Welcome to Nitro Slots Charlie. You have the proxy concept nailed down. I posted (below) some rules for other classes that are ran with the proxy group. Races usaully cost around 7.00$ for the first car to enter with a additional 1$ for a second car. Of course this can and sometimes does change at each event. Take a look at the info and feel free to ask questions.
NTRA class rules:
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WHY PROXY??? by John Balich Proxy racing in all forms allows racers and builders to compete on a Regional or in the case of NTRA National Level.
actually our reach extends beyond the 50 states as we have had Canadian entries and at least ONE notable Entry from
a MARINE stationed in unspecified parts of the Middle East! "Semper Fi" bud!
We try to provide an interesting build up, race weekend and after race follow-up so the competitors get a feel of what participation in a Full Size drag Meet might be like! Ask any of our many satisfied racers, and you will find the enjoyment dollar per hour rate makes this activity a great and modest expenditure. Proxy racing additionally provides a sense of community, camaraderie, and forms friendships that would likely never occur otherwise. The cost is normally postage only.
So how does NTRA run these events? Well there is customarily a test and tune weekend about a month or so before the
finals. Every track has its differences and this gives members with a track at home to compare numbers with the host track.
For participants without a track it provides feedback on their race car. Some local tweaking is done with the input of each
racer to maximize performance for race weekend. Any inadvertent rules violations can be caught and corrected after and sometimes during test and tune weekend. We want EVERYONE to be able to race!
A basic tenet of NTRA racing is that 'host' club members may not compete. No home court advantage!
How are drivers determined? The host track has latitude in this process, normally a random drawing of names and car
numbers will suffice. Another possible format that hasn't been tried yet. is to have a driver "adopt' a car for the eliminations,
giving the driver a 'vested' interest in that car doing well. Local drivers are normally pre qualified by their abilities and chosen
by the meet director/track operator. The local drivers normally ARE competing with each other for cutting the best lights etc,
so they are bound to be on their toes. Why have drivers at all? Well this is a good point. For years I held 'dead stick' racing on
my track. This style of racing has ONE switch powering both lanes. At the throw of the switch both cars simultaneously launch.
The main argument in favor of this style racing is that it is ultimately fair to the fastest cars. I still do this type racing at home for my
own amusement. We discussed this option at the outset of NTRA racing and rejected it.
A large part of drag racing is ability to react to the tree. It's the human element. I think it makes for much more dynamic
racing. Would you be thrilled that your faster car was eliminated by being 'treed' or by a redlight? Of course not, but its
part of the package, and for me part of the fun. I just think of myself as a car owner/ builder with a hired driver who I hope
comes through for me! Dead stick racing feels like time trials to me. Interesting, but not particularly dynamic. Also, our style
has a way of keeping us a friendly family, as we comiserate with our buddies who got RED LIGHTED or TREED, since we are all
in the same boat. Lot's of good natured ribbing and camaraderie precedes and follows these events.
We have all kinds here, meaning some guys are dead-dang serious, and at the other extreme are guys who just wanna
see their car in the program. It's a good time for all.
None of the above is meant to disparage other racing formats, it's just an outline of how we try to do things and why.
We don't ask racers to choose between NTRA and other race formats. All you have to do to compete with us is sign up,
mail your car in time and pay postage.
One last word. Proxy racing is not meant to replace 'live' racing. It's just another option. We encourage you to race locally
ESPECIALLY if you have a commercial track. Support the local Hobby shop when you can. Form your own racing series
or form a club if you can't find one near. Tell us about your group. We want to hear about your racing and hear your ideas.
More than anything, we want more guys to enjoy more racing than ever before.
Another 'last' word ;D !! This is a great hobby for Father- son, Father daughter and yes mom -daughter or mom- son participation. You don't need a physics degree to be competitive!
Any such racers would get lots of help and attention from the old guard here because we value that kind of participation.
