How to Read a Drag-Racing Staging Light
A drag racing staging light, also commonly known as a "Christmas tree" light, is used to signal the beginning or a drag race through a series of sequential light bulbs or LEDs. By observing how the staging light operates and how to read and anticipate the order and timing of the lights, you will be able to steadily improve your drag-racing times.
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Instructions
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Read a Drag-Racing Staging Light
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Note that there are two vertical rows of seven lights on the drag race staging light that you will need to read accurately. Each row corresponds to the drag-racing vehicle on either side of the staging light.
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2
Observe the the two lights located at the top of each side of the drag-racing staging light, known as the pre-stage lights. These indicate when the car has crossed a photocell light beam that crosses the starting line. The first light announces that a car is approaching the starting line, and the second light indicates that the car should stop, since it is approximately within seven inches of the starting line.
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Locate the row of three amber LED lights underneath the pre-stage lights. Depending upon the type of drag racing involved, the amber lights will either flash simultaneously, indicating that the green light will follow in approximately 4/10ths of a second, or the amber lights will flash sequentially down toward the green light at half-second intervals.
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Find the green light, which will be located directly beneath the three amber lights. Being able to quickly read and correctly anticipate the timing of this light and to get an accurate launch from the starting line with a minimum of burnout is one of the secrets to winning drag races.
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Beware of the red light located at the very bottom of the drag racing staging light. This indicates that one of the cars crossed the starting line before the green light appeared, thereby disqualifying the racer. Note that even if both drivers got an early start, the first driver to cross the line is the one who is disqualified.
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Tips & Warnings
In drag racing, the winner of the race is the driver who completes the course in the shortest elapsed time, which starts once the car crosses the light sensor at the starting line. Therefore, it is possible to win a race without being the first person to cross the finish line.
