Before each race drag racers spin the tyres. They dump the clutch at high revs and the wheels spin while the car is usually doing less than 50mph. The rubber burns and as the tyres get hot smoke billows out. When the tyres are very hot they are soft and sticky, increasing the traction with the ground. This helps them make a quicker getaway from the startline. This driver is breaking. Next he will back-up to the start line to begin the race.
To see what happens next... http://365project.org/netkonnexion/365/2011-05-31
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@honestabe - the track is treated. They spray a type of glue on the track which does increase the traction over its full length. the burnout is in addition to that. At Santa Pod the drivers have a pool of water hosed down about 50 meters before the start line. This is where they start the wheel spin and then they move onto the track but usually overshoot the start until the tyres warm sufficiently to stick and stop skidding. Then they back up to the start, normally a few meters, and the tyres hot and ready for the off.
