ET Racing, or Bracket Racing as it is commonly called, is the "grass roots" level of drag racing. It was started as an alternative to the high-dollar class racing of the 60's and 70's, even into today. Bracket racing allows almost anyone to race, on a fairly even playing field. This variety of the sport places much more emphasis on the driver than the car itself. It has now become the most competitive form of drag racing in the world, with the largest number of competitors.
At a race, you are given several time trials, which are used just as practice, and to see what times your car runs. In eliminations, which are single elimination tournament style, it's you against one other racer. You select a time that you think your car will run. That's called your dial-in. When two cars compete, they subtract the dial-ins, and the slower car gets that much of a head start. The theory is that if both drivers get identical reaction times, and both run what they predicted, they will meet right at the finish line... a tie. In practicality, this never happens. Reaction times will differ, and the car may run quicker or slower than predicted.
