Street Legal Rules & Regulations

These are basic safety rules to be able to race at Houston Raceway Park. For detailed information regarding NHRA categories and rules obtain an official NHRA Rule Book. For more information about Houston Raceway Park regulations contact us at (281)-383-7223.

Elapsed time requirements are for quarter mile times. Some may include eighth mile equivalent times in parentheses. Rules are subject to change.

  • A valid state driver’s license is required for all drivers.
  • All drivers are required to wear long pants, a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops) , and closed toe shoes (no sandals).
  • Helmet snell 2010 rating recommended, mandatory with sun/moon roof, convertible, or T-tops, 11.99 and faster. Full face required at 9.99 and faster.
  • All vehicles are required to have at least one functional taillight that is not a brake light and on during a pass at night.
  • Drivers in cars running 11.99 (7.59) seconds or quicker, and all dune buggy type vehicles running 14.00 (8.60) and slower are required to wear a helmet meeting SNELL 2010 or SFI 31.1, 31.2, 41.1, or 41.2 Specs
  • Drivers running 10.00 (6.40) to 11.49 (7.35) with Nitrous must wear a jacket meeting SFI Spec 3.3/1.
  • Drivers running 9.99 (6.39) to 7.50 (4.50) or any vehicle exceeding 135 mph are required to wear a jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/5 and gloves meeting SFI Spec 3.3/1.
  • A valid NHRA Competition license is required for any vehicle running 9.99 (6.39) or quicker.
  • All motorcycle riders are required to wear a full face helmet meeting above Specs, leather jacket, leather boots/shoes above the ankle, and leather gloves. Full all leathers or SFI Spec 40.1/2 suit is mandatory on all motorcycles running 120 mph or faster.
  • A seat belt is mandatory in all cars. A three inch driver restraint system meeting SFI Spec 16.1 is mandatory in all cars running 11.49 (7.35) or quicker, and in convertibles running 13.49 (8.25) or quicker and all dune buggy type vehicles.
  • A roll bar is required on all cars running 11.00 (7.00) to 11.49 (7.35) and in convertibles running 11.00 to 13.49 and in all dune buggy type vehicles running 12.00 and slower. See the NHRA Rule Book for more detailed information.
  • A roll cage is mandatory in all cars running 10.99 (6.99) and quicker or any car exceeding 135 mph. See NHRA Rule Book for more information.
  • A driveshaft loop is required on all cars running slick tires, except vehicles running 13.00 and slower equipped with street tires.

Motorcycle Rules

  • Snell 2010 helmet
  • Leather jacket or riding jacket
  • Long pants
  • Shoes covering the ankle
  • Leather gloves or Riding gloves with slide buttons
  • Leather pants at 120.00 MPH in either the Eighth mile or the Quarter mile
  • Ignition cutoff lanyard required at 10.99 (7.00) and faster
  • Chain Guard

Alcoholic Beverages

Participating drivers and crewmembers are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages while the Participant is still racing. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in RESTRICTED AREAS!

 

Burn Outs

All burn outs must be within the designated areas only and using water only. Crewmembers are NOT permitted to hold or touch the vehicle during the burn out.

Disqualification for the Event

All standard disqualification rulings and guidelines of event operations, as covered in the 2018 NHRA Rule Book, will be utilized while conducting all HRP drag racing events. Additional rules involving possible disqualification may be imposed at the absolute discretion of the Track Officials.   Penalty for cheating: Track Discretion. Penalty depends on severity of infraction. Decision will be made by Track Manager and/or Race Director.

Disqualification for the Season

Any racer in possession of illegal equipment in their car (first offense) will be permanently disqualified from the Points Program for the racing season.

Firearms / Glass Containers

No firearms or glass containers are ever permitted inside Houston Raceway Park. Violation of this provision WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE PARK AND POSSIBLE ARREST.

Pit Vehicles, ATVs, Scooters and Bicycles

Use of Pit Vehicles is a privilege NOT a right. Your privilege may be revoked at the tracks’ discretion.  No one under the age of 16 is allowed to drive pit vehicles, golf carts, ATVs, scooters or bicycles at any time, even if it is being used to tow a race car. These vehicles are not to be used as recreational vehicles while at Houston Raceway Park. Support vehicles must carry the corresponding race car number with class designation. Misuse of pit vehicles will result in the vehicle being impounded and the racer associated with the pit vehicle may be disqualified. Anyone under the age of 16 found operating a pit vehicle will be penalized. If a second offense occurs, the racer will loose event points, and racing privileges will be suspended for one (1) week, at the discretion of the Competition Director. Parents should enforce this rule with all minors under the age of 16.

No roller blades, skates or skateboards allowed at any Houston Raceway Park event.

Reruns

In the event of a malfunction of the timing system, the competitors involved will make a rerun of the race.

Restricted Areas

Competitors and Crewmembers may enter portions of the Restricted Areas only while wearing the proper wristband. Wristbands are given after the proper waiver is signed at the Pit Booth or Tech Station. Restricted Areas include the Staging Lanes, Starting Line, Race Track, Return Road, Short Shoot, and other areas marked as Restricted.

Spectator / Crew Refunds

Should an activity cause the race to be cancelled prior to completion of First Round, you will be entitled to 100% credit for a future event

All sales are final. No refunds.  Houston Raceway Park is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

Starting Line Area

Crew member’s access to the Starting Line area will be based on the type of event and type of racing. The number of crew members allowed on Starting line will be determined by track official. Crew member must stay in designated areas.

Trans Brake Testing

There will be no testing of Trans Brakes anywhere including the Pits, Staging Lanes or in the tunnel

Warm Ups

Any time the vehicle is running, whether the vehicle is parked on the pavement or on jack stands, the licensed driver MUST REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE. Vehicles may be warmed up in the pits, 10 miles per hour speed limit MUST be observed.

Warm ups in shut down area of track is NOT allowed once the event has started.