I was checking out some pics and noticed that a lot of the 1/8th nitro buggies have snaking fuel lines that look like roller coasters. Any reason why such the long fuel lines or is it just a matter of routing it so it's not in the way?

Part of the reason is because it can hold some more fuel than a shorter line.
For instance:
put in fuel
prime
put in more fuel

Longer fuel lines allows the engine to idle longer when the buggy is on its lid.

this then gives longer run time with fewer pit stops

both of the above and the length of the pressure line effects something, not sure what but i know it does haha.