Why is there systematically someone before the line to help the driver to place the car?

 

To keep them in the "groove" or sticky part of the track. There will always be a spot down the strip that grips more than the other surface next to it. This is because cars lay rubber down while accelerating down the track. The higher the horsepower you have the more important every last bit of traction is. You see this clear as day with drag cars like Top Fuel. Heat up tires and go down track a bit and then since they can't see behind them someone guides them to the optimal location in the lane.

 

Some of these big power cars don't have perfect driveability and some pretty aggressive clutch setups. It is comforting as a driver to be able to do a burnout and then have someone there that you can drive up to and keep you in the groove, take your mind off of a couple things, and just be looking out for anything that may be wrong. These big races here guys have a lot invested....$100,000 cars, trucks, trailers, tools, time away from family, sometimes sponsor commitments, a couple grand just to make it to the race, and a couple grand in payouts.....and just shear competitiveness. Any one of these drivers is perfectly capable of driving up to the line and doing it all from the driver's seat with no help....but there is a lot riding on that one race, so people take it as seriously as possible.

 

Also helps to line up in the water box. I see a lot of cars start and finish their burnout in the water box then pull up to the line with wet slicks. When you're all strapped in, it's difficult to move around and get a feel for where your front or rear tires are at in the water.

 

It is also a way to let the driver know that steps performed behind their view had been done. I.E. Chute safety clip removed, ladder bar height set, tire wiped and dried. The line man is typically the lead go ahead for such checklists.

 

On this same note. What is the purpose of having a guy who stages the cars before they actually go into the beams?

 

Thank you guys for all your explications.

I ll think about all these stuffs for next Time :-))

 

That kind of varies on the driver. Some people like to feel the line themselves while other like to know where the line is. It then lets them start the process of getting ready to go, ie (building boost, correct 2 step, proper preloading) different things like that.

Last year and most of this year for me as a younger racer, I have been fortunate enough to be lining up the bigger cars and work the tires and overall basic maintenance at the track with these cars. Its actually showed me a lot of what a proper grove is and what can 1/4 of a lb difference in tire pressure really do to a car.

 

For many years I wondered how the staging guy played a role, but recently have had a couple friends on the front and back to make sure I'm in the groove and just before the pre stage. It helps me to focus on the launch procedure instead of searching for the first beam. I know my next roll and I'm in the first beam. It's kinda like when someone double bulbs the beams on you, and now you feel rushed to get in. Just a mental thing for me knowing the staging guy will put me there.

 

nice to know when you can bump in to the first beam so you dont accidentally double bulb or something. most races i stage myself but when i have someone to help it makes it a little easier.