The Victorian Drag Boat Club has been drag boat racing since 1986 and caters for ALL types of boats from the family ski boat to the purpose-built capsule hydro’s capable of over 200mph!
Based at the National Water Sports Centre in Carrum, we have a state of the art dual lane timing system, much like our asphalt cousins. Our timing system allows for genuine E.T racing in all classes giving the racer much needed information on each run to allow each boat to be tuned to the conditions on the day. With E.T racing you are able to use any type of hull and engine combination to compete in your chosen bracket.
Racing generally starts at 10:30am and continues until late afternoon.
Our race days are a fun day for everyone. We provide a family friendly environment with free entry for kids under 16 and an onsite bar and barbeque providing catering at reasonable prices.
We are celebrating our 40th birthday early by offering group racing discounts in 2025.
Got a boat or know someone that does, contact Rowan 0405 134 332 for more information on racing with us.
Hope to see you soon on the "Liquid Quarter Mile".
Note: The VDBC website has been renewed, please refresh the webpage with the f5 key on the keyboard or the circle arrow next to the House Icon in the top menu of the address bar on the browser, this is to refresh the cache on your computer to the latest updates, thank you.
Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Patterson River, upstream of the Nepean Highway Bridge to Eumemmering Creek (including the National Water Sports Centre), makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).
For the purposes of boating activity conducted by the Victorian Drag Boat Club Inc (VDBC), persons and vessels involved in the Victorian Drag Boat Series 2024-25 are exempt from the following requirements:
State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988
Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water
Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 meters of another vessel
Clause 3(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of the water's edge
Clause 3(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure
Marine Safety Regulations 2023
5. Regulations 61(5) & 62(1) – Master requirement to carry listed safety equipment on vessel on inland waters (bucket with lanyard, waterproof buoyant torch and paddle) and carry suitable portable fire extinguisher(s) on board.
Modification
For the purpose of boating activities conducted by Victorian Drag Boat Club (VDBC) involving enclosed cockpit and capsule vessel drivers, a lifejacket of a type described in Parts 2 to 5 of "Schedule 1 - Types of Lifejackets", of the Marine Safety Regulations 2023 (MSRs) is modified to include a lifejacket is deemed a Level 100 plus, Level 50 or Level 50S lifejacket if competitor complies with rule 9.8 of the current VDBC Official Racing Rule Book.
Subject to the conditions detailed below:
Masters of rescue vessels are only exempt from items 1 to 4 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety.
Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 2 to 5 for the duration of the events.
Masters of course vessels must adhere to speed and distance rules at all times, including during course sweeps.
Masters of competing enclosed cockpit and capsule vessels must wear suitable buoyancy and personal safety equipment that complies with item 6 Modification and rule 9.8 of the current VDBC Official Racing Rule Book.
Persons on all other vessels, including course and rescue vessels involved with the event must always wear a Lifejacket during the event, excluding rescue divers.
Course and rescue vessels must carry all prescribed safety equipment.
In the event of any incident that results in hospitalisation or fatality involving a person or vessel directly or indirectly involved in the event, these must be immediately reported to Victoria Police and Safe Transport Victoria.
In the case of all other incidents, Safe Transport Victoria requires notification within seven days and a finalised incident report within 30 days.
The exemptions are active for the times stated below apply to persons and vessels registered to participate in the Victorian Drag Boat Racing Series 2024-2025 within the waters of the National Water Sport Centre.
16th February 2025, 16th March 2025, 13th April 2025 and 18th May 2025
The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.
The National Water Sports Centre is closed until further notice due to high levels of blue green algae, a significant health and safety issue - see notice from Parks Victoria below.
For the centre to reopen, there needs to be 2 clear tests at least 7 days apart.
After another bad test result yesterday the centre won't be reopened by Sunday March 16 meaning our race day can’t go ahead.
Who'd have thought recent glorious Melbourne weather in which blue green algae flourishes would mean drag boat racing in March won't happen.
The race meeting was to be our National Titles. We have moved the National Titles to our next race meeting on Sunday 13 April.
