver/rider's body, clothing or boots from coming in contact with the chain or sprockets. Bodywork is not considered as a chain guard. Guard must be two times the thickness of the thickest link with a minimum of 1/8-inch steel or aluminum.

Clothing:
All vehicles faster than 3.5 seconds are required to have a full fire suit and underwear. All Class A drivers are required to wear a minimum of long sleeve shirt, long pants & closed toe shoes during competition.  Full fire suits are strongly recommended for all competitors. Class M riders are required to wear a minimum of a long sleeve shirt or non-nylon jacket, long pants, boots (high top or motocross preferred) and gloves are suggested. Any rider faster than 3.5 seconds will be required to have full riding leathers or nomax 2-layer fire suit. No nylon clothing of any type will be allowed.

While in the hot box or track area, all crew members are required to wear a minimum of long pants & closed toe shoes.  Long sleeve shirts are also recommended but not required.

Driveline Loops and Shields:
All class A vehicles shall have 1/8-inch by 1-inch flat steel driveline loops on the front joint or each shaft. All drivelines exposed to the driver must have full-length 180-degree shields of 1/8-inch steel or ¼-inch aluminum.

Exhaust Systems:
All exhaust must be safely directed away from the vehicle and driver. No flex pipe is permitted.

Eye Protection:
See helmets.

Fire Extinguishers:
All front motor class A vehicles faster than 4 seconds are required to carry a full 2 ½ lb. dry chem. or co2 fire extinguisher, with a securely mounted quick release type mounting. No tape. Extinguishers are recommended for all other vehicles or support vehicles.

Floorboards:
Floorboards are mandatory on all vehicles where it is necessary to keep the drivers feet within the frame. Floorboards may be made of securely mounted aluminum, expanded metal, steel or screen. No fabric or netting is allowed.

Frames:
See Roll Bars and Cage:

Fuel:
This is considered a local rule and it is up to the driver to know the rules of the track.

Fuel Shut-Off:
A fuel shut-off is required on all vehicles fitted with an electric fuel pump or pressurized fuel system. This shut off must be plainly marked and easily accessible to the driver or person outside the vehicle.

Helmets and Eye Protection:
NHRA and/or SEMA-approved helmets are required for all competitors. Full-face shield or shatterproof goggles are required for all open vehicles. Sunglasses or eyeglasses are not considered protection.

Kill Switch:
All vehicles must have a plainly marked kill switch that is easily accessible to the driver or person outside the vehicle. All cars started by other than the driver from the driver's position must have a positive ground attached to the coil(s) or mag(s) to prevent accidental starting when not intended. All rider-type vehicles must have positive ignition cut-off switch attached to a lanyard. Switch must be on the low voltage side of the ignition circuit.

Parachutes:
Any sub 3 second vehicle (including all Top Fuel, Top Alcohol & Top Eliminator vehicles) are required to have a properly attached and functioning parachute.  A driver's consistent failure to deploy the parachute may be considered unsafe operation of the vehicle and could be grounds for disqualification at the officials' discretion.

Roll Bars and Cage:
Roll bars and cage will be visually inspected. Due to different requirements and designs of the frames, we will not be specific for weight of the vehicle and speed of the vehicle. However, we will not accept anything smaller than 1-inch .095 mild steel for the main frame. Top fuel roll cages must be a minimum of 1 ½-inch OD .095 mild steel or 1 ½-inch chromoly .065.

Scattershields:
All type A vehicles running faster than 5 seconds must have an NHRA approved 360-degree bellhousing or other approved device. All planetary gear-type transmissions must have a NHRA-approved blanket or shield.

Seatbelts and Shoulder Harness:
All vehicles that are driven in a driver's compartment or area are required to have quick release-type safety belts and shoulder harness (4-way belts minimum). Arm restraints are strongly suggested. Belts must be fastened to the frame or roll cage with minimum 5/16-inch hardened steel bolts. All belt fittings must pull in a direct line with predetermined impact. Under no circumstances are the belts to be mounted with a bolt through the webbing. All stock vehicles may use stock seat belts and shoulder straps.

Starters:
All vehicles must be self-starting. No pull or push starting allowed. Kick starting is allowed if factory installed.

Staging Devices:
Any staging device must be rigidly and securely mounted to the vehicle. It must be a minimum 16 inches long and extend from the front of the vehicle rearward to the front wheels. If the vehicle stages with the body panels or undercarriage it could result in a red light foul. It is up to the driver to make this choice. There is no recourse in a staging foul. No electronic staging device, which is keyed to or triggered by the starting or timing system, is allowed. Such a device in the vehicle, working or not, is grounds for disqualification. Delay boxes will be allowed in the pro classes only. However, please note that the timing system will be altered from .10 to 3 seconds. Use them at your own risk.

Throttle:
All throttles must have a return spring attached directly to the carburetor or injector throttle arm and must return to a fully closed position under all circumstances. Toe straps are also required on all vehicles faster than 5 seconds. Toe straps are not required on cable linkages.

Tires and Wheels:
Other than stock tires, only approved commercial paddle tires are acceptable. No vehicle may have more than one tire and wheel at each location. No dual paddle tire vehicles are permitted at any ASDA sanctioned event.

Welds:
All frames and roll cages must be adequately welded. The quality of the weld will be visually inspected. Excessive grinding that will weaken the weld is not permitted.

Wheelie Bars:
All vehicles running 4 seconds or faster must have wheelie bars. All M class vehicles faster than 6 seconds must have wheelie bars. Any other vehicle exhibiting big wheel stands will be required to have a wheelie bar. Excessive wheelies are a rule infraction and are subject to disqualification. The wheelie bar must support the weight of the vehicle and driver when jacked up by the wheelie bar. Four bar construction is highly recommended.

General Information:
It is the authority of the ASDA and the promoter to make decisions that shall include and cover every facet in connection with the track, conduct of the race and behavior of the participants. It shall also include the right to suspend, bar, expel or disqualify anyone from any event, without liability of any kind or nature. In any dispute involving the interpretation of the rules, the ASDA shall prevail. Any problems not covered by the rules will be ruled upon by the ASDA. ASDA officials will make all rulings and all rulings will be final.

Rule Book Disclaimer:
No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from the publication of or the compliance with these rules and/or regulations. This set of rules and regulations is intended as a guide for conduct of this sport and all contestants participate at their own risk. By paying admission and/or entry fees, the contestant and/or guardian acknowledge and accept full responsibility for any consequences that may arise, and hold harmless the ASDA and the local promoter.

Bracket Racing:
The ASDA and its sanctioned tracks run a handicap system of bracket racing. Brackets are broken into time frames and type of vehicles. Vehicles that fall into that time and type will race together. The computer starts the race according to the dial-in selected by the participant. This gives a slower vehicle the same chance to win as the faster vehicle. With this program the ASDA can provide equality for all racers from the peewee bracket to the top pro brackets. Top fuel is the only class/bracket that runs heads up with no dial-in.

Suggested Brackets:
Peewee- Novice under 8 years of age.
Intermediate- Experienced peewees and novice juniors.
Junior- Experienced intermediate and juniors.
It is up to the promoter, to the best of his ability, to place kids in the class or brackets based upon skill and ability more so than age. Mature juniors may be allowed to race in the slower sportsman classes on a case by case evaluation.

Sportsman 1, 2, 3- Racers that choose not to race in the pro categories or who cannot go fast enough to qualify for pro.

Pro 1, 2, 3- Pro categories are based on time framed brackets and may vary from track to track and event to event. No fast bracket (3 to 5 seconds) will be larger than a 1-second differential from the slowest to fastest. Pro brackets may be added and become smaller than 1-second to accommodate more vehicles with less time differential. All bracket times are decided by the local promoter. All pro categories will run a pro Christmas tree. All three yellow lights will appear at one time, 4 tenths of a second after the yellows, the green will be activated. A perfect reaction time is .4000001.

M Class- M classes are designated as motorcycle, snowmobile, outboard motor or any other non-automotive powered vehicle. M class times are determined by the local promoter.
MP1- Pro, motorcycle powered. (This is the main class)
MP2- Pro, motorcycle powered. (This class may be added as needed)
MS- Sportsman, motorcycle powered. (Divided by time according to local custom)

Sand Bag Rule:
You may dial in faster than your time trial runs, but you may not dial out of the bracket you qualified for, either faster or slower. It is the local promoters option to set the times and rules for the bracket times.

At some tracks the class A vehicles will not be allowed to compete against the class M vehicles. This is the promoter's option due to insurance regulations, local custom and the number of competitors available for a class. It is your responsibility to know the local track rules.

Explanation:
This is an explanation of several rules that in the past seemed to have several interpretations. We wish to eliminate as many as possible. The following is the ruling and explanations of the rules committee.

First Foul-Worst Foul:
At no time will one foul offset another, regardless of seriousness.

First Foul- This means exactly that, the first foul is the first foul, everything thereafter is not pertinent to that race. (see exception) Once the first foul is committed, the opponent will be declared the winner. However, the winner is subject to all the rules and may be disqualified on the same run for a disqualifying procedure after the first foul was committed. First foul will not be reinstated, both vehicles would then be disqualified. Example: Competitor in left lane red lights, competitor in right lane goes out of bounds and/or hits the timing equipment. Left lane looses on the red light, right lane is disqualified for a rules infraction. Neither competitor will advance to the next round. One infraction does not offset the other. (see exception)

Exception #1-Final Round: In a final round situation the first foul is 2nd place, second foul is 1st place. No reruns, no offsetting penalties and no questions.

Exception #2-Activation and Reaction This is a two-part exception. Both parts must occur to qualify for the exception.

A. The starter must activate the timing equipment, then the vehicle under its own power must start the clock by breaking the beam. Bumping the starter is considered the vehicles own power, but not the driver or crew pushing the vehicle.
B. The vehicle must receive a reaction time of 20 seconds or less on the printed time slip. Otherwise it will be considered a staging foul and precede any other foul, including a red light foul by the opponent. A red light start under these circumstances will be given the win. Provided there was no other foul on the run. There will be no re-run.