questions concerning christmas tree

[Ed Fernandez]

It still comes down to the fact that you are BRACKET RACING not CLASS RACING.Go and tell it to the guys in the bracket racing section.
Oh,and you don't get or need grade points to bracket race.

[Mark Yacavone]

"Do you want to know why a lot of us don't give a damn about this mole hill you are desperately trying to make into Mount Everest? I'll tell you why. Because there are a lot of real problems, that are very serious problems for a lot of racers."

Yes, Alan ,I agree, but this thread is about Christmas tree issues. Ones that affect a lot more racers than those in S/SS.

I suppose I could look at the first redlight thing from both sides.
I haven't sold the Mustang yet, so if I race it next year, I'll be leaving first about 99.9% of the time. Therefore ,I should want the rule changed because it might benefit ME.
But ,on the other hand I'm putting together a 62 Tempest A/FX tribute car to run in Sportsman (12.0 and slower) next year. I don't plan on ever leaving first with that one. So I could say "leave things alone...it's been working fine for 46 years, etc.
Not changing the rule would benefit ME with my bracket car.

Which way would benefit ME more? ... I really don't care about that at all . I would vote for what's best for the sport in the long run.
I would say that would be to change the software to a WORSE , rather than a FIRST redlight rule.

If someone could convince me otherwise...that this would not be a positive step for the sport as a whole, I'd like to hear it. I haven't heard anything so far.

[bill dedman]

Ed,
RE your comment: "It still comes down to the fact that you are BRACKET RACING not CLASS RACING.Go and tell it to the guys in the bracket racing section."

Show me the difference in the outcome in a Bracket race and a handicapped Stock/Super Stock race if I am the first car to leave, and I red light.

There IS NO DIFFERENCE!

In BOTH CASES, the first car to leave has been ruled the LOSER, without the other car ever having a chance to face the same red light jeopardy as I faced.

It's not an equitable situation in EITHER race; The first to leave is screwed, in both cases.

There is another BB on this site for people who actually run a class car with a permanent number. You can't post there, unless you have one. I can't post there, because my racing is just Bracket variety....

This site is for people like me; it's available to anyone who has pictures, stories, and ideas that they feel might be of interest, or for discussion. That's why this site exists.

I am certain that NHRA is oblivious to me, and has no interest at all in what I say here. My "blathering", as you call it, might be read by them at some point, but if it's really just "blathering," then they will have ZERO interest in it. My comments and ideas are directed at people who RACE (Bracket OR Class), who have the ability to think for themselves and who might be open to new ideas.

As I said, it took me a long time (weeks, actually) to be able to grasp the way this works, simple though it may be, because I was so "set in my ways" and steeped in tradition. I'm sure the poor guy explaining it to me ran out of patience, long before I finally "got it".... because it had always been the "other" way.

I would hope that if enough racers get wind of this method of running the red light program, which favors NOBODY, tthat THEY will pressure NHRA to change it, but that may take years, if EVER....

I'm not holding my breath...

[bill dedman]

Thanks, Mark, for a very well-put, and insightful post. I wish everybody could see it like you do; you truly grasp all the aspects of the situation.

Is your A/FX car a '63 421 clone? Is it a station wagon or a coupe???

Those cars were awesome. Too bad the transaxle wasn't up to the job.... I think it was made from 2 Corvair Powerglide cases, and had great ratios; and, if I remember correctly, was available with a clutch OR a converter!!! Ultimately, though, nearly all were replaced with a live rear axle and a B & M-type Hydro, I have read.

Can't wait to see your car. Is it on a website, anywhere?

Thanks for any information....