4-wide Pro red lights

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

Chad, sed... (see above)

"over the last two decades, any changes or innovation in how to run a drag race have come from bracket racing. Double entries, buy backs, run for the money/gamblers races, etc (some for the better, some for the worse) have all come from the grass roots. Even the outlaw street car and newer index classes have come from local bracket racing and local promoters."

Chad,
Read what you wrote here and tell me what, if any, of the things you've enumerated, have been embraced by the NHRA and included in their national events (or, even, at points races) ????

If I read your post correctly, I understood you to mean that if I got the double red light rule accepted and put in practice at some local (Bracket?) tracks, then it would stand a chance of being accepted by NHRA and maybe, become a part of their M.O. at NHRA races.

Is that correct? I think that's what you meant.

If so, tell me what past events you're basing this on. Have you EVER seen a buy-back, at a national event. OR at a points race? Or a "gambler's race" at an NHRA national event???

"Double entries" (I am assuming you're referring to running two cars; one in Stock and one in Super Stock,) came about when the few "Touring Pros" that populate Stock and Super Stock pointed out that they could not make it by racing in just one Eliminator; they needed a chance at least, to win in two. The acceptance of that didn't come from "local races..."

You contend, as a part of your argument, that "Even the outlaw street car and newer index classes have come from local bracket racing and local promoters."

Do they run these at NHRA national events? I haven't seen any...

No rules-changing activity of any kind that has gone on at the national level of NHRA events that I am aware of, has come from local racing protocol.

NHRA has ALWAYS had a bad case of "not invented here." You are surely aware of that.

Well, they did "invent" the double red light technology as practiced at the 4-wide Nationals. I can only hope that it filters down to the Sportsman ranks, eventually.

This is a message board, dedicated to the idea of the free exchange of ideas and information. Not only that, but this PARTICULAR message board was specifically set up for input from people who are not current racers. In that vein...

It is entirely appropriate that subjects such as this are posted ffor everyone's perusal and comment. Your suggestion that because my car is a Bracket car, and I don't own a class racer, that fact would disqualify me as a contributor to this board on a subject that didn't afffect me directly.

Well, that's just not true, and the hope from this corner is, that IF NHRA ever DID choose to enact a double red light rule, that the practice would filter down to my local track and I, and others, could benefit from it.

It's not going to happen the other way. In this case, the tail doesn't wag the dog.

In fact, it's probably never going to happen at all... I realize that.

But, that doesn't mean we can't talk about it.

Again. thanks for listening.

I thought your goal was to increase fairness in drag racing, not just NHRA. I'm just saying that's a start, since as you already admit, changing NHRA's mind is just about impossible.

[bill dedman]

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

I thought your goal was to increase fairness in drag racing, not just NHRA. I'm just saying that's a start, since as you already admit, changing NHRA's mind is just about impossible.

Chad,

Of COURSE, I want to see this program implemented everywhere... why would anyone want to keep a system operating that victimizes half of the field every time the cars come to the line for a handicaped race? That's lunacy...

As NHRA goes, so goes the country. Nobody had Christmas Tree starting systems until NHRA unveiled theirs in 1963 at Indy; then they began showing up all over the place!

Remember???

Probably not... LOL!

IF, and WHEN, NHRA starts using a double red light system of determining winners on the starting line in Sportsman racing, that's when you'll see them at BodCaw Dragway; people will demand it!l

Until then, well, I'm not holding my breath...

[bigshow2966]

Maybe we should just go back to the old ways and if both cars go red both are out. Double breakout? No winner. That's how US 30 did it when I started racing. Both went red or broke out in the final and both got 2nd place money.

Also, do away with round money. Pay 4 places and you race for all 4, no 3rd and 4th get the same money crap.

In all seriousness, here's a question, and this happened at RT 66 a few years ago.

Buddy of mine was dialed at 10:73 in his Duster. His opponent was dialed at 10:72 in a Camaro. Both cars go red. My buddy went -.004 and the other guy went -.057.

Who won?

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by bigshow2966

Maybe we should just go back to the old ways and if both cars go red both are out. Double breakout? No winner. That's how US 30 did it when I started racing. Both went red or broke out in the final and both got 2nd place money.

Also, do away with round money. Pay 4 places and you race for all 4, no 3rd and 4th get the same money crap.

In all seriousness, here's a question, and this happened at RT 66 a few years ago.

Buddy of mine was dialed at 10:73 in his Duster. His opponent was dialed at 10:72 in a Camaro. Both cars go red. My buddy went -.004 and the other guy went -.057.

Who won?

Your buddy won because his opponent went red first.

[Mike Carr]

never mind...

[bill dedman]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

never mind...

Yeah, Mike, it's hard to argue when you're in an indefensible position... LOL!

Thanks for realizing it...

[bigshow2966]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

Your buddy won because his opponent went red first.

It would seem that way, but his opponent got the win light. He was told it was up to the computer and since he was the slower car he lost.

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by bigshow2966

It would seem that way, but his opponent got the win light. He was told it was up to the computer and since he was the slower car he lost.

The opponent left first with a red. He should have lost. It must be because he was driving a Camaro.

[ss wannabee]

"First or Worst" rule should apply...regardless of the amount of lanes run...I'm sure this
situation has come up for discussion before....

As Lew said earlier, this "4-wide" stuff isn't something new. I've never seen a 4-lane
race in person, but have looked at archival photos from the '60's...places like Detroit
Dragway, Fresno, and York US-30 tried this type of racing...and perhaps many others...

[Chris1529]

Originally Posted by bigshow2966

It would seem that way, but his opponent got the win light. He was told it was up to the computer and since he was the slower car he lost.

That sounds like a timing system programming error. The computer should have realized which beam was tripped first.