The burnouts at drag racing events are absolutely essential to obtaining maximum traction at the start line by warming the tyres up prior to the race. To my mind this 'staging' procedure is as much a part of the spectacle as the race itself and in all the years I frequented A.I.R. during the 70's and early 80's I never found myself enveloped in smoke from burning rubber. This apparent 'joy' can however be witnessed every year on free-to-air TV when we(!) get 'down and dirty' on the skid pad at the Summernats. Truly this has to be the most moronic 'car event' in the history of moronic events.