Most riders try to make their move between the last amber light going off and the green light coming on. Technique in staging and starting is one of the most vital skills and E.T. Handicap drag racer can develop, since a majority are won or lost at the starting line. Close observation and lots of practice pay off. On an elapsed-time run, the bike first leaves the starting line, breaking the beam that activates the electronic timer. As the bike continues through the course, the timer records the elapsed seconds and fractions of seconds until the bike breaks the finish line beam and stops the timer.
Top speed is determined by the bike breaking two additional light beams at the finish line.
In the case of both vehicles making their runs under their dial-ins, the win goes to the rider who breaks out the least. Signals riders that they are on the starting line and ready for a run. These amber bulbs are turned on when the front wheels of the racebike interrupt the beam from a light source to the photocells that also trigger the timing equipment when the bike leaves the light beams. All three amber floodlights in a rider's lane flash simultaneously before the green light comes on. Racers running in handicap categories get a countdown of one amber light at a time until the green light comes on.