Snap-on Sensors have an active Staged Zone of
about 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch for HO and about 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches for 1/32 scale.
This length will vary slightly
depending on down-force strength of the traction magnets in any given car.
(Photo Eye
Sensors detect the entire car)
Shallow Staging is pulling up just enough to trip the sensor and has the possible advantage of timing
a "rolling" start.
Deep Staging is pulling forward towards the Trailing Edge of
the active zone and has the advantage of starting out physically as far forward as possible.
Staging
first has the advantage of ample time for positioning but the disadvantage of commitment.
Staging last has the
advantage of dictating the start but substantially less time for positioning.
NHRA upholds a rule that states: once a car has staged, the opposing car has seven seconds to stage or draw a DQ.
Slot Dragon does not impose this law because of the "stall factor" associated with slot cars.
Staging strategies play a huge role in Drag Racing and they can also factor in Lap Racing Slot Cars, if the races
are kept short. Slot Car Dragon caters to smaller home tracks. Giant Club layouts prosper minimal benefit from a precision
start, hence the long, boring, predicable heats that have plagued slot cars from the dawn of their marriage to the checkered
flag.