I am in the planning stages of making my first diorama. I wanted to start with something relatively simple, so I'm going to do one of the starting line of a drag strip. I've got the staging lights/christmas tree already, but I wanted to have the both cars doing a burnout before the race. What I would like to know is does anyone have any tips on how to make the smoke so it would be coming off the rear tires in a nice big plumb?

Cotton

a match ! .

I have tried cotton as well...but it is tricky and takes some handling to make realistic smoke...If someone here has a good technique...?

Glass floss (used in fish tank filters), it's wispier than cotton and has longer strands. Should be available at any pet supply store. Be careful handling, it is a glass fiber so you don't want it in your eyes or lungs.