NHRA seeking input on Delay Boxes/Switches
 

Be sure to voice your opinion.

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/19841.htm

Fred your link to the story does'nt work i'll try to post it after lunch

The stick guys have to love this..magnetic clutch releases and all.

Spec button...No way can you allow delay boxes in these classes...I am a supporter/user of long throw buttons, but you cant allow delay boxes.

Might as well allow the Delay boxes, that way everyone knows what each other has!

woodro josey
I miss Buster Couch and Lex Dudas.

Stock racer,
You can't have it both ways! You want a delay button, then you have to be for a delay box!

Here's the story (note whom may respond!):

NHRA seeks competitor input on delay boxes in Comp, Super Stock

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/18/2007


Super Stock and Comp are two of the oldest categories in NHRA Drag Racing. The variety and performance of cars in these categories also make them some of the most popular Sportsman classes. One hallmark of both eliminators is that they are contested on the traditional, countdown Tree, with delay devices strictly prohibited.

However, in recent years, the line between what is and what is not a delay device has become increasingly blurred. While a delay box is easy enough to police and prohibit, defining a delay device is not. A transbrake solenoid, or a torque converter, regardless of how slowly or quickly it reacts, is not considered a delay device because it is not readily adjustable, and the component itself must be changed to effect a change in the vehicle reaction. This same logic has been applied to transbrake switches and buttons, but recently, competitors have been spending an inordinate amount of time developing ever-more sophisticated buttons. With so much competitor time being dedicated to interpreting the delay-device rules, it is time to either permit delay boxes in these eliminators or restrict the type of buttons in use to one NHRA-accepted spec button.

To help in the discussion, NHRA is asking for competitor input on the subject. To isolate input from current drivers, responses will only be counted from active competitors in Super Stock and/or Comp who have earned points in 2006 or 2007. Each competitor must include his or her competition number, and each respondent's NHRA status will be verified. E-mail responses must be sent to jskelly@nhra.com with "Delay Box" in the subject line. Handwritten responses should be mailed to NHRA, P.O. Box 5555, Glendora, CA 91740, Attn: Jim Skelly, Delay Box. Responses should only be included for the category in which a driver is active.

Please respond to the following: Should delay boxes be permitted in Super Stock and/or Comp eliminator? Yes or no.

As stated above, if the final decision is to continue the prohibition of delay devices, NHRA will define one, and only one, transbrake button or switch to be used in either eliminator beginning in 2008. From that point, no other switches or buttons will be permitted.

All responses must be received no later than Friday, May 18, 2007, to be considered.



NHRA #7494 SS/H
1970 AMC AMX 390
"Best Appearing" @ NHRA '06 Pacific Sports Nationals
Arizona's BEST Realtor supports racers!
Now celebrating 14 years as a Realtor,
Call me @ 602-418-9797 or JeffLeeAzRealty@Qwest.net

That makes no sense...I let go on the bottom bulb...I still have to watch the tree...Delay box takes all that out...the only reason i have a .03 button is for cloudy days...that doesnt make me a top bulb racer!

Who the hell would want delay boxes in Super Stock????????????? I see the bottom yellow and let the clutch out and want to keep it that way. Hey Jeff you need to make a trip to Texas sometime so we can run heads up. It would be fun. I can't afford to come out to Arizona.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/H

No Way, keep this class where the driver has to do something. John

GT/TA 7391

No Way, keep this class where the driver has to do something. John

GT/TA 7391

A no to delayboxes with a "spec button" ...hmm...racing could be interesting again...do the right thing and keep the old style driving in these classes...if yes to delayboxes..will we be flooded by super comp/gas drivers?..allowing delay boxes and the lack of tech in SS....dont see the difference anyway anymore... I hope they show the "real" result of the opinions sent...and not what they want us to believe!!

Who wants these devices? Move-up braket racers for one. Those that move from bracket racing (and Super Class racing) who see the typical field at a National event as easy pickings with one exception; having a vehicle that can't perform to the standards of the die-hard class racer. There's a decidedly large amount of racers (any class) that can't cut a light without a delay box (top bulb w/ box which is more effective than bottom bulb racing by virtue of the added influences of bottom bulb racing), and I would say any racer will improve with the use of a delay box (over any other method of controling the jump off the line).
Allowing delay devices (hi-tech button, delay box, variable bleed down solinoids, whatever) will improve a driver reaction time.
So NHRA allows delay box. Almost all will be forced into purchase no matter what they feel is right. Even those with adjustable means of dumping their t-brake at present will by a box because it is more finite / effective and simpilier than what ever methode presently in use.

NHRA won't take away the allowance of a T-brake in SS/Comp. Past history says they wont take away items previously approved such as long travel buttons and hydraulic buttons. Personally, I feel that one "automotive type switch" (per NHRA current rulebook) should be allowed. A "spec" button. That's what I would like to see. But if I were buying stock in a company today, it would be Dedenbear!

On clutch cars...Dad always said "what's good for the goose is god for the gander". I've never driven a car with a electro-magnetic pedal but I have to believe it's the ultimate for reactiion time in a clutch car. It's absolutely no different than a T-brake in an auto trans car. I would buy one immediately if allowable. For now I just leave off the last yellow. Somewhere around the last yellow....

Ed,
Texas is like crossing a whole 'nuther continent for me also! Every time I consider it for an NHRA event, I read about rain and floods. So I would have to say I most likely will not travel to TX anytime soon! I do go as far as Denver on occassion and I would like to try out B.C one day. Maybe we'll both do OK someday? Right now I'm down. I expect it will be until Fall. I'm getting ready to back-half / 4-link the car. It has been pulling left for some time now. Even what I think is an extreme amount of pre-load on the left Cal-Track bar doesn't fix it. Shock settings, weight bias , roll-out all indicate a car that should pull right if anything. One too many times where the left guardrail looked like it was going to impale the underside of my car! So I'm just throwing in the towel on the bolt-on traction devices and 9" slicks. My best actuall ET is 10.10 @ 131. I was really shootin' for a 9 on 9" tires. Close enough I guess.



NHRA #7494 SS/H
1970 AMC AMX 390
"Best Appearing" @ NHRA '06 Pacific Sports Nationals
Arizona's BEST Realtor since '93 and I support racers!
Property in AZ or moving here? I can help! Call me @ 602-418-9797 or e-mail JeffLeeAzRealty@Qwest.net

I've got a question. How would NHRA going to run S/SS together at National Opens like they do here in D-5 and a couple other divisions if SS is allowed to use a delay box?

I also agree Jeff if they do allow it stick cars should get to use the same benefits as an auto car.

Rick

Lets get your vote in so we can bury this subject. I like the idea that only drivers are allowed to vote so make it count. I hope they post the results. We should have our own poll also.

tim w

NO DAMN BOXES.................EVER ! ! ! ! !
If ya just GOT to have a button, then 1 short spec button.

We're REAL racers, leave the electronics to the BRACKET racers.
Yea, All of em !

P.S.
Do away with throttle stops while we're at it and make the .90 classes drivers and tuners classes. More fun, more skill, and no more 200 mph S.C passes.

Geez, my blood pressure is gettin up. DELAY BOXES IN STOCK ?..........ARE YOU KIDDING ME ! ! ! !

Mike ( madness & ) Mayhem

are you saying bracket racers are not real racers ? I think Rampy , Biondo , Fletcher ,Zane etc cut their teeth bracket racing ,not that they have had much sucess in stock or super stock. yea right

I too cut my teeth bracket racing, and still do. With many track championships and over 160 bracket race final rounds since 1992.
This is an inside joke to my friends. I refer to ALL footbrake racers, bracket on up as REAL racers.
So as my blood pressure rose, my wording wasn't correct.

We have jokingly refered to footbrake racers as REAL racers for years.
And delay box racers ? We don't refer to them much at all. [:-laughing-:]

Mike ( madness & ) Mayhem

No one said anything about stock...and I have to ask, Because I use a transbrake and you dont, your more of a real racer? So lets put the ax button in your car and see if you roll in next year with a big number 1 on the window... you will probably have the same results (first round runner-up)

Now Mike Calm down, i think this is addressed to Super Stock and Comp!

woodro josey
I miss Buster Couch and Lex Dudas.

OK, sorry, Super Stock, not Stock I see.
Either way, I feel the same.
NO BOXES !

I didn't say anything about a transbrake stockracer whatever.
I said NO DELAY BOXES.
And a spec button.
And yes, if I remember right, out of 18 IHRA and NHRA National/divisional races I attended last year I did lose first round...............twice.
( one broke rocker, and one time it wouldn't crank ).

How was your first rounds last year stockerwhatever ?

Mike ( madness & ) Mayhem

Thanks Woodro,
I jumped the gun. But if S/S got Boxes, would Stock be far behind ?
So just copy my rantings and I'll use them next year when Stock is up for electronics revue. [:-smilearound-:]

Mike ( madness & ) Mayhem

Take a pill Mike,,,,,,,errr Beer,,,,,,,,,lol

woodro josey
I miss Buster Couch and Lex Dudas.

I am completely against delay boxes in S/S. There should not be any electronic delay in S/S but what we need to know before we voice our opinions is what they have in mind for a spec button. Before we had LED lights it did not matter if the button was 1 inch long or a zero button, you could adjust the car. Now we are out of car adjustments. As long as the release is mechanically adjustable what does it matter of the length or type of button? Buttons are just a tuning tool just like RPM, tire pressure, front end travel, shock settings, and etc. If they want a spec button with no adjustments or travel that is fine but they will have to adjust the tree so a driver can be green. My button length is 2 inches to 2.5 inches, I leave at 3600 RPM with 24 PSI in the front tires and I block the tree, there is no way to be green with no travel in the button.

I know Ive seen your results...I too jumped the gun...your average was second round runner up...As for my average, bout 4 th round with a final or too...dont worry about me...I will place my vote on spec button, get the spec button, and still win rounds...but my question is that when all this is resolved, what will yall possibly find to bitch about???

I know blinders are more consistent/easier/whatever, but if the blinder doesn't work anymore can't you count the lights down? That's how I always drove, but I footbrake the car too so maybe my vote doesn't count. If I had a car with a trans-brake I'd have a long throw button too.

I think NHRA is just trying to crack down on buttons like the newest BRP button that will delay your RT up to .400.

Don't mean to offend anyone. Just my $.02

Jared Jordan
7551 SS/BA

I dont understand.......why cant you leave on green? I know i could...maybe i have to use all the bulbs...but still...

No! Too much of that crap now. What's next? We need to buy robot drivers from a company owned by the NHRA?

What's next?? NHRA seeks input on Buybacks?... then I'm gonna go limp.

What if NHRA just switched to a pro tree for SS/ comp ?

No to this crap. Someone should start a poll here as suggested. Too bad they want to screw up one of the greatest classes of all time... SS.

Pro tree...not a bad idea

thats a joke, right?

-A/FIA 1981-

Just......


NO !

chrsit....f'in almighty....

Why the hell is this being asked.......

Has NHRA bought stock in blood pressure medicine...?








Lower gas prices now.....

No box!
Do away with all the adjustable gizmos and designate simple common buttons.

If you need a adjustable button to stay green you have born yourself a crutch.
How did everyone win before all of these gizmo buttons became available?
They won by DRIVING!

Well said classguy.

If a SS or Comp racer is using a switch with delay in it IT IS A DELAY DEVICE...simple to read the rule book and it says NO DELAY DEVICES.

Spec button is probably the answer and I would guess the 8 second Super Stockers will lose popularity quickly as getting green with something that fast will be difficult to be consistent with.

Something needed to be done to get this great class back to what made it GREAT.....fast cars, big wheelies and good drivers.

Just an old geezer who still gets to the strip every week.

No to delay devices in Comp and SS!!! While we are at it, get rid of the two-step in Stock also.



Isaac Zane
1237 NHRA Stock
J/SA, K/SA
Buick Apollo
http://www.crew-chief.com/dragstuf/index.html

Isaac, I agree. No delay devices of any kind and stock should be a foot brake class with no two steps except for stick cars.

Greg

Stock Should Be Foot Brake !!!!!!!!

Super Stock Should Be "1" Non Adjustable Button and Stick cars Should Get the Magnet.

For those that don't know -- Cars are now equipped with either a button set for a .00 and another set for a .02 if they draw a real driver.

Good drivers will continue to go rds. but let's keep it level.

Daran - Tina
2057 SS/MA
2050 K/SA

How can someone be against delay boxes, yet be for adjustable buttons? There are buttons out there with enough delay adjustment to allow you to leave off of the top bulb. Just because an adjustable button isn?t a ?delay box? in physical form does not take away the fact that the function is the same. Whether you are talking about a delay box, a delay button, or whatever else is out there, these are all delay devices. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN A DELAY BUTTON AND A DELAY BOX. Any delay device makes you no more of a driver than someone with a delay box, so don?t pat yourself on the back when you cut good lights because you are good at adjusting your button.

While I realize that I am a stocker commenting on what is currently a SS/Comp issue, I do so because I also realize that stock is facing the same issues as these other two classes. A similar vote for Stock Eliminator is sure to follow. Stockers, don?t be naive enough to think that these same delay devices are not being used in our class. There are plenty of stockers that use a two-step and a button to launch their car. And even if a ?spec? button were approved, does NHRA have the time or staff necessary to check each car to make sure the button has not been modified?

I agree with Greg, get rid of the two-steps for automatic stockers and this problem goes away for our class. That?s the same way some weekend bracket tracks enforce the ?no electronics? rule ? no stutter boxes. Stock is a footbrake class. If you want delay devices there are three other classes offered by NHRA that should suit your needs.

Dean
4767 K/SA

I'm all for the Pro Tree in SS which eliminates the long throw buttons and magnets for stick drivers and I'm all for Footbrake only with high rev limiters in Stock.

Just my take