How To: Drag Racing 101 the Basics, Staging The Christmas Tree and the Starting Line

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@lw216316]

I was at the track one time and a teen age boy pre-staged for his first race. He got so excited he forgot what he was doing. He was in the left lane and looked to his left up to the stands and was grinning at his friends. They kept yelling at him and pointing to the tree to get ready for the staged lights to come on. He finally did....I think he was a little late but he was having the time of his life in his little stock Ford Falcon.

[@Ryansanders80]

hey he had a good time

[@easygoing2479]

@@Ryansanders80 He had a nice long time.

[@mattv8919]

@@easygoing2479a bad/off day at the track better than being at work

[@moeynola6747]

Thanks I've never been to a real track before mainly because I didn't want to make a fool of my self since I dont know how its suppose to be done. Thanks your video has given me confidence

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for watching. 1aauto.com 888-844-3393

[@noaheckstein9295]

I know exactly how you feel lol. I took my 99 gt with 4.10 gears to the track and ran a 15.3.. (sad, i know). but at least I got out there and tried it

[@1AAuto]

***** Good job getting out there and trying.

[@larrydufresne5809]

Don't think like that. The people/ drivers will help you out. We all started somewhere.

[@jamestolson2526]

Don't worry practice will get you in the 13s in no time .

[@XBrandonLeeX765]

Just wanted to drop a line and say Thank You! I went to the drag strip for the second time tonight. I found your video extremely useful. It really put everything into perspective when I was there. I had a blast!

[@1AAuto]

+Nestor Thanks for watching. We're glad you liked it. 1aauto.com?KZbin&CTA%20Comment&ATony 866-403-3393

[@jonahsfan]

This helped a LOT! Thanks so much for this video! Im 15 years old, & I personally want to become a professional drag racer someday, but im gonna start off as a bone stock 05 corvette (hopefully someday) with a 6 speed, & work my way up as the years pass by! & look i know a bone stock corvette isnt fast compared to the drag cars these days, but i just wanna startoff low & like i said work my way up. & of course i wanna have my own shop. I know it aint cheap, but i have plans of how im gonna get there. But anyways, thanks so much for this video, it has helped me a LOT to understand about how to actually drag race, i just watch 1320videos of Jeff Lutz drag racing his pro mod, but actually dont know what to do. This really helped. Thanks again & God bless!

[@1AAuto]

If you choose to do a burnout do it in front of the water. Starting a burnout in the water will spray water in to your wheel wells which is not optimum.

[@denisek3771]

I will be racing for my first time in august as Long Island has finally gotten a drag strip. I’ve been watching lots of KZbin tutorials on how it’s done and this one has been the most concise. Thank you for simplifying everything in plain English.

[@RobloxMeDude]

dude u helped me explain the basics to my gf good job great entry level walk through

[@easygoing2479]

Nice video... and remember, for all those who'd like to try but are timid at heart: As long as all the fluids and mechanicals are good, you won't hurt your car by making a couple passes on a drag strip. The manufacturers design the engines and drivetrains to handle simple acceleration loads and rpm, and much more.

[@1AAuto]

You normally do not want to do a burn out with regular street tires because you can glaze them and loose traction. Doing a burnout with drag radials brings out the oils from the tires which help grip and does not glaze them.

[@dgiorgi1725]

LOL, In the old days we used Bleach for the burn outs, tires were hot , clean and gummy too and you needed Line lock too.The White Trans Am was awesome, perfect launch and a 9.74, nice. Wow, love your ticket and a perfect reaction time, high tens too, nice... guess you've done this before, ha ha ha. THANK YOU this vid was GREATTTTTTT. Hey man I remember working in the staging lanes at the drags and those Rails and funnies when they took off or revved their engines how my guts would shake inside my body, imagine being in the car.

[@craigr.h.laurent240]

Your video explained basics very well. I went to Byron Dragway last year for two runs and I am going this Saturday, 20 May 2017, with a better understanding of the Christmas Tree.

[@chuckmerken1064]

Great video, very informative, easy to understand and very much appreciated....thanks

[@nathanm9166]

Thank you. I actually didn't mind making a fool out of myself to learn the basics and get a feel for the full force of my car, but I'm very glad i watched to save money on multiple trips! Lol

[@dodgethehell]

That's one hell of a reaction time

[@jjs070470]

One of the best vids I've seen so far for newbs! THANK YOU!

[@Almsrac3r]

This was an amazing video! I have always wanted to go to my local track and get a 1/4 mile time but was too afraid to go before I knew the rules on a track, but this video helped me learn the basics. :)

[@FritzelMedia]

8:34 the reaction time was 61 hundredths of a second, or 610 thousandths of a second.

[@Crazywaffle5150]

Lol. I need to remember the water is wet before I enter the box. Hardest part of drag racing.

[@nataliehudgins3364]

Thanks

[@Breal08]

Had my girlfriend watch the video she totally gets it now thanks

[@1AAuto]

I personally run a 1966 GTO Blue with the 1A Auto logo on the door. None of the cars in this video are mine. -Mike

[@travistaylor7939]

So just so I understand, the only time you wanna hit the burnout box is if you have slicks? Everyday cruising tires are a no go?

[@KedrKevin]

Watched this multiple times before actually doing my first few runs lol, really helped! Had a lot of fun at the fun night!

[@jburton413]

Extremely informative. Thank you ... will recommend for others to watch this...

[@1AAuto]

+John Burton Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@1AAuto]

Yes we were there racing the 66 1aauto sponsored GTO

[@adow77]

Really clear useful video. Planning my first drag this year.

[@12344will]

I presently have a 69f100 Ranger short bed. Powered by a 351 cleveland with 2v heads. Ported, bowl cut, 3angle valve cut, 280h cam with gear drive,headers, gilmore belt drive, mallory ignition, comp cams valve springs and hydraulic lifters. 650 demon carb with a c4 tranny and 9" rear with 3.73 gears. Retired Marine just having some fun

[@1AAuto]

Thank You for your service! Your rig sounds like something you can have fun with :)

[@shawnbaird1436]

Love to see the Pontiacs at the track!!Good job!Remember-Everyone has a first time..and watch the guys standing in the burnout box!!

[@duster4386]

This may be a stupid question, but how do you do a burnout in an older car like that gto judge? Jam on the brakes and get on the gas enough to spin them???

[@Deb408]

Great tips, I'm ready now!

[@1AAuto]

It sure was, we typically go out there for the Pontiac Nationals. Thanks for watching! 1aauto.com 888-844-3393

[@javiermorales1852]

Nice video thank you. So, my first time going and it's safe to say if I want a good reaction time I should launch at the last yellow light bc by the time it takes me to react and the car leaves it will be green?

[@smedfulful]

thanks great vidio its been 20 years since i ran not much has changed im builing a drag car to run this summer

[@redwingdetroit9671]

Great instructive vid.

[@1AAuto]

Front tires are very important. On a front drive car they are the traction tires. On any car they are what sets the starting line beams.

[@Road360Rage]

Excellent video for novice racers! The more you post of these, the more I'll be back. =)

[@shawoo]

great video. not sure if i'll ever track my car, but if so i'm now ready

[@bmck9097]

Correct me if I'm wrong.....point 6Iseconds is 610 thousandths of a second or 61 one hundreds of a second. Roughly half a second.

[@1AAuto]

Best advice is to go to your local track and talk to the guys/gals running mustangs.

[@1AAuto]

Glad to bring back memories although there are no Chevys in this video.

[@wha_6378]

The yellow lights are called ambers if you didn’t know. And great informational video also, I enjoyed it.

[@1AAuto]

+FearTheBlueFox Thanks for checking us out. Shop here for high quality auto parts: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@OnlinecarshowNet1]

Great video and well explained

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for checking us out. 1aauto.com +OnlineCarShow

[@syntaxerorr]

You can also back into the water box. Keep your front tires dry.

[@SpaceMissile]

excellent video. really helped, thanks

[@donbannon6783]

Very organized presentation; good job.

[@1AAuto]

+Don Bannon Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@luisfonseca811]

You should always go around the box even if you are doing a burnout- drive around it and back into the water because of drive through you trail water to the starting point, no matter the tires

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for watching

[@MegaPierre88]

Thanks for the lesson. AWESOME !

[@OnlinecarshowNet1]

Great video thanks for this

[@poppaonboard]

Thanks, well explained..

[@robkamstra]

Thanks great how to video. The 1st person seemed to do the burnout in the water. The other person just outside. Which is correct? Thanks Again

[@smokin78Ta]

I gave one big thumbs up. It was very informative.

[@adambedell73]

Great video! Thank you!

[@1AAuto]

+Adam Bedell Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@shawng7902]

you mean to tell me the young street crowd rolling through the water on street tires then slinging rooster tails of water all over the rear of the car is a BAD idea?? lol then they usually roll up and launch at 5500. then talk about how their car wont hook on the track at all

[@juststuff9796]

Man always 2 or 3 of those guys

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for the share.

[@SuperRamcharger]

Well done primer for a new racer! I'm not new but the wife is.

[@1AAuto]

+Joe Esterl Thank you for your feedback!

[@georgebriones5271]

When something idles like a box full of pebbles, you know it's gonna be quick

[@theBOSS3105]

I never like drag racing and probably never will, but thank you for putting up this video for who ever wants to try these out. very helpful for new people :)

[@aswam444]

im alittle confused on what you mean the concrete pad is the burnout box and its not so much of getting water in the wheelwells its if you dont have slicks and have street tires it will get in the tire tread and get on the track, the burnout box is so your tires get heated so the water isnt really a problem the main part of the traction is the tires get heated on the track it is really sticky so idk this is my opinion my grandpa used to drag race before he passed so i spent time at the track

[@BracketRacingChannel]

Nice video. Shared on the BracketRacing site and Facebook page.

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

🚨 aside from the main lights for the tree I just watched a race that had two tiny lights the very bottom and this is a front view angle. on one side, it lit a brain and on the other side, it didn’t light up at all and I’m trying to find out what that light is and what it means. The winner of the race was the guy with the light did not light up.

[@ginganinjabobo]

loving all the pmd power out there. what cam you running?

[@ABGreer]

Good video

[@rodolfokennis7793]

If you do a burnout on street tires, will it help with traction? Or is it better to avoid the burnout box?

[@SuperCreativeLemon]

Avoid

[@MrGeno1951]

Well done! Thanks!

[@AmateurLogger]

Thanks for the video! very helpful

[@dbf752]

So, at what point do I let off the throttle at the end? As soon as I pass the large signs? Is there an indicated laser beam somewhere?

[@n40798]

So how do you know when to start with a full tree? on the last red light?

[@larrydufresne5809]

You leave on the last Amber. The red is a foul meaning you left too soon. Once you get good you can anticipated the last Amber and get a better reaction time.

[@denisemorris3757]

Generally on the third yellow. Not the staging yellows but the third countdown yellow before the green. If you move the car too soon you will red light, which is a bad thing. You will be disqualified.

[@LukeWhoItIs1]

How is the winner of the two determined? Does the reaction time alter it?

[@MinionnitrousBHPtoBHP]

Nice one thank u

[@Cubanqbola]

Thanks for the video

[@p.melvinshyturtle3722]

The rear wheel guys hate the front wheelers because the when they do their burnouts, they drag their rear wheels through the water in the burnout box and onto the track. Makes for some squirrelly launches.

[@robkamstra]

at 3.02 the orange GTO does a burnout in the water At 4.22 seconds in your video the red gto does a burnout just outside the water, on the concrete pad. Is there a time where one is better. I would assume on the pad as it is less likely to get water in the wheelwells... thoughts

[@glendasue70]

Cool thanks !

[@Templar2k2k]

How much time is allowed to pass once the car is staged and until the starter starts the tree? I had an incident where 12 seconds passed which ruined by race as I was about to back out of the staging and then the lights went off. I cannot find anywhere rules that state just how much time is allowed to pass once cars are staged and when the tree should start the count down.

[@stomiball889]

I want to have a drag race event in my country

[@AB-80X]

Then put one together.

[@MrMonte2k5]

great video! love it!

[@willdesrochers6020]

so with regular street tires doing a burnout isn't helpful right? just causes excess tire spin?

[@west2k95]

For the launch do you put the car on neutral and hold the brakes then put it in drive when its green?

[@varocha91]

Very informative video. Just want to keep it clear. It will be my first time at the track, I'll be on street tires. Basically I just go around the waterbox, don't do a burnout/spin my tires and just stage correctly? Am I thinking right?

[@1AAuto]

You may get a better launch that way with street tires. Sometimes with street tires when you heat them up they become greasy. Thanks for watching. 1aauto.com 866-403-3393

[@lovefromlemac]

All gone. Englishtown, NJ closed. Where can the average guy go anymore? Is there still such a class as "modified stock" by amatuers?

[@iamcodwiiplayerr]

Thanks for the video! It was so informative. I have a 1966 mustang with a 289 4barrel headers ect.. I was wondering if there was any tips you had to make this more of a dragster car? If you type 1966 mustang Aaron it's under that please tell me what you think I could do to make more of the dragster edge. Thanks!

[@neptunestarbaby]

Great idea for a vid...

[@TheMegaman77]

I know this is kind of random, but do you have any more footage of that '70 GTO?

[@bmck9097]

.061 would be 61 thousandths of a second I believe.

[@alexbautista7712]

awesome video!

[@1AAuto]

+Alex Bautista Thanks for watching. Keep us in mind in the future if you need parts for your vehicle! 1aauto.com

[@jeffreybrocato4665]

ik remember staging at Lancaster. top fule/ the only thing that saved me was Eddie money

[@RepublicOfTheWolfPackXanthera]

dear a1 I am hoping u can clear this up and maybe make a video to help us all see what it is I wanted to know what deep staging is

[@oldgriz816]

WOLFSKANK HUNTRESS , deep staging is not allowed at many tracks as it takes up a good bit more time. I am guessing that you already know that since you knew to ask the question.

[@wilburross9709]

Deep staging is where you let the car roll forward a few more inches after the staging bulb lights up, instead of stopping as soon as it lights up. I usually stop and then let it inch up as much as I dare. I've even seen guys stage so deep that the "Pre-Stage" lights go out. As long as you do it quickly and don't hold the races up, I've never had an official tell me I couldn't stage like that.

[@lovefromlemac]

@@oldgriz816 What a presumption. She's asking a question.

[@spelunkerd]

Except for the paint, that Chev looked like my first car. I should have kept it, ha ha.

[@ramairgto72]

Sucks you lost with that reaction time. What do you run?

[@ultrakool]

how did his car beat yours by two hundredths of a second while his was doing 124mph and yours was only doing 108mph. something doesn't jibe or am I overlooking anything?

[@finallyitsed2191]

This question comes up all the time so don't feel alone. If you go back and look at the time slip at 10:20, you can build a picture of what is going on. The left lane had a reaction time of 0.000 seconds vs 0.108 in the right lane. Like explained in the video, your reaction time can play a big role in who wins a race. Obviously it's not the only factor, but imagine in an extreme, the race starts and the guy in the left lane leaves almost the instant the race was to begin (pretty darn good in this case) while the guy in the right lane decides to sit there and take a bite out of a sandwich. As you can imagine, it is possible to have a faster car, and even cross the finish line with a faster speed, but still lose the race. In the case of this race, the left lane was actually winning the race (at the starting line) at the 60 foot, 330 foot, and the 660 foot with 6.612 seconds off the clock at 100.52 MPH at the eighth mile. The right lane car was going a shade faster in speed at the eighth, but he got there almost a quarter of a second later. Funny enough, that's almost half of the difference in the reaction time, so you can see how important that is. So they were relatively neck and neck with the left lane winning at the 1/8. Look at the 1000 foot times, the left lane has a slower speed, yet is still winning by 0.164 seconds. Now here's where any number of things could have happened; as one example, the car in the left lane might have already been at full power at the 1000 foot mark while the car in the right lane could be getting further into their power band and accelerating faster than the left. But there is only 320 feet left in the race at that point which is less than 2 seconds away. So 2 seconds later, the right lane is now hauling butt, but it's almost too late and he only beat the "slower" car by by 0.026 seconds. This is a somewhat simplistic breakdown, but I hope that helps explain how this happens.

[@MrHwGarage]

were you at the pontiac nationals

[@lovefromlemac]

WHere is this track?

[@ochan4924]

Nice car number bro!! XD

[@crime943]

what type of car u running

[@christianpereira4897]

So for my 1st pass on Hoosier drag radial 2s do you guys recommend not do a burn out? Just so that i get use to lining up? I have a FWD car with street tires on the back. Or should I do a burn out?

[@jjbb1237]

christian pereira you should trade it in for a real drag car

[@oldgriz816]

christian pereira , radials hook best cold. Avoid the water when bypassing the burn out area.

[@snipershotsphotography7915]

if i only care about my 1/4 mile time, does it affect it if i take off 1 second after light goes green ?

[@dwight122324]

Well yea, you will finish 1 second behind and no one cares how long your reaction time was they only look at final time

[@nickvanderwyst8699]

Where are you guys located I race at summit too!

[@1AAuto]

Thank you for watching! We are located in Pepperell Massachusetts. 1aauto.com 888-844-3393

[@1AAuto]

We get out to Norwalk at the end of July for the Pontiac Nationals. Great Track, we love the trip there!

[@johnfinney1348]

8:34 is not 61/1000 its 61/100

[@denisemorris3757]

Thank You! That bugged the heck out of me when he said 0.61 was 61 thousands of a second. 61/100 - much better, lol