The MSD Grid System

[Wilson1]

I get a kick out of people that say the Grid is a cheater system. It isn’t. In fact it is much easier to tell if a guy is using traction control or slew rate with a grid that someone running a 6 or a 7 with a separate box. That can be hidden very well and almost impossible for the tech guys to find. The reason they check after the first run is if an ARC (slew rate module) is hooked up to a Grid it will remain visible for 60 minutes of run time. So you can’t hide the module and turn it off with a switch. In fact if you are running against a guy with a Grid, 7 out of 10 times you can rest assured he is overthinking it and might be putting himself at a disadvantage if you are bracket racing. You can do all the things with a 7 that you can do with a Grid, it’s just harder. You can’t make an inconsistent car consistent with a Grid and you can’t make a bad combo good with a Grid.

[Keith 944]

The stage lock system has its limits also. maybe an inch or so of backwards roll is allowed. I believe this was first put in place for the pro stock motorcycles that can rock back a hair when staging.
Maverick, You should be very happy to have this in place instead of your comments to the contrary. don't you run a clutch car? This could keep you from red when staging shallow. My dad had a 69 charger with a four speed and he would roll back sometimes when he mashed the gas, went red several times before I talked him into a line lock to set same time.
No one is cheating or has an advantage to this by shallow staging. this is just the way any good racer keeps his car rollout the same and consistent.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program....

[Maverick]

I guess the thing I did not like about the stage lock system, is the fact, I didn't know it existed, till one day I see four sensors instead of three, and ask questions, and have to go to several NHRa people before I get the answer. This was two years ago, when I found out. I am not upset about it, but it more of me not knowing what the rules are, because I can't find it in the rule book. I was in the tower numerous times, asking questions to the division director, or the tech guys, . Yes I have a clutch car, and my car does not roll back. It rolls forward, so if the prestage does go out I am out. But if you roll back out of the stage beam , you are ok

[Keith 944]

You have 7 inches to roll forward, you may have an inch to roll back

[Maverick]

I think it is more than a inch, need to talk to Cooper, at a national event. He has stated he has have had issues with the reflection off the ground . Uses special paint to try to make it a non issue. It don't matter to me any more. I just to like to know the rules so I can play the game. Bottom line, I mentioned that two years ago, and it not a issue any more, not knowing.

[voltdr]

If you watch the track prep at National Events, Every time they start to spray the traction compound, on the starting line, they will put wooden covers down between the groove and the beams. I think this is to help cut down on the "shiny" coating being too close to the beams. Has anyone else noticed this?
Dan

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by voltdr

If you watch the track prep at National Events, Every time they start to spray the traction compound, on the starting line, they will put wooden covers down between the groove and the beams. I think this is to help cut down on the "shiny" coating being too close to the beams. Has anyone else noticed this?
Dan

I have noticed the same thing.
I have also noticed that the spraying of the entire track has almost stopped completely.
I lost at Topeka's national on Saturday and watched all day Sunday and there was very limited spraying of the track even during the Pro Mod session which lasted over an hour due to all the crashes. That was the first time this year I have watched on Sunday and the track prep looks totally different than past years.
The Las Vegas national also had the NHRA tech check for the grid on the losers (for SG anyway) and plugging into it. One of the friends was checked. I am not sure what they were looking for however, it was only for the early rounds. I lost 4th round Sunday and they did not check me. I do not have the grid so that may have been why.
Our friends who run Top Sportsman were also asked if they had a grid and they did not so they let them go by.
Just My Observations
Rick Cates
Canyon, TX