CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Racin Mason · 02-18-2013, 03:35 PM

This exact same thing happened to me at the Winternationals 2 years ago, but with a very different decision from Mike Rice and company. Same left hand lane. The red light came on when the 2nd yellow came on just like this run. The only difference is when I saw the red light come on, I stayed put and never moved. When the red light came on BOTH the pre-stage and stage lights went out just like this run. When the tree reset BOTH the pre-stage and stage were lit proving the car didn't move.

I went up to the tower and argued this with Mike Rice and Rick Stewart in person. I brought with me witnesses who saw this happen and all confirmed the car didn't budge. I even brought the person who I raced with me (happened to be my father) and we all agreed to a re-run. Rice and Stewart said they've seen this before and called it a shallow stage red. They say the car rocks backwards out of the beam and turns on the red. End of story.

They would not allow a re-run even though both competitors agreed to it. They said there decision was final as this happened before and they NEVER allow re-runs in these situations.

After the video of the run was posted a few days later, I emailed Mike Rice showing the video that was posted on this forum. Here's the link to the video and the run is right at 19:00:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9h_IGDhxxs"]2011 NHRA Winternationals Super Stock Round 1 - YouTube[/ame]

Here's his response:

It is too hard to see in the video. The shallow stage deal is very real, especially without the StageLoc program. The car doesn’t have to move, just the change in tire pressure when on the brake or two step can be enough to rock out of the beams. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what happened to you at Pomona. You may not physically see or feel car move, but the beams are so sensitive that it happens. You are not the first that it has happened too and certainly won’t be the last.

When the system red-lights, it locks our both the pre-stage and stage beams, which is why both go out. When system resets, it allows them to come back on.

Mike

The best part of that email is "You are not the first that it has happened too and certainly won’t be the last."

I am emailing Mike now asking why their decision was different in this situation than in an identical situation. I will let you all know his response.

P.S. Anyone else wonder why Jimmy's car leaves when the last bulb never came on? It's like he wasn't even looking at the bottom bulb. I wonder how you can legally get your car to delay enough to leave off the top bulb like that...

02-18-2013, 03:35 PM	#43
Racin Mason Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 58 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Mike Cotten you are the MAN! This exact same thing happened to me at the Winternationals 2 years ago, but with a very different decision from Mike Rice and company. Same left hand lane. The red light came on when the 2nd yellow came on just like this run. The only difference is when I saw the red light come on, I stayed put and never moved. When the red light came on BOTH the pre-stage and stage lights went out just like this run. When the tree reset BOTH the pre-stage and stage were lit proving the car didn't move. I went up to the tower and argued this with Mike Rice and Rick Stewart in person. I brought with me witnesses who saw this happen and all confirmed the car didn't budge. I even brought the person who I raced with me (happened to be my father) and we all agreed to a re-run. Rice and Stewart said they've seen this before and called it a shallow stage red. They say the car rocks backwards out of the beam and turns on the red. End of story. They would not allow a re-run even though both competitors agreed to it. They said there decision was final as this happened before and they NEVER allow re-runs in these situations. After the video of the run was posted a few days later, I emailed Mike Rice showing the video that was posted on this forum. Here's the link to the video and the run is right at 19:00: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9h_IGDhxxs"]2011 NHRA Winternationals Super Stock Round 1 - YouTube[/ame] Here's his response: It is too hard to see in the video. The shallow stage deal is very real, especially without the StageLoc program. The car doesn’t have to move, just the change in tire pressure when on the brake or two step can be enough to rock out of the beams. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what happened to you at Pomona. You may not physically see or feel car move, but the beams are so sensitive that it happens. You are not the first that it has happened too and certainly won’t be the last. When the system red-lights, it locks our both the pre-stage and stage beams, which is why both go out. When system resets, it allows them to come back on. Mike The best part of that email is "You are not the first that it has happened too and certainly won’t be the last." I am emailing Mike now asking why their decision was different in this situation than in an identical situation. I will let you all know his response. P.S. Anyone else wonder why Jimmy's car leaves when the last bulb never came on? It's like he wasn't even looking at the bottom bulb. I wonder how you can legally get your car to delay enough to leave off the top bulb like that...