Jap Drag Series
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Santa Pod Raceway

HKS Drag Series Racer’s Notice Board

26/5/10
Rulebook update:

  • Update logo
  • Include provisional weight-breaks for normally aspirated cars running in FWD class
  • Remove time-designations for classes (obsolete)
  • Correct pro-tree intervals

01/09/09
Below is the proposed plans for the 2010 Jap Drag Series.

Overview

The Jap Drag Series ran for the first time in 2009 under an MSA permit, and on the whole, attendances by racers have been acceptable considering the hoops that racers have needed to jump through to join the series. However, many racers have sat out the year with cars still under construction. It is for this reason that as few rules as possible are being modified for 2010 to allow stability and reduce costs for racers to prevent the need for continuous updates.

The Jap Drag Series will run only at “enthusiast events” in 2010, but will retain five rounds for all classes with the addition of The Fast Show.

Classes

All four existing Jap Drag Series classes will be retained for 2010.

Events

5 Rounds of the Jap Drag Series are planned for 2010 at the following events:
- The Fast Show 21st March
- PTM Show 9th May
- JapShow 4th July
- Rotorstock (confirm date) 21st August
- JapShow Finale 3rd Oct
All classes will compete together at all rounds.

Rulebook Changes & Updates

The only proposed changes are as follows:
- Allow plastic side and rear windows in Street and FWD on the provision they are MOT compliant.
- Consider revision of FWD weights downwards subject to comprehensive weigh-in at JapShow Finale 2009
- Raise engine capacity limit in Street class to 3,700cc to cater for latest V6’s.
- Displaying race numbers more clearly will be addressed
- Minor corrections/clarifications

Jap Academy

Introduction of a feeder competition for the HKS series involving Run What Ya Brung cars. Planned entry fees are the same as RWYB fee, but with qualifying and eliminations. No prize money for winner, but an opportunity to learn race craft and a stepping stone from RWYB to licenced drag racing. Possible min ET limit for entrants.

MSA Certification

All events in the 2010 series will be run under an MSA permit and drivers will require MSA licences and vehicles conforming to the MSA drag racing “white book” specs and Jap Drag Series compliance regs.

Points Updates

Points system will remain the same, but possibly with a larger bonus for competing in all five rounds to encourage entry.

Entry Fees & Prize Money

The intention is to keep entries fees covered by the promoters, and prize money at least at current levels, but this will be dependant on the investment made in the series by sponsors.

Other info

1) RWYB & Jap Drag Series sharing track
It has been noted that track conditions at “enthusiast events” where RWYB is present can be worse than at full national race meetings despite extra effort going into track prep at these events. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that this will be the case, and the track crew can only do so much to keep the track good when switching between RWYB and race sessions during the course of the day.

There are no rounds of the Jap Drag Series planned at national race meetings in 2010, but the opportunity is there to use the track for racers that wish to do so by entering Comp Eliminator or ET classes. All cars approved for the HKS series will be eligible for these classes also.

HKS Drag Series cars have a natural audience at the Jap and modified car events, and we can therefore justify supporting the series by arranging entry fees and prize money at these events, but this is not true for national race meetings, and it has resulted in the less-than-ideal situation whereby high-power race cars are sharing a track with RWYB cars.

The track crew will do everything they can to make the track as good as possible at Jap Drag Series meetings in 2010, but racers must accept that getting the track to 100% of its potential is impossible in these circumstances, and they will need to tune their cars accordingly.

2) Racers Committee
Requests for a racers committee are currently on ice because the development of the HKS series requires independent management that can identify the needs of the series and the stakeholders rather than the interests of individual racers.

3) Pro FWD
It has been recognised that there is no development class for FWD racers wishing to produce Pro FWD cars. There are currently no plans to introduce a class for these cars, as they don’t yet exist in the UK. Pro FWD cars will be run as demos or can enter National drag classes if they appear during 2010.

4) Flame & Thunder
There will be an invitational race between HKS and Euro Sports Compact cars on the 31st October.

5) Non Jap Entries
Although there has been much talk of a merger between Euro Sports Compact and the Jap Drag Series, it has been decided that 2010 is too early for this merger to take place, and the HKS series will remain for Japanese cars only.

17/07/08
HKS Drag Series Television Air Dates
If you've been enjoying the HKS Drag Series action this year, then you'll LOVE the Jap Drag Series TV shows that are out later in the season. We've already previewed the footage from round 1, and it makes for fantastic viewing, with close racing, in car footage (now that's something you don't see at the events!) and lots of thrills and spills. Motors TV have announced provisional air-dates for the Jap Drag Series as being: October 23rd till November 13th, Thursdays @ 8.00 PM.

09/05/08
The Jap Drag Series is being filmed in 2008 with the intention of getting the shows on national television. The package includes in-car cameras and higher-quality post-production that should really help raise the profile of the series and those that compete in it.

04/04/08
Due to an underwhelming response, the tech day on April 12th has been cancelled. However, if you have any specific questions about your vehicle, or are worried about compliance with the 2008 rulebook, please contact Geoff, Mark, or myself, or speak to one of the “chassis builders” on the page links page and you should be able to get everything sorted and 100% in time for the PTM Show.

Apologies if you were planning on attending this day.

01/04/08
The planned date for the pre-season tech-inspection for the Jap Drag Series is Saturday 12th April. This the inspection is free, but I need commitment from enough people to make it worth while putting on the staff to oversee the day.

Therefore, if you would like your car checked for all aspects of the Jap Drag Series rulebook, please let us know BY WEDNESDAY if you are attending on Sat 12th. If I don’t have enough people committed, the date will be cancelled and the next opportunity for an inspection will be the PTM Show, by which point it may be too late to get any changes made.

13/2/08
Tesuto – Japanese Car Test Day - Friday April 4th

Racers! Are you looking to get some pre-season testing in, but don’t like the queues at RWYB events? Do you want a race-quality track prep, but don’t want to fork out for private track hire?

Then you might be interested in attending Tesuto- a Peak Performance event on Friday April 4th exclusively for Japanese cars. This is a serious test day with a strictly controlled number of sign ons, so you get all the benefits of a private track hire, with none of the costs.

  • Hardly any queues
  • Lots of pit space
  • Unlimited runs on track
  • Race quality track preparation
  • Full timing data
  • Full safety crews

Book your entry tickets and sign-on in advance to guarantee your track time and save money. Entry costs from £10 per person and sign-on for use of the track costs from £50. Simply call 01234 782828 to make your booking. This event is open to racers, clubs and individuals, but track time is strictly limited, so call NOW to avoid disappointment.

For extra info, click http://www.rwyb.co.uk/performance.php.

13/2/08
More solutions for Skyline flywheel shields are coming to light. This time, RIPS in New Zealand have the blanket-type available. Drop them a line through the website www.ripsltd.co.nz/performance/.

6/2/08
Minor Rulebook Updates in Street Class. Changes include permission to modify firewall to allow flywheel shield fitmet, and permission to use fuel cells. Download the updated rulebook here.

1/2/08
Sussex-based GT ART are able to supply and fit flywheel shields to Nissan Skylines. See www.GTART.co.uk for contact details.

15/1/07
After a discussion at the Autosport Show, it is worth mentioning that we could have elected class representatives for each class. The “class reps” could deal with finding contingency sponsorship for all the racers in the class, and also for investigating and implementing rulebook changes for future consideration. Candidates are welcome to come forward, and then a vote can be taken. Ideally they should be someone who understands the class they want to represent, has had some experience of building or racing cars, and has the contacts to find sponsors and offer promotion. Please note this is purely for putting money into the pockets of racers, and not an activity Santa Pod can undertake.

11/1/07
We are investigating a way of making it easier to comply with the flywheel shield regs as stated in the rules. We are aware that there are clearance issues with some makes and models of cars. Stay tuned to this page for further news.

8/1/07
The new rulebook for the Jap Drag Series is now online. If you have any questions or comments, please us me know.