Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I had a chance to get the cobwebs off the Old Dodge this weekend at Pittsburg. I noticed that a fellow racer that uses a two step didn't have a button/switch on his brake pedal. Sooo...I politely ask him how his two step was activated? He told me that it was mounted up under the dash and attached to the brake linkage. "My question is; why would anybody go through the hassel to "hide" their two step activation device?"

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Maybe he is not hiding. It may be that he feels it is more consistent there or afraid his shoe might not activate the button as cleanly on the brake pedal as it would on the brake lever/shaft.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Mine is hooked up to the old brake lite switch ,which is under the dash (so to speak) .but not on the brake rod. Tell Hank to give i a look , he's there.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Jim,

I do not have a rule book handy. Does it say you have to have a "button"? I know several people that are using the brake light switch, and others that are using pressure switches.

Other than someone wanting to hide them for bracket racing, I do not see where one would have any benefit over another, as long as they are still using their foot, in a stocker application.

Am I missing something?

Ken

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

If memory serves me correctly the wording in the rule book says the switch MUST be activated either by the brake or clutch pedal. No hand activated switches..

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I have a Two Step Button/Switch mounted on one edge of my brake pedal. It's an Instant Micro Switch. Step on one side of my pedal to Two Step. Step on the other side, brakes only....Simple. Any no drivin' idiot can do it, even me. It's the same as I've seen on many other Stockers.... "IF" I was a Tech Official, and I saw a Two Step Button, let's say an adjustable Terminator Switch with an Erector Set of metal and more Engineering and Fabricating than a 4 link mounted under the dash or on the floor, Activated by the Brake Pedal or Linkage ...That car would be in the barn ...and the entire electrical system would be put to test. Just my thoughts. JB

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

seems to me, if it's under the dash, it MAY just be there for ease of mounting and it's less likely to be kicked around or damaged by dirt or water...
just a thought, it ain't ALWAYS about "bending" the rule, is it?
but what do I know....;)

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Jim, That may just be a better spot for the 2 step to come off earlier and cleaner.
Well within the current rules.
In fact, in my mind the best setup would be an adjustable pressure switch and a big ol' gauge to monitor all of that. Again ,still legal.
As long as the 2 step is allowed ,there will always be creative ways to activate/ deactivate it.
Myself ,I wouldn't care if they did away with them completely on automatic cars.
That is , if you were allowed to stage anywhere you wanted on the starting line.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Here is what NHRA & IHRA Tech men should be looking at and looking for right now in all eliminators. I was hoping to see the customer pictures page but it wasn't there.

http://www.mattyinnovations.com/flyer62.html

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

This is the best set up out there for two steps and it is legal. I am going to try it on my car in a few weeks. It is also legal.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

It may not be hiding it, on the DP there is a bracket up under the dash for the brake light switch I will say its a bitch to adjust and I havent got it quite right. BUT the bracket is there and the switch in place, once I get it "right" itll be slick I think....

But working on it ? Well not pleasant.....NOTHING under the dash is on this car....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/...d7102ac88c.jpg

Id really like an adjustable pressure switch on the brake line, anyone know of a good, easily adjustable one (PN ?) I was thinking Granger or a hydraulic supply house ? Or ?

Because yeah its a bitch the more I think about it......for us it wasnt hiding it, rather making use of what was there......

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Jim,
It's very simple. If you think they are cheating put up the protest money and let the tech guys decide!!!!!!!!!!!

My personal opinion is No 2-steps in stock, but we know that ain't going to happen.
CHip

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Gene Kelly had the best 2-step --John Trovolta was a close second--:rolleyes:

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

And John Dillender was betrayed by a red light.Oops,I mean a lady in a red dress.:>)

Protesting someone these days is like throwing your money down at the crap tables.You
don't know what the interpretation of the rule will be.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Two Steps are Legal, as long as they are activated by the brake pedal. Not my choice for Stock, but .... it's the rule..... I only ask a question, " Why go through the hassel of mounting it up under the dash?" I must be getting lazy, I know I'm getting old, and this isn't my first Rodeo. AND, I give the tech guys a lot more credit than that. --- PROTEST--- Give me a break !!!... I do this for fun, and nothing else.... PS ....I also noticed a really nicely machined, Billet, Mounting Bracket with a button on it, mounted next to a racers Steering Wheel. I asked, what the button was used for? I was told; "It use to be my Two Step and I still use it a bracket races, but I don't have it hooked up at NHRA/IHRA races." I told him the same thing with my Nitrous Bottle......JB.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

So If I drive with hand controls where am I allowed to put the switch?

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I would imagine they would concede to bend the rule,justifiably,in that situation.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I posted a link to a device that is being used by some Stock racers. It appears to have been removed.

I don't know what it is but assumed it was an adjustable brake pressure switch.

If NHRA says it's legal then it is...

2 steps and blinders are being used by many racers......

If NHRA says it's legal....it is.....

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Isnt it about time for ALL of these driver aids to be outlawed in stock AND S/S? Air shifters, 2 steps, trans brakes, blinders, pressure switches, all make it easy to cheat. Isnt it about time to put the driver back into the equasion?

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Jim,
If you do this 'FOR FUN" then why worry about it. If you are not worried about it then why start this post.
If you are worried about it then talk to the tech guys at the next event.

I trid the 2-step on my wagon once and it was activated by the brake light switch under the dash.

Never raced with it though. Either the switch or me was very inconsistent but it never worked.
Chip

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

All sports have taken advantage of modern devices....

Bowling.....reactive resin balls
Golf............titanium and other exotic materials for clubs
Swimming and other racing type sports........trick suits that cut drag
Nascar........The list is endless
F-1...............Even more endless


So NHRA Stock and SuperStock should resist all the modern ways to help a driver be more competetive.......

Delay boxes are illegal but other ideas and devices have helped improve RT's...

No device stages or launches the car........and no device drives the car down track......

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I have no problem with my competition using a brake-pedal button activated 2-step... *because* they are inherently inconsistent! :rolleyes: In any case, it's still just one more thing you've added to the system that can screw up. I've witnessed several important races lost due to 2-step issues. I'll keep foot'n it, thanks. If you "have" to use a 2-step, the only way to do it is with a brake pressure switch. I think Folk sells them.

- Footbraker

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Your not going to like this but all of these driver aids are for people who cant drive a nail with a hammer. Michael Beard has it right and several others I know. Before all of this crap came into existence you had to know how to drive to go rounds. It brought the good drivers to the top of the food chain. These are the ones who understood the timming system and how it worked. They studied the track and new how to play the finish line. Gee's some of you guys/gals cant even shift gears on a run without help.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

X Tech, sounds alot like pure stock to me. Pat

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I think a lot of folks look at NOT having driver aids like 2-steps, blinders, automated shifters, etc. as a disadvantage. On the surface, that might seem to make sense, but to me, it's like training wheels on a bike. There's no doubt that training wheels make it easier to ride a bike, and maybe you even need them for a time. But it's a bandaid, in my opinion. By taking the training wheels off, you may struggle a little bit at first, but in the long run, you're going to be MUCH better. I feel there are advantages to NOT having driver aids. You will be more focused, more adaptable, and there are strategic advantages as well (if you see me at the track, feel free to ask). Challenge yourself to be better than you are.

$.02,

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Guessing if the hand control brake system released it, it is ok, just no finger button.

Have a friend who had the 2-step switch on the brake pedal and lent his car out, the new driver actually broke the button. I couldn't bring my self to ask him how that could possibly happen.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

[QUOTE=X-TECH MAN;186580]Your not going to like this but all of these driver aids are for people who cant drive a nail with a hammer. QUOTE]


A nail gun drives nails very nicely. You never hit your thumb, or miss the nail and hit the wood and damage it..........


Ask a carpenter if he would rather use a hammer or the proper nailgun.....

I am in the process of doing a lot of home rennovation work and am still working in the dark ages with a hammer.......


PS......I was always a footbreaker in Stock and also in bracket racing long after delay boxes and 2 steps were in use........


Very few people have the ability of someone like Michael Beard.......

I don't think it is good to have just a few people dominate....

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Hook it to the stock brake pedal, just like the brake lite switch. Hand controls do not require special rules or treatment.
t5

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

[QUOTE=Rich Biebel;186611]Most dont study HOW to race. They just throw money at the car. Guys like Michael Beard and the late Bob Maxey (yeah a bracket racer) of the "Clinton Shaker" fame and many more like the late Steve Taylor from N. Carolina learn and work hard at what it takes to win in handicap style racing. They dont rely on band aids.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

Terry....maybe I'm wrong but as I recall Bob Maxey might have had a delay box before they were common......Maybe it was just the typical rumors made up about people that won to much.......He won a lot.....

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

It was just a rumor. I lived near him and did his cylinder heads and his customer heads for years. I also helped work on the early station wagons (he won a ton with a 60 Pontiac 389 SD station wagon before any of this stuff was ever thought of) and the Firebird. Also the Pontiac Astre (which was re bodied later) he bought from the late Pete Kost. His cars and engines were as quality built as any class legal car back in those days. He even won an early S/G event at Maple Grove foot braking the car. It barley ran 9.90 flat out at that time. It wasnt until about the last couple of years he raced that he threw in the towel and installed a delay box. He was fighting an up hill battle against the dragsters and other cars that ran them. He was way to stubborn to "Drop Down" or lower himself to race in the the foot brake class to continue racing. I tried to talk him into racing the foot brake catagory but he would have none of it. He was just that good until old age caught up with him. He was one of a few "Pure" drivers I ever knew. A Mike Gilroy (younger in age) from the same area is another pure driver and still races but he to went to a low 7 second dragster with every bell and whistle know to man to stay competitive. A few others have passed on or have gotten to old are still around. The electronics made everyone a good driver.
P.S. the Mike Gilroy I mentioned won one of the last Div. 1 bracket finals at Maple Grove in Super Pro with a 455 Pontiac powered Camaro before the delay boxes came into use.

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

I was at a number of the Bracket finals races in the early 80's......and also some of the NHRA division races at MG.....

I went down to 7 or 9 cars in Super in '86.....lost to Jack Grater who went on to win........I think....

We totally hijacked this thread.........Sorry to have gotten off topic Mr Bailey.....

Basically I think if you were unhappy with what some racers seemed to be doing you have some options in Stock.......Ask the Tech people to clarify it and if it is illegal ask them to do their job and enforce the rules.......

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

[QUOTE=X-TECH MAN;186614]
wow I did not know you knew what every racer knows about racing LOL . Your the man

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

[QUOTE=Don Kennedy;186722]Another smart *****

Re: Attn: NHRA / IHRA Tech .....here we go again ..
 

at least your steering wheel comes off...try that with it on haha