Aside from professional racing, many Greyhounds enjoy success on the amateur race track. Organizations like the Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) and the National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) provide opportunities for Greyhounds and other sighthound breeds to compete in amateur racing events all over the United States
There are two venues for Greyhounds to race in amateur competition, one type is oval racing and the other is straight racing. The National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) is for oval racing and the Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) for straight racing. NOTRA started with racing Whippets and was expanded to allow other sighthound breeds to compete in the early 80′s. LGRA was formed to give sighthounds other than Whippets the opportunity to race in straight line racing.
NOTRA – North American Oval Track Racing Association – NOTRA 2011 Schedule
NOTRA races are normally conducted on grass fields and the tracks are either oval or a “U” shape. Much like professional racing the hounds are graded from “D” to “A” with new dogs starting in “D” grade and moving up in grade as they win races. Races are normally 3 or 4 dog races depending on the number of entries. The hounds wear numbered blankets, muzzles and normally are started from a starting box.
Distances vary from 220 yards to 440 yards depending on the size of the field where the event is held and the club’s preference. The most common distances raced are 300 yards, 330 yards and 350 meter ovals for NOTRA races. NOTRA events are three programs, this means the hounds run three times in one day. Specific rules and regulations for racing in a NOTRA event can be found at the NOTRA web site.
LGRA – Large Gazehound Racing Association – LGRA Schedule
Similar to straight racing done by whippets in NAWRA, WRA and CWA, the hounds race 200 yards on a straight, flat track. Hounds are graded according to previous racing experience or using the LGRA “WAVE”, a weighted average of the dog’s last three race meets.
There are three programs with heats made up of a maximum of four dogs. All dogs must run with properly fitted muzzles and race blankets. Dogs are released from racing boxes or hand-slipped, depending on the club and equipment available.
Winners earn points towards the Gazehound Racing Champion title (12 GRC points). While working towards this title, the hound also earns points towards the Superior Gazehound Racing Champion title (30 NRC points).
