Deep Stage

Deep Stage is a drag racing technique where drivers position their car as close as possible to the starting line by moving forward until only the "Stage" light remains lit on the Christmas Tree timing system.

In drag racing, cars must line up properly at the starting line using an electronic device called a Christmas Tree. This device has lights that tell drivers where to position their vehicle. The process starts when drivers slowly roll forward to activate the "Pre-Stage" lights, then continue moving to turn on the "Stage" lights.

To deep stage, drivers take an extra step. After both Pre-Stage and Stage lights are on, they carefully inch forward a little more until the Pre-Stage light turns off. Now only the Stage light stays lit, meaning the car is positioned much closer to the actual starting line than normal staging.

The main benefit of deep staging is potentially faster reaction times. Since the car starts closer to the line, there's less distance to travel before the timing system begins counting. This can give drivers a small advantage, especially in bracket racing where reaction time matters as much as raw speed.

However, deep staging comes with risks. Being so close to the starting line increases the chance of a "red light" foul, which happens when a driver leaves before the green light appears. This results in automatic disqualification, no matter how fast the car runs.

Deep staging can also help with launch control. Some drivers use this technique to soften their car's launch, which helps prevent wheel spin and traction problems. This is particularly useful for high-powered vehicles that struggle to get off the line cleanly.

Many racing organizations have specific rules about deep staging. Some tracks require drivers to announce their intention to deep stage, while others may prohibit it entirely. It's considered good sportsmanship to let your opponent know if you plan to use this technique.

While deep staging can improve reaction times, it typically results in slightly slower elapsed times since the timing system starts counting sooner in the car's acceleration phase.