Red Light Answer

Ian Hill · 02-22-2013, 09:33 PM

I have played around with light beam and signal strengths, color and reflective signals for slot car drag racing tracks I was involved with designing. I haven't seen the video, but I did see the photo here and read the above posts. My comment is this: it would not have taken until the camera flash was complete for the track sensor to react to it. Today's timing systems do not take excessive time to react to a sensor being tripped. So if the cameras flash had tripped the beam, I think the video would show the red light coming on almost instantly after the flash turned on.

With my limited knowledge of transmissions I don't now how lightweight reverse clutches can over come first gear torque and role the car backwards when the transbrake has been activated, but I have been standing one foot away from a super stock in the beams with its transbrake on, it rolled back about 1 inch, caused a red light and then launched. My jaw dropped as I hadn't seen anything like this before. When I told the car owner what I saw, he looked at me like I had a hole in my head.

Just my two cents

Ian

Jeff Lee · 02-23-2013, 12:12 AM

What impact would a staggered wheelbase have on this timing system?

Michael Beard · 02-23-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

What impact would a staggered wheelbase have on this timing system?

None. A beam is either blocked or it is not. It doesn't matter which tire is contributing to the blocked beam.

SPS · 02-23-2013, 10:08 AM

A simple thanks to Pat Joffrion and Michael Beard for their explanations of this "problem".

Well stated by two well respected people that "know" what is happening.

It's sad that this has to happen (in this case to two well respected racers) and even worse that the "powers to be" let this information fall on deaf ears.

Wondering what the excuse will be the next time it happens without a photographer to blame?

FJ

02-22-2013, 09:33 PM	#1
Ian Hill Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 216 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Red Light Answer I have played around with light beam and signal strengths, color and reflective signals for slot car drag racing tracks I was involved with designing. I haven't seen the video, but I did see the photo here and read the above posts. My comment is this: it would not have taken until the camera flash was complete for the track sensor to react to it. Today's timing systems do not take excessive time to react to a sensor being tripped. So if the cameras flash had tripped the beam, I think the video would show the red light coming on almost instantly after the flash turned on. With my limited knowledge of transmissions I don't now how lightweight reverse clutches can over come first gear torque and role the car backwards when the transbrake has been activated, but I have been standing one foot away from a super stock in the beams with its transbrake on, it rolled back about 1 inch, caused a red light and then launched. My jaw dropped as I hadn't seen anything like this before. When I told the car owner what I saw, he looked at me like I had a hole in my head. Just my two cents Ian __________________ They say money can't buy happiness, it can buy race car parts, and that makes me happy Ian Hill GT/FA 1982 Camaro, F/CM 1968 Camaro

02-23-2013, 12:12 AM	#2
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Red Light Answer What impact would a staggered wheelbase have on this timing system? __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

02-23-2013, 10:08 AM	#4
SPS Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cayuga, Canada Posts: 298 Likes: 37 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Red Light Answer A simple thanks to Pat Joffrion and Michael Beard for their explanations of this "problem". Well stated by two well respected people that "know" what is happening. It's sad that this has to happen (in this case to two well respected racers) and even worse that the "powers to be" let this information fall on deaf ears. Wondering what the excuse will be the next time it happens without a photographer to blame? FJ