Drag Racing 101
Alphabetical Glossary (A–Z)
Bracket Racing
A bracket drag race is a straight-line acceleration contest between two cars, usually starting at different times, from a standing start over a specified distance, usually a quarter mile or an eighth mile.
Racers line up in front of a countdown device called a Christmas Tree. When they leave the starting line, timers record how long it takes them to reach the finish line. This is called elapsed time (ET). Top speed is also recorded.
Breakout
When a racer runs quicker than their dial-in time in bracket racing. This can result in a loss, depending on the circumstances and applicable rules.
Burnout
Spinning the rear tires before a run to heat and clean the tires, helping improve traction on the track. NHRA
Car Number
Most cars are assigned numbers at official races and must be visible on both sides of the car.
Class
Marked if running in an official race. Not used for test and tune sessions.
Dial-In
This is the elapsed time you think your car will run.
ET (Elapsed Time)
This is the amount of time it takes your car to travel down the track and reach the finish line.
Your ET is recorded on your time slip.
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 activated and when it stopped is the ET figure on the time slip.
Getting Started
The best way to get your feet wet is to go to a test and tune session. For a small fee, you can practice your starting line procedure, learn how the car reacts to tuning changes, and make passes down the track without the pressure of racing against someone.
You should also take time to watch how other racers do things, and most importantly, ask questions. Most racers will be happy to give you pointers on improving your technique.
Lane
Shows which lane you are in.
Miles Per Hour (MPH) 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 the timing points.
Your miles-per-hour figure is recorded on your time slip.
MPH (Miles Per Hour)
This is your car's speed as it travels down the track. Your MPH is recorded at different points, including the 660-foot mark (half-track) and the finish line.
Pre-Stage
The first set of small lights on the Christmas Tree. When these lights turn on, it means your car is getting close to the starting line.
Reaction Time (RT)
This tells you how quickly you reacted to the green light on the Christmas Tree. In this case, it is set as a .000-second or sportsman tree.
You want your RT to be at or as close to .000 as possible. If you react faster than that, you've just red-lighted.
Red Light
When a driver leaves the starting line before the green light comes on. This is a foul start and can result in a loss.
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 time slip 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.
US 131 has a sand trap.
Stage
When your front tires reach the staging beams and the stage lights turn on. This means your car is positioned at the starting line and ready to race.
Staging and Launching
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 comes on.
Most bracket races are won or lost at the starting line, so time practicing your staging and launching techniques is time well spent.
The Christmas Tree
This is the countdown starting light system racers use before launching their cars.
The Time Slip
After you make a run, the guys in the little booth at the end of the track will hand you a piece of paper with numbers all over it. This paper is called the time slip.
The time slip provides a wealth of information about a run. It tells you how well you launched, how quick and fast you went at various points on the track, and what your final ET and miles per hour were.
And if you were racing against an opponent, the time slip tells you how he did, too.
Water Box
The area near the starting line where racers wet their rear tires before performing a burnout.
60, 330, 1/8 MPH, and 1000 ET and MPH Times
These figures give you the elapsed times at the 60-foot, 330-foot, 660-foot (eighth-mile), and 1,000-foot marks.
You also get the MPH figure at the 660-foot mark, which is half-track.
1/4 Mile ET and MPH
These are your finishing elapsed time and miles-per-hour numbers.
When it comes to bragging rights, these are the ones that count! Bracket or ET racing is a great way to get into the sport of drag racing.
Important drag racing terms to remember:
- ET: Elapsed Time – how long it takes your car to complete the track.
- RT: Reaction Time – how quickly you react to the green light.
- Dial-In: The time you predict your car will run.
- MPH: Miles Per Hour – your car's speed.
- Christmas Tree: The starting light system.
- Time Slip: The paper showing all your run's times and performance numbers.
- Bracket Racing: Racing where cars compete using their dial-in times.
