Bristol Dragway will look more like Friday night at the local football field than Saturday afternoon at the drag strip when the inaugural Sprint High School Nationals touch down in Thunder Valley on Saturday, April 26.
High school students from across the region will race against each other for college scholarships and trophies in the ultimate high school rivalry. The winner will receive a $3,000 Bristol Dragway scholarship good to the college of the student's choice. Second place will take home a $1,000 scholarship, while competitors who make it to the semis will collect a $500 scholarship.
Although they are unable to collect scholarship money, Street Fights racers not in high school also are welcome to make passes during the afternoon's activities.
The action will not end on the track though. Students will face off in a burnout competition with the winner earning $150 and the title of Thunder Valley's Biggest Burnout. The High School Nationals Car Show will give students the opportunity to display their cars for everyone to see. Judges will view the car show entries and select winners in best domestic, best import, best paint and best interior. Each class winner takes home $50 and a trophy. An audio competition will be held to determine which student's sound system rocks the valley. The winner will receive a $500 gift certificate. Entry into each of these events is free.
One lucky school also will leave Thunder Valley a winner, as the school with the most student participation receives $2,000 in Sharpie School Supplies.
Throughout the afternoon, a video game tournament will take place in the Bristol Dragway suites. Cost to enter is only $10. The tournament will give entrants the chance to prove they are the best gamer in the area.
When the lights go down and the racing is over, the action at Club Brystal will heat up the strip with dancing and a party that lasts until midnight. Complete with a live D.J., music and lights, Club Brystal is Thunder Valley's hottest nightspot.
Competition in the High School Nationals is open to all high school students ages 16-19 with a valid driver's license. Students under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a release form before they can participate. The release can be found on the Bristol Dragway website. Only street legal vehicles that pass a Bristol Dragway safety inspection will be allowed to race. To ensure that racing is equal for all competitors, the High School Nationals will use a bracket-racing format. This format gives slower cars a head start and allows for closer finishes.
Gates open at noon, with a safety meeting for all participants at 1:30 p.m. Time trials kick off at 2:00 p.m. Eliminations begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. The burnout competition takes place at 9:30. Club Brystal opens its doors at 9:00 p.m. and closes at midnight.
Admission is $7 for spectators and $10 for racers. In addition to securing a spot in the race, the first drivers that pre-register for the event will receive a number of benefits. To register, please call (423) 989-6953.
For more information about the Sprint High School Nationals or other Bristol Dragway events, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.