Drag Strip 101

Click a section of this quarter mile drag strip to learn more.

The Starting Line

The process in making a pass down the drag strip involves the Water Box. The water box is where the driver gets their drive tires wet in preparation to do their burnout. A burnout is the process whereby the driver intentially smokes the drive tires. This allows the driver to clean the tires and warm the tires for optimal traction. By getting the tires wet, the driver can more easily spin the drive, allowing for an easier burnout with less stress on the drivetrain.

Water Box

This photo demonstrates a car that has just passed through the water box and is ready to do his burnout. You will notice the track official standing between the two race cars. Unless you have a crew member who assists you in pulling through the burnout box, the track official is there to help you stop at the right point.

Burnout
Burn Out

Here, a driver is doing a burnout. A crew member stands ahead and clear of the race car and waves the driver forward once the burnout should be complete. The driver will then finish his burnout and pull the car forward to begin the staging process.

Staging

Staging the race car is among the most important processes in drag racing. The driver's reaction time and elapse time can be drastically influenced by how "deep" or "shallow" a driver stages. Essentially, a beam of light reflects across the track. As the race car's front tire breaks the first beam, the pre-stage bulb is lit. Once the driver inches in slightly further, the front tire will trip the second beam and light the Stage bulb. If the driver chooses and if rules permit, he may inch in further yet and Deep Stage. Once deep staged, the top Pre Stage bulb shuts off and only the Stage bulb remains lit.

Click here, to read about the staging process in greater detail.

Christmas Tree

As shown above, the top four bulbs are the Pre Stage lights. Each side of the track has two Pre Stage and two Stage bulbs. The Pre Stage lights let the driver and their opponent know they are almost to the starting line and nearing the start of the race. The Stage lights let each driver and the starting line officials know the racers are ready and in position to begin.

Three, L.E.D. amber bulbs then follow the Pre Stage and Stage lights.

Next, is the green light or red light, depending on whether the driver left at the right time or too early.

Click here, to read about the Christmas Tree in greater detail.

Half Track

Lining the drag strip in strategic locations are photocells that project an invisible beam that contacts a reflector(the orange cube) located on the centerline. The disturbed beam triggers the timing system. These photocells and reflector cubes are situated at the 60', 330', 660', 1,000' and 1,320' marks on the drag strip. These marks measure the time the race car takes to travel from the starting to each mark.

Located 60' before the 660' and 1,320' marks are mile per hour photocells and reflector cubes. These markers, unlike the others, measure the time it takes the car to travel from the 1/8-mile MPH marker to the 660' and from the 1/4-mile MPH marker to the 1,320'. The race car's average MPH is then derived from the measurement from the MPH cone to the 660' or 1,320' mark.

Finish Line

This image shows the locations of the timing markers for the last half of the drag strip.

Most tracks, like the one shown in the photo, have the scoreboards situated at the finish line.

The top row of the score board displays the driver's total elapse time. The bottom row shows the driver's MPH. The illuminated bulbs that span the top of the scoreboard are the "win light." The win light is only lit on the winner's score board.

Just as the title suggests, the shutdown area is the run off past the finish line where the driver slows their car to a safe stop.

More information coming soon.


	Click a section of this quarter mile drag strip to learn more. The Starting Line The process in making a pass down the drag strip involves the Water Box. The water box is where the driver gets their drive tires wet in preparation to do their burnout. A burnout is the process whereby the driver intentially smokes the drive tires. This allows the driver to clean the tires and warm the tires for optimal traction. By getting the tires wet, the driver can more easily spin the drive, allowing for an easier burnout with less stress on the drivetrain. Water Box This photo demonstrates a car that has just passed through the water box and is ready to do his burnout. You will notice the track official standing between the two race cars. Unless you have a crew member who assists you in pulling through the burnout box, the track official is there to help you stop at the right point. Burnout Here, a driver is doing a burnout. A crew member stands ahead and clear of the race car and waves the driver forward once the burnout should be complete. The driver will then finish his burnout and pull the car forward to begin the staging process. Staging Staging the race car is among the most important processes in drag racing. The driver's reaction time and elapse time can be drastically influenced by how "deep" or "shallow" a driver stages. Essentially, a beam of light reflects across the track. As the race car's front tire breaks the first beam, the pre-stage bulb is lit. Once the driver inches in slightly further, the front tire will trip the second beam and light the Stage bulb. If the driver chooses and if rules permit, he may inch in further yet and Deep Stage. Once deep staged, the top Pre Stage bulb shuts off and only the Stage bulb remains lit. Click here, to read about the staging process in greater detail. Christmas Tree As shown above, the top four bulbs are the Pre Stage lights. Each side of the track has two Pre Stage and two Stage bulbs. The Pre Stage lights let the driver and their opponent know they are almost to the starting line and nearing the start of the race. The Stage lights let each driver and the starting line officials know the racers are ready and in position to begin. Three, L.E.D. amber bulbs then follow the Pre Stage and Stage lights. Next, is the green light or red light, depending on whether the driver left at the right time or too early. Click here, to read about the Christmas Tree in greater detail. Half Track Lining the drag strip in strategic locations are photocells that project an invisible beam that contacts a reflector(the orange cube) located on the centerline. The disturbed beam triggers the timing system. These photocells and reflector cubes are situated at the 60', 330', 660', 1,000' and 1,320' marks on the drag strip. These marks measure the time the race car takes to travel from the starting to each mark. Located 60' before the 660' and 1,320' marks are mile per hour photocells and reflector cubes. These markers, unlike the others, measure the time it takes the car to travel from the 1/8-mile MPH marker to the 660' and from the 1/4-mile MPH marker to the 1,320'. The race car's average MPH is then derived from the measurement from the MPH cone to the 660' or 1,320' mark. Finish Line This image shows the locations of the timing markers for the last half of the drag strip. Most tracks, like the one shown in the photo, have the scoreboards situated at the finish line. The top row of the score board displays the driver's total elapse time. The bottom row shows the driver's MPH. The illuminated bulbs that span the top of the scoreboard are the "win light." The win light is only lit on the winner's score board. Just as the title suggests, the shutdown area is the run off past the finish line where the driver slows their car to a safe stop. More information coming soon.	(Click to Enlarge Slide Show)