The NHRA Junior Dragster Drag Racing League offers kids ages 5-17 the opportunity to experience the thrill of racing half-scale dragsters in a controlled racing environment. The cars that Jr. Drag Racing League competitors race are called Jr. Dragsters and are half-scale versions of Top Fuel dragsters. Using a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine, a Jr. Dragster can go as fast as 85 mph and as quick as 7.90 seconds in an eighth-mile, though younger competitors are restricted to slower times/speeds. Just like their full-size Top Fuel counterparts, Jr. Dragsters must meet NHRA’s stringent technical specifications. NHRA also places speed and elapsed-time restrictions on competitors based on their age and experience.
Licensing Requirements
- Must be between the ages of 5 & 17 years old.
- Complete and Notarize an NHRA Junior Dragster Application.
- Complete a Medical Examination.
- 6 Licensing passes supervised by a Track Official.
- Vehicle must meet Tech and Class Requirements.
Safety Requirements
- A helmet meeting Snell or SA, current class requirements, is mandatory.
- Closed-toe shoes, certified racing gloves and socks are mandatory.
- Racers must wear a fire suit meeting current class requirements..
- Certified arm restraints mandatory.
- 5 point harness required.
- Head and neck restraint device meeting current class requirements mandatory.
Cost of Racing
- $60 notary fee
- $35USD annual NHRA membership fee
- $40 entry fee per race
- $20-80 Fuel for the weekend
- $230+ helmet
- $100 Race Shoes
- $500 Fire Suit
- Optional $30/weekend dry camping fee
- $5000+ Dragster
*all costs are approximate and are subject to change
Class Rules
- Jr. Lightning – 13 Years and older
- Jr. Thunder – 8 to 12 Years old
- all Jr. ET Rules apply
- .500 Sportsman Tree and Autostart
Mission Raceway Park Junior Handbook
Opportunities to Compete
BS Equipment ET Series Races – A series of 14 races held at Mission Raceway throughout the race season.
Just Mechanical Sunset Showdown Series Races – a series of 5 races held at Mission Raceway throughout the season.
Test and Tune Days – non-competition days to come and test your car.
Various Sponsored Shootout Events throughout the season.
NHRA Division 6 Finals – Held at a different sponsor track each year.
Travel to any NHRA track in North America and compete.
What Are You Competing For?
Trophies: At each race you attend you will compete for trophies.
Points: At each race you attend you will receive points based on where you place for the day.
Cash Prizes: Thanks to our amazing sponsors Junior racers have a chance to win cash prizes at each of our race days. Prize amounts may vary and are subject to change at any time.
Contingency Prizes: Thanks to our generous sponsors contingency prizes may be available to racers, series specific contingency prizes are announced annually at the start of race season, or as they are offered by sponsors.