HP Wars 10K Drag Shootout Season 2 Rules/Application Now Open

Do you have what it takes to be a part of the Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout? Well, if you think you’re up to the task the application process is open to be a part of the second season of the $10K Drag Shootout. The preliminary rules are also available, so you can see what changes are in the pipeline for the newest season of the show.

Applications are due by FEB 21, 2019!

The Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout tests the abilities of a team to see if they can build the fastest car possible in just 10 days on a budget of only $10,000. After the teams are done building they have to take their cars to the track to race heads-up. The team who proves they are the fastest in head-to-head competition wins $10,000 cash and the car they built, but the other teams leave empty-handed.

It is a feat of fabrication and tuning skill, but also a war of attrition. Between the build timeline and the lack of testing leading up to the race, these guys have just a short window of time to get the car dialed in. One tiny detail can be disastrous. But for the team that puts it all together, there is no greater feeling.

Whether you are a shop, a bunch of racers from the same town or an individual that loves to wrench and race, we want you to apply to the $10K Drag Shootout.

“We made a concerted effort last year to take in all the feedback we had from the competitors since Day 1, some of the viewers too, and then combined that with some of the internal feedback during and after the $10k Drag Shootout,” explained Scott Parker from Horsepower Wars. “This culminated in improvements to the rules, the timeline, and even the application process. I think we had a great starting point with the rules, and this was just a matter of adjusting to make the competition more fair, fun to watch, and relatable. Even with years of experience on rules committees between us, some things you simply have to learn from experience – and that is what we continue to do.”

For the second season of the 10K Drag Shootout there will be a twist that makes the competition even more intense. Lyle Barnett and Team Bigun will return to defend their title. Team Bigun set the bar in season one and showed what it takes to take on the challenge of building an eight-second car in just 10 days on a tight budget.

The Details:

Overview of Shootout: Teams will compete against each other to see who can build the quickest drag racing car (“Vehicle”) over a period of 10 days, with a budget of $10,000 — which will consist of $3,000 in cash and a $7,000 Summit Racing Equipment Gift Card. Each Team (“Team”) will consist of six people: One (1) Team leader (“Team Leader”), and five (5) crew (“Crew”) members. Among the Team of six (6) people, one driver (“Driver”) must be pre-identified. Team Leader shall be the original Applicant for the Competition; and will lead the Team and be the final decision maker for all decisions during the Competition. During the Competition, there will be surprise bonuses, competitions, and challenges that can assist, or hurt, the chances of each Team’s ability to build their vehicle and win.

Prizes: The winning Team will win their vehicle and shall be awarded $10,000 in cash, payable at the conclusion of the 2019 Duck X Productions No Mercy Race in Valdosta, Georgia.

Build Location & Details: The 10-day build period is May 8 – May 18, 2019 in Riverside, California. All  Team members must be present by 1:00 pm on May 7, 2019 for orientation. Teams will work May 8-May 11, 2019 (including Saturday). Teams will get Sunday May 12, 2019 off, and will resume building on May 13, 2019. All team members must stay in California through, May 19, from 8:00 am through 3:00 pm for final wrap up, filming, interviews. Teams will be released at 3:00 pm on May 19.

Build Details: Each Team will have ten (10) days to build their vehicle in accordance with the Rules of the Shootout. The entire build will be done by each Team in Riverside, CA. Each Team will be provided a lift, and access to basic tools, equipment (including welding equipment), and shall have access to a chassis dyno in the Facility. After the ten day build process, each vehicle will be impounded prior to the race portion of the competition. The studio will be closed to the public and the public will NOT be permitted to observe the builds and/or filming at the facility.

In the first season of the $10K Drag Shootout Team Bigun was able to pick up the victory at the Shakedown At The Summit with Lyle Barnett behind the wheel of their “Beer Money” Mustang. Teams this year will build their cars to race for the cash and their car at one of the biggest stages in drag racing, Duck X Productions No Mercy 10 live on SpeedVideo.

To be a part of the second season of the Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout you need to download and fill out the application. Make sure you read the application fully and fill out all sections as directed to be considered for the show.

CLICK HERE to access the application and fill it out.

The rules for the $10K Drag Shootout have been changed for the second season to make the competition even more exciting.

Please completely and fully review the preliminary rules here.

Highlights of the Preliminary Rules for the $10K Drag Shootout:

  • Each Team will be able to buy one Vehicle from a selection of six Vehicles that have been pre-selected by the Horsepower Wars Team for the price of $500. A challenge on Day 1 of the competition will determine the order in which each Team will be able to choose their Vehicle. Vehicle must be accepted by Team “as-is.”
  • Weights will be as follows:
    • Small block nitrous – 3,000 lbs
    • Big block nitrous – 3,250 lbs
    • Turbo/blower – 3,350 lbs
    • Weight may be higher/lower during competition due to challenges and/or twists during the build.
  • Exterior of body and all body panels (hood, fenders, nose, bumper cover, doors, rear hatch, trunk) must remain intact and not be lightened, with the exception of any lightening permitted in section 6.
  • Front suspension may be modified, or aftermarket front suspension installed.
    1.  
  • Any rear suspension components may be utilized.
  • Any engine is permitted.
  • Power Adder
    • Maximum of (1) single power adder type is permitted. Single power adder defined as: single or twin turbo, supercharger, or nitrous oxide.
    • Nitrous oxide may not be combined with any power adder, and may only be used with a naturally aspirated engine. Nitrous may be multiple stages.
    • Turbochargers may be a maximum of 80mm, cast wheel only.
    • Superchargers may be a maximum of 91mm (centrifugal) or 8-71 (roots).
  • Electronics & EFI – Any permitted.
  • Tires: All Vehicles must run Mickey Thompson 275 Pro (275/60/15) tires that will be provided. Mickey Thompson will supply 26 x 4.5 – 15 front skinny tires should Team elect to utilize 15-inch skinny front wheels.
  • Fuel & Fueling – Vehicle shall be permitted to use a spec-racing fuel, or spec “E85” ethanol, which shall be provided. Spec Fuel may be the only fuel utilized in the Vehicle. Fuel additives are prohibited. Use of water meth, or methanol is prohibited. Any fuel delivery system is allowed.
  • Pre-Approval: All purchases of parts other than those from Summit Racing must be submitted in writing through an electronic form provided to the Team in advance.
    1. All used parts must be purchased by unaffiliated parties at market value price which shall ultimately be approved or rejected by the Competition Director and Officials.
    2. No parts may be received as gifts.
  • All teams – as well as the public – will have access to review purchase parts requests.
  • Machine Work – The Horsepower Wars Studio is not equipped with engine machining capabilities. Each Team will need to source their own tools or coordinate machine shop(s). If a team wants to hone their own block, lap valves, using portable tools, etc. they are free to do so. Each team team will be provided with $500 in cash for machine work. This $500 in cash can only be used toward machine work. Any machine work costs beyond this the teams may supplement this with their own funds if desired (which will not be reimbursed).  

Changes for 2019 Include:

  • No Mercy 10 Race Location, 6 qualifying passes
  • Weight breaks for power adders
  • Single Power Adders Only and limits on larger power adders
  • Frozen parts rule prevents changing key parts after build is done
  • Addition of E85 as fuel option
  • Tighten up the used parts approval process
  • Machine work $500 cash provided, no longer tracked in budget
  • Fresh Prince Rule revised. Increased to $1500, and must be triggered during build.
  • Race repair budget increased to $1,500, and available only during race to repair parts on a case-by-case basis.

To be a part of this season you must fill out the application COMPLETELY as directed with high-quality photos. You may also produce a video as well to give your team an additional advantage. If you don’t fill out the application as directed you won’t be considered for the show. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2019. So, get your team together and get the application filled out TODAY!

The application can be found by clicking right here.

About the author

Brian Wagner

Spending his childhood at different race tracks around Ohio with his family’s 1967 Nova, Brian developed a true love for drag racing. Brian enjoys anything loud, fast, and fun.
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