First time heading to Famoso Dragstrip? Here’s a helpful overview of tips, rules and regulations for on-track participants—whether you’re heading down the dragstrip or rolling into the burnout box!

Famoso Dragstrip adheres to the NHRA Rulebook for all safety and tech related requirements. Please note, the following rules are intended for first time participants, including those who are bringing street legal vehicles to the track.

For more extensive coverage of rules and regulations related to high-horsepower and competition grade vehicles, please refer to the NHRA 2026 Rulebook for technical specifications.

Famoso Dragstrip

2026 Rules and Requirements

Safety is the highest priority at Famoso Dragstrip! Here are the basic rules of the dragstrip. For the latest detailed safety requirements, please refer to the 2026 NHRA Rulebook.

DRAGSTRIP PARTICIPANT OVERVIEW

What to Expect

  • Entry:Upon arrival, you’ll pay your entry fee and receive a tech card. Fill it out and proceed to the tech area for a safety inspection.
  • Tech:The tech staff and track officials will inspect your car for safety requirements, including seat belts, working headlights/taillights, DOT-approved tires, and a secured battery.
  • Registration:Check in at racer registration to sign the release form and show your valid driver’s license.
  • Staging Lanes:Once registered, head to the staging lanes. Track officials will guide you into the correct lane.
  • Race:When it’s your turn, follow instructions from officials. Perform a burnout if desired or drive around the water box. Stage your car using the Christmas Tree. After the run, slow down, exit safely, and proceed to the timing booth.
  • Timing Booth:Pick up your time slip to see how your vehicle performed, then return to the pits for your next run.

Driver

  • All drivers must purchase a tech card.
  • Drivers must be 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license.
  • All drivers must have a tech card on file for the day’s test event – it is not acceptable to have multiple drivers with only one tech card.
  • A driver may drive a different car provided that both the car and driver have been through tech and all additional safety and NHRA requirements have been met.
  • Drivers caught switching wristbands, or driving a vehicle without a tech card on file, will be suspended for 60 days.

Crew

  • Only 3 crew members per vehicle are allowed on the starting line at a time. If you are not with a vehicle, you must obtain permission from a track official to enter the track.
  • All crew members are required to sign a waiver and obtain a crew member wristband to gain access to the starting line.
  • Spectators and crew without a wristband will not be allowed beyond the temporary fence at the top of the staging lanes. No exceptions.

Safety

  • Safety is the highest priority at Famoso Dragstrip. Famoso Dragstrip has the right to refuse service at any time and will not hesitate to have participants removed from the property if it is determined that their actions have put themselves, guests, and/or employees into harm’s way. Any patron who chooses to not follow the law will be immediately ejected from the property.

 Driver / Vehicle Safety Equipment

  • All drivers and passengers must wear: long pants, shirt with sleeves, and closed-toe shoes (no nylon).
  • 13.99 and quicker:Helmet (Snell 2015 or newer), no passenger.
  • 11.99 and quicker:Helmet (Snell 2015 or newer), roll bar, 5-point seat belt, no passenger, jacket meeting SFI spec 3.2a/1 mandatory.
  • 9.99 and quicker:Helmet (Snell 2015 or newer), roll cage, 5-point seat belt, competition license, chassis certification, SFI 3.3a/5 (jacket and pants), neck collar, gloves.
  • Aftermarket power adder (turbo, nitrous, supercharger, etc.) requires multi-layer jacket meeting SFI spec 3.2a/5 mandatory.
  • All vehicles are required to have a muffler.
  • All vehicles must be compliant with safety standards from the 2026 NHRA Rulebook.

Motorcycle / Rider Safety Equipment

All motorcycles must use a Snell-approved helmet (M2010, M2015, SA2010, SA2015).

  • 9.99 and quicker:NHRA Motorcycle License is mandatory.
  • Motorcycles under 120 MPH:Must wear a leather motorcycle jacket, leather gloves, and leather shoes/boots above the ankle.
  • Motorcycles above 120 MPH:Full all-leather or SFI 40.1/2 suit mandatory. Two-piece suits must be joined at the waist with a metal 360-degree zipper. Leather boots/shoes above the ankle and Kevlar-lined gloves or gloves equipped with slide buttons are required.

Pit Speed

  • Speed limit in the pits is 5 mph. Reckless driving of any kind in the pit area will result in immediate ejection from the facility and/or suspension.

Intoxication

  • Any participants on track (drivers, crew members, and media) that have already signed in and received their wristband may not purchase alcohol.
  • Any participant suspected of being under the influence (alcohol, meds, cannabis, etc.) will not be permitted to participate in any driving activities.
  • No outside alcohol is permitted on the property.
  • Alcohol purchased from track concessions may only be consumed in the designated spectator viewing areas and may not be taken into the parking lot, pit area, or staging lanes.

 Media

  • Media access is subject to track approval.
  • If approved, media must sign a waiver at tech/registration, provide a business card, and wear a brightly colored vest.
  • At no time will anyone be allowed in front of the 60-foot mark while on the track or the return road.

Media must be behind the spectator fence to take photos beyond the 60-foot mark.

 Remember

  • Motorsports is a rules-driven environment. The ability to understand and follow the direction of track officials is required for any participant.
  • Pro Tip:Always know where the finish line is before your run. After crossing the finish line, don’t brake too hard. Exit safely without crossing in front of other vehicles.
  • Ready-Set-Go:Ensure doors are closed, windows up, seat belt on, and headlights on (if required). Pre-stage and stage carefully for accurate runs.
  • Track Assistance:If you’re unsure about your time slip or race procedures, feel free to ask a track official or fellow racer for guidance.

BURNOUT BOX PARTICIPANT OVERVIEW

Basics

  • Burnout Box participation is only available to drivers who have pre-registered for Burnout Box in advance.
  • All drivers must be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license.

Signing In

  • Driver check-in will be in the burnout box staging lanes.
  • Drivers are required to sign a waiver to receive a wristband.
  • Wristbands must be worn on the left wrist throughout the night.
  • Wristbands are limited; participation is not guaranteed without advance registration.
  • Wristband switching is prohibited. Drivers caught switching will be suspended for 60 days.

Lining Up

  • There is one staging line for the burnout box, whether newly signed in or returning for another run.
  • The posted event end time is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
  • Cars remaining in line at the event’s end time will not be allowed into the burnout box.
  • Participation is first come, first served.

In the Burnout Box

  • ONE car in the burnout box at a time.
  • No passengers allowed.
  • Windows must be up.
  • Convertible tops must be up and latched.

Track Safety Flags

  • Pay attention to the burnout box track safety flags at all times:
• Yellow Flag: Time’s up—end burnout and exit slowly.
•Red Flag: Stop immediately! (Failure to comply will result in wristband removal.)

Safety

  • Safety is the highest priority at Famoso Dragstrip.
  • Famoso Dragstrip reserves the right to refuse service or remove participants if their actions endanger themselves, guests, or employees.
  • Any participant who violates the rules will be immediately ejected from the property.

Pit Speed

  • Speed limit in the pits is 5 mph.
  • Reckless driving in the pit area will result in immediate ejection and/or suspension.

Intoxication

  • Burnout Box participants will not be permitted to drink alcohol while participating.
  • If a participant is done with Burnout Box for the day, they may remove their wristband and begin to consume alcohol.
  • Participants suspected of being under the influence (alcohol, meds, cannabis, etc.) will not be permitted to participate.
  • No outside alcohol is allowed on the property.
  • Alcohol purchased from track concessions may only be consumed in designated spectator viewing areas and may not be taken into parking lots, pit areas, or staging lanes.

Remember

  • Motorsports is a rules-driven environment.
  • The ability to understand and follow the directions of track officials is required for participation.