2003 Rules & Regulations

Pink Text indicates New for 2003

Blue Text applies only to the Street Division

Green Text applies only to the Super Street Division

Red Text applies only to the Extreme Division

dB Drag Racing Competition

dB Drag Racing is an auto sound competition format where competitors compete against one another to see who has the loudest car stereo system. This is the fundamental basis for a dB Drag Racing event.

The dB Drag Racing Association (dBDRA) has gone to great lengths to ensure that the rules for competing in dB Drag Racing are as comprehensive and unambiguous as possible. Even so, there will invariably be times when a particular application or installation will fall outside the scope of this rulebook. When those occasions arise, it is the responsibility of the head judge to make a determination as to whether the incident in question abides by the “spirit” of dB Drag Racing competition. As a competitor, it is your responsibility to understand the rules contained in this book and to abide by any decisions rendered by the head judge.

dB Drag Racing Creed

I will never operate my system in a manner that will disturb those around me.
I will never operate my system in a manner that could injure myself or my passengers.
I will never operate my system in violation of the law.
I will do my best to represent the sport of dB Drag Racing in a positive fashion.
I will conduct myself in a professional manner while participating at events.
I will do my best to support those companies and retailers who support our sport.
I will always abide by the dB Drag Racing rules when competing and will do my best to ensure that others abide by the rules as well.

Safety Guidelines

The safety of the competitors, judges, and bystanders at a dB Drag Racing event are of paramount importance. As the operator of the competition vehicle and its sound system, the competitor has a tremendous responsibility both to himself and to those around him with regards to safety. Competitors should clearly understand the following issues prior to participating in a dB Drag Racing event.

Operation of a motor vehicle is inherently dangerous. You MUST ensure that the operation of your vehicle will not endanger yourself or those around you. Please adhere to all local laws and verify that your pathway is clear before moving your vehicle. Although officiating staff members may sometimes offer assistance in moving and/or directing traffic, the responsibility for the operation of the competition vehicle ultimately lies with the competitor.

Auto sound systems are capable of producing high sound pressure levels. Exposure to high sound pressure levels may cause hearing damage. NEVER operate your sound system in such a manner as to expose yourself or others to high sound pressure levels. In addition, listening to your sound system at high volumes while driving may prevent you from hearing emergency vehicles, vehicle or train horns, etc. Always operate your sound system in accordance with local laws and never operate your sound system in a manner that could interfere with the safe operation of your vehicle. This includes making adjustments to your sound system while you are driving.

Custom auto sound installations may affect the safety and/or integrity of your vehicle. Although some competitors may elect to have their sound system installed by others, it is ultimately the competitor’s responsibility to validate that his or her installation is safe. Particular care should be taken with regards to electrical wiring. All power wires should be fused directly at the battery to minimize the risk of a fire hazard. Sound components such as speakers, amplifiers, enclosures, etc. should be fastened to the vehicle in such as way as to prevent them from causing injury or damage in the event of an accident. Vehicles that have been structurally modified to accommodate the sound system or vehicles that exceed the maximum gross weight limits as detailed in the vehicle’s operating manual should never be driven on public streets or highways.

The dB Drag Racing Association and it’s affiliates are not qualified to determine the safety and/or legality of a given competition vehicle. This responsibility lies with the competitor. As such, the dB Drag Racing Association and its affiliates cannot be responsible for any accidents, damages, or injuries that occur at a dB Drag Racing event. By participating in a dB Drag Racing event, the competitor agrees to take full responsibility for his or her actions and any accidents, damages, or injuries that may occur. The dBDRA strongly encourages competitors to operate their vehicles and sound systems in a manner that is consistent with local laws. Flagrant disregard for safety will result in disqualification and subsequent ejection from the event.

Section 1 - General Rules

1-1 Competitors may use the program material of their choice while competing.

Additional Guidelines:

· The program material being played must originate from a source unit that is specifically designed for installation and operation in a 12-Volt auto sound environment. This includes cassette decks, CD players and changers, DVD players and changers, VCR’s and VCP’s, MP3 units, AM / FM / Satellite radio tuners, and any other playback device that is specifically designed for installation and operation in a 12-Volt auto sound environment.

· The program material may consist of music, test tones, or any other type of recorded audio signal.

· The program media may be from a commercial source (such as a CD you purchase) or a custom, homemade recording.

· Tone generators, frequency multipliers, harmonizers, etc. are prohibited.

Exceptions:

· Competitors must use the official dB Drag Racing competition CD (dB Jams Volume 6) at all multi-point events.

· Competitors are limited to playing frequencies between 20 and 80 Hz ~~and below~~ at all multi-point events. If a competitor's highest SPL is achieved at a frequency below 20 Hz or above 80 Hz, then that competitor’s score will be disallowed. If the violation occurs during the qualifying rounds, the competitor may be granted a retry at the sole discretion of the head judge. If the violation occurs during the elimination rounds, the competitor will be eliminated from the competition, regardless of the competitor’s score.

1-2 Adjustments to the sound system may be made while the vehicle is being metered as long as no other applicable rules are violated during the adjustment process. (Metering is the process where the Sound Pressure Level or SPL of your vehicle is measured.)

1-3 The contestant’s vehicle may be running while in the judging lanes as long as the following conditions apply:

· The contestant is competing in the Super Street or Extreme Divisions of competition. Contestants competing in the Street Division are prohibited from running their vehicles while in the judging lanes. (Please see Section 2 for a complete description of the Competitor Classification System.)

· Operation of the vehicle or sound system must not endanger the judge, competitor, spectators, or any real or personal property on the premises.

· The vehicle’s parking brake must be set.

· The wheels must be chocked.

· The hood must be closed.

· The maximum engine idle speed must not exceed 2000 RPM.

· A remote “engine kill switch” must be easily accessible from outside of the vehicle for those competitors that are bolting (clamping, strapping, etc.) the doors of the vehicle closed while in the judging lanes.

It is the competitor’s responsibility to comply with the conditions listed above. Competitors found to be in violation of one or more of these conditions shall be disqualified from the competition.

1-4 The contestant must be outside of the vehicle while the vehicle is being metered and all doors, windows, and other openings to the vehicle must remain closed during this time.

Exception - Competitors may remain inside of the vehicle during metering provided:

· They wear adequate hearing protection at all times. Removal of the hearing protection while inside of the vehicle will result in immediate disqualification.

· The competitor’s maximum SPL never exceeds 140 dB. A measured SPL in excess of 140 dB will be recorded as 140 dB.

· The competitor signs a dB Drag Racing entry form that includes a waiver stating that the competitor understands that “exposure to high sound pressure levels may result in temporary or permanent hearing loss”.

1-5 When the SPL metering process begins, contestants will have 30 seconds to achieve their highest Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The SPL metering equipment will record and save each competitor’s high score during this 30 second judging interval.

Special Provision:

· Show promoters may elect to use the Enduro judging format at single point events. In an Enduro format, a contestant’s score will be averaged over the entire judging interval (typically 30 seconds).

1-6 Contestants may not open their vehicle during the metering process. If a contestant opens his or her vehicle while being metered, the competitor may be disqualified. If the violation occurs during the qualification rounds, the competitor may be granted a retry at the discretion of the head judge. If the violation occurs during the elimination rounds, the competitor shall be disqualified from the competition.

Section 2 - Competitor Classification System

Competitors are classified by the number of woofers in their system and the extent to which their vehicle has been modified. For specific limitations regarding vehicle modifications for each division, refer to Sections 3-5 later in this rulebook.

2-1 The dBDRA considers speakers with maximum diameters of 8 inches or larger to be woofers.

2-2 All of the woofers in a vehicle (8 inches and larger) will be counted when determining what class a competitor should compete in.

Additional Guidelines:

· Every woofer in an Isobaric or Compound configuration shall be counted.

· Hidden woofers (such as those found in Bandpass enclosures) shall be counted.

· Passive radiators, ports, and vents are not considered to be woofers, and therefore will not be counted as such.

2-3 “Token” woofers are strictly prohibited. If a competitor has installed woofers in such a manner as to circumvent the competitor classification system, the competitor may be re-classified or disqualified at the sole discretion of the head judge.

Example:

· A competitor who normally competes in the Super Street 1-2 class shows up at an event and decides that his normal class is too competitive for his taste. In an effort to circumvent the competitor classification system and move up into the Super Street 3-4 class, the competitor borrows 2 woofers and then lays them in the back of his vehicle. Now, there are a total of 4 woofers in the vehicle, even though the 2 woofers he just “installed” are not a legitimate part of the sound system. Activities such as this are strictly prohibited.

2-4 Each competitor may compete in one, and only one class at each dB Drag Racing event.