DRAGMASTERS GLOSSARY
BURNDOWN: An intense starting line psychological
battle between two drivers in which each refuses to fully "stage"
for the race. The objective is to break an opponent's concentration, overheat
a challenger's engine, or cool an adversary's tyres. Although rare, "burndowns"
approaching two minutes in length have occurred.
BREAKOUT: Recording an elapsed time quicker than
the posted fixed index prediction resulting in immediate disqualification. If
both contestants "break out" of the parameters of their fixed index
bracket, the winner is determined by the lesser elapsed time infraction regardless
of the order in which they finish.
BYE RUN: A bye run occurs when a Fixed Index bracket
holds an uneven number of entries or a competitor breaks down and is unable
to continue racing. In situations where a driver is making a single run, they
are considered the winner once they receive the start signal. If a competitor
crosses a boundary line on a single run, the elapsed time is voided for lane
choice determination.
FIXED INDEX RACING: Even start (Heads-up) racing
using a common Elapsed Time handicap. The objective is for one vehicle to get
to the finish line first without breaking out. IE: both competitors attempt
to race as close to the same time without going quicker than their nomination.
HEADS-UP RACE: An even start race in which neither
competitor is afforded a handicap over the other. These "even start"
contests are the standard for all racing in Dragmasters competition.
HOLESHOT: A reaction time advantage gained by quicker
reflexes at the start of a race.
LANE CHOICE: The option earned by a superior elapsed
time performance in the previous round of Fixed Index qualifying or eliminations
to determine the racing lane used for competition.
PRE-STAGED: Position on the racetrack just behind
the start line. Once a race vehicle's front tyres break an infra-red beam located
at the "pre-staged" line, a small bulb is illuminated on the Christmas
Tree in the appropriate lane to alert the driver to their close proximity to
the start line. See "Staged".
REACTION TIME: The response of driver and vehicle
to the green starting light. Although considered a true measurement of the driver's
reflexes, it also gauges the responsiveness of the vehicle's engine and chassis.
Reaction Time is calculated from the illumination of the Green; 0.000 seconds
is considered "perfect" in Dragmasters competition. Foul starts or
"red-lights", are measured as less than the full 0.000 seconds; for
example, a driver who receives a -0.002 reaction time moved from the starting
line two thousandths of a second before the green starting light illuminated
and is thus disqualified for jumping the start.
REDLIGHT: A disqualification resulting from initiating
a run before the green starting light, highlighted by the illumination of the
red signal light at the bottom of the Christmas Tree. This is the most common
infraction in drag racing. Red-light starts, or "fouls", occur primarily
when a driver attempts to gain a reaction time advantage over their opponent.
STAGED: Position on the racetrack of the actual
start-line. Once a race vehicle's front tyres break an infra-red beam located
at the "staged" line, a staged bulb is illuminated on the Christmas
Tree in the appropriate lane directly below the "pre-staged" indicator
to alert the driver that the race is set to begin. Once the vehicle's front
tyres leave the "staged" beam, the elapsed time clock begins.
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