[ An anecdote of the Drag Racing experience]
[Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]
[Institutional Affiliation(s)]

This paper is a presentation of the experience at a drag racing event as a spectator. Drag racing is a relatively less famous event among car racing fraternity. This is mostly because it is usually organized for recreation and is not really considered as a matter of prestige to win unlike other sports. The race has both two wheeler and four wheeler versions of it and the four wheeler version, generally with cars is more famous than the motor cycle race. Having said that, there are many takers for the two wheelers races too. Drag racing rules are the simplest possible rules for any game. There will be two cars or motor cycles which go into racing for nearly 1/8th of a mile. The drivers keep accelerating till they reach the finish line and one who reaches the finish line first is declared as the winner. The races are usually held in drag strips that adhere to all the rules and regulations for safety as followed world wide. The strips are designed in such a way that they adhere to the safety guidelines for both drivers and spectators. Drivers as such do not need any special skill for participating or even winning a drag race. While experiencing a drag race live, you cannot help but notice the way the participants are called for the race. The order is not random and follows a specific set of rules. The process is briefly explained as following: There will be a tree which is termed as Christmas Tree that is used to convey the order for the racers one after the other. It is usually placed forty two feet away from the start line. The drivers are required to line up behind the tree. Once the race starts, one of the two yellow color bulb glows and it conveys that the cars are pre-staged. When the second bulb too glows, it is to convey that the cars are in staged position. Then there is a green bulb and a red bulb to signal start and stop for the cars respectively. From the viewpoint of a spectator, the cars seem like they are racing for the glory and the drivers enthusiasm lights up the whole environment. Towards the finish line, it is also important that the driver applies brakes at the proper time. This is to make sure that the driver doesn’t experience skidding. There have been many causalities because of the skidding fiascos.
In terms of the experience of viewing a drag race, an event has a lot to offer its spectators. From the viewer perspective, all you need to conduct a drag race is two cars and some one to yell "Go!". This is as simple interpretation as anyone can interpret. The drag racing events find their origin dating back to 1930s. It got famous gradually and started with motor cycles too over the course of time. Drag racing allows all types of cars or motor cycles to compete with each other. There are variety of cars ranging from highly engineered cars to absolutely scrap cars. Every racer will have a pit who will be busy handling the needs of the car and driver from time to time. The pit crew are basically responsible for making the car run perfectly. Drivers are eliminated as the races progress and the final race is held between two fastest racers. Even though the ultimate goal of the drag racing is to reach the finish line, peak speeds reached by the cars are noted down by using sensor systems. There are people who pursue drag racing as a profession who are usually much serious about winning. As a spectator it is very easy to differentiate between the drivers who are participating in the race for recreation and those drivers who participate in the race for the sake of their bread and butter. The race also promotes gender diversity and women empowerment by encouraging more and more women drivers to pursue drag racing as both profession and means of recreation. In fact, the previous records of the drag racing events in case of women is staggering and impressive. There are many factors that set drag racing a league apart from the normal racing events. One of those predominant factors is the fact that the crew pit is accessible to the public. On one such visit to the crew pit, it was astonishing to witness the staggering levels of excitement among the crew about the race. As a spectator, one would tend to think the driver is the most excited person in the whole process as he gets to accelerate the car as much as he wants. But on witnessing the excitement levels of the crew, any such notion would be proved wrong immediately. Watching a drag race also offers a chance to experience the thunderous roaring of engines which let out powerful sound waves. The quick and colorful elimination rounds are a treat to watch which brings in emotions of ecstasy and disappointment both on the same frame through drivers who win and those who lose, respectively. The inhaling of fuel and rubber aroma is in fact intoxicating and takes the spectator to another world. On the whole, Drag racing is often referred to as a sprint that is preferred by people who like the thrill they get out of the quick reflexes.