Clutch Release

[Walt Reynolds]

Has anyone used the Biondo Clutch magnet and if so did it work?

[Jeff Lee]

I've heard of bracket racers using them and winning races. Unfortunately in Stock they are not legal and in Super Stock they are not legal either. But Super Stock allows the use of a trans brake that locks up low and reverse at the same time and use a delay in the release and that is perfectly legal.

[terry1]

Jeff,did I hear you correctly,in Superstock they can delay the release of their trans brake;and in stock they won't let us use a shifter mounted rev limit switch?
That has to be the ultimate B.S.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

S/S is allowed an adjustable trans brake button, seems everyone refrains from calling it a delay device though that's exactly what it is. For years I complained about these, as I ran a Clutch car and didn't feel they should be allowed. I was told that some of the faster car would redlight without them.... well OK, end of discussion. BTW my new car with granny tranny is equipped with one though not sure if it helps me much however in the right hands could deal some crushing blows. Joe Years ago showed up to a race with an air clutch release on our B/A car, since there was nothing stating we weren't allowed to use it.... we were told to remove it before a single run. Guess they didn't care for clutch cars trying to improve their chances.

[Ed Wright]

I don't disagree with you at all on the button, or that the stick guys should have an equal chance, Wesley says if the rule book doesn't say you can have it, you can't. The rule book used to state that in the front. Don't think it does any longer. I haven't looked for it, but if it's not still in there it should be. Could prevent some hard feelings.

[Bench Racer]

For what it's worth, I don't think a mechanical release (magnet or hydraulic t/o bearing with a line lock) is any more of an advantage for the stick cars than a trans brake is for the autos. What if the auto cars were limited to a 9 inch in tire width in S/S but not the sticks? Same logic in my opinion. Seems as only a handful of racers are good with a stick, but if the learning curve (ie cutting a light) was easier I am sure there would be many more willing to give the stick a try. Of the stick racers I have talked to switching to an automatic is not in there thought process, but a lot of the automatic racers have admitted that they would love to be able to drive a clutch car. If there is a arguement to be made as to what is fair when compairing the the clutch and convertor cars give the stick a manual clutch release or take the transbrakes out of the auto's. In my humble (narrow minded) opinion electronic devices have been the downfall of drag racing anyway not to mention an avenue to cheat. I can remember (pre electronic) when mechanical cable Moroso tacks with the reset rpm needle were the standard, and when the heads up .90 classes were fun to watch. Remember when sticks ran in the .90 classes and were competitive, the .90 cars would cut a light (w/o a delay box) and run flat out (no stutter box) to the traps.The class was a lot of fun to watch back then before gadgets and widgets caused a lot of fans to loose interest. Back to the original topic, allowing a mechanical delay for sticks wou be a win win for all involved. The stick racers would have a choice to use it or not, NHRA and IHRA might get some more sponsor $$ from the product, more drivers might give the stick a try and add more diversity to the class. Just my $.02 Don Jackson

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Bench Racer

For what it's worth, I don't think a mechanical release (magnet or hydraulic t/o bearing with a line lock) is any more of an advantage for the stick cars than a trans brake is for the autos. What if the auto cars were limited to a 9 inch in tire width in S/S but not the sticks? Same logic in my opinion. Seems as only a handful of racers are good with a stick, but if the learning curve (ie cutting a light) was easier I am sure there would be many more willing to give the stick a try. Of the stick racers I have talked to switching to an automatic is not in there thought process, but a lot of the automatic racers have admitted that they would love to be able to drive a clutch car. If there is a arguement to be made as to what is fair when compairing the the clutch and convertor cars give the stick a manual clutch release or take the transbrakes out of the auto's. In my humble (narrow minded) opinion electronic devices have been the downfall of drag racing anyway not to mention an avenue to cheat. I can remember (pre electronic) when mechanical cable Moroso tacks with the reset rpm needle were the standard, and when the heads up .90 classes were fun to watch. Remember when sticks ran in the .90 classes and were competitive, the .90 cars would cut a light (w/o a delay box) and run flat out (no stutter box) to the traps.The class was a lot of fun to watch back then before gadgets and widgets caused a lot of fans to loose interest. Back to the original topic, allowing a mechanical delay for sticks wou be a win win for all involved. The stick racers would have a choice to use it or not, NHRA and IHRA might get some more sponsor $$ from the product, more drivers might give the stick a try and add more diversity to the class. Just my $.02 Don Jackson

I totally agree.

But if you want to try and adjust your reaction times with the clutch pedal, I made an adjustable stop underneath my pedal with a stud, a metal plate, and a nut that I can turn. If I am redlighting, I can turn the nut that lowers the plate, allowing more pedal travel. If I am late I turn the nut up so I have less pedal travel. Just make sure your clutch air gap is in within the recommended range and can support the adjustment.

And lastly, I searched the entire rulebook with control+F and didn't see anything on that magnet so is it legal or not?

[Jeff Lee]

Changing the pedal height by way of an adjustable stop will affect reaction times while at the same time altering the "hit" on the clutch as you are changing the air gap.
My understanding is NHRA is under the impression that all (we) have to do is use an adjustable stop and we are compatible with tranny brake users with adjustable buttons (and a host of other tricky devices). That is incorrect because it also affects the hit on the slicks which can alter performance at the same time.
Hydraulic release mechanisms are known to be slower in release and can cause to much slippage of the disk and damage occurs.
The only thing that IS comparable to a tranny brake in Super Stock is a magnetic release as offered by Biondo. Apples to apples, both perform the same function with no advantages to either.

[Steve Hayward]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Changing the pedal height by way of an adjustable stop will affect reaction times while at the same time altering the "hit" on the clutch as you are changing the air gap.
My understanding is NHRA is under the impression that all (we) have to do is use an adjustable stop and we are compatible with tranny brake users with adjustable buttons (and a host of other tricky devices). That is incorrect because it also affects the hit on the slicks which can alter performance at the same time.
Hydraulic release mechanisms are known to be slower in release and can cause to much slippage of the disk and damage occurs.
The only thing that IS comparable to a tranny brake in Super Stock is a magnetic release as offered by Biondo. Apples to apples, both perform the same function with no advantages to either.

You got that right!!!!

[468 HeavyWeight]

Originally Posted by Walt Reynolds

Has anyone used the Biondo Clutch magnet and if so did it work?

Yes, it works very well.