I was wondering what this term meant. is it when you do a test launch out of the water box

not out of the water box, it is after you do your burnout. you are doing it to test the traction. basically a quick launch

It's like basically leaveing the tree, but your not, and also it let's you know how good the track is before rolling into the pre stage, and it also helps you know what rpm to leave at to man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some people use this method rather than doing a burnout. They will go around the water box and do a "test launch" aka dry hop to knock any rocks or debris off the tire as well as testing for traction before rolling up to stage.

Doing a dry hop is doin nothing for you other then seeing how good your tires would have hooked behind the line.

By doing a "dry hop" you're effectively using that good rubber you just heated up for your launch and therefore making you end up with less traction once you get to the line. From any racers I've ever talked with this is always something to aviod doing, but suit yourself. I've never done it in all the years I've been racing.

Doing a dry hop will also wear out your clutches a lot faster to, because when you do a dry hop you have to pull in the clutch fast so you want roll across the starting line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks guys, I was just wondering because I watched a vid and everyone was saying what a hell of a dry hop the jock just did and I was like huh, he won.. haha thanks for the help I am sure I'll have somemore dumb questions along the way