TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

TruSTART TO DEBUT IN VEGAS

It’s a controversy that has been brewing for a number of years. Now K&N Spring Fling Million presented by Optima co-promoters Peter Biondo and Kyle Seipel are going to fix it once and for all.

“Kyle and I always ask ourselves ‘how can we bring more fairness to our Spring Fling events?’,” Biondo says. “We strive to maintain a level playing field for all of our competitors who are in fact our customers. So last year, Kyle and I started talking with Bob Brockmeyer from Compulink and that’s when TruSTART was born.”

Biondo and Seipel were passionate about the concept while Brockmeyer of Compulink, the most widely used timing system in the world, quickly agreed and started working hard into turning the idea into a reality. Simply put; in a handicapped race where both drivers go red, TruSTART will change the game by giving the win to the racer who red lights by the lesser amount. The worst red-light loses, period, regardless of if a driver leaves first or last.

Quick example: The slower car is dialed a 10.00 and the faster car dials an 8.00. The 10.00 car leaves first but with a red light of -.005 while the 8.00 (faster) car also red-lights but with a worst red of -.015. The 10.00 car loses because he was the first to red-light. The -.005 red driver loses to the -.015 red driver even though the -.005 red driver was closer to the target reaction time. Has always been that way… until now.

“The Compulink name speaks for itself and we can’t thank Brockmeyer enough,” adds Seipel, “The way TruSTART will function will be exactly how we imagined it thanks to all of Bob’s hard work. To keep things fair within TruSTART, the slower car lane will always show a green light until the faster driver launches. At that point Compulink will ‘show’ the worst red where applicable.”

“We actually tried this back in 1986,” says Brockmeyer, “but for whatever reason it didn’t take off. When Peter and Kyle talked to me about it last year, it just made sense now. Prior to TruSTART, the advantage in the red-light department went to the faster car. This helps to make it just that much fairer. Just like whoever breaks-out the most loses, so be it when it comes to a red-light.”

TruSTART, a product of Compulink and the Spring Fling, will be introduced to the bracket racing world at the K&N Spring Fling Million in Las Vegas this year. Undoubtedly, it’s the truest way to determine a winner in a double red-light race, and the fairest as well.

For more information, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpNXr5pGhhw for a video explaining TruSTART.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

So, using a .5 lead for my example, I jump the gun by -.002 and my opponent nails the tree at .001. Does my side skip green and go right to red or do I still see a green then red in .503 when my opponent leaves? Seems to me that the tree would have to "hold" my red light until my opponent gets his green. Then the system would effect all red light starts, not just double reds.

I get that I can't sucker the faster car into giving me the win by jumping the gun by a wider margin.

Dale

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

I agree. Hold the red and green on the starting line until both cars have left. Otherwise, the faster car could see the red in the other lane and wait.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

This ought to open a can of worms...

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Oh boy. You got that right, Jim

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

And we're off.......................in 3, 2, 1

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

I thought I'd read where it said the first cars light would initially show green until the other car left. Thus leaving the faster car with the assumption that the slower car had a green light making the faster car try to cut his regular light. If that's the case I like it. But I may be in the minority I don't know.

Rick

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Better get some popcorn for this one.....:D

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

funny

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

If there is a logical argument against this method, I'd love to hear it. There have been some unnecessary timing system changes over the years, e.g. CrossTalk, but this one is long overdue.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Did Bill Dedman have something to do with this ??? ggggggg

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Friend of mine runs a GT/AA car. Last year he matched up with a W/SA at a combo event and the slow car had such a lead that he was well past half track on the fast car's green. If the W car had a red light, he would have been on the track for around 6 seconds before the win light came on in the AA lane. Could make for some interesting "conversations" on the return road. Maybe extra security jobs?

Dale

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Ok people, did anyone read the article before going red!
“The Compulink name speaks for itself and we can’t thank Brockmeyer enough,” adds Seipel, “The way TruSTART will function will be exactly how we imagined it thanks to all of Bob’s hard work. To keep things fair within TruSTART, the slower car lane will always show a green light until the faster driver launches. At that point Compulink will ‘show’ the worst red where applicable.” Yes the car leaving first shows green until the last car leaves. Why would it be any other way, Great job Peter and Kyle!

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Come on man! Really. Now where gonna make a loser a winner ? cool

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

X2 How could anyone think this is a bad idea I Think it's truly fair, long overdue. it sure does make me rethink running my slower door car in these races, thanks guys

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

No James, now the loser will be the worst driver. lol

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Let's give everyone a trophy and go home happy.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

This is FAIR !!! Thank you Mr. Terminator and Kyle......

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

It's an unsanctioned (nhra/ihra) bracket race. It has nothing to do with sanctioned Stock or Super Stock.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

No one said it did Bruce, at least not yet.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

That would be correct, it's the Spring Fling in Vegas. Atleast that's what the post states?

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Astute observation MJ.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Thank You Bruce for the positive reply. Your Vette is running great and I hope your trip to Gainesville is very successful.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

I'd rather be good than lucky.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

My pleasure MJ. Thanks for the kind words.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Guys with the real fast cars that always leave last won't like losing that advantage. I honestly can't see how anyone could really say it's wrong. Don't show the red until both cars have left.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Ed, read your quote again, fast guys will be against, and how many things in drag racing are not implemented, even though it is the right thing to do.

Why are they doing, dwindling car counts in bracket races,

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

The red lite rule is mainly for the electronics and non-electronic classes at the FLING in Vegas and Bristol.Cross-talk should have it for sure,the faster cars are leaving on the slower cars top bulb with more delay in the box,in reality there both letting the trans brake button go on the same bulb .Faster cars always got there way ,they got courtesy stagging,open top bulb ,blinders on the tree,cross talk,what did a slow car get ,oh thats right no-deep stagging .I dont think this will happen in stock or super stock for awhile
HAMMER

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

How about a poll?

I am a driver in an NHRA sportsman class that competes in Division and/or National Events

1) I would like the TruStart system implemented
2) I would like the current system to remain unchanged
3) I think the system needs to be changed, but not as stated in the TruStart system


I am a spectator/crew member/car owner

1) I would like the TruStart system implemented
2) I would like the current system to remain unchanged
3) I think the system needs to be changed, but not as stated in the TruStart system


I would do it, but I'm not sure how to create a poll.

If the vote is overwhelming for changing the current rules, I suggest that the SRAC members petition NHRA to change the rule.

Apparently the timing system can handle the change, so NHRA should not have beefs with allowing the change.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

So I understand that this is limited deployment, but drag racing is all about consistency so I'm going to ask this.

It looks like Peter B, and his friend talked to CompuLink about this idea and CompuLink developed the system. Logic says they will test it at the Spring Fling and then pitch it to NHRA for adoption at points events. So, how would this make it to the grass roots like Bremerton Raceway out here in Washington State that is run by a car club? Is it new equipment or a software update? Something that just shows up in the NHRA trailer for National events won't really help.

I guess I'm asking this of the business folks involved.

Dale

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Yeah ,don't get excited yet ,anybody.
You know where this is going in a year or two don't you?

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

I re-read it. I wrote the fast cars won't like loosing that advantage. First car leaving goes red, they win. Why would they want that taken away? What did I not get right? Faster cars won't like that change. Right?

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

You said it correctly Ed, and yes, the faster cars pilot will whine. It takes away the mental advantage they think they have. It will be a tough sell to the stk/ss crowd yet the bracket racers will embrace it with thanks and much appreciation. Shoe polish is the great equalizer.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

I applaud Kyle and Peter for starting an innovation that should have been in place years ago. There is no reason that a faster car should get the nod because the first car leaves a red light on. In fairness, both should have to hit the tree and may the better man win.

Casey Miles
248H Stock

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Casey: I am with you on this one.

This is the most interesting change proposed since we changed from
1/2 Second brackets to a dial in ( Mid 60s out West).

Not reallyto our personal advantage at our home bracket races....but a fair change for
everyone.

We dial our cars at absolutely the bottom allowed in Sportsman Bracket.........
We win the LVMS track championship more years than not = because of the
advantage of leaving last (Always chasing does not hurt either)......But it is high time to level the field and make it fair for everyone. I am not saying it is a Giant advantage but where the racer are all pretty evenly
matched......by the end of a 12 race series it is often enough to make the difference!

Our track car count has been dropping like a rock in Sportsman the last
few years as competitors notice the top 5 in points looks like a 12.0 Index
Class every year.

We used to have 40 or 50 cars or more often at the dozen track points meets in Sportsman at one of the nicest track in the country.....Now a Dozen
low 12 Cars are often all that is there. It is not economically possible
to run a big expensive tracklike LVMS on that Amount of car count.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Just the thought of it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I must be getting old.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

First OR worst Long overdue, hope it gets adopted

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

A lot of racers with FAST cars and fatter wallets were squirming in their chairs upon hearing this news.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Just a thought, but rather than delay the red lights just don't show them on handicap starts. After both cars have finished the run, display the proper win light. This would promote full run racing, might be less confusing for the fans and better entertainment. The announcer can always explain that win/loss based on reaction time.

Re: TruSTART looks to level the playing field.
 

Good idea I like it -

I wonder since you are in favor of eliminating the "first" rule why not the "worst" rule - from the "first or worst"

You both lose - I am sure I will be told what is wrong with that.

I see nothing wrong - you both left early and you should both be out.

Go ahead - unload on that idea.

Means no competitor moves on - if it is a final round there is no winner - now it really gets complicated to go back to semis or "divi" up points and money.

So what - you red lit - you lose

I am entitled to my humble opinion