(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – Vaporized carbon.  One of the best uses for tires I can think of.  In the old days they just let it rip from the drop of the flag.  Then came the waterbox and the burnout prior to the run we all know and love today.  Whether you are just cleaning debris off your stickies or absolutely hate your tires – the end goal is to try to gain traction.  It seems every car and every driver has their own style of burnout.  Some cars billow smoke out of the wheel wells like there’s a steam locomotive under it and others shoot wisps of smoke straight out the back.  A few cars seem to have the smoke actually clinging and encircling it.  Regardless, everyone watches the burnouts.  Its one of the things that draws your attention and makes the sport unique.  Enjoy this cast of characters heating the hides in their own unique fashion.

A few notes on some of these:

The blown, red Chevy II…..IT is really LOUD when it passes you on the hi-revving burnout

The Autumn Gold GTO didn’t do a burnout, but on its first pass it spun like crazy on the launch and the next two gear changes

There is a Reher&Morrison BBC-powered Pinto under the smoke in one photo.  Really….

Aaron Riley’s ‘Falconstein’ did actually spin the tires although no smoke appeared.  Vulcan is not pleased!

Click on the tire smokin’ photos below to enlarge them and then see ’em all –