Roger Fain's Idea

sstSteveM · 12-11-2007, 07:32 PM

I was intrigued by Roger Fain's idea on another post on what could present a safer alternative to blinding the tree. I remember earlier this season a PS racer put a new hoodscoop on the car and they couldn't even see the tree in qualifying! I have no side on the blinder issue but I did a quick illustration on what it would be like. Would you race on a track like this? Would you find yourself using the "lane" tree? If present, I don't think I would use it.....

-steve

Ed Fernandez · 12-11-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstSteveM

I was intrigued by Roger Fain's idea on another post on what could present a safer alternative to blinding the tree. I remember earlier this season a PS racer put a new hood on the car and they couldn't even see the tree in qualifying! I have no side on the blinder issue but I did a quick illustration on what it would be like. Would you race on a track like this? Would you find yourself using the "lane" tree? If present, I don't think I would use it.....

-steve

That split tree is a cool idea.The only modification I would make is to put the pre stage/stage lights for both lanes on both trees and eliminate the center tree.Perfect right?Wrong gasoline breath.Someone will whine that the visual distraction is gone but the faster car can still hear the slug leaving the line,thus causing a disruption of his concentration.Solution? A noise cancelling wall between the lanes.I'm sure Mr. National Tech Director would approve it in a Kalifornia minute.

Ed F.
NHRA #1945
IHRA #14

Jason Oldfield · 12-11-2007, 11:44 PM

It's funny you say that Ed because that's the EXACT same thing I was thinking when I first read Steve's post. I also thought the side trees were a good idea, but was sure somebody would complain about not being able to see the tree from the right lane due to their hoodscoop, or still being able to see the other car in their peripheral vision because they had to spot them a 2-second head start.

I like the wall idea. I think there should be a wall 1275' long built between the lanes. Drivers would then have the last 45' to decide what they were going to do.

I would then also propose that a wall be constructed in the shutdown area from 1321' on to keep the cars that crash from excessive braking from coming into my lane.

We might want to think about robotic drivers too...

G Schenck · 12-11-2007, 11:58 PM

What are ya'll doing with the photographers? Put them in the middle.

Greg

Uncrated · 12-12-2007, 08:21 AM

I think the "lane trees" idea is an excellent example of "thinking outside the box" To me; it is one of those ideas that once you see it you say, "why have we not been doing that all along?" I commend and appreciate the thinking.

In my opinion, drag racing is at an important crossroad. We as racers, promoters, and track owners can encourage such forward thinking and be willing to at least consider new ideas, or, we can expect or sport to decline.

I challenge a track owner to install the lane trees and see what happens.

?Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

Larry Woodfin

Bud Lefevre · 12-12-2007, 08:32 AM

Very interesting, I'd like to try it.

Ross Family Racing · 12-12-2007, 09:57 AM

Why not put them on the left side of each lane and hood scoops would no longer be a problem?
Jeff Ross

Michael Beard · 12-12-2007, 10:06 AM

Good solution to that 'problem', Jeff. What about the Australian guys?

Steve - nice job on the quick graphics. Looks like you're using the old 66' "before and after" speed trap?

Something I heard guys in the northwest complain about before, who ran with FULLY blinded tree except for the stage bulbs, is that they could see the pre-stage & stage bulbs flicker when the slower car left. It's always something.

Ron Ortiz · 12-12-2007, 10:26 AM

PROBLEM SOLVED------one tree in the middle but overhead, like the lights at an intersection.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA too simple

Jeff Foster · 12-12-2007, 10:50 AM

A vesion of this is already in play at Infinion Raceway. Due to a sun problem at sunset, we built a tree with both lanes pre-stage and stage and right lane only Ambers and Green / Red and placed on the right wall. This way the right lane doesnt have to look left toworads the sun. Seems to work well.

I think a heads up veiw on your windshild would be best but way to spendy.

This idea of a tree on each wall has been discussed at national events by the tower staff a few times in the past 2 years.

Jeff Foster
Compulink

12-11-2007, 11:44 PM	#3
Jason Oldfield Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 619 Likes: 1 Liked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea It's funny you say that Ed because that's the EXACT same thing I was thinking when I first read Steve's post. I also thought the side trees were a good idea, but was sure somebody would complain about not being able to see the tree from the right lane due to their hoodscoop, or still being able to see the other car in their peripheral vision because they had to spot them a 2-second head start. I like the wall idea. I think there should be a wall 1275' long built between the lanes. Drivers would then have the last 45' to decide what they were going to do. I would then also propose that a wall be constructed in the shutdown area from 1321' on to keep the cars that crash from excessive braking from coming into my lane. We might want to think about robotic drivers too... __________________ Jason Oldfield S/G & S/St 1838

12-11-2007, 11:58 PM	#4
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea What are ya'll doing with the photographers? Put them in the middle. Greg

12-12-2007, 08:21 AM	#5
Uncrated Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea I think the "lane trees" idea is an excellent example of "thinking outside the box" To me; it is one of those ideas that once you see it you say, "why have we not been doing that all along?" I commend and appreciate the thinking. In my opinion, drag racing is at an important crossroad. We as racers, promoters, and track owners can encourage such forward thinking and be willing to at least consider new ideas, or, we can expect or sport to decline. I challenge a track owner to install the lane trees and see what happens. ?Nothing ventured, nothing gained? Larry Woodfin

12-12-2007, 08:32 AM	#6
Bud Lefevre Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 250 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea Very interesting, I'd like to try it. __________________ Bud Lefevre 3075 STK IHRA World Record Holder

12-12-2007, 09:57 AM	#7
Ross Family Racing Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St.Clairsville, Ohio Posts: 459 Likes: 0 Liked 51 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea Why not put them on the left side of each lane and hood scoops would no longer be a problem? Jeff Ross

12-11-2007, 07:32 PM	#1
sstSteveM Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 49 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Roger Fain's Idea I was intrigued by Roger Fain's idea on another post on what could present a safer alternative to blinding the tree. I remember earlier this season a PS racer put a new hoodscoop on the car and they couldn't even see the tree in qualifying! I have no side on the blinder issue but I did a quick illustration on what it would be like. Would you race on a track like this? Would you find yourself using the "lane" tree? If present, I don't think I would use it..... -steve Last edited by sstSteveM; 12-11-2007 at 09:08 PM. Reason: just because

12-12-2007, 10:06 AM	#8
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea Good solution to that 'problem', Jeff. What about the Australian guys? Steve - nice job on the quick graphics. Looks like you're using the old 66' "before and after" speed trap? Something I heard guys in the northwest complain about before, who ran with FULLY blinded tree except for the stage bulbs, is that they could see the pre-stage & stage bulbs flicker when the slower car left. It's always something. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

12-12-2007, 10:26 AM	#9
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea PROBLEM SOLVED------one tree in the middle but overhead, like the lights at an intersection. Ron Ortiz U/SA too simple __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

12-12-2007, 10:50 AM	#10
Jeff Foster Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 74 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Roger Fain's Idea A vesion of this is already in play at Infinion Raceway. Due to a sun problem at sunset, we built a tree with both lanes pre-stage and stage and right lane only Ambers and Green / Red and placed on the right wall. This way the right lane doesnt have to look left toworads the sun. Seems to work well. I think a heads up veiw on your windshild would be best but way to spendy. This idea of a tree on each wall has been discussed at national events by the tower staff a few times in the past 2 years. Jeff Foster Compulink