The FAQ

Bracket Racing is a way of creating an equal opportunity or level playing field in drag racing. It means both super quick or slower cars as well as expensive or budget cars both have the opportunity to win.

Basically the competitor makes a series of qualifying passes. He or she then decides the average time it has taken to get down the quarter mile and uses this figure as a 'dial-in' time. This figure can be adjusted within class rules as the meeting progresses. With two competitors ready to do battle in eliminations these 'dial-in times' are written on the car (usually with shoe whitener on a window).

As the cars come to the famous 'Christmas Tree' (traffic light starting device) the timekeeper enters these times into the computer. The slower car leaves first and if both drivers run their perfect 'dial-in time' they will cross the line in a dead heat. This of course never happens. A driver may react slowly to their green light or may fluff a gear change. They may have even lost engine power. So it is the driver who can most consistently run to their dial-in and cross the line first that wins the day. However the twist is they must not run too fast which is called 'breaking out' (going faster than their dial in) or leaving the start line before their green light which results in a red light or 'cherry'. Either of these will potentially result in that driver losing the race so long as the opponent hasn’t done exactly the same thing!

It means that the driver is essentially racing the clock as well as the other person requiring skill, knowledge of your car and consistency.

If it all sounds a bit confusing don't worry! It really isn't, and we're all here to help you get to know your way around things.

The VWDRC stands for Volkswagen Drag Racing Club. It is possibly the largest one make drag racing club in the world! Not only catering for VW’s but the whole of the Volkswagen, Audi Group. (Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche).

The club was established by a group of enthusiastic racers in 1987 and has gone from strength to strength and is now proud to boast a varied collection of the fastest and quickest VWs in Europe.

As a club we aim to:

• Promote VW drag racing,
• Provide members with information, advice and assistance in drag racing
• Arrange social events and other meetings
• Race in accordance with the rules of Motorsport UK

We currently have two classes within the club. Pro & Sportsman.

There are two classes in the VWDRC - Sportsman and Pro. Both are open to any vehicle that is either powered by a VAG-group engine or that is built around a VAG car/chassis.

If your car is running quarter-mile times of 12.99 seconds or less then you are placed into the Pro class. 12.00 and slower you would run in the Sportsman class.

First or all you need a car! Most importantly you do not need an expensive pro-race car!

Your regular street legal VW/Audi Group or derived vehicle as long as it is Taxed and MOT'd is a great start and is almost race ready anyway.

You will also need the following, it seems like a lot but it really isn’t.

• VWDRC Membership
• SPRC membership
• Motorsport UK license
• Helmet
• Race Suit
• Race Gloves
• Race Shoes
• Fire extinguisher

The regulations may change depending on what you are driving. The details given below are as a minimum standard. Please consult the latest rule book.

You need to be a member of the VWDRC in order to run in the Championship. You will also need to be a member of the SPRC in order to run in competition. More details in How do I join?

As with all safety gear, get the equipment that fits correctly not just the cheapest or the one that looks the coolest!
According to the 2024 Motorsport UK Blue book, any of the following are suitable:

• FIA 8860-2010
• FIA 8859-2015
• FIA 8860-2018
• FIA 8860-2018-ABP
• SNELL SA2015 (Not valid after 31.12.26)
• SNELL SA2020

Well that largely depends on what you plan on driving and how quickly.

If you have a rear engined VW (for example a Beetle/Camper) and you meet one or more of the following:

• Runs in VW Pro
• Have a Cabrio, Webasto or altered roof
• Have a GRP or non-metallic flip front

Then yes you have to have a 6 point roll cage as per Motorsport UK General Safety Regulation 4:11

If you run quicker than 14.99 you must have a roll bar as per Motorsport UK General Safety Regulation 4:10.

For vehicles that have their engines in the front, eg Golf/Scirocco and meet one or more of the following:

• Runs in VW Pro
• Have a cabriolet roof

Then yes you have to have a 6 point roll cage as per Motorsport UK General Safety Regulation 4:11

Please do not buy any generic pre fabricated cage be it custom or big brand before consulting a VWDRC committee member. Drag Racing tube thickness is different to other motorsport forms.

Save money do it right do it once, we are always happy to answer questions to help

Yes but only for the pits. You need a minimum of 4kg Dry Powder or alternatively Foam Fire Extinguisher for your pit area. There is no requirement to fit a Fire Extinguisher to your race car.

Joining the VWDRC is easy!

Membership to the VWDRC is for the calendar year.

In order to race you also need to be a member of the SPRC (Santa Pod Racing Club). The VWDRC offer a package for racers consisting of membership for the year, including membership of the SPRC for just £45. Both are available here.

Firstly you will become a member of the largest one make drag racing club in the world!

You get membership to the club for the calendar year. You will be given access to a private members group where you can ask advice and catch up with other members. You will receive two club stickers. Many of our sponsors and several retailers offer discounts or special offers to VWDRC members, don't forget to ask when you order to get the most from your membership. You will be eligible for the championship sponsors fund.

When you're competing at a some events you're able to get priority entry to the track the day before the general public, no more queueing to get into Santa Pod!

You get invited to our social events and gatherings, great nights out!

One important misconception needs laying to rest.

It is NOT expensive to participate

Once you have the equipment and it is looked after it should last for many years, the only annual costs are membership fees, race license and entry fees.

All that's needed is:

• A car (obviously)
• VWDRC membership £25
• SPRC membership £20 (when bought through the VWDRC)
• A Motorsport UK RS Inter Club (UK Only) Licence £78
• A pair of race shoes from £100
• A race suit that conforms to the appropriate regulations from £240
• A pair of gloves that conforms to the appropriate regulations from £45
• A crash helmet of the correct type that conforms to the appropriate regulations from £130
• A 4kg fire extinguisher from £35
• Race entry fees from £240
• Fuel £ - dependant on how thirsty your car is!

For each meeting you get 4 tickets, these can be distributed to your crew (i.e. helpful friends) to share the cost of the race entry.

Yes you require a Motorsport UK race licence you can download the application for here: Motorsport UK Licence form. The minimum licence requirement for the VWDRC is a Motorsport UK RS Inter Club (UK Only) Licence.

No medical examination is required for Motorsport UK RS Inter Club (UK Only) licenses.

Yes - Provided the number hasn't already been taken. This can be requested by sending an email to info@vwdrc.com

The Car and Bike Drag Racing Yearbook(White Book) contains all the regulations for race numbers.

Supplementary Regulation 4.7 states that

Quote:
Numbers must be displayed in accordance with the specific class format; affixed in such a way to ensure their durability and legibility and be of sufficient contrast to their background. They shall be subject to the approval of Chief Timekeeper.

The specific class format is defined in GSR 7.3 which states

Quote:
Any car competing at FIA and/or Motorsport UK events must display the drivers Competition number. Numbers must be a minimum 152mm (6-inches) high and 38mm (1 1/2 inches) wide. Class designation letters must be a minimum 76mm (3-inches) high and 25,4mm (1 inch) wide. Drivers competition number and class designation must be displayed in a legible manner in a contrasting colour to the vehicles background colour, or light colour on windows, in a prominent position, and must be clearly visible to the Tower personnel. Class and numbers must be in the form of permenant decals or paint. The use of shoe polish in any form is prohibited.

So there you have it, 6-inch tall, light or contrasting numbers in either decal or paint, No Shoe Whitener.

You can order a set via the Club Shop.

Just a quick question? Then you can of course use the Contact page.

If you want to know the finer details all the information you could ever possibly need is available, the easiest way to get it is to become a member and ask all your questions in our very active members only facebook group. If you are serious about building a full-on race car please seek advice from the committee members and racers (who are happy to help) so your car can be built to the correct specification and pass scrutineering.