I-card ??

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

I didn't, however, see an answer to my main question, which was ,"... tell me why NHRA doesn't just initiate a "live feed" of the on-site computer system that would (FOR A FEE) give us poor barstuds sitting at home, "live" access to the incremental times, reaction times, speeds and e.t.'s, etc.,. as they happen?"

You did say that NHRA and Comp-U-Link are indecisive as to who owns that data stream, but wouldn't it be in SOMEBODY'S best interest to litigate it and find out, so that whoever DOES own it, could sell it, as I have described?

What am I missing here?????

Bill

I wasn't trying to dodge your question. I didn't answer simply since I don't know the answer. I truly have no idea.

You've been around a long time and know that various things that shouldn't have been put into place DID get put into place, while lots of things that should have happened didn't. I'd say this is one of those cases.

As for the time being, as far as I know all it would take to get things going again would be for someone to step up and pay whatever the going rate is. I have no idea if someone could take over the rate the original company paid or if it would need to be re-negotiated.

At this point, whoever did that would be interested only in goodwill since it doesn't appear that any profit (or even a break-even) is possible.

As for the NHRA just doing it, remember this is 2009 and what's happening in the world. They've cut staff, which means especially at events that some people who were already overworked now have more work to do which used to be done by those let go. From the races I've worked, I didn't notice anyone who looked as if they had extra time in their day to handle any kind of additional responsibility.

As I see it, it's a question for the very top offices at Glendora. No one out there in the field has the ability to take on any more work, and only the very highest employees have the power to fund new programs. I'm positive that's what it would take.

Regrettably enough, I just don't see it happening.

[LNorton]

Not gonna k through this thread, but...

I-Card was up and running at Richmond Dragway. Heard that they use it with their weekly program! It's some great info to have in front of you!

[bill dedman]

Thanks, Dan.

I saw it as an opportunity for NHRA to enhance their bottom line by selling something they already have with a minimal-cost program, to people like me, who would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for it.

But, with all your observations, I agree; I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Thanks for your input!

Bill

[danlynch]

NHRA has a link on their main page (It has been there all year) that says "LIVE TIMING". Based upon that it looks like they are going to have live timing right on there site.

Whether this will be a free service is yet to be disclosed.

[bill dedman]

I THINK that may be an audio broadcast; not sure. I'll check it out.

Thanks for the info!

Bill

[Don Sofranko]

I would like to thank all the people who have made racing so entertaining. Over the last 15 years, its been a group of volunteers, and paid staff. Those guys at the original Compuserve, RIS group, were loads of fun! I was sad when Summit started the Fast News Network (only because it was the end of Compuserve), and would now like to thank them for the awesome support of the racing news. Summit has done much more than Jeg's and deserves the credit.

It strikes me as weird that NHRA has been the last to get with the online media, and developing ways to support the new media tools. Summit had to support the instant results! Who would have thought they would have supported divisionals, and all the other non national event programs. Great job all you Summit guys!

It would seem that NHRA will only take on profit centers that are no brainers, and require little work or risk. This I-card problem only shows how they have no real vision, or real leadership. But who hasn't known that the last 5 years? It sounds like they can't even justify the budget of the timing system. If they made their own timing system part of the business, then maybe the fight over I -card could end. Could there be a business argument to buy Compulink, sell timing equipment to race tracks around the world, and integrate the new media tools into it?

The I-Card looks like a great new idea, and NHRA should be the one to lead its development. If they were actually a good business.

But maybe its like the original Top Stock, and NHRA won't move on it until the money is raining from heaven? Its probably best they just get out of the way, and let the private people run the good websites like this one, invent the best new tools, and stay out of the way of the timing equipment people.

[bill dedman]

In a word... DITTO!!!


Wish I'd said that....


Bill

[Jason Oldfield]

Originally Posted by danlynch

NHRA has a link on their main page (It has been there all year) that says "LIVE TIMING". Based upon that it looks like they are going to have live timing right on there site.

Whether this will be a free service is yet to be disclosed.

My understanding was that this was going to be free to NHRA members, much like the audio broadcast is on race days (I believe it is free on the other days). In my opinion, it SHOULD be free as one of the benefits of being an NHRA member.

For those non-members, NHRA could sell something like the NASCAR track pass...I think it's $10 or so for the season to see live stats and audio. That said, I'm not sure there are many real drag racing fans that would subscribe to such a service that weren't already NHRA members.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

I've been watching this thread for a while, I don't have an I-card but I've been told it gives the owner all the run info from the event with a slight time delay...E.T's reaction times Ect. I guess my question would have to be what business is it of another racer to have MY E.T. slip to scrutinize? I've always seen guys running around asking their next opponents victim all the gory details of the run to try and get an idea of how to race the guy, I guess that's OK, but it seems strange to me to give all this info to racers who just happen to have an I-card. Maybe I'm old fashioned or just plain wrong here but my E.T. slip is mine, at least until it's released on "the net". Am I missing something here? Joe

[John Kelley]

Any tracks or organizations still using the I-Card system ???
I hate to see it sitting in the drawer......:-(