4-wide Pro red lights

[Bill Howell]

Bill,
To amswer your question about if all the cars redlight in a 4 lane race, of course the two with the worst red light would lose. They would be the furthest from perfect .000 lights. Their minus whatever from .000 would be the most: Such as -.02 is worst than -.01. So, obviously the closest to .000 are winners.
This applies to all heads up classes.
Of course it does not apply to a handicap start race which is like comparing apples to oranges. These are the rules we all race by and even may be a factor in deciding what class or car we choose to race.

[bill dedman]

You're right on all counts, Bill.

It's a shame that what is considered "fair" in the Pro categories isn't concidered "fair" in ithe Sportsman ranks., but as you pointed out, that's the way it is. For now.

Thanks for your excellent explanation of how this all works; you did a great job explaining it.

[junior barns]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

You're right on all counts, Bill.

It's a shame that what is considered "fair" in the Pro categories isn't concidered "fair" in ithe Sportsman ranks., but as you pointed out, that's the way it is. For now.

Thanks for your excellent explanation of how this all works; you did a great job explaining it.

If in stock a heads up run happens and both cars go red, who wins? The one closest to .OOO! How is this not the same as the Pro's??

[bill dedman]

Originally Posted by junior barns

If in stock a heads up run happens and both cars go red, who wins? The one closest to .OOO! How is this not the same as the Pro's??

Exactly the same, Junior.

Additionally, if it's fair for a heads-up run, why is it not fair for a handicapped run? It's still drag racing.

I think it's still being done "the old way," because they haven't gotten around to changing the antiquated system that was formulated when the computer software to compare the two lights didn't exist. They did the only thing they COULD do back then; first red light loses.

Unfortunately, in handicapped racing, the slower car ALWAYS leaves first. If he red lights, the second car NEVER has to face "red-light jeopardy." He gets a free ride to the next round.

The slower car never has that advantage (the advantage of never having to face "red light jeopardy.") It's always there anytime he pulls up to the line.

That doesn't seem to make any kind of logical sense. They both paid the same entry fee; shouldn't that guarantee them the same odds of winning?

But, now, NHRA has demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt, that their Comp-U-Link computers HAVE the capability "built in" to compare two (or more) red lights and declare the winner to be the car with the least infraction.

I think it's just a matter of time before NHRA makes this system universal, across the board.

Of course, since it won't make them a thin dime, it will probably never happen... We'll see.

[Bunkster]

Never give up, Mr. Dedman. Your passion to correct this is commendable.

It appears the two sanctioning groups have no intention of fixing this. If only a few track owners had the courage.

[junior barns]

First off I have NO problem with first red light looses. If some do not like this rule then get a faster car. This thread was started about the PRO red lights and they all leave at the same time! So the only way to have a winner if all racers RED light is to have the one who red light the least! Just like in STOCK, if both people red light the one who red lights the least get a GREEN light!

Bill, not that I don't agree with you but until *HRA changes this is what we have. I have won and lost on both sides of this discussion.

[bill dedman]

Junior; I appreciate your comments. You have been around a while and are used to the status quo.

Most folks are, too.

I am not a Stock or Super Stock Eliminator racer, and this thread started out as a "Pro" subject thread. It was not my intention to turn it into yet another personal soapbox for my opinion. I apologize for hijacking my own thread for just another rant on this subject. But, if an unfair rule is egregious enough to cause people to sell their cars and buy a different (faster) car in order to avoid it, don't you think that is the tail wagging the dog?

Especially, in view of the fact that the whole problem would go away with just an adjustment to the existing software... and a rule change: It would become just "worst red light loses," instead of "first." What is wrong with that???

I can't see how that is unfair to anyone; "universal" red light jeopardy.
The same for every racer.

Unless NHRA figures out a way to make some money from it, it ain't gonna happen though... lol!

And, Bunkster, thanks for your support. You've had a good grasp on this situation for a long time; your comments have not gone unnoticed by me.

This subject affects me in an indirect way; My bracket car suffers the same "first-to-leave" skewed red light jeopardy as you guys do because these little Bracket races follow the example set by NHRA insofar as protocol is practiced. My situation won't change until NHRA changes the way THEY do this... that's my stake in this.

[bigshow2966]

If you're worried about leaving first you can do 2 things:

1. Build a faster car.

2. Learn how to drive the one you have.

Actually you should just sell the car. You haven't even taken it to the track yet and you're already whining about fast cars having an unfair advantage. As long as you feel that way, you've already beaten yourself.

The other side is that when you do draw a fast car he has to judge you at the big end,

I'd rather have a shot at a clean tree myself.