Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer ....

Bob Mulry · 06-13-2017, 04:23 PM

Talking about time management.......

We raced at the National Open in Fallon, NV along with the Jr. Dragsters....

The Jrs ran before us and on when we ran our 1st round every car spun the tires.....

We did some investigating and found out that the trick of the week for the Jrs ranged from coating the tires with diesel fuel, diesel fuel additive, WD-40 and almost any other slippery stuff they could find to soak their tires in....

They wrap the tires with a cover or plastic wrap to keep the tires clean and wet to just before they run....

After finding out this information I went to the Starter and I informed him of the unsafe racing conditions caused by lubricating the starting line..

He stated that they usually drag the track after the Jrs....

I suggested that they stop the racing and do what they are supposed to do with the starting line...

The starter contacted the tower and was given permission to do their job..

We ran after the Jrs the rest of the race but we had no problems because the track did their job....

After the Jrs ran we had about 10 minutes of down time before Stock / Super Stock ran so that the track could be dragged....

My hats off to the track starting line crew for doing a great job of keeping the track prepped.....

Not so much with NHRA that allowed this problem to happen....

Nmbr1GMfan · 06-13-2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

Talking about time management.......

We raced at the National Open in Fallon, NV along with the Jr. Dragsters....

The Jrs ran before us and on when we ran our 1st round every car spun the tires.....

We did some investigating and found out that the trick of the week for the Jrs ranged from coating the tires with diesel fuel, diesel fuel additive, WD-40 and almost any other slippery stuff they could find to soak their tires in....

They wrap the tires with a cover or plastic wrap to keep the tires clean and wet to just before they run....

After finding out this information I went to the Starter and I informed him of the unsafe racing conditions caused by lubricating the starting line

If you think tire prep leaves puddles of oil on the track you're crazy.

cicero819 · 06-13-2017, 04:53 PM

John D. great and well written article. I have said the same thing to many Division 1 Directors before with no proper answers coming from the all of them. I've taken neophytes to our sport and all have said the same thing, WHY DOES IT TAKE SO MUCH TIME! From my local track where all dragster driver thinks of himself or herself as the show and most do a John Force type burnout across the length of the track wasting precious time and leaving the rest of us waiting for them to line up just perfect. Well the Pro Clown show doesn't interest me anymore but again waiting for the tire scrubber, the wheelie bars adjusting, throttle stop removal, etc,etc have cost many fans to say is this ever going to stop! Even at Divisional races I've seen sometimes up to 10 minutes with no action going down the strip. Come on NHRA get with the program and kick buts if you have to.CR

Coleydog · 06-13-2017, 07:40 PM

One thing I found that wastes time, after the finish line, even the slowest cars continue to the gate where the Top Fuel cars turn in. Why can't they turn off sooner at the first gate or have a turn out like an exit ramp on the interstate. They'll be out of the way so the next pair can run instead of waiting for them to turn off. That's what all those high dollar brakes are for!

ron b · 06-13-2017, 08:23 PM

seems like a lot of the tracks allow to many people on the starting line. like on the tv shows, and why do you need someone to hold the back of the car when do a burnout.

Nmbr1GMfan · 06-13-2017, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron b

seems like a lot of the tracks allow to many people on the starting line. like on the tv shows, and why do you need someone to hold the back of the car when do a burnout.

Because if the car has rear steer in it it will head sideways till the tires get cookin'.

Rusty Davenport · 06-14-2017, 08:12 AM

I'm always amazed especially if you are competing at a track for the first time----HOW HARD IT IS TO LOCATE THE STARTING LINE -----WHERE IS IT ????? TRY TO FIND THE STAGING BOXES OR JUST CREEP UP UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE PRE-STAGE ???? REALLY ????? TRACK OPERATORS NEVER NOTICE THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS FEELING FOR THE STARTING LINE -----MARK IT WITH ARROWS OR CONES OR SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!! IT KILLS A TON OF TIME !!!!!!!

Coleydog · 06-14-2017, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

I'm always amazed especially if you are competing at a track for the first time----HOW HARD IT IS TO LOCATE THE STARTING LINE -----WHERE IS IT ????? TRY TO FIND THE STAGING BOXES OR JUST CREEP UP UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE PRE-STAGE ???? REALLY ????? TRACK OPERATORS NEVER NOTICE THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS FEELING FOR THE STARTING LINE -----MARK IT WITH ARROWS OR CONES OR SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!! IT KILLS A TON OF TIME !!!!!!!

Good reason, there's usually two or more track personal on the starting at any given time, why can't they a least stand with their foot at (not on, all they have to do is stand there) the pre stage beam just like the pro guys do? "That's not my job"

Jeff Stout · 06-14-2017, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

I'm always amazed especially if you are competing at a track for the first time----HOW HARD IT IS TO LOCATE THE STARTING LINE -----WHERE IS IT ????? TRY TO FIND THE STAGING BOXES OR JUST CREEP UP UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE PRE-STAGE ???? REALLY ????? TRACK OPERATORS NEVER NOTICE THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS FEELING FOR THE STARTING LINE -----MARK IT WITH ARROWS OR CONES OR SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!! IT KILLS A TON OF TIME !!!!!!!

Good point. Maybe the stripe that is painted on track surface near starting line could be repainted often to keep it visible. For the life of me needing someone turning on prestage bulb with their foot and motioning driver is retarded. That's an easy 15 seconds that could be saved per car.

Mike Delahanty · 06-14-2017, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

I'm always amazed especially if you are competing at a track for the first time----HOW HARD IT IS TO LOCATE THE STARTING LINE -----WHERE IS IT ????? TRY TO FIND THE STAGING BOXES OR JUST CREEP UP UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE PRE-STAGE ???? REALLY ????? TRACK OPERATORS NEVER NOTICE THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS FEELING FOR THE STARTING LINE -----MARK IT WITH ARROWS OR CONES OR SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!! IT KILLS A TON OF TIME !!!!!!!

This is what I see when the racer needs help finding the starting line!!!!

06-13-2017, 04:23 PM	#1
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,016 Likes: 57 Liked 320 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer .... Talking about time management....... We raced at the National Open in Fallon, NV along with the Jr. Dragsters.... The Jrs ran before us and on when we ran our 1st round every car spun the tires..... We did some investigating and found out that the trick of the week for the Jrs ranged from coating the tires with diesel fuel, diesel fuel additive, WD-40 and almost any other slippery stuff they could find to soak their tires in.... They wrap the tires with a cover or plastic wrap to keep the tires clean and wet to just before they run.... After finding out this information I went to the Starter and I informed him of the unsafe racing conditions caused by lubricating the starting line.. He stated that they usually drag the track after the Jrs.... I suggested that they stop the racing and do what they are supposed to do with the starting line... The starter contacted the tower and was given permission to do their job.. We ran after the Jrs the rest of the race but we had no problems because the track did their job.... After the Jrs ran we had about 10 minutes of down time before Stock / Super Stock ran so that the track could be dragged.... My hats off to the track starting line crew for doing a great job of keeping the track prepped..... Not so much with NHRA that allowed this problem to happen.... __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports

06-13-2017, 04:53 PM	#3
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,087 Likes: 31 Liked 70 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer .... John D. great and well written article. I have said the same thing to many Division 1 Directors before with no proper answers coming from the all of them. I've taken neophytes to our sport and all have said the same thing, WHY DOES IT TAKE SO MUCH TIME! From my local track where all dragster driver thinks of himself or herself as the show and most do a John Force type burnout across the length of the track wasting precious time and leaving the rest of us waiting for them to line up just perfect. Well the Pro Clown show doesn't interest me anymore but again waiting for the tire scrubber, the wheelie bars adjusting, throttle stop removal, etc,etc have cost many fans to say is this ever going to stop! Even at Divisional races I've seen sometimes up to 10 minutes with no action going down the strip. Come on NHRA get with the program and kick buts if you have to.CR

06-13-2017, 07:40 PM	#4
Coleydog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 572 Likes: 39 Liked 53 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer .... One thing I found that wastes time, after the finish line, even the slowest cars continue to the gate where the Top Fuel cars turn in. Why can't they turn off sooner at the first gate or have a turn out like an exit ramp on the interstate. They'll be out of the way so the next pair can run instead of waiting for them to turn off. That's what all those high dollar brakes are for!

06-13-2017, 08:23 PM	#5
ron b Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 135 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer .... seems like a lot of the tracks allow to many people on the starting line. like on the tv shows, and why do you need someone to hold the back of the car when do a burnout.

06-14-2017, 08:12 AM	#7
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 506 Likes: 4 Liked 101 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Interesting Commentary - why does it takes longer .... I'm always amazed especially if you are competing at a track for the first time----HOW HARD IT IS TO LOCATE THE STARTING LINE -----WHERE IS IT ????? TRY TO FIND THE STAGING BOXES OR JUST CREEP UP UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE PRE-STAGE ???? REALLY ????? TRACK OPERATORS NEVER NOTICE THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS FEELING FOR THE STARTING LINE -----MARK IT WITH ARROWS OR CONES OR SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!! IT KILLS A TON OF TIME !!!!!!! __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772