PRO General Rules

The PRO Racing Association (PRO) is the official sanctioning body of the PRO Drag Racing series. The general rules and procedures contained within this rulebook concern all the heads-up, open comp eliminator, and bracket racing class that will be held at each of the PRO Drag Racing Series events. The goal of the PRO body of rules is to create a level and fair playing field for all participants.

The goal of the PRO is to provide our participants with a world-class drag racing experience. Accordingly, we expect our racers and their crew to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Before participating in a PRO event, you must review and familiarize yourself with all the safety guidelines, rules, and regulations contained within this rulebook.

Please review this PRO General Rules and Procedures section very carefully. It could save you both money and time over the entire race season. One thing to consider is that any modification and/or condition not expressly permitted in this rulebook should be considered illegal, unless you obtain written permission from the PRO Technical Director. If there are areas of this rulebook that need clarification please contact the PRO Technical Director by e-mail at wroberson@promediapub.com.

Drag racing is a dangerous sport for participants. For the purpose of this rulebook, participants will be defined as any persons directly or indirectly associated with any vehicle that has been permitted to enter the event site for the purpose of competition or car show, including, but not limited to owner, crew, driver, sponsors, family, or any other people involved with said vehicle. In addition, any person or persons engaged in selling or displaying products will be defined as participants as well.

Participants may suffer bodily injury, death, loss, or damage to property during a PRO event. Participants who enter a PRO event are acknowledging that the event site is safe and suitable for racing and that they understand and assume the risks that relate to drag racing events.

Participants must acknowledge that by participating in the events that they may suffer injury, death, loss, or damage to personal property. The participants voluntarily assumes the risk of such losses and agrees to indemnify The ProMedia Companies, PRO Officials, PRO Staff, event sponsors, the track, the race track officials, and other participants or officials for suck losses and agrees to not sue such persons for such losses.

All participants will be required, as a condition of entering the track, to sign all required forms, including such releases as determined by the PRO and track procedure. The PRO make no representation, or express or implied warranties, that the compliance with the rules and regulations posted in this rulebook or the safety requirements published by the host track sanctioning body (NHRA or IHRA), will prevent or guarantee against injury or death to spectators or participants or damage to personal property.

The rules and conduct guidelines set within this rulebook, and the safety rules set forth by the tracks sanctioning body are intended solely as the minimum acceptable standards. Safety is the responsibility of the participants of the event.

Any and all participants, by entering into a PRO event, agree to be bound by all rules, regulations, terms and decisions made by the PRO Officials. Any and all decisions, whether they are made prior, during, or after an event are final and may not be made the basis of litigation toward the PRO or PRO staff.

By entering into an PRO event all participants hereby release the PRO, PRO officials, PRO staff, and race track officials from liability relating to any loss, costs, damages, death, or injury relating to any decisions, erroneous or otherwise, or the decisions based on malfunctioning electronic or mechanical equipment, whether due to negligence or otherwise.

The PRO Director, Event Director, Tech Director, and Race Director are the only officials with the authority to disqualify a participant from an PRO event for non-compliance of rules. The PRO officials may, and will, do so in the event of any violation relating to the decision, rules, or regulations of the PRO or those of the host racetrack.

For the purpose of the PRO rulebook, the term "participant" shall include officials, any person possessing or who has issued a credential, and any person directly or indirectly associated with any vehicle that has been permitted to enter an event site for the purpose of competition, including, but not limited to owners, drivers, and crewpersons.

Participants at PRO events are expected, at all times, to conduct themselves in a professional and non-disruptive manner. Any participant who, in the sole and absolute judgment of the PRO organization, 1) verbally or physically threatens another participant or other person, 2) uses vulgar or derogatory language, 3) engages in unsportsmanlike conduct or conduct detrimental to the sport of racing, 4) otherwise creates a condition or circumstance that is unsafe, unfair, or out of order shall have violated the rules & regulations of the PRO organization.

All PRO events will feature inside registration & waiver execution. In almost all cases each PRO competitor (Brackets excluded) will purchase their car & driver credentials as well as all crew passes at the gate.

After entering the track, please locate a pit space. Pro Street and Super Street competitors should proceed to the "Pro Pit" parking, and all other competitors may pit in other available pit locations. After pitting, please proceed to the PRO registration and waiver execution area with your CAR & DRIVER CREDENTIAL IN HAND.

At this time each driver will present their car & driver credential for processing and receive the necessary registration, credentials, contingency forms, and tech card. Each driver will be asked to read the official release & waiver assumption of risk and voluntarily execute it at this time. THIS ABSOLUTELY MUST BE DONE BY THE DRIVER TO BE LISTED ON THE OFFICIAL TECH CARD. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS CRITICAL PROCEDURE CAN AND WILL RESULT IN FORFIT OF PRIZE MONEY, OFFICIAL POINTS AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION. AS WELL IT WILL BE THE DRIVERS RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT ANY CREWMEMBERS OR ASSOCIATES THAT WILL BE ACCOMPANING THE OFFICAL ENTRY AND/OR ENTERING ANY RESTRICTED AREAS PRESENT THEIR CREDENTIAL AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTE THE RELEASE AND WAIVER PROIR TO ENTERING ANY RESTRICTED AREA. Before proceeding to the safety and class tech area, all competitors must completely fill out all necessary forms. When all the forms are completely filled out, proceed to tech. If you have problems completing any of necessary paperwork, please inquire at registration.

A competitor may only compete in one vehicle and in one class.
The only exceptions to this rule are as follows:
1) If a heads-up competitor fails to qualify and wishes to enter Sunday's bracket race.
2) With the approval of the PRO Race Director, the PRO has the option of permitting a vehicle change during qualifying under the following conditions:
a) All previous times voided for the vehicle and driver involved.
b) Driver must re-qualify during the normal scheduled qualifying rounds for the event.
c) Driver must remain in the class originally entered, and have the proper license to drive the replacement vehicle.

Prior to competition all cars and drivers must pass the PRO technical inspection. This process will be outlined below, but may be changed at any time at the sole discretion of the PRO Tech Director. Prior to inspection each racer is required to fill out the PRO Tech Registration form with 100% accuracy, including claiming exact engine displacement. Any false information on the PRO Tech Registration form is grounds for immediate suspension and removal of competition points.
During the initial tech procedure, the PRO staff reserves the right to inspect any and every portion of the competing vehicle to ensure rules compliance, including teardowns, weight checks, P&G cubic-inch checks, etc. Do not enter your vehicle for competition if you are not prepared to prove the legality and compliance of your vehicle.

The final interpretation of any and all rules concerning racing vehicles and its legality in the class that it is entered is solely at the discretion of the PRO Tech Director.

During the running of the event, prior, during, or after the qualifying and/or eliminations the PRO reserves the right to inspect, seal for inspection and/or teardown any racer's vehicle for any reason.

Prior to competition all vehicles and driver equipment must undergo a technical inspection. However, PRO makes no representations, warranties, or assurances that a technical inspection will:
1) Detect every problem with a vehicle or a driver's personal equipment or clothing;
2) Detect every problem with rules compliance, or
3) Prevent injury, death or property damage.
The participant agrees that participant bears the ultimate responsibility at all times to ensure the safety of participant's vehicle and to ensure that participant complies with all applicable NHRA & PRO rules. The participant agrees that participant is in the best position to know about the construction and operation of participant's vehicle, equipment, and clothing, and whether there has been compliance with all applicable NHRA & PRO rules.

It is the competitor's responsibility to completely fill out the PRO contingency form prior to entering the PRO tech area. This form will be provided to you at the Registration booth with your race credentials. You must be using the proper product on the vehicle and the proper decals must be in place during tech-in procedure and for the entire duration of the event. Do not abuse the contingency program. Racers found violating the contingency rules are subject to suspension for up to one year by the PRO. Please check the Race Pages magazine, or the PRO website for a listing of updated contingency sponsors, and for information regarding each posting.

Cubic inch checks (known as P&G) will be employed by the PRO tech department in all classes with cubic inch limits and/or weight breaks in place. All classes and competitors can be subject to a P&G check at any time, including between rounds and prior to or after the completion of the event.

Driver and crew should be prepared with the necessary tools to remove valve covers, adjust rocker arms, and remove spark plugs as necessary for the P&G test.

PRO events are held at dragstrips sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) or the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). For the purposes of competing in PRO events, the safety rules and regulations set forth by the NHRA shall be in effect and all racers competing should follow the NHRA safety rulebook as a minimum to ensure legality.
PRO uses NHRA certified or IHRA certified safety inspectors to conduct all safety inspections. All vehicles must first pass safety inspection before they will be "teched-in" for PRO heads-up classes. The PRO will not be held responsible for failed safety inspections and no refunds of entry fees shall be made to racers failing to comply.

The following competition requirements apply to the following classes; Pro Street, Super Street, Xtreme Street, Pro Stock, Cheap Street, True Street, Open Comp, Nostalgia Super Stock, Nostalgia Muscle Car, and Nostalgia Pro Stock. To be eligible for the cash purse, contingency monies, and any awards and/or PRO points (True Street does not compete for points), each racer is required to be a current PRO member, and each race car is required to follow the decal requirements for competition at all times during each event. The following decals are required: PRO Windshield Decal - Must be installed on top of windshield. This PRO decal must be the only decal on top of windshield. Other vehicle sponsor decals may be placed at base of windshield. PRO 2003 Drag Racing Series "Side" Decals - must be installed on each side of vehicle on quarter windows. Class Sponsor Decal - class sponsor decal must be installed on base of windshield on the passenger side. Permanent Numbers - permanent numbers are required for competition with the exception of True Street. Shoe polish permitted in True Street only.

All competitors (except Bracket Competition) are required to display a permanent number (no shoe polish) that will be assigned in advance. You can receive your official number by calling or writing the PRO, or during the Registration & Waiver Execution process at the first PRO race attended.

PRO competition numbers are assigned to a driver rather that the vehicle, which is the same way in which points are accrued through the season. In addition to the competition numbers, the class designation must be clearly and permanently marked above the class number. Permanent numbers and class designation must be displayed on the front, rear, and both side windows. Numbers on the side windows must be a minimum of 4-inches tall, and 1 ½-inches wide. Class designation letters on side windows must be minimum of 2-inches tall and 1-inch wide. Numbers on windshield and rear glass must be a minimum of 4-inches tall and 1-inch wide, and class designation letters must be a minimum of 2-inches tall and 1-inch wide. The class designations and competition numbers are as follows:

Class Designation Number Range
Pro Street P/S 1000
Super Street S/S 2000
Nostalgia Pro Street NPS 3000
Xtreme Street X/S 4000
Pro Stock Pro/STK 5000
Cheap Street C/S 6000
Nostalgia Super Stock NSS 7000
Nostalgia Muscle Car NMC 8000
Open Comp O/C 9000

Race Procedures

PRO drag racing will be conducted using a standard NHRA starting line system. The field size, ladder type used, tree, & starting procedure used in each category of PRO racing is addressed in each individual section of the class rules & regulations.

If possible, all competitors will be given three qualifying passes on Saturday, weather permitting. In order to be counted as an official qualifying attempt, all vehicles must self-start on command, self-stage and receive the start signal.

All qualifying passes must be made within one of the three official designated qualifying sessions, and only one attempt is permitted per qualifying session. Once qualifying begins there will be no time trails permitted for any qualified field with the exception of the open-comp styled categories. Following completion of qualifying, all competitors must immediately report to the scales for weight-in.

The PRO Race Director has the option to build a ladder on as little as one qualifying session if track or weather require. If there are no qualifying sessions completed, the Race Director may build the ladder randomly.

In all heads-up classes, the vehicle with the quickest elapsed time will be number 1 qualifier, the 2nd quickest will be the number 2 qualifier, and so on. In the event of identical qualifying elapsed times, the vehicle with the faster top speed recorded on the qualifying runs in question will be awarded the lower qualifying position.

To be included on the official ladder for eliminations a competitor must at the very minimum self-start on command, self-stage, and receive the start signal. No competitor shall be added or included on the official ladder if they fail to make at least one qualifying session and complete the minimum requirements as stated above.

During single runs where there is not another competitor on the track to run against, the lone driver is considered the winner once he stages and receives the green light. If this lone driver crosses the centerline on a single run the elapsed time is voided for lane choice determination and any E.T., MPH, awards, and/or records for points.

During eliminations, any driver who has earned a "BYE" run through position (not an opponent's breakage beyond the front of staging) may choose not to make a full pass, but must report to staging when the round is called, self-start when instructed, stage under the vehicles power, and take the tree. Once the tree has been activated the driver is NOT required to make the run.

With the exception of Pro Street, all PRO heads-up classes are paired on an established NHRA Sportsman ladder in all fields. The Pro Street class is paired on an established NHRA Pro ladder. Once qualifying ladders have been posted, they will not be changed unless the PRO Director determines there is adequate reason for change.

In all cases lanes choice is determined by elapsed time. In the first round of elimination, the quicker of the qualified pair will have lane choice as determined by the position of the qualifying sheet. In every round after the first, lane choice will go to the competitor that has the quicker elapsed time from the previous round.

Lane Choice (O/C, True Street, NMC, NSS, & Bracket Classes) Lane choice is to be self-determined by each pair of competitors during eliminations. If the competitors cannot agree on lane choice, a Pro official will make the lane choice decision.

Control of the starting line is the sole discretion of the track starter. Courtesy staging (both pre-stage bulbs lit before any staging bulb lit) is required in all classes that utilize the Auto Start System. The Auto Start System will be activated and utilized in all classes with the exception of Open Comp. Open Comp class will not utilize the Auto Start System. It will be each driver's responsibility to see that they properly stage with their last staging movement being a forward motion.

Deep staging is permitted, however not necessary advocated. If you plan to Deep Stage it is strongly recommended that you boldly display the word DEEP on all four windows, in plain view of the starter. It is always the driver's responsibility to stage the vehicle prior to the tree being activated. IN ANY EVENT THE DRIVER MUST BE PREPARED TO LEAVE AS SOON AS THE FINAL STAGE BULB IS LIT.

A competitor with the word DEEP displayed on the window is not necessarily obligated to DEEP stage. As well, the starter is not necessarily obligated to wait on a driver to Deep Stage if the word DEEP is displayed on the vehicle. ALL DRIVERS MUST BE PREPARED TO LEAVE ONCE THE FINAL STAGE BULB IS LIT.

PRO uses NHRA policies with regards to disqualifications (red-light starts, double red-light starts, crossing the centerline, etc.) in order to help prevent situations in which both competitors are disqualified and maximize the chances of declaring a winner. Please consult the 2003 NHRA Rulebook under General Policies for more information.

A competitor may not advance to a position in a later round that he did not actually compete in. In the event a class winner is disqualified for any reason, the runner-up will be declared the winner if he is certified as legal. If the runner-up is also disqualified, there will be no winner or runner-up for that class and no awards or purse will be given for those positions.

A competitor is entitled to have their scale weight/fuel samples/mechanical components checked a total of up to three times per round to determine legality. If a competitor's scale weight/fuel sample/mechanical components check within tolerances for the class one out of any of these three attempts the competitor will be deemed legal for that round.

Example: If a competitor is weighed & found to be less than the minimum weight required the competitor will be asked to pull off the scales. The scales will be verified to be zero. The competitor will be re-scaled. If the competitor is found to be less than the minimum weight required the competitor will be asked to pull off the scales a second time. The scales will be verified to be zero a second time. Three other competitors (if there are others in line to be weighed) will be weighed. After these three competitors are scaled the competitor will be re-scaled for a third and final time. If the competitor is found to be less than the minimum weight required the competitor's run will be disqualified.

Example: If a competitor's fuel is found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the accepted fuel required the competitor will be asked to pull a second fuel sample. The fuel meter will be verified to be zero. The competitor's fuel will be rechecked. If the competitor's fuel is found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the accepted fuel required the competitor will be asked to pull a third and final fuel sample. The fuel meter will be verified to be zero. Three other competitors (if there are others in line to be fuel checked) fuel will be checked. After these three competitors are fuel checked the competitor's fuel will be checked for a third and final time. If the competitor's fuel is found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the accepted fuel required the competitor's the run will be disqualified.

Example: If a competitor's mechanical components are found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the class specifications the competitor will be allowed to re-clean these components. The competitor's mechanical components will be rechecked a second time. If the competitor's mechanical components are found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the class requirements the competitor will be allowed to re-clean these components a final time. If the competitor's mechanical components are found to be outside of the stated tolerances for the class for a third and final time, the competitor's the run will be disqualified.

Any time a vehicle or driver exceeds the elapsed time or MPH for which he is safety certified, or if the driver and/or vehicle are found to be in violation of any current safety standards, then the safety inspectors have the sole authority to restrict the driver and vehicle from further runs until the problem is fixed, or to disqualify the entrant from the event.

Each racer is responsible for verifying his dial-in as well as the opponent before staging. If there is a problem, notify the starter immediately. If a racer stages they have accepted both their dial-in and that of their competitor. The race will stand as run.

Owning a PRO National Class Record is a high honor awarded to the fastest and quickest drivers. Record runs may be made only under official qualifying or elimination conditions. In order to set a PRO National Class Record, a contestant must run either quicker or faster than the previous record. The elapsed time and speed records may be set independently or simultaneously.
In order to re-set a record, the contestant must provide the PRO Technical Director with the record setting & back-up time slips immediately after each run. A back up run within 1% of the record breaking run is required to set an official PRO National Record. In the event that two runs exceed the existing record but are not within 1% of each other, the quicker time or faster speed will be acceptable as the backup for the slower time, which will stand as the record.
Once a vehicle has set a PRO National Record it may be inspected for compliance with the rules, including possible teardown, as the PRO Technical Director sees fit. If two or more contestants tie for the same elapsed time record to the thousands of a second at the event, the faster speed will be the tiebreaker. If two or more contestants tie for the speed record to the hundredth of a mph at the same event, the quicker elapsed time will be the tiebreaker. In the event a tie still exists, the contestant accomplishing the record run earlier in the event will be awarded the record. A contestant that resets & then loses the record at the same event will not get credit or points for breaking the record.
Professional category elapsed time records (Pro Street) will be recorded and listed to the thousandth of a second. Sportsman category elapsed time records (all other classes) will be recorded and listed to the hundredth of a second. Speed records will be recorded and listed to the hundredth of a mile per hour.
Contestants in sportsman categories must first break the exiting record before attempting a backup. Contestants in professional categories may use a previous run as a backup if within 1% of the record run and all other procedures outlined herein are followed. A contestant cannot set records with one vehicle, then compete in eliminations with another vehicle.

Contestant protest must be filed by a competitor in the same class and must be filed and accepted in writing with the PRO Tech Director by no later than the conclusion of qualifying for the class on Saturday. The PRO Tech Director may, at the time of the protest filling, choose to accept or reject the protest, at his sole discretion. Contestant protests must be accompanied with the proper cash protest fee. The protested vehicle (and/or engine components) will be sealed as necessary, and inspected at some point prior to the first round of eliminations. The protested vehicle must be disassembled for inspection and re-assembled by the vehicles owner(s) and/or his designated crew. Refusing inspection and/or disassembly can result in the following: removal of the vehicle from competition, 2-race suspension of the driver, loss of competition points for 3 previous events, and immediate removal of the vehicle, owner and crew from the racing facility. During the actual inspection process, only representatives of the protested vehicle may be present. If the protested vehicle is found to be within the requirements for the class, the protest fee, less 25% for PRO expenses, will be forfeited to the owner of the protested vehicle. If the protested vehicle is found to be NOT within the requirements for the class, the protest fee, less 25% for PRO expenses, will be refunded. In addition, any infraction to the class rules, even those beyond those in the original contestant protest, will be grounds for immediate disqualification. PRO may impose fines, disqualification, suspension, and/or revocation of competition privileges for non-compliant entrants, depending upon the severity of the infraction.

1. Any external items (tire width, body, suspension) $100
2. Cubic inch check (P&G) $200
3. Check camshaft/valvetrain compliance $250
4. Remove intake manifold $250
5. Remove cylinder head $350
6. Remove oil pan for bottom end inspection $400
7. Complete engine check $850

Participants hereby grants PRO and its assigns full and unconditional permission to collect and retain vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, and/or any other items used in conjunction with participation owned by or in possession of participant, including such vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, or any other item that has been involved in accidents which PRO determines in its sole and absolute discretion that such actions are necessary incident to the investigation of an accident, the inspection or testing of such vehicles, parts, or equipment, or for any other purpose.

Event Procedures

It is the goal of PRO to complete all events in the most timely manner during the weekend, regardless of weather conditions. If necessary, events will be completed by running late, or by extending eliminations into Monday or possibly another weekend. In the event of race termination or cancellation no gate fees for driver, car, spectator, or crew will be refunded under any situation.

Once a competitor has entered the tech process, there will be no refunds of entry fee. No spectator or crew refunds are issued regardless of situation.

Payouts will be administrated by PRO, and will be made at the completion of each round. No payouts will be mailed, made, or sent after the completion of the event. Driver must supply complete information to PRO including proper name, social security number, address, telephone number, drivers license, or any other information required by PRO.

Contingency awards and payouts are the responsibility of the company posting the contingency and are not that of PRO. PRO will take any reasonable steps necessary to ensure that each participating company sponsor honors their commitments, but the PRO will not be responsible for non-payment or bad checks. Competitors must resolve any disputes or problems relating to contingency or non-payment directly with the company.

All vehicles, drivers, crew, and competitors, upon consideration of being permitted to enter a PRO event, hereby release the following rights. All rights to advertising, images, promotion, filming, recording, exhibition, t-shirt sales, likenesses, photographs, slides, sound recordings and any other merchandising or market-related items as deemed necessary by PRO of the drivers, vehicles, and crew. PRO may assign, sell, loan, or transfer these rights.

Participants agree they will not offer for sale, sell, or distribute, or give away souvenirs, products, t-shirts, apparel, merchandise or any other thing of value, or permit others to do so, without obtaining written permission, prior to the event, from PRO.