Drag Racing School - The Track & The Tree

Burnout Box

Small depressions in the track surface just before the starting line which are sprayed down with water.  You pull the car forward until the rear tires are just at the edge of the water, then do a quick burnout to warm up the tires and get rid of any debris lodged in the tread.

60 Foot Timer

Measures the time it takes the car to cross the first 60 feet of the quarter-mile.  This shows you how well the car launches, which affects your elapsed times.  Most street-tired cars have 60 foot times around 2 seconds.

660 Foot Timer

The 660 foot mark is the halfway point of a quarter-mile track.  Your elapsed time is recorded. At some tracks, speed (in miles per hour) is also recorded. Some tracks also have timers at 330 and 1,000 foot intervals.

Mile Per Hour Timer

Also known as the speed trap, this timer is located 66 feet before the finish line.  It records the car's average speed between it and the finish line.  This is the mile per hour figure on your timeslip.

Finish Line

When you cross the light beam at the end of the quarter-mile, you stop the ET clock.  The amount of time (in seconds) between when the timer was activiated and when it stopped is the ET figure on the timeslip.

Shutdown Area

Beyond the finish line is the shutdown area, usually a quarter-mile or more in length, where you can safely slow the car down to take the turnout that takes you to the timeslip booth.  If something goes wrong and you can't stop the car, most tracks have a sand trap, net, or other setup at the end of the shutdown to stop you.

The Tree

Getting a good reaction time at the starting line (better known as cutting a light) all starts with the Christmas Tree.  A "good light," will give you a big advantage over your opponent, especially if you are running the slower car.  Some guys, like NHRA Super Stock driver Dan Fletcher, are known for their consistently quick reaction times.

In simple terms, the Tree is a set of vertical lights that gives the driver a visual countdown to the start of a race.  Referring to the illustration, the lights are as follows, from top:

Pre-Stage Indicator Lights

Round yellow bulbs that warn you when you are getting close to the starting line and the "staged" (ready to race) position.

Stage Indicator Lights

Second set of round yellow bulbs that tell you when you are on the starting line and ready to race.  The bulbs light up when the front wheels of the car cross a beam of light that goes to a set of photo cells.  These cells trigger the timer when the car leaves the light beam.

Countdown Lights

Round amber floodlights that count down to the green "go" light.  There are two types of countdowns, or starts.  The pro start flashes all three lights simultaneously, with a .400 second difference between the amber and green lights.  This is called a Pro or .400 Tree.  The bracket start flashes one light at a time, with a .500 second difference between the last amber and the green light.  This is known as a .500 or sportsman Tree.

Green Light

This is the one you're waiting for.  When the green light flashes, it means you're free to mash the gas pedal and make a run.  This is called the launch.

Red Light

If this bottom bulb flashes, you're out.  The red light will go off when you leave the starting line before the green light is activated, resulting in a disqualification.  Known as redlighting, this action automatically gives the win to your opponent.

Most drivers try to begin their launch just as the last of the three amber lights goes off.  That puts the car in motion when the green light activates.  This is where most bracket races are won or lost, so time practicing your staging and launching techniques is time well spent.