Thread:

Got a few Newbi Questions

Hey guys got a few questions for ya

I'm in the process of sending in my membership app and I was wondering do you have to be a member of the KDBA and the LODBRS to run ?? I'm planning on running June and August race @ KY lake and the August/Sept race at Wheatland.

And what Division would I be in ??

And as far as Class goes, i'm hopein to run 10 sec if the boat will run it .. But I really won't know until I get it on the track, it might run slower . If I put 10.0 in the class selection will that be able to change after a few qualifying passes ??

And as far as safety equ. goes, all I have on the boat right know is the kill switch that hooks to the vest, do I need to put a push/pull style kill switch coming off the battery in a easy to get to location on the boat ??

And also I would like to see a few pics of some rope deflectors, I really don't like what I have right now .. It just mounts to the intake and goes up to the scoop.. I'd like to build/buy something that comes off the stringers on up to the scoop ..


Thanks guys, just trying to get my shit together

Originally Posted by TNYoungblood

Hey guys got a few questions for ya

I'm in the process of sending in my membership app and I was wondering do you have to be a member of the KDBA and the LODBRS to run ?? I'm planning on running June and August race @ KY lake and the August/Sept race at Wheatland.

And what Division would I be in ??

And as far as Class goes, i'm hopein to run 10 sec if the boat will run it .. But I really won't know until I get it on the track, it might run slower . If I put 10.0 in the class selection will that be able to change after a few qualifying passes ??

And as far as safety equ. goes, all I have on the boat right know is the kill switch that hooks to the vest, do I need to put a push/pull style kill switch coming off the battery in a easy to get to location on the boat ??

And also I would like to see a few pics of some rope deflectors, I really don't like what I have right now .. It just mounts to the intake and goes up to the scoop.. I'd like to build/buy something that comes off the stringers on up to the scoop ..


Thanks guys, just trying to get my shit together

not many of the k guys in here mike. but to answer your questions....

if you join kdba, you will be able to race at all the races you have mentioned, in addition to wheatland and augusta ga with no other membership fee.

you are located in what would be considered lucas division III. which is primarily east. div II is mid, div 1 is west. if you wanted to run for a lucas championship, it would be in division III. if you wanted to do that, in addition to the kdba membership you would also join lucas. in other words, you are not "required" to pay lucas a membership fee to race in a lucas national event - all you need is your kdba membership. if you are wondering which races are lucas/divisional/national, go here: Event Schedule | Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series if you scroll down, you see the divisional races listed. several of those are also national events.

yes. you will need a battery isolation switch. it's best to mount it somewhere close to the battery. rig it so it is in the main positive cable off the battery. if you have some auxiliary stuff directly connected to the battery, connect it to the downstream side of the switch. i use a flaming river switch.

as far as a rope deflector, you can access the rules on the lucas website which will describe minimum requirements for the deflector. i'll just warn you now; asking for pics may not result in the best advice for your situation. ed is pretty fanatical about rope deflectors, and he's the guy you need to satisfy. i would strongly recommend getting in touch with him to discuss this topic. or if wags ever shows up on here, he can advise... he likes the pyramid shape , while ed prefers a full roll cage .

Originally Posted by TNYoungblood

And as far as Class goes, i'm hopein to run 10 sec if the boat will run it .. But I really won't know until I get it on the track, it might run slower . If I put 10.0 in the class selection will that be able to change after a few qualifying passes ??

There is no problem with deciding your class during qualifying. You have up to the end of qualifying to decide and just go to the tower and let them know. After qualifying is over, the ladies pair the boats and then you are stuck. All the classes except RR are $300 to enter, RR is $150.

Originally Posted by TNYoungblood

And as far as safety equ. goes, all I have on the boat right know is the kill switch that hooks to the vest, do I need to put a push/pull style kill switch coming off the battery in a easy to get to location on the boat ??

The other option to the push/pull is something like this:http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-74102/Just needs to be accessible to the safety crew (as in not between the headers on the back of the boat ). I run mine on the gunnel just behind the driver's seat. Anyone can pull up beside the boat and shut it off if need be. Also, I can turn around at turn it on... just in case I forgot to before leaving the pits... Side note: When you attend a Lucas National event, the tech crew will ask you to fire up the boat and kill it with the lanyard.

Cool, Thanks Guys


As far as entry fee goes, is that paid at the track or does it have to be paid before the race?

Originally Posted by TNYoungblood

Cool, Thanks Guys


As far as entry fee goes, is that paid at the track or does it have to be paid before the race?

for most places, both registration at the track and pre-registration is available. you need to make this link one of your fav's, if you haven't already. Kentucky Drag Boat Association

i'll add to what micheal said about "declaring" into a class. while it's true you can declare before the end of qualifying, you should understand that will result in declaring in as "slow boat", no matter what you ran during qualifying. if you were to declare after 1st round of qualifying, subsequent qualifying passes would be used for the ladder in the class you declared in to.

another thing to keep in mind is a new "rule" this year. they don't want you running more than 3 tenths under your declared index. i.e., if you're registered and legal to run stock eliminator (11 secs), they would appreciate it if you didn't run quicker than 10.70. this whole thing is brought about by people that might register as river racer, then enter a gambler and go out and run, for example, an 8.50. that would not go over well at all. on the other hand, if you were to register for SE and run a 10.60??? the bottom line is, you need to register for -something-. if the boat won't fit into what you registered for, you do have an opportunity to declare into another class. but don't tell the officials you're signing up to run river racer, then go out and blast a big number the first time you're ever on the track. talk to the officials, they won't bite as long as you're up front with 'em. asking questions of officials at the track, keeping them over-informed, is way better than doing something they don't like. if you expect to run ME, have all the gear/safety stuff to run that class and register for it.

the thing is, as a first timer, they will be kind of watching even if you're in ME or SE, even though a license isn't required until you get to TE. because people can do stupid stuff, and they'll want to make sure you don't. there have been people go out on the rope before, not pay any attention to steering wheel alignment, hit the throttle and almost run over people and equipment. can't have that. you'll -think- you're going to be cool as a cucumber. you won't. nobody is their first time. whatever happens, DON'T rush yourself, and DON'T do ANYTHING until you're ready. give people room and don't bang into another boat. keep the boat straight.

Originally Posted by bp298

... there have been people go out on the rope before, not pay any attention to steering wheel alignment, hit the throttle and almost run over people and equipment.

I wouldn't know anybody who did that... (cough... Terry Olson... cough). Be sure before you go to the water to center your steering and put a wrap of electrical tap to mark 12 o'clock on the steering wheel. Else you will end up with something like this:


Pressure Washer - YouTube


And before you ask... I was the boat beside him that got washed.

LMFAO!!!!!! I'd hate to be the boat behind or beside that guy




Holy Shit I just seen that was you beside him .. Lucky your boat didn't sink .. I bet it was full of water


Almost looked like he done that shit on purpose

Originally Posted by TNYoungblood

Almost looked like he done that shit on purpose

yeah. nobody does stupid shit like that on purpose. try to achieve the "total dumbass" award. you might notice, as far as racing the other boat, it didn't work out all that well . this isn't the worst thing that's ever happened... and the water there is warm, which is a plus.

point is, no matter how many years you've raced on lakes and rivers, no matter how many times over 100, the first time you go to the rope you'll be pretty amped up. just take your time and it'll be just fine...

As you can tell, there is a good bit of ribbing at the races... but it's all in fun. The biggest thing is that we want everyone to be safe and bring everything back in one piece. If you got any more questions, fire away.

I know i'm gonna need a radio, what do I need to be lookin for ??

RACEceiver Ace 1600 | RACEceiver

This is the radio that most people are running. All you need is an adjustable FM receiver, like a police scanner, that you can program the freq.

Originally Posted by michaellone

RACEceiver Ace 1600 | RACEceiver

This is the radio that most people are running. All you need is an adjustable FM receiver, like a police scanner, that you can program the freq.

Thanks