One of the most noticeable items on the track, besides the racers and their vehicles, are the starting lights. That's the pole with all the pretty lights on it. Racers commonly refer to it as the "Christmas Tree" or simply the "Tree"
The tree is used to position the racers correctly and to start the race.
How a Christmas Tree Works
Pre-Staging Lights
These are the lights at the very top of the tree. They are connected to a laser beam at the ground level about 4 inches from the starting line. The pre-staging lights will come on when you edge your car up towards the line, and the beam is crossed. There is one set of pre-staging lights on eah side of the Christmas Tree for the racer on the left and on the right. When two opponents line up on the track, they both move into position so each one triggers the pre-staging lights. They are then both Pre-staged.
Staging Lights
The staging light are positioned right below the Pre-staging light, and are similarly connected to a laser beam at ground level. But this beam is right on the starting line. After the two opponents are Pre-staged, they both inch up until their tires break the staging beam. When both are in position, the race sequence begins.
Amber Lights
..Sportsman Tree
Pro Tree........
Below the staging lights are the three amber lights which are in a row. The purpose of these lights is to give the racers a timing sequence for when the Green light comes on. At this point, it is important to mention that there are two types of trees, "sportsman" and "pro" trees. The sportsman tree counts down. The lights are spaced .500 of a second apart. On the pro tree, however, all three ambers flash on together, followed by the green light .400 seconds later. This is why a .500 reaction time is perfect on the sportsman tree and .400 is perfect on the pro tree.
Green Light
This means GO! Actually, it's a common practice among drag racers to actually stomp on the gas petal when the last amber light is on. That way, by the time the car reacts to you telling it to go, the green light will have come on, and your reaction time will be low. Your reaction time is the difference between when the green light came on, and the time you left the starting line. A good reaction time can help you win the race. After your tire clears the second laser beam, is when the timer starts for your run. The timer stops when you pass the finish line 1/4 mile down the track.
Red Light
A red light means that you left the starting line before the green light came on. You are automatically disqualified and your opponent wins. You don't ever want to see a red light!
Drag Racing forDUMMIES
These are the lights at the very top of the tree. They are connected to a laser beam at the ground level about 4 inches from the starting line. The pre-staging lights will come on when you edge your car up towards the line, and the beam is crossed. There is one set of pre-staging lights on eah side of the Christmas Tree for the racer on the left and on the right. When two opponents line up on the track, they both move into position so each one triggers the pre-staging lights. They are then both Pre-staged.
The staging light are positioned right below the Pre-staging light, and are similarly connected to a laser beam at ground level. But this beam is right on the starting line. After the two opponents are Pre-staged, they both inch up until their tires break the staging beam. When both are in position, the race sequence begins.
This means GO! Actually, it's a common practice among drag racers to actually stomp on the gas petal when the last amber light is on. That way, by the time the car reacts to you telling it to go, the green light will have come on, and your reaction time will be low. Your reaction time is the difference between when the green light came on, and the time you left the starting line. A good reaction time can help you win the race. After your tire clears the second laser beam, is when the timer starts for your run. The timer stops when you pass the finish line 1/4 mile down the track.