Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I usually refrain from bashing the NHRA, but how this problem was handled is so disappointing. There was a known problem in the left lane where the tree went red prematurely. I think Wes Neely and Jimmy Hildalgo had a rerun because of a malfunction. Anyway, when the malfunction happened in R4 yesterday, it was handled very poorly and most unprofessionally. Ultimately, I was told there wasn?t time for a rerun. So disappointing NHRA!

Ron B

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I saw the run and re-run with Hidalgo and Neely. When watching the first run of theirs, I felt there was a possibility that Wes backed out of the bulb as he flickered it on the way in and just barely got staged. Ultimately they re-ran it but there was a part of me that didn't feel it was warranted. Is there ANY chance you barely got in and backed out too on the 2-step? Absolutely not trying to say it was your fault, but I am just curious knowing how the Hidalgo/Neely race went down.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Yes, the stage bulb flickered during staging, but I bumped again to get a solid light. It was not a question of malfunction, everyone agreed that the left lane had an issue as there were multiple occurrences. Also, Ali Doll from ProTree was in the tower working on it. My disappointment is that while all agreed there was an issue, no rerun was allowed. There was plenty of time to do it as the race was well ahead of schedule. It was just easier for NHRA to say no rather than do what is right.

BTW, I was foot-braking with no two-step.

No sour grapes as we had a lot of fun and are looking forward to Dallas.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

My son had a rerun yesterday as well in Stock.
There was problem for sure.
I watched it live stream, showed him redlit by 2 tenths. I said no way!
60ft & all other increments were way way slow, yet, he managed to pace the other car along side.

They did not want to give him a re-run, but he got it.

No problem with NHRA, it was the lady who owns Port A Tree.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Lee Zane posted video on Facebook showing prestage and stage lights on and he had a red light.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I was .228 red, lol

Ron B.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

My wind gauge was showing over 20mph on Sunday, and I noticed the Tree moving around . Did any body else notice that?
Hard to control Mother Nature?.

RJ

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I wish this was an issue that was underpinned with honesty, but that is not the case. I?m not upset about losing the round nearly as much as being blamed and flat-out lied to.

Once I debunked the technical BS they slung at me, then the tone changed to yes, we admit that there was indeed a problem. However, no reruns were allowed to other complainers. Once I debunked that BS, then I was told that there would be a rerun if my opponent agreed. He agreed, but then I was told that there was no time for a rerun (10 cars left at 3PM). FINAL DECISION (now go away)


Ron B.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Staging lights and red bulb are all illuminated!Attachment 72271

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Here's a shot from Thursday. The last amber and green lights both illuminatedAttachment 72272!NHRA knew about this problem on Thursday but proceeded to run eliminations anyway and we should all be concerned about the deception. I know Lee Zane lost his class final because of this. Who else got hosed?

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Its actually amazing that the timing systems are a reliable as they are. There are literally thousands of runs made at an event of this type and there is rarely an issue with the timing system and dial in's. It is difficult for the competitors when it does happen. The event director has the final say with regard to re-runs. I do know if you stage and your dial in is incorrect on the board you own it. I check my dial every pass before staging. I have been bitten by that in the past. Not a whole lot you can do if the timing system has a glitch. I have been racing for over 45 years and have never had a timing system issue on any of my runs. That is pretty incredible.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I agree Mike, but this situation is totally different. If it were just one isolated incident or one run, I wouldn't be concerned. In this case, NHRA knew there was a serious timing problem on Thursday and elected to continue two events through Sunday without fixing the problem. In a sport where races are won by .001 margins and championships are won by a single point, we all should be concerned about NHRA's decision to continue the events with a known faulty timing system - and lie about it.

It's not about me, it's about all the racers that attended this event and future D4 events.

Ron B.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

My Nephew had a problem with the timing system at No Problem and was told it was due to incandescent stage bulbs.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Marty,

Yes, I was told the same. My response was "only in the left lane?". Then they said my car backed out of the beam at the hit. I explained that I do not have a transbrake or not even a two-step. I footbrake loaded against the converter at a steady 2500 rpm and cannot move backwards! All the while, the people telling me this BS knew the issue was with the timing system. They also said that they previously DID NOT allow any reruns - which was also a lie. There were several reruns prior to my run in R4 on Sunday.

BTW, Ellis was awesome all weekend!

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

What happened to Fair, Firm, and Friendly?

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

[QUOTE

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I watched both races in their entirety on NHRA TV. There did appear to be
some oddities on some runs. It appeared the heads up classes did not
have a problem, and the most amount of problems seemed to be in Stock.
With Alli being there, and not being able to cure the problem, it had to be
a unique problem, and I'm sure intermittent, which in all electrical problems
make it a challenge, to say the least. If Alli couldn't fix it, it had to be deep
rooted, as she would have given it her all, and I don't think many people
would know more than her.

J.R.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I've also had this issue at a local Iowa track with Accutime, and unfortunately, they never identified, nor fixed the issue. Id be willing to bet it is sensors more so than the tower system.
You get a crazy red light right when you let go, and the increments are slow, but the MPH is accurate.

Clark

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Error

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Attachment 72276 Lee Zane's view during his class final. (Lee Zane photo)

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

It certainly looked like there were problems to me, some that were not handled correctly.

Just out of curiosity, what does the Accutime tree look like when there is a staging timeout?

Bill

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Bill, I don't know the answer to your question, but perhaps someone else can comment?

Ron B.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I've heard that the track in Dallas also has had similar issues in the past. Does anyone know if they use the same timing system as Dallas at No Problem Raceway?

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

It happened to me also in the class race Friday we both staged when the first yellow came on mine went red ! My son was videoing and my car never moved! Went to the tower and they said we could rerun it both agreed. We did with no problem the second time.btw I was in the left lane also.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I made nine runs in the left lane with no problems, no pun entended, except 1st round eliminations on Saturday -002 and the car made a left turn at launch, got home.put the car in the air, nothing wrong with the car.

Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

A very similar thing happened a few years ago at the Fall Classic Indy on sunday morning. The instant the tree started down on one side that racer got a red light. It happened to several cars in a row. All foot brake racers. Of course the division director at that time was no help, and several racers went home very unhappy. One racer I knew who was a victim never raced at another NHRA race.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Stage lock. I always wondered how this worked and never received a complete answer. Supposedly if you flicker the Stage bulb a couple of times it will lock the stage bulb on. If this is the case then my assumption is you could not be staged. And if prestage light is on, you did not pull thru the beams, leave early. Any input appreciated.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Years ago I would always go up and looks at the beams and sensors when the would take the lid off so you could see. Stage lock has four sensors, you need to check your track to see if they have it. Talked to the nhra guy at the time , you roll back out of the stage light the stage lock will keep the stage lite. You need to figure out if they had it or not..

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I was watching on YouTube when the Hidalgo/Neely race was run. It appeared to me the dial ins were in backward. Hidalgo's tree came down and Neely moved when Hidalgo did and went red.

I am old and may not have seen what I saw.

Something was up though, there were a few runs that the left lane was red and the timing graphic showed Left Before Tree Activated.

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

I've established a dialog with the D4 Director about the timing system problems and will provide an update once a conclusion is reached. JJ is a good Director/Manager and I'm optimistic he will ensure that racers are treated fairly whenever issues like happen.

Ron B.

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At the Dutch last year in the 1st round of class, I had a 2 tenths redlight just before my car moved. My ET was exactly 2 tenths more than my previous runs. I didn't make an issue of it because if I made the class final I was covered by over 2 tenths. I talked to a couple of people about it later and they thought it may be a weird wheel reflection?

Re: Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway
 

Two of my friends were victims of 300+ red lights. One was in a time trial one was first round. All they got from the tower was (It must be because there is no stage lock)! I know for sure the first round car didn't move at all and went red.