Starting Line Procedure - Tim’s Take

Get your keyboards ready! Tim’s take on starting line procedure in drag racing is bound to offend just about anyone.
Please consider not watching this if you lack a sense of humor, are scared of 'bad' words or routinely need a safe space when you hear things you do not agree with.
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The information contained in this video is based on the opinion of Tim McAmis and his 30+ years in the motorsport and manufacturing industries. Any action you take based upon the content provided shall be done at your own risk. TMRC and its affiliates are not liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of this information.

[@TorquePowerVideo]

"You don't need 37 m'f'rs at the starting line" It was at this point I knew I was in the right place

[@Andrew-ib4wv]

" First of all you dont need 37 motherfuc**s in the line with you" 😂😂

[@Ek4life96]

I love it, no frills cut right to the chase. Thanks Tim for telling it like it is. 😂😂😂

[@5150madawg]

" dont look homeless at the starting line " is the greatest thing i have ever heard in my life ...

[@StabyMcStabsFace]

That might be my group's thing though.

[@benjamins9121]

It's so true. I go to the strip and see guys in 100k racecars and they look like they live in it

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Why is the first person I think of Shawn Ellington 🤣🤣🤣

[@todds3388]

I cant hit the like button enough times on this one.

[@MartinMcMartin]

Yeah, I tried finding the "Tim you're fucking awesome" button, had to settle for a like 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@dmeemd7787]

😂😂😂😂 soooo good!

[@lisamangles4878]

Exactly!!! Have never understood why you need a bunch of fat turds with there ball caps pulled down to their eye balls hanging around..way to many people around if something goes sideways !!

[@onehotpinto]

Finally!!! Someone who says what I've been thinking for the last forty years.

[@soonerchris1179]

Mic Tim up for commentary at a big radial race with 300 mfers on the starting line. It would be fn gold!

[@davidroberts2404]

Hell yeah it would.

[@macdragster]

Absolutely correct ! The track operators need to own up and control the start line atmosphere !!! Are they waiting for the insurance companies to take control ?

[@TheBreaded]

Love how blunt Tim is. Spoken like a man who knows whats up at the track.

[@blazer6248]

I'd say so. Pretty sure Tim was the 1st IHRA Pro Modified World Champion(and first pro mod champ in general) when the class was developed initially in '89. He was also runner-up to Scotty Cannon at the very first IHRA pro modified event. 👍👍 Tim is a badass. He talks the talk because he invented the walk. 👍🇺🇸😉

[@frankkoppen7281]

This video should be mandatory at all drivers meetings !!!!!!!!!!

[@yinzer_412_]

I "like" when Burn box Bob holds on to the car as it burns out of box like he's at curling event😂

[@fastone371]

Burn Box Bob and his "dances" were the coolest thing ever!!! I would watch time runs of other groups just to see what Burn Box Bob would do next, I even caught myself watching him when I was in the car a few times. He is like the conductor of a symphony.

[@georgem.6136]

Awesome video! It’s definitely gotten out of hand with the amount of people at the line, one day parts are gonna fly & take somebody out ! Nobody should be standing inches away from a 3000hp car!

[@briantrautman2564]

The truth about the starting had me LMAO!! Love how address issues that no one else has the balls too!

[@702jim]

You know what Tim, You are EXACTLY Right! One GUY on a Headset, is all you need . I HATE, when People put their hands on my Car, when I am doing my Burnout. Its even worse when they try to move the Car back and forth like a F'N' Motorcycle heating the "whole" Rear Tire, (no disrespect to the Motorcycle Riders, just making a point) . Its hard enough trying to concentrate, on getting "mentally ready" for a run, without someone jacking around with your Car. I know my Car, I know where to hit the Lights for the Best Reaction Time (for my Car) and You "hit the nail square on the head' with this Video. Plus, you made me laugh like Hell. Thank You Sir.

[@joshbartell1653]

About time...Everyone in dragracing needs to watch this...

[@d00dmchc]

So well said! I never understood those guys that wanna look important running down the track after the burnout. NOBODY CARES YOU KNOW THE DRIVER!

[@thomasandkimcowieson8340]

I’ve always wondered why 8,9,10 second cars hot lap them with no help staging. And the “Big Cars” take half a day for one race to get in position.

[@austinv9964]

Some pro mod bodies have terrible vision. also most guys have a specific time that they want between starting the car and leaving the line, so it can help to have a guy in front of the car to get you close to the beams faster. But I absolutely 100% agree with Tim that most teams have WAY too many guys on the starting line!

[@yinzer_412_]

I've driven dragsters and door cars and never needed someone to tell me where the groove or pre stage light is. Nowadays it looks like friggin Wrestlemania with all your tag team partners on the line.

[@dcrahn]

Thanks Tim. I see that all the time especially with grudge racers and their entourage. When we go racing, it's just my driver and me. And the only reason I am there is to video the run and start the data logger so my driver doesn't have to remember to do it.

[@rizzoid]

Drives me nuts as well, especially after driving a roots-blown 4th gen Camaro for many years. Even with the crappy visibility, never had any problem doing my staging and such.

[@mchristr]

"When the pre-stage light comes on, you're in the right f#%king place." I'm getting an ab workout from laughing.

[@clarkmoranz9070]

I'm just getting into drag racing ,I have built a S-10 with a 468 on nitrous just to race outlaw street racing , I have never run the truck yet but I did go to a race that featured JJ the boss and the Memphis Street Outlaws to watch them and it was like a circus on the damn starting line with all the racers I'm trying to watch and see who does what and there's so many people doing so many different things its hard to figure out.this Vidio help me out alot. Thanks Also all your other building videos I watched and learned a bunch from when i was building the 4 link and cage.Thank again

[@tomflores5281]

Preach it Tim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything you’ve mentioned here resonates with me. I don’t say anything to anybody about these specifics that your going over because it’s unnecessary. If you can’t be aware of your surroundings and control your own car, you shouldn’t be at the track. 2 people TOPS for starting line crew. Done. The end👌NO 🤡!!!!!!!

[@JHV166]

McAmis, you have been hitting that damn nail on the head for more years than I can count.. Everyone wants that spotlight..."Look at ME!"... Keep cracking that bull whip of truth...

[@lsit7240]

"GO GET A HOTDOG OR SOMETHING"! Tim can you please put that on a t-shirt.. I'll buy it..🤣

[@jasonowen4768]

John doc needs to see this

[@warrenwatts5313]

No-shit, And..that crew, My Lord!!! Wtf?lol

[@thomasdaddio7140]

This man is correct, too many people on the line not contributing. I see it on every grudge race video.

[@peanutsworld3007]

i love listening to this guy…at the time of him making this video,there wasn’t near the amount of people near the starting like there is now! orlando is worst one i’ve ever been to! hell i was scared to do a burnout from fear of taking a few out! 90% of all of them aren’t even with anyone that’s racing at that particular time! keep it up Tim! i love it brother!

[@gmans7859]

Thanks Tim for your time! My son and I talk about exactly this from time to time.

[@rickreed]

I ran at the track for the first time this weekend. It was nice having the track staff guide me into the staging beams. After about my 4th run, they changed crew. The newer guy left me to figure out where the beams were by myself. Guess what happened... I found the beams by myself. On my 5th run ever in my daily driver I found the beams without help. Why is this so hard for a pro to do!? Kind of confirms that some of these starting line folks are just trying to look important.

[@24kNick]

sit in a pro mod and do it

[@DIY-V12]

Man I would love to see the unedited version! Brilliant calls Tim, you are not wrong in your observations.

[@ricknelson7824]

Yes yes yes, crew chief and full crew was me and me for years. Ran a promod with driver and me for years, biggest issue was tow vehicle movement. Let the driver do his job and I did mine, only talked on radio if needed and letting driver know where I was for safety etc. I had the say so if issues arose and allowed the driver to have the concentration needed without distractions or worries. Loved it and miss it.

[@1off1935]

Love your straight forward honesty! No B.S.!

[@chrissena3050]

Absolutely! So, so true. One needs to establish a routine. In order to b efficient, individuals & teams need to adopt a sequence of tasks that works. Once they do, the speed at which all individual events occur will automatically follow. Efficiency is always a by-product of an established sequence of events. These lessons are definitely of significant value. Thanks Tim!

[@manueltovar4821]

So true and great points you touched there .

[@joestevens1501]

Amen! Keep the videos flowing

[@davidbutler2994]

Everybody’s a street outlaw!!!! Haha🤣🤣

[@72nova]

Way to go Tim. You are so right

[@ZaksMuscleMotors]

Love your videos man, very informative! Straight to the point

[@stephenmitchell3569]

Great points and 1st time going to drag strip it was easy! One light, then two lights....how hard can you make it! Ohhh yes slow everyone down so you lucky if you can make three passes! Then safety with 3 to 6 people wanting to be on everyone's video! Great video of being smart and it's not a dang movie! Thank You for sharing this with everyone!

[@350sss10]

Great video! Alot of guys need to watch this!

[@Worelock1966]

Love the no bullshit honesty in this video TIm, well done

[@thenameforcorey2261]

Tim is the best. I love people who think this way

[@christianhotz4414]

Some awesome one liners in this one , love it 👍

[@Yernaritsbarry]

Thanks for sharing Tim great video

[@popie6735]

This should be mandatory viewing for ALL NO PREPERS... And they need to watch it more then once!

[@dwightbernheimer331]

Real world, Real language... I was the announcer at Connecticut Dragway, wouldn't believe the stuff you see on the starting line. He gets the point across. He could easily convert this into a stand-up routine, people would be rolling in the aisles. Great stuff thanks for posting.

[@mikebell675]

Tim thanks you for the tips love your videos keep up the great work!

[@-MacCat-]

Tim's take on almost everything car related is the gospel truth and if you take it on board you will do better. But, the way he delivers it is priceless. Brutal honesty that has me laughing my head off whilst learning something (a lot actually) every time I see and hear Tim talk.

[@matthewmcclain1316]

"Farward" I love how you keep a straight face when during these funny videos. Cracks me up cause you have a sense of humor about being serious.

[@mikeclark4116]

Love this dude!

[@peterivero4337]

Old school lov it. Thanks for your ohnesty.

[@jerrygribbons3895]

Great explanation of how to do it right, as in kss ! Like your talks very sensible 👍

[@bigredracer7848]

1.5K+👍's up Tim thanks for taking the time for us all

[@LesMorrisracing]

Omg this was the best video ever Tim.

[@jerrycoon4504]

Totally agree. The one that really bugs me is the guys that think they have to hold the car while it starts the burnout... LOL! No one should be touching the car. If they have to do that, you are doing something else wrong. If the car can't do a burnout without some guy leaning on the fender, your tune up needs attention. hahaha. Unfortunately, NHRA is controlled by sponsorship and money. The sponsors probably want as many people with "logos" on the starting line as possible. I for one liked drag racing the way it used to be when the cars had names and personalities. "Brute Force" "The Snake" "Mongoose" etc. Sponsor money grew the sport, but now the only people that can afford to race are the sponsors.

[@JAAB9296]

I agree 100%. I quit drag racing in 91 ( had a Camaro that would run 8:90 ish) and never had problems staging the car. Started going to no prep and bracket races in 2014 and was shocked to see so dam many people around the cars. In my mind it was very strange to see some jack helping the driver to stage the car. Here is the deal, If a driver can not pre stage his car on his/her own, they should not be driving in the first place. Same thing with helping the driver to back the car, it's retarded. I guess everybody wants to be on Facebook/ KZbin so they can look important.

[@lml6.653]

Great video and i couldnt agree more!!!!

[@TheCrewChief374]

Don't forget the two guys brushing the rear tires off with.their gloved hands. The guy washing the windows, waxing the car, and holding the baby. Or just.the entire Entourage. 😁

[@stevelong6213]

I've been saying this for a while. Not so much the excess crew members but the spectators on the line. You know, when you can't even see who's racing till the car bursts through the crowd of people while doing the burnout. Sooner or later someone's going to get hurt or killed.

[@4familyman]

Loved it Tim!

[@Peter-V_00]

Pure gold Tim!

[@jerrywest9320]

Exactly. Thank you, Thank you Thank you!

[@mitchsays1]

Timmy! I love you man! No BS.

[@billmiller7138]

Best I've ever seen on the subject. When I drove I didn't want anybody around the car. And staging, makes me wonder what has changed that nobody can find the stage beams. We ran a BB/FC with just me as crew. Like you said, it aint that hard.

[@craigwickham8840]

Priceless.

[@Headerflame]

You are officially my hero!!!

[@janchristensen7993]

OMG. I had to pause and laugh when you said you don’t need 37 MFers up at the starting line. Great videos.

[@fmsmurf]

Love it straight from the hip. Tell it like is is

[@HorsepowerTube]

Lol! I love this guy's brutal honesty.

[@thehappytexan]

The most organized grassroots racer I have ever seen had one person on his team. His wife. She drove the push cart, swung the door to get the smoke out, and ran back to the push cart after every pass to get him. That dude could deep stage, burn down the tree when some clown wanted to play, and then free the hell out of him. He drove and fixed the car. She kept everything ready for him. Done.

[@otisbailey5455]

AGREED! Someone is going to get in a bad situation with these folks bringing an entourage.

[@garyrhoades1455]

I love Tim…! He doesn’t pull any punch’s and tells it like it is…!

[@notfragile]

Well said Tim. Thanks.

[@1rustythanks]

Best one yet and so true

[@mickhirk4734]

LOL this made my day Thanks Tim

[@MoparMan1320]

Sing it Tim!! Been going to drag races since 65', and racing since 76'. My mantra..."its all fun & games till someone is maimed or killed. Then lawyers will put an end to this stupidity". ✌😎

[@daynejordan6783]

so much truth in this. more people need to watch this. As a long time bracket racers we've seen more than our fair share of clusterfuckery and "productions" by many different race teams. From the 9 second car doing a burnout past the 330, people holding a car from going sideways in the water, taking 90 seconds to set the bulbs, foot tuning after turning the top bulb on, two guys opening and closing the doors like fans.... the list is endless. I still shake my head with today's TA, TF, pro mods, top sportsman, RVW teams that feel the need to bring someone forward INTO the beams. If you cant do that on your own, you should shut it off, unbuckle and step away from the vehicle. Period.

[@richmartin7435]

Tim is just the best!!!!

[@KSIXRIDER]

This video right here reinforces exactly why i subscribe to this channel. The wife and I were laughing the whole time because we see this silliness at the track all the time.

[@KSIXRIDER]

4 years later I had to watch it again.

[@n2boost]

Tim is my spirit animal.

[@josepacheco9528]

Solid gold!!

[@chadwayne165]

I normally have 3, my runner that backs me up, crew chief, camera girl. Shes generally off to my right rear, as runner slows and stops me, her and cc check for leaks, cc guides me close to pre stage, checks other car to see if they are ready, bangs on the hood, points at me to verify im ready, then they retreat behind me. My ladder bars are set before the burn out. After run, cc will tell me on the radio w/l where other driver is and speed and time of run. Like you, it makes my skin crawl when I see too many crewmen around cars that don't need to be there. Be good, be safe everyone!

[@wheelitzr2]

"don't bring 37 mother fuckers to the line!" 😂🤣😂🤣🤣 You are awesome!!!

[@geaux_vols]

You're by far my favorite Tim! Truth hurts.

[@Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

Let's draft Tim to set the rules for every drag meet everywhere! Old man story for you--1965, Kansas City, a flash-mob style, illegal drag race on a road in in the river bottoms. The crowd was big enough to block the cops from the action, while cars paired off, were launched by a volunteer flag man, and tore down the road through a thick crowd of standing spectators. They were standing so close to the "lanes" that they had to step back as the cars passed to keep from getting their toes run over. You could actually see a ripple move through the crowd as they stepped back and forward again for the passing cars, door handle to door handle and maybe a hundred miles an hour. No accidents that day as far as I know, but it was pretty terrifying to watch.

[@kingks3302]

But but but.......thats my homie and he helped wash the car. Mr. Rogers built my motor so he's there, donald duck is my mascot, also in full Disney getup dancing me to a WIN. WAIT........my stripper girlfriend checked the tires, she's blonde and FORGOT 7psi not 17 cause she thinks shes still 17, lined me up and I LOST. Too busy sleeping at the LIGHT patting MYSELF on the BACK about how 😎 I am and all my FAM THERE to SEE!!! 😆 GOD BLESS Tim!!! He is an AMAZING MAN of WORDS!!!

[@thomasmcquaig809]

I am glad I found this guy

[@ThePhotoDemon]

I agree completely. As a racer,I don't need to be dodging 30 assholes wandering around the starting line. As a photographer, I want to run everyone of the damn line so I can do my job without interference. Our track has a "two crew per car" rule, but it's clearly ignored by all. Several years ago there was a starting line accident where a dragster driver had a medical episode as he pulled into the water. Ran over the car owner and another man who was with a car that was staging. Could have been much worse had the line been overcrowded as it often is for some of our big events. Two crew members per car, when your car gets off the track so should you!

[@comp1911]

Good stuff sir!

[@dougbourdo2589]

Brutal Honest information.

[@MrJustalilcrazy]

"Crankin' the son of a b**ch backwards". This video kept on getting better

[@sprayin14r98]

Hit the nail on the head

[@earlcousins6635]

I really enjoy your vids. LOTS of GREAT info. What tube bender do you use and/or recommend. Thanks.

[@brianiswrong]

This video should be played at every events driver meeting

[@finalcallracing]

100% agree. My pops and I run my blown altered just fine by ourselves. Having someone back other guy up is my biggest pet peeve.

[@montananative2414]

I'm all for backup girls ;) but amen TIm!

[@ScojoDak]

With regard to the mobs of people huddled behind the car, just wait till a car hangs the throttle while in reverse. That policy will change quick!

[@eighty4buick]

This dudes language is OUTSTANDING! 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@martys8283]

Well said! 👍👍