Dirt 101

What's a heat race? Why did the cars race around the track before time trials? Why aren't all the cars racing at the same time? So you've just seen your first Putnam International Trailway event and you're totally confused, right? Dirt 101 aims to put your mind at ease...

Race Day Schedule

1. Drivers' Meeting
2. Hot Laps
3. Time Trials
4. Heat Races
5. Dash
6. Last Chance Showdown (B-Main)
7. Feature

Race Day Glossary

Drivers Meeting – Prior to each night of racing, all drivers and crew members attend a mandatory meeting, which is conducted by the Putnam International Trailway Competition Director and Series Officials. The meetings outlines the night’s racing events and any procedural changes that may be in place.

Hot Laps – A session held prior to time trials. During this practice session each car is allotted 3 or more laps at speed in order to ensure that their car is ready for qualifying.

Time Trials – Each competitor is given two timed laps to determine where they will start in a heat race. Their fastest lap is used to determine their place in the qualification order.

Heat Race – A race that includes only a portion of the qualified drivers. The result of this race determines which cars will move on to the Feature or Last Chance Showdown. The number of drivers that move on to the Feature depends on the number of registered drivers and is announced prior to the event.

Dash – The top finishers from each of the Heats qualify for the Dash which determines the starting order in the Feature. The Dash is not run for every Race event.

Last Chance Showdown – Also known as the B-Main, this is the final chance a driver has to make it into the feature. It is not run for every Race event. The number of drivers in the B-Main depends on the number of qualified drivers and is announced prior to the race.

Feature – The final race of the night which decides who is the overall winner of the event.