Excessive Breaking?

[Bullet1320]

This is the rule that is posted in the 2017 NHRA Rulebook:

Section 2, Page 8
Disqualifications:
Anytime it has been judged that excessive braking has resulted in loss of control that results in contact with the guardwall and/or light fixtures or crossing the center boundary lines, INCLUDING PAST THE FINISH LINE, the contestant will be disqualified.

Its a judgment call to the starter as to what is excessive braking.

[tpoh815]

Again, nothing new here. I monitor DRC for most races and see a car that can go
127 mph or more trip the clocks at 112 mph round after round How is this done?? Also people dumping the brakes on a "heads up" run as well. (I get that part) It's part of the game ! Seems to be the style of racing many chose.

[Mickey Whaley]

I stop faster than that getting off the track sometimes

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Bullet1320

Its a judgment call to the starter as to what is excessive braking.

No, it's not. Not according to the very rulebook passage you quoted.

Section 2, Page 8
Disqualifications:
Anytime it has been judged that excessive braking has resulted in loss of control that results in contact with the guardwall and/or light fixtures or crossing the center boundary lines, INCLUDING PAST THE FINISH LINE, the contestant will be disqualified.

Per the letter of NHRA's own rule, there was no contact, there should be no DQ. If NHRA's intent is to make a DQ call based on the starter, race director, or other official, then this rule needs to be rewritten. That's not what it says.

In my personal opinion, NHRA's rule doesn't go far enough, and NHRA's ruling went too far! There is a LOT of space inbetween the two. They either need to rewrite the rule and start DQ'ing a LOT of drivers this year, or apologize and make amends with Mr. Emmons (which of course they will never do).

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

No, it's not. Not according to the very rulebook passage you quoted.

Section 2, Page 8
Disqualifications:
Anytime it has been judged that excessive braking has resulted in loss of control that results in contact with the guardwall and/or light fixtures or crossing the center boundary lines, INCLUDING PAST THE FINISH LINE, the contestant will be disqualified.

Per the letter of NHRA's own rule, there was no contact, there should be no DQ. If NHRA's intent is to make a DQ call based on the starter, race director, or other official, then this rule needs to be rewritten. That's not what it says.

In my personal opinion, NHRA's rule doesn't go far enough, and NHRA's ruling went too far! There is a LOT of space inbetween the two. They either need to rewrite the rule and start DQ'ing a LOT of drivers this year, or apologize and make amends with Mr. Emmons (which of course they will never do).

Total agreement, Michael. x2

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

No, it's not. Not according to the very rulebook passage you quoted.

Section 2, Page 8
Disqualifications:
Anytime it has been judged that excessive braking has resulted in loss of control that results in contact with the guardwall and/or light fixtures or crossing the center boundary lines, INCLUDING PAST THE FINISH LINE, the contestant will be disqualified.

Per the letter of NHRA's own rule, there was no contact, there should be no DQ. If NHRA's intent is to make a DQ call based on the starter, race director, or other official, then this rule needs to be rewritten. That's not what it says.

In my personal opinion, NHRA's rule doesn't go far enough, and NHRA's ruling went too far! There is a LOT of space inbetween the two. They either need to rewrite the rule and start DQ'ing a LOT of drivers this year, or apologize and make amends with Mr. Emmons (which of course they will never do).

Extremely well said, Michael.