Expert: Matt Lyons - 7/9/2009

Question
I have thought for years that a 'hole shot' was a car giving a physical head start to it's opponent. By starting back in the bleach or water box while the other car started race at line. Does this concept even exist, and if so do you know it's name.

Answer
What you are referring to is a "car length" which is a street racing term. Usually before a street race takes place the two parties meet to discuss the rules. If one group thinks the other group's car is faster they will as for a car length or more to get a head start. This has become re-popularized with the tv show Pinks. The difference is on Pinks they place one car out the agreed on car length distance and start the race from there. In a real street race the car that gets the advantage launches first then the faster car launches after the first car has reached the determined distance. A holeshot is a drag racing term meaning a better reaction time than the other car. Races have been won on a holeshot because the lower reaction time started the timers earlier than the the other car.