While I don't agree with Tim that a 2step combination is "unbeatable", some of his points have merit.
He also has plenty of credibility, as a former NHRA National Sportsman champ, and #2 in IHRA Stock a few years after that with a couple of deep-staged cars, BTW. I will guarantee you that Tim would not have won nearly as many races with the Cavalier without deep staging. That topic is marginally tied in with this one, since the sanctioning bodies did away with one driving option but retained another.
I've raced with Tim numerous times, and he's not kidding. His car is about the deadliest thing I've ever seen. It's extrememly rare for that car to move a full number.
If he ever puts a driver in it...
LOL j/k
Tim, I think there were probably far more people that got deep-staging eliminated not because of someone flash racing, but because they don't understand Autostart, so they thought that they were getting screwed somehow. When a handful of idiots (on both sides) wanted to start playing games, it made it easy for NHRA to use it as an excuse to pull the plug. Had Compulink implemented the "D" system that has been discussed elsewhere, it would've been a moot point.
Also off-topic, but I'm really surprised that some people haven't acknowledged that track conditions change after the Pros run! That's pretty basic stuff, although different cars can react differently to it. Slow cars tend to slow, almost like running in bubble gum. Running an 11-sec car right after Pro Stock, you'd pick up several numbers. Then again, I don't envy the NHRA guys having to run on the track conditions I've seen on TV, or read about in Patsy's reports. I've never seen an IHRA track -- even "one of them there hard ta find" Divisional tracks -- get that bad. (and even more off-topic, why is it that when IHRA had Virginia Motorsports Park, Pro Mods and Pro Stockers could get down the track, and then when NHRA comes back to the place it becomes a skating rink again?)
Tim - I think you've singled out just one component as to why Stock is going the way it is. You're also seeing a lot more high-classed cars because they get to chase. The good drivers have figured out just how much of an advantage being fast is. I don't feel that 2steps are *as* much of a factor as you do, but they are an ingredient that makes it that much easier.
Before y'all get into the "if you think they're do good, get one" argument -- that's not what it's about. You could apply that argument to "Why SS needs delay boxes", and the same argument failed in the defense of deep staging. (although I feel that the elimination of deep staging had a bigger impact on the sport than either decision on 2-steps will)
>> It doesn't matter whether your footbraking or using a button in a slower car, the bottom yellow is the GO
The discussion isn't about when to leave, but rather adjustability and repeatedbility.
>> The biggest change made on a daily basis is starting line RPM
That's what Tim was talking about. It is a repeatable and measureable change.
>> IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TWO STEPS AND BUTTONS !
So, it wouldn't hurt if they were eliminated. :-)
Off-topic one last time... Eric Cabral is a bad dude with a stick!
I was on the receiving end at Epping a couple years ago!