Leaving before Tree question

[BKSG1198]

Hopefully, someone can shed some light on this question since I want to make sure my Series is on the same page of rules as NHRA. At the first race of the season for the .90 series, a driver had the earned bye-run in the 2nd round, he put both bulbs on, put it on the wood but, had it in high heat so he rolled the beams before the tree was ever activated. To me and the track officials this was always considered a DQ because they got no time and left before the tree was activated. The past weekend at Epping I saw the same thing happen in first round of SG but, the driver just got NT on the sheet and was allowed to move onto Round 2 and actually won that next round. I’m not pointing fingers but, just trying to get clarification as to what the rule is Incase this happens again. I know it might be a rare occurrence but, trying to prevent a misjudgment or someone being DQed when they shouldn’t be.

[Tom Goldman]

Rob, Technically ,the racer is supposed to stage both lights and wait for the green.
However , I've seen what occurred with Larry's run at Eppping several times in the past .Most times it happens because the starter is late activating the tree on the single and the racer is on the converter longer than usual and just lets go.
Unfortunately, the starter has no way of knowing if the racer is just taking the green or going to make a pass.
In larrys case,he told me the air gap closed up on the clutch and drug him thru the lights.
It's happened to me in the past and I have been both tossed out and given the run . It's the starters discretion.
As far as our series goes , I see no reason why the racer cant just turn on the lights and back up.

[BKSG1198]

Thanks Tom,
Just trying to get clarification on the rule. You know well that the .90 series championships usually go down to the last race of the year and I hate to see someone lose a race because they got DQed a round and that was the deciding factor. I emailed Dave but, still haven’t got a response. Jun, DJ and myself all thought the rule was a DQ so that’s what we went with. I mean George admitted he messed up and had it in high gear but, maybe it should be asked in the lanes on a bye if they are taking the tree or running it out. I know when I can I ask the Racer what the plann of attack is.

See you tonight,
Rob

[Rich Biebel]

Been there and done that and was NOT DQ'ed and should not have been....Lucas Oil Series race and I won the race...I flinched on the semi bye.....Tree activated and I was way red.....NOT LBTA though....

Stage under your own power....redlight or LBTA or suppose your trans brake wire falls off and car goes thru......You're not DQ'ed and get the round win and an opportunity to fix it and move on....

Cant cross center line or outer boundary.....

I Don't think you should have DQ'ed the racer on that bye.....

[Jeff Stout]

If driver left before starter activated tree he is out. The track is considered unsafe until starter gives the ok by activating tree. Time slip will show driver left before activation.
If starter does activate tree and you go way red and get a ticket stating starter activated tree and you left after that but before green your ok for next round.

[Rich Biebel]

That makes sense Jeff but it should be clearly known by racers and officials if that's the case.....

If it is true than anyone who elects to make a bye run, runs the risk of being DQ'ed if they LBTA.......and I would stage and never go to WOT on a trans brake.....

It's always going to be up to the race director.....but should be clear....