Drag racing is a straight-line sprint from a standing start, most commonly over a quarter mile, and it is won as much at the start line as at the finish. On two simulators side by side you can run real head-to-head eliminations: stage, watch the lights, launch, shift and see who gets to the stripe first — a fast, loud format that a crowd understands instantly.
How a drag race starts: the Christmas Tree
NHRA explains that every race is started by an electronic “Christmas Tree.” Each side has small blue pre-stage and stage lights, three larger amber bulbs, a green bulb and a red bulb. When the car rolls into the stage beam, the front tires are exactly on the starting line.
- Pro Tree: all three ambers flash together, and the green follows four-tenths of a second later.
- Sportsman (full) Tree: the ambers light one after another, five-tenths of a second apart, then the green five-tenths later.
- Red light: leave too soon and you can be disqualified.
Elapsed time and speed are recorded for every run, and racing is tournament-style: the loser of each pair is eliminated until one racer remains (NHRA). Reaction time — the gap between the green light and the car leaving the staging beams — is often where races are decided (Wikipedia).
Why do it on a simulator
Because street racing is illegal and dangerous. Florida’s section 316.191 defines a drag race as two or more vehicles accelerating side by side to outdistance each other, and bans drag races and acceleration contests on highways, roadways and parking lots. A first conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor, with a $500 to $2,000 fine and a one-year license revocation. On a sim, the only thing at risk is your reputation.
A drag-racing format for events
- Two rigs side by side, so every run is a head-to-head race.
- Qualifying runs to seed a bracket by elapsed time.
- Single elimination through to a final, with red lights counting as losses.
- Side prize for best reaction time, which gives first-timers a real chance.
Runs are over in seconds, so a drag bracket moves a crowd through quickly. Tell us which American V8 cars you want and we will confirm what we can set up; see the cars page for ideas.
What the motion platform can and cannot do
A motion platform cannot hold you under real g-forces for seconds at a time, because it can only move within a small range. Motion-cueing software works around that. Researchers describe reproducing the quick, high-frequency part of each movement with real platform motion, tilting the seat so gravity stands in for longer accelerations, and then slowly “washing out” back to center so the platform stays inside its limits (Scheidel et al., arXiv). SIGMA Integrale describes its DK2 system as servo-motor actuators with 2 inches (50 mm) of travel, driven by the game’s telemetry to produce pitch, roll and heave for braking, acceleration, cornering and road texture.
Our fleet is 10 full-motion rigs. The full-motion rigs use SIGMA Integrale 2DOF/3DOF motion platforms, which are driven by electric actuators.
Book a drag night
A drag bracket is a good fit for car clubs, dealership nights and any crowd that likes a quick, decisive result. It fits corporate team-building, private parties, brand activations and trade shows. We deliver, set up, staff and tear down at hotels, event venues, offices and private homes. On-site staffing is included for up to 4 rigs.
Full-motion rigs are $2,750 per rig per day, with a $2,000 event minimum, all plus tax and insurance. Delivery is free within 50 miles of Miami; farther out, we quote delivery on request. See pricing for volume discounts. We also sell and lease simulators for homes and businesses. Our showroom and demo space is at 2920 NW 5th Ave, Suite 105, Miami, an address we share with Shift Arcade Miami.
Call (754) 228-5654, email hello@simsforhire.com or send an inquiry; we reply within 24 hours and can book with as little as 24 hours of lead time.