During race registration, the boat owners and driver registers with race officials and pay the entry fee. They must provide proof of APBA membership and an affiliated member club, and also must have a current FAA physical. Every boat must pass a pre-race safety inspection by a registered safety inspector. Before the boat can race the owner must present the inspection sheet signed by race officials indicating that his boat and safety equipment, including cockpit capsules, is in compliance with the safety rules established by the APBA.

Most of the racing divisions compete on an oval race course completing a specified number of laps to attain the specified distance necessary for national points. The size of race courses vary depending on the race category. Most of the competing boats in Region 4 (our region) race a total distance of 5 miles. The course size will be either 1 mile (5 laps), 1-1/4 mile (4 laps) or 1-2/3 mile (3 laps). Per APBA rules, in order to qualify for a competition speed record, you must compete on a surveyed course.

Each class races two heats each day. Each heat begins with a warm-up period when the gun or horn is fired and the green flag is raised. The drivers then have five minutes to warm up their engines on the race course. Exactly 60 seconds before the start of the race, a white flag is raised and the drivers begin to position themselves to reach the start/finish line when the flag is dropped, signaling the official start of the race. Crossing this line before the start of the race will disqualify the boat.

The racers complete the required number of laps while the green flag is raised. A white flag is raised to signal the beginning of the final lap and a checkered flag signals the finish of the race.

A boat can only cross another boat with a four boat length overlap, or it will be disqualified. If a boat damages or dislodges a course marker or leaves the race course boundaries, it will also be disqualified.

Flags of different colors are used by Race officials to communicate to the drivers when they are on the course. Some drivers may also be in radio contact with a crew member.

Unless otherwise specified, each boat starting and finishing a heat will receive points as indicated below. Total points in the two heats determine the overall winner for trophies, prize money (if any) and APBA national points standing.

A boat will receive no credit for points in a heat if it withdraws from the course or fails to finish within the time limit. If two or more boats tie for points, total time elapsed decides the winner.

At the end of the racing year (Nov. 1 through Oct. 31), the boat with the most points is declared the National Champion of its class in a lavish year-end ceremony. The Champion is awarded gold rings such as those worn by Super Bowl victors, and may use the number "1" as its designated number for the following year.