Golf Cart Drag Racing Association
Golf Cart Drag Racing Association
A brand-new NOPI Motorsports property bringing head-to-head golf cart drag racing, a full show class, vendor village, and family-friendly competition to NOPI Nationals.
Racing Classes & Racing Style
Something for every build level and every competitor — from stock platforms to unlimited performance.
Unlimited Class
No limits. Maximum performance.
Modified Class
Built for speed. Engine & power modifications allowed.
Stock Electric
Factory electric platforms. Skill over speed.
Stock Gas
Factory gas platforms. Even playing field.
Family Class
Fun, safe, and built for everyone. Perfect for the whole family.
Head-to-Head Drag Racing
Non-stop, side-by-side competition.
Tree + Timing
Professional starting tree and accurate timing system.
Multiple Classes
Something for every build level and every competitor.
Family Friendly
High-energy entertainment for all ages.
2026 GCDRA Official Classes & Safety
Every class below lists race distance, awards, and required safety gear. All carts are subject to tech inspection before racing to confirm class eligibility.
Stock Class
330 FT · Gas & Electric
Fully stock carts, gas or electric. No matter how slow, bring the family cart and run it. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies plus purse.
Safety Required
- DOT helmet required
- Closed-toe shoes required
48V Modified
48–69.9V Nominal · 330 FT
1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, purse, and a fastest trap speed trophy.
72V Modified
70–76.9V Nominal · 1/8 Mile
1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, purse, and a fastest trap speed trophy.
Safety Required
- Full-face DOT helmet required
- Closed-toe shoes required
- Protective pants required
- Sleeves required
- Gloves required
Unlimited Electric
77V+ Nominal · 1/8 Mile
1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, purse, and a fastest trap speed trophy.
Unlimited Gas
Modified Gas Carts · 1/8 Mile
1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, purse, and a fastest trap speed trophy.
Safety Required
- Full-face DOT helmet required
- Protective jacket required
- Gloves required
- Long pants required
- Above-ankle footwear (or pants meeting shoes)
- Tethered cutoff required for gas motors
Outlaw Class
Gas/Electric · 1/8 Mile
1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, the highest purse of any class, and a fastest trap speed trophy. Bring your best build for this one.
Safety Required
- Full-face DOT helmet required
- SFI suit required
- Gloves required
- Long pants required
- Above-ankle footwear (or suit meeting shoes)
- Tethered cutoff required for gas motors
- Full cage required
- Open-body car containment rules apply
Navitas Chassis
1/8 Mile
Bring a Navitas chassis and run with your twins. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies, purse, and a fastest trap speed trophy.
Safety Required
- Full-face DOT helmet required
- Protective jacket required
- Gloves required
- Long pants required
- Above-ankle footwear (or pants meeting shoes)
- Tethered cutoff required for gas motors
Bracket Racket
Carts run timed, single-elimination brackets at their assigned class distance. The winner takes home a cash prize and the famed Bracket Racket Jacket. Safety rules based on voltage apply — see the class requirements above.
Roll Protection & Restraint Rules
Harnesses, race belts, and driver containment systems are only permitted with approved roll protection. Strapping a driver into an uncaged cart creates a serious rollover hazard by keeping the driver attached to an unprotected vehicle — for that reason, uncaged carts follow PPE-based safety rules and may not use multi-point harnesses or race belts.
Uncaged high-speed carts follow rider-style PPE: full-face helmet, protective jacket, gloves, long pants that meet footwear, and a tethered cutoff for gas motors. Caged carts follow open-body car containment rules, including approved roll protection, a proper racing seat, an approved harness, arm restraints, and cage padding wherever a helmet can contact freely. Outlaw is caged only.
Roll Cage Spec — applies to any cart running a cage, regardless of class
- Structural steel cage required
- Factory roof supports / canopy posts are not accepted as roll protection
- Cage must mount to the main chassis / frame
- Cage may not mount only to plastic body panels, thin floor pans, wood, or seat bases
- Minimum 4-point cage structure
- 6-point cage strongly preferred for high-speed / Outlaw builds
- Cage must protect driver from front, rear, side, and rollover impact
- Interior of cage must clear driver’s helmet in seated position
- Cage must include rear supports / bracing
- Harness bar required if belts are used
- Proper racing/bucket seat required if harness is used
- Minimum 4-point harness required with approved cage
- Arm restraints recommended for open-body caged carts
- Cage padding required anywhere helmet freely contacts when seated
- All cage welds, bolts, plates, and mounts subject to tech approval
Tech Authority
All safety equipment, roll protection, belts, seats, mounts, driver gear, and final class placement are subject to GCDRA tech approval.
Questions on classes, safety, or Bracket Racket? Reach out on Instagram @golfcartdragracing or email john@nopi.com.
GCDRA Registration & Pay Links
Click Buy Now to complete your purchase directly on GearHeads Events.
Powered by GearHead Events
Golf Cart Race/Show Entry
Tech card and show cart entry · Includes 2 general admission tickets
If you’re already registered for a Show or Race/Show entry, you’re automatically included in Bracket Racket — no extra purchase needed. The entry below is only for carts rolling up just for end-of-night brackets, without showing or racing all day.
General Admission Tickets (Sold Separately)
Golf Cart items above cover competition/show entry only. Grounds admission is purchased separately:
GCDRA Event Notes
- All race carts must complete the applicable class tech card before competing.
- Fun Runs and Heads Up Racing are separate from class competition and are not eligible for purse/payout.
- No refunds — rain or shine event. Platform fees are not refundable.
- Sponsorship opportunities are separate from vendor space unless packaged directly with NOPI/GCDRA.
GCDRA Vendor Space Pay Links
Indoor and outdoor vendor booths are available in four sizes, each including cart entry into the cart area. Click Buy Now to purchase directly on GearHead Events.
Included carts can be used to race or show — or simply parked under your canopy for personal/family use. Selling product isn’t required; both are welcome.
Bracket Racket
Our final event on Sunday, September 13 will be Bracket Racket, where eligible carts race the clock in single-elimination brackets.
The final winner walks away with a $2,000 purse and the new Bracket Racket Jacket — think Masters jacket, GCDRA style — to be revealed soon.
Already showing or racing all day? You’re automatically entered in Bracket Racket — no extra purchase needed.
Just rolling up for the end-of-night brackets without showing or racing all day? The $150 entry below gets your cart in.
Built to Grow Beyond NOPI Nationals
Following the official debut at NOPI Nationals 2026, the goal is to expand GCDRA into a future multi-event series operating alongside NOPI Motorsports and NDRA events nationwide.
Scalable Motorsports Property
Built for growth. Built for the future.
Sponsor-Driven Platform
Delivering value, visibility, and measurable impact.
Competitive Racing Series
Professional structure. Real racing. Real results.
Affordable Motorsports Participation
Lower barrier to entry. Bigger opportunity for everyone.
NOPI Youth Foundation
501(c)(3)Youth Pipeline
GCDRA is uniquely positioned to create a true entry point into motorsports. Through the NOPI Youth Foundation (501(c)(3)), future development plans include:
- Affordable racing classes for younger participants
- Intro-level build programs using golf carts as a platform
- Hands-on exposure to electrical systems, mechanical fundamentals, and performance upgrades
For partners, this is not just exposure. It is visibility tied to impact.
Let’s Build This Together
John Carter
Director of Business Development
NOPI Motorsports
USMC Veteran