Slowing down reaction time

[jmoneyfoot]

I'm looking for some insight on different ways to slow my cars reaction time. I'm always red leaving off the bottom bulb. It's a H/SA 77 nova. Maybe there's something I can do as a driver? Any suggestions would be great.

[jmcarter]

Avoid caffeine, lower front air pressure for more rollout, lower stall, depending on your car setup adjust front travel, there are some smaller changes possible but those are the easiest to adjust. If you’re possibly anticipating the bulb you might try blocking but that can be a two edged sword when it gets dark.

[Myron Piatek]

Taller front tires, a little stiffer carb return springs and make sure your routine is staging the car as shallow as possible.

Launch at a lower rpm - maybe that's what Jim meant by lower stall.

Are you at least consistent with your redlights? I always footbraked, but a practice tree helped my consistency even though I practiced with its button. Mechanical changes to the car will be more consistent than trying to do it physically.

[jmoneyfoot]

I find myself guessing when to leave Somewhere between the bottom yellow and green. I get lucky once in a while but I'm never consistent. If I leave on the bottom yellow it's 30-50 red depending on track.

[Henrys Toy]

Originally Posted by jmoneyfoot

I find myself guessing when to leave Somewhere between the bottom yellow and green. I get lucky once in a while but I'm never consistent. If I leave on the bottom yellow it's 30-50 red depending on track.

Good morning to all,
This is a little advanced and requires a good working relationship with a "Good Front End Specialist" but you can stagger the left front and right front spindles about an inch (1") and that can slow up your reaction times a couple of hundreds. But remember that the alignment MUST be checked and corrected before taking the car to the track again to test your change.
Maybe try a looser setting on the front shocks allowing more front suspension travel, also remember that how the rear axel moves and hooks the car will come into play here too. Pitch rotation of the body on the suspension , if increased will allow the car to move on the suspension before moving the tires.
Just a couple of thoughts, I usually have to go the "Other Way" and tighten the car up - advanced age and lack of practice.
Good luck with your changes.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

[Larry Hill]

Best way I have slowed my reaction time is getting old.

[Eman]

Originally Posted by jmoneyfoot

I find myself guessing when to leave Somewhere between the bottom yellow and green. I get lucky once in a while but I'm never consistent. If I leave on the bottom yellow it's 30-50 red depending on track.

Are you saying you are .030 to .050 red consistently? That's a bunch a lotta red! Are you following the tree down? I go red like that when my mind follows the bulbs down and I anticipate instead of reacting to the last yellow.

[tscheerer]

Originally Posted by jmoneyfoot

I find myself guessing when to leave Somewhere between the bottom yellow and green. I get lucky once in a while but I'm never consistent. If I leave on the bottom yellow it's 30-50 red depending on track.

If you haven't tried a blinder to force reacting to the bottom bulb, might give that a shot. Another method that has worked for me in a similar situation is to have a word that you say to yourself when you see the bottom bulb, and go after the word. Make the word shorter or longer as needed. It sounds silly, but I've won Pro (full tree) bracket races doing it.

Have fun!

[DCox]

What size front tire are you running ?