blocking tree for bottom bulb

[racer913]

I was wonder how many stock /superstock guys use the blocking method when leaving off bottom bulb and if you do what is easiest way to practice and set up car ?

[CJ Perry]

I block in my super stock car. I can't block in the stocker I drive. Me personally I can't foot break it and block due to not being quick enough. Blocking is a mental thing....key is a good blinder. I want to make a metal one.

[LittleBubba]

ive tried in both stock and superstock, and it didnt work for me, but i dont know if you have a full cage or not but jegs sells the blinder that clips to the roll bar and when i tried it, i just brought a piece of chalk with me and before i was prestaged, marked where it needed to be cut to where it was only revealling MY prestaged and staged bulbs, third yellow, and green.. takes some time to get it set up right but im sure if you just ask someone who uses one, they'd let you make a template from theirs to avoid all the trial and error time. hope this helps

[mannymen]

I ran them in my camaro and will never run without one again if bottom bulb racing. First you have to determine how consistent and quick you are on a Pro Tree. If you can't hit a pro tree .400, then you probably wouldn't want to go the blinder route. Hate to say this, but age may play a factor for most as does the TB button you use.

I cut 8x4 pieces of aluminum and mounted them to the roll cage with helmet hooks. I then just cut out a small piece so I could see the bottom bulb only. I tried cutting out a small section to see the pre-stage and stage bulbs, but I didn't like it for some reason. So now I lean to the side while staging while still keeping focus on where the bottom bulb is and then very slightly lean back to see the bottom bulb only.

For those who can watch the whole tree kudos to you, but I can't. I flatout stink at that as watching the bulbs come down kills me. It's kind of like watching your opponent go down track as you're still sitting there.

[chevy620]

Once you get it trimmed and get out there and practice with it. Don't get discouraged, it will probably suck a little at first.

Next on your list is to "backlignt the blinder" with some yellow side marker lamps if you race at night. It cuts the "flash" coming around the blinder at night, without I'm junk.

**One more thing to consider: if you are consistent blocking but are late, try smaller diameter front tires. We used to qualify with tall ones then install the shorter front tires to help with the tree..

Good luck

[racer913]

Thank you all for your help

[K Stubbs]

They are pupular but I have never tried it.....Yet

[The Hawk]

Never blocked.

[Michael Beard]

There's +/- to everything, and results will vary greatly between drivers. Everyone's brain works a little different, and that means what works for you may not for the next guy, and vice versa. If you're a good top bulb racer, you'll probably be good blocking, but it requires a fast-reacting car (and driver). In my opinion, it's a bandaid fix. It eliminates distractions, but if there *are* any distractions that get past it (glare, camera flashes, people moving in your peripheral vision), I think it makes it that much worse. I feel that if you train yourself to mentally block out the distractions instead of physically blocking, you're better off in the long run.

Not only am I mediocre at best when leaving off a flash, but also most of the cars I've driven don't have a rollout quick enough to block. Deep-staging and blocking with the Turismo at bracket races last year yielded very spotty results, and even when it was overcast, I could catch glare from the 2nd bulb. It was red, double-oh, or smokin' late. Surprisingly, I'm more consistent taking multiple bumps on the starting line and hitting the 2nd bulb going out than I am blocking... something that shouldn't make any sense! Personally, I'm more comfortable being able to see the whole tree, even though I don't follow it down. You have to find what works for you and your combination.

There's an in-depth analysis that I wrote concerning bottom-bulb reaction times and how to adjust, available on ThisIsBracketRacing.

[Keith 944]

i foot brake quite a bit and i have to agree with Michel 100%, i have tried a blinder also, and i drive fast and slow cars. my two cents? spend time practicing, not making a blinder.