View Full Version : It sucks to have to run slow...
C5pilot
07-02-03, 12:09 AM
I didn't fully appreciate just how much of a handicap I have by having to run my car slow at the track until this last elimination round.
Here's a quick recap... My car is a convertible... without a rollbar or hardtop I am not allowed to break 14 seconds for safety reasons. It's no surprise that a stock C5 can turn low to mid 13's all day.
A red light is an instant foul and you lose. If both drivers red light, it's the one who red lights first that loses.... Well DUH, that's ALWAYS going to be the slower car.
OK, nothing new there... Here's the funny part...
I dial in a 14.76 against a guy dialing 12.18. That means there's a whole 2.58 seconds between the time we launch. My reation time is a .498 so I lose instantly... Now get this, the other guy also red lights with a .18!!! I finish the race with a 14.81, he with a 12.50.
I'm sorry, but I shouldn't lose against a guy who red lights over 2 seconds after I've already red lighted! Especially when he red lights by that far! :D Who was he, Stevie Wonder? :cool:
PS. No, I didn't win the prize for closest red light. As I was picking up my time slip thinking I may win the $25 I hear on the radio that someone right behind me pulled a .499
I literally can't win for losing! :D
Joe, two things.
1. you have discovered why it is advantageous to be the quicker car.
2. Chances are with your 2 second head start your opponent saw you go red thereby simply ignoring the the tree and just going knowing he won already. I can check when I get home Friday to see who it was. If it was a seasoned racer, that is likely what happened.
Al Betz
07-02-03, 09:50 AM
Joe,
The rule is first or worst.
So the first one to redlight is the loser, however if your opponent crossed the center line (or track boundry marker) on the way down the track then he would have lost (crossing the center line is worse). Another exmple is he who breaks out by the most (worst) loses.
There is a lot of controversy on this subject in braket racing because of the advantage it gives faster cars.
http://www.staginglight.com/editorials/rm2.html
Mike Campbell
07-02-03, 09:52 AM
Joe, I don't know how you can run to be slow...;tt That's probably why everytime I run, even when I know I have the guy beat, I still try my best to get my best time. I have been told to let off when I get near the traps, but, I only tried that twice and still lost. ;tt I'd rather break out than lose to a guy who guesses his time better... It just goes against my grain to let off. ;gm That's why I'll never make the finals......;www
Al that is a very good article.
I see you spent some time on staging light last night.
I see the point being raised and I can understand the inconsitency on how first or worst is applied.
In a race like Joe described it would never be a proble as the 12 second driver would simly sit and cut late light to not get bit.
However it could change the out come in races that are much closer.
My purpose to build a faster car (other than personal gratification) is to take advantage of that situation.
It did pay off in a couple instances.
C5pilot
07-02-03, 12:45 PM
Al, thanks for the link. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks this is a huge disadvantage in a race that is supposed to be even.
Mike, I'm simply not allowed to break 14 seconds, that's why I must drive slower than my car actually runs.
Mike Campbell
07-02-03, 02:30 PM
Joe, how come people like Brian Dixon & Gail run C5 verts in the 13's and the "strip nazis" don't escort them out of the place???:confused: I know they don't have rollbars either. ;tt;tt;tt
Perhaps Edgar can tell us. ;yn
The track tends to look the other way sometimes and let you get away with a few passes under the time.
It is a dilema they are in as they don't want to slow you down but NHRA sanctioning dictates it so they are taking a risk if they let you do it.
However, they will not let you dial under your time, 14.00 for Joe, unless they don't catch it and then you will be disqualfied.
Should be interesting when the '06 Z06 runs in the 11s out of the box & can't pass tech in stock,factory form.
I totally agree with Edgars first post...
Richy, an 11 sec stock car will just have to dial 12.0 or slower, or get a roll bar.
A fast car who dials soft can also get snagged by the track for sandbagging.
You are supposed to run "full out".
Yes, it will be interesting to see what goes on with stock 11 sec cars & their dials, and the track's stance on their sandbagging in order to stay legal, until roll bars are installed...
C5pilot
07-02-03, 05:31 PM
Question:
Why is sandbagging illegal in bracket racing? You still have to shoot for your dial and have a greater chance of breaking out.
Al Betz
07-02-03, 06:58 PM
Originally posted by C5pilot
Question:
Why is sandbagging illegal in bracket racing? You still have to shoot for your dial and have a greater chance of breaking out.
It's not illegal! people do it all the time.
The guy who won the last Challenge of '02 was driving an'02 Z06
with a dial-in of 13.2 sec.Talk about a "soft" dial-in.No one said anything.
Richy,
I was told that if a factory car can run faster the 12.00 in STOCK form meaning the way it came from the factory it WILL pass tech. No rollbar is required the car has the ability to run that fast it had the safty requirment allready.
Mike
Tony B.96LT4
07-02-03, 09:34 PM
Joe, Learn to cut a good light! If you can cut a .515-.525 It will force the faster car to cut a better light. If they don't you can bet they'll be running it out on the top end to beat you and I've found that they'll either redlight trying to beat you or breakout. You've got your car running fairly consistent. Use that against them. ;)
I have heard that NHRA is working on a rule that says that if the car runs 11's out of the factory it will be allowed to run 11's without a rollbar. I also heard that it is limited to Z06 and Viper and NOTHING can be changed on the not even tires or cold air intake.
However, I have yet to see this in print so I don't know if it right.
Originally posted by Tony B.96LT4
Joe, Learn to cut a good light! If you can cut a .515-.525 It will force the faster car to cut a better light. If they don't you can bet they'll be running it out on the top end to beat you and I've found that they'll either redlight trying to beat you or breakout. You've got your car running fairly consistent. Use that against them. ;)
this past weekend I was racing Bill fisher who is capable of 11.8s but has not bar so he dialed 12.00.
Guess what I did to my dial?
Yup, dialed down 3 hundredths and ran that bitch out the back door and sure enough, Mr. Fisher broke out trying to keep me from the finish line:D
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