Competitor - Eildon - Country Drag Boat Shootout
Round 1 of the Liquid Drag Boat Nationals – April 11–12, 2026
Drivers and Teams, get ready for the most explosive start to the season! The 2026 Liquid Drag Boat Nationals kicks off with the Country Drag Boat Shoot Out! at the Lake Eildon Lower Pondage, Eildon, VIC. This two-day event is your proving ground.
This briefing contains essential information on classes, schedules, and pit logistics to ensure your team is race-ready.
Event Essentials and Class Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Country Drag Boat Shoot Out! (Lake Eildon Drag Boat Festival) |
| Location | Lower Eildon Pondage, Eildon, VIC |
| Dates | Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th April 2026 |
| Total Boats | 30 to 40 boats expected across 8 to 10 classes |
Confirmed Classes & Categories
The event will feature a full field across all tiers. The two-day format includes qualifying and elimination rounds across 8 to 10 classes.
The Top Fuel Hydro final is the pinnacle of the event and is scheduled to run on Sunday afternoon. The overall race schedule is tight, aiming for 10 races per hour to ensure maximum track time.
Mandatory Schedule and Access
| Day | Time | Activity | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Apr 10 (Setup Day) | 15:00 – 17:00 | Technical Inspections of boats and equipment | Tech Inspection Zone |
| Saturday, Apr 11 (Qualifying) | 07:00 | Gates Open for Competitors/Teams | Pit Area Access |
| 07:00 onwards | Final Scrutineering | Tech Inspection Zone | |
| 08:30 | Mandatory Drivers’ Briefing | Pit Area (Attendance recorded) | |
| 10:00 – 16:00 | Qualifying Rounds | Lower Eildon Pondage | |
| Sunday, Apr 12 (Finals) | 07:00 | Gates Open for Competitors/Teams | Pit Area Access |
| 09:00 | Driver Roll-Call and Final Briefings | Pit Area | |
| 10:00 | Elimination Brackets Begin | Lower Eildon Pondage | |
| By 15:30 | Top Fuel Hydro Final | Lower Eildon Pondage |
Key Competitor and Pit Logistics
Tickets and Crew Access: Competitor and crewman tickets are the same for entry purposes.
- Sportsman Class teams will receive two total entry tickets.
- Professional Class teams will receive four total entry tickets.
Pit Area: The foreshore pit and launch zone is the official staging area. Pit sites have a specialised layout for different boat classes.
- Standard pit sites are 5 meters long and 13 meters deep.
- Top Alcohol teams will be allocated a larger area (10m by the full 23m).
- Overnight Security: Due to the high value of equipment, increased security, including overnight security patrols, will be in place.
- Race Course: The event will run on a 1000-foot (approx. 305m) buoy-marked sprint lane, followed by a 1320-foot (approx. 402m) shutdown area.
- Regulations: The event will be conducted under the Australian Drag Boat Association (ADBA) Official Rulebook. All drivers must be ADBA members or hold a recognised powerboat racing license.
- Compliance: Compulsory breath testing will be conducted prior to race commencement. Strict enforcement will be in place for maintaining the tight schedule; teams that are not ready for the call to the rope may miss their run.