Timing System Malfunctions at No Problem Raceway

[Mike Pearson]

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.

[RonB]

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.

[Marty Buth]

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

[RonB]

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!

[Larry Hill]

What happened to Fair, Firm, and Friendly?

[Bill Ringer]

[QUOTE

[J.R. Haddad]

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.

[cad]

Originally Posted by devo340

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.

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

[RonB]

Error

[RonB]

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