Autostart - Manual Override

[RLR]

Jeff Foster ... please correct me if I'm wrong.

The starter can arm the autostart anytime before all 4 bulbs are lit. It can even be armed before either car prestages. If kept in the autostart mode, the tree will countdown when all 4 bulbs are lit, or when the system "times out."

Once it is armed, the starter can override the autostart by clicking the switch into the "off" position. The next time the switch is clicked into the "on" position the tree will start the countdown INSTANTLY with no delay.

This gives the starter the flexibility to start the race on his terms, rather than the system's.

So, for example: Right car prestages - Starter clicks switch to "on" & arms autostart - Left car shuts off before prestaging and won't refire - Starter gives Right car the signal that he'll now get a single run - Right car stages - if autostart is not overridden, the system will never start the countdown since only 2 bulbs are lit - starter clicks switch to "off" - when starter clicks the switch back to "on," the tree countdown begins instantly.

While I obviously don't know for sure, I believe Rick Stewart starts most of the Professional cars manually. I think this is true because the Pro tree seems to flash yellow the same instant he flings his arm in the air. Again, this is just my belief based on my observations. I have not seen the Anderson-Enders race yet, so I don't know for sure what went on in that circumstance ... and I don't anticipate Mr. Stewart telling any of us what happened.

Autostart is a great system, but the starter can manually override it for any reason whatsoever, but the example given above is the classic reason for overriding.

[iceman]

Hope this helps.

Typically we as starters "arm" the system once both cars are pre-staged. Once one car stages (three bulbs on) there is no stopping the system because auto-start has begun. I don't know about what NH does but our system is auto-start for pro's and sportsmen alike. We can and do override the system if one car breaks because there are two cars in the system. Also, if a car gets up on the "chip" and rolls the beams the starter can override then also.

[RLR]

Originally Posted by iceman

Hope this helps.

Typically we as starters "arm" the system once both cars are pre-staged. Once one car stages (three bulbs on) there is no stopping the system because auto-start has begun. I don't know about what NH does but our system is auto-start for pro's and sportsmen alike. We can and do override the system if one car breaks because there are two cars in the system. Also, if a car gets up on the "chip" and rolls the beams the starter can override then also.

Autostart is not like firing a bullet that cannot be recalled once the trigger is pulled. You CAN stop the autostart system at any moment before the countdown actually starts, even in that short time period between the 4th bulb lighting and the countdown beginning.

The point is that the starter has total control over when the race begins. He can allow autostart to run the show, or he can override it. Autostart protects the starter from being accused of manipulating the race results by being overly slow ("he burned my down") or quick ("he quick-tree'd me") on the tree. It makes the starters job easier and the races more fair.

[Bruce Fulper]

RJR
What are your credentials in order to make these statements?

[RLR]

Originally Posted by BowtieBomber

RJR
What are your credentials in order to make these statements?

Same as yours. Just been hangin' around a long time, paying attention and, after a while, I've learned stuff.

I hope that Jeff Foster from CompuLink will comment on this because if I'm wrong I want to know about it.

[Marc Kinton]

how do you disarm the system you run once autostart is activated? there ain't no kill switch on that system

[Bruce Fulper]

You don't.

[Jeff Foster]

You can arm AutoStart at any time the scoreboards are set for the next pair. But if anyone walks through or burnouts are done through the beams your all messed up.
The standard is to activate once you have 2 pre-stage lights that way everyone is set end the start line is clear and safe.
You can de-activate (turn off) or over ride at any time till the first amber fires.
To over ride in the situation as described 1 car cant make it to the line you leave it activated untill the good car gets staged then you turn off and imeditlly turn it back on as one motion of the switch.
If you just turn it off the tower must reset the pair before anything can happen.

Rick Stewarts arm movement is just that arm movement. He activates it at 2 pre-stage. If starter dose overide it is printed on the slip and tower log.
If he waits to 4 lights is says that on the prints.

In the GA situation Rick waited to till Greg was pre-staged acctually waited 2.5 extra seconds so GA had 9.5 seconds to stage.

GAs team had a missunderstanding on what to do. They have all the time in the world to pre-stage if some one light 2 bulbs before you stage. But you need to be ready when you pre-stage to go the rest of the way in asap, at 3 lights you have 7 seconds in Pros or 10 seconds in Sportsman.

[Bobby Brannon]

As stated last night on NHRA @ Bristrol.. In the "PRO's" once all bulbs pre-stage and stage lights are lit. With autostart on they have .08 to 1.2 seconds before the tree starts.
It took GA 9.5 seconds to stage. The PRO can turn both lites on if they choose to do so. Nothing in rule book but we as sportman racers can not per rule book.

Just what they said last nite at Bristrol

[Jeff Foster]

Its .80 seconds to .94 seconds from 4 lights to ambers