function get(id) {
		return document.getElementById(id);
	}

	function validate(formName) {
		valid = true;
		var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,6}$/;

		if (formName == "add_race") {
		
		  if (get("name").value == "") { alert("Please enter the race name"); valid=false; }
		  if (get("city").value == "") { alert("Please enter a city"); valid=false; }
		  if (get("state").value == "") { alert("Please enter a state"); valid=false; }
		  if (get("race_date").value == "") { alert("Please enter the date of the race"); valid=false; }
        }

		return valid;
	}