What is Burnout (vehicle)?
[[Image:Zeeboid burnout.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pontiac Trans Am]] burnout.]] A '''burnout''' (also known as a '''peel out''' or '''power brake''') is the practice of keeping a vehicle still (or close to) and spinning its wheels, causing the tires to heat up and smoke due to friction. == History == [[File:Tarlton-Burnout-0002.ogv|thumb|Burnout in the box at [[Tarlton International Raceway]], South Africa]] [[Image:Fireburnout.jpg|thumb|right|Fire burnout, Santa Pod Raceway, UK]] The origins of burnouts can be traced to [[drag racing]], where they have a practical purpose: drag racing tires perform better at higher temperatures. A burnout is the fastest way to raise tire temperature before a race. It also cleans the tires of any debris and lays down a layer of rubber near the starting line for better traction. Drag race tracks sometimes use specially-reserved, wet-surface areas (burnout boxes) for burnouts. Burnouts are also common in informal [[street racing]], usually for show value. As with all street racing activities, burnouts on public property are illegal in most countries but the severity of punishments vary. In [[New South Wales]], for example, police have the power to confiscate the offending vehicle for 3 months for a first offense.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/nsw/summer/200610/s1768795.htm|title=Father's car confiscated after son's burnout|date=19 October 2006|publisher=[[ABC News]]|access-date=28 November 2010|location=[[New South Wales]]}}</ref> In March 2010, British [[Formula 1]] World Champion, [[Lewis Hamilton]] had his Mercedes car impounded for allegedly performing a burnout in Melbourne, Australia while leaving the Albert Park Grand-Prix Circuit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/mar/26/lewis-hamilton-melbourne-police|title=Lewis Hamilton in trouble with Australian police after road incident|last=Christenson|first=Marcus|date=26 March 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> Burnouts are also sometimes performed by winn