A quick guide to terms used in the Jap Scene, from Drag Racing to Show & Shine.
| Bodykit |
A collection of exterior modifications to a car. Consisting of front and rear bumpers, sideskirts, and possibly a rear spoiler. Some cars even go that little bit further. |
| Buckets |
Refer to the type of seats that are used in most modified cars. They are designed to fit around the driver and passenger to increase comfort. They can be fixed or reclining. |
| Burnout |
Spinning the driving wheels in water prior to the run, it heats and cleans them giving better traction. |
| Bye Run |
A single run when no competitor is available. |
| Carbon Fibre |
An extremely strong material used by tuners because it is strong, lightweight, and has an attractive appearance. |
| Christmas Tree |
The starting lights controlled by the timing computer. |
| Decals |
The graphics and sponsors that are put onto the cars. |
| De-cat |
Is where the catalytic convertor is removed from the exhaust system and a straight through pipe is used. This is done to increase power, and enhance the sound. |
| DNQ |
Did Not Qualify. |
| Drifting |
A skillful driving technique where the car travels at a different angle to the direction in which it is going. This is done by spinning the rear wheels and steering in a controlled manner in order to negotiate corners and straights. To go left drift cars will turn there wheels to the right, and vice versa. |
| Eliminations |
tournament style competition, the losers are eliminated and the winners progress until only one winner remains in each class. |
| ET |
Means Elapsed Time. The total time taken to travel from the start line to the finish line. |
| Evo |
Slang term used when talking about a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. |
| Flip Paint |
Is where the paint on a car appears to be different colours from different angles. |
| Flushed |
Where the boot and/or door handles and badges on the car are removed and then smoothed over. Also known as razored, smoothed and de-handled. |
| Foul |
An infringement of a rule during a run. This may be pulling a red light or crossing a lane boundary. |
| Gullwings |
A style of car door that opens out vertically, with the hinge either on a A-pillar or the roof of the car. |
| Hydraulics |
A type of suspension that allows a car to raise and lower each corner. It can give the effect that a car is sitting on the ground. |
| I.C.E |
Stands for: In Car Entertainment. Comprises of audio and visual items such as subwoofers and LCD TVs. |
| Lambos |
A style of car door that opens out and then up vertically, with the hinge in a similar place to a normal car door. First used by Lamborghini. |
| Lowered |
Where a car has been made lower by replacing the stock springs with aftermarket springs or coilovers. Some cars also use air suspension or hydraulic suspension. Can also be known as slammed or decked. |
| Pre-Stage |
A racer is in pre-stage when the front wheel has interrupted the first light beam just before the start line. Full-stage is only inches ahead. |
| In Stage |
A racer is in stage when the vehicle front wheels have interrupted both light beams at the start line. |
| Neons |
A modification that people make to add lighting to a certain area of their car. Commonly used inside and under the car. |
| Nitrous |
Nitrous Oxide. Gives added horsepower when injected with fuel into the engine as it contains
accessible oxygen. |
| Qualifying |
Before eliminations begin racers must qualify. If a field is too large only the quickest qualifiers will make up the number in the elimination, generally eight or sixteen. |
| Quarter Mile |
This is the length of the drag strip, which the drivers race down. |
| Roll Cage |
A frame of metal bars that is installed into a car to protect the driver in the event of an accident. |
| RT |
Reaction Time is the time it takes a racer to react to the green starting light. It is measured in thousandths of a second. The R.T. counter begins when the last amber flashes and stops when the vehicle clears the stage beams. |
| RWYB |
Run What Ya Brung Public track days where anyone with a valid driving licence can take their car down the strip. |
| Scooby |
Slang term used when talking about a Subaru. |
| Show & Shine |
A competition for cars, based on their looks and features. |
| Sleeper |
Where a car appears to be standard from the outside, but has a much more powerful engine than stock. |
| Slicks |
Smooth tyres with no tread giving maximum traction of rubber to track. |
| Spinners |
A split construction wheel which carries on spinning when the car is stationery. |
| Staging Lane |
Designated assembly area for competitors, also known as the pairing lanes where competitors are paired prior to racing. |
| Stock |
Standard factory appearance. |
| Street Legal |
A car or bike, which could, or does qualify for an MOT and can run legally on the road. |
| Suicides |
A style of door which opens backwards in comparison with standard car doors. |
| Supercharger |
A crank driven air-to-fuel mixture compressor. It increases atmospheric pressure in the engine giving extra horsepower. |
| Terminal Speed |
The speed the car is traveling at as it goes through the finish line. |
| Tints |
Windows in a car have been darkened or coloured. |
| Trackbite |
The traction compund, a kind of liquid rubber that is sprayed onto the track providing added grip or traction when dry. |
| Trim |
Is the material used to dress the interior and components in a car. An example would be leather or alacantra. |
| Tuning |
Where the engine of a car is alterred from its factory settings in order to enhance its performance, often at the expense of economy. |
| Wheelie Bars |
Bars with small wheels protruding from the rear of some vehicles preventing excessive front wheel lift. |
