Drag Race Central closing???

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I don't really look for results from the other organizations but seriously why can't the NHRA website offer timely, almost live, NHRA national and divisional results to anybody with a membership? Why are DRC/Summit "responsible" for posting results and scolded when they don't post them 5 minutes after the runs are made?

NHRA would have to have someone at every track to to take care of handling the data. At some tracks, results for divisional races have to be input manually -- either by typing as it happens by reading the announcer's screen or entering the results from the run logs after each round. In addition, before the first qualifying sessions are reported, someone has to compare the tech cards to the information on the computer to make sure that the driver has not changed cars or changed classes. Then, the results have to be sent to the website.

Since DRC already had someone doing just that at every divisional race, it made more sense for NHRA to use DRC's reports than duplicate the effort. There is no magical way for the results to just appear on NHRA's website.

Jim

[LethalRat]

Drag Race Central is definitely our lifeline for drag racing results. Hope it keeps going for many more years.

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

NHRA would have to have someone at every track to to take care of handling the data. At some tracks, results for divisional races have to be input manually -- either by typing as it happens by reading the announcer's screen or entering the results from the run logs after each round. In addition, before the first qualifying sessions are reported, someone has to compare the tech cards to the information on the computer to make sure that the driver has not changed cars or changed classes. Then, the results have to be sent to the website.

Since DRC already had someone doing just that at every divisional race, it made more sense for NHRA to use DRC's reports than duplicate the effort. There is no magical way for the results to just appear on NHRA's website.

Jim

I would think that NHRA would have someone doing that as well, afterall, it's their race.

[RacingRicki]

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

NHRA would have to have someone at every track to to take care of handling the data. At some tracks, results for divisional races have to be input manually -- either by typing as it happens by reading the announcer's screen or entering the results from the run logs after each round. In addition, before the first qualifying sessions are reported, someone has to compare the tech cards to the information on the computer to make sure that the driver has not changed cars or changed classes. Then, the results have to be sent to the website.

Since DRC already had someone doing just that at every divisional race, it made more sense for NHRA to use DRC's reports than duplicate the effort. There is no magical way for the results to just appear on NHRA's website.

Jim

I find it sad that it is such a manual process in the information age that we live in. In this day with so much technology and a computerized timing system, why would someone need to be at the track entering in all the information from the logs. Perhaps some tracks don't have CompuLink but those that do should be able to provide an export of the qualifying and eliminations files at the very least.

There is a magical way to get instant data. It's called Live Timing. Yes it costs a lot but that's because NHRA is probably getting a cut.

Question: Do we sign our right to our data away when we enter a race. Why do I have to pay extra to get my data in electronic form (i.e. live timing). The data wouldn't even exist if we don't show up. Also, did I sign away my right to restrict who sees my run data and who can make money off of it. I am getting tired of others making money off of my information whether it be search engines, social media outlets or what have you.

BTW, thanks to Summit for providing the data all these years with relatively no cost to me.

[Greg Barsamian]

DRC not going anywhere.....
http://bangshift.com/blog/great-news...-not-dead.html

Posted by Brian Lohnes

Rumors of Drag Race Central’s demise were apparently greatly exaggerated, which is great news for fans of straight line action all over the world. We have received confirmation from DRC’s Rick Green that there will be live, round by round reporting from all NHRA national events in 2014 and the group is looking for sponsors to get involved with their coverage of divisional racing all over the country. Yes, there is some bad news here in the fact that it does not appear that the newly altered and revitalized IHRA program is not currently on the docket for coverage and that the guys are still trying to get backing for their coverage of divisional events, but we’re positive guys here and the fact that the crew will be at national events from sea-to-sea in 2014 is awesome.

As we told you the other day, the rumors were swirling that DRC was not going to be covering anything in 2014 and we were lamenting the fact that the site was not going to be providing the invaluable service of keeping the world up to date (nearly to the minute) of the results at races across the country. Green was on vacation and he got back to us the other day, altering the BS staff that the rumors we had heard were exaggerated. We were buoyed by the response around the interwebs after we dropped the (not so) bad news last week. Drag racing message boards lit up with pleas and well wishes for the DRC operation. It was a shot heard ’round the drag racing globe, literally. Lots of guys in Europe emailed to tell us that DRC served as their lifeline to keeping up with NHRA action.

As an announcer, I was bummed because the site rules to check in on and keep racing fans abreast of what’s happening when they are at tracks participating in other races. Thankfully we’ll continue to deliver spoiler alerts to eagle eared drag fans while calling other races after the NHRA season kicks up. We’re holding out hope that Green and his guys can rustle up the dough to continue their tireless coverage of the divisional series races as well because sportsman competitors thrive on that information.

Bottom line? Drag Racing Central ain’t dead and you’ll be able to “tune in” to their coverage through 2014 starting at the NHRA Winternationals in a couple weeks!

[Jim Wahl]

I have a better idea. How about we fire Tom Compton and put his astronomical salary towards efficient and timely race reporting? Hell, his beer tab alone would pay for the yearly upkeep of DRC! Jim


.

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by RacingRicki

I find it sad that it is such a manual process in the information age that we live in. In this day with so much technology and a computerized timing system, why would someone need to be at the track entering in all the information from the logs. Perhaps some tracks don't have CompuLink but those that do should be able to provide an export of the qualifying and eliminations files at the very least.

There is a magical way to get instant data. It's called Live Timing. Yes it costs a lot but that's because NHRA is probably getting a cut.

Question: Do we sign our right to our data away when we enter a race. Why do I have to pay extra to get my data in electronic form (i.e. live timing). The data wouldn't even exist if we don't show up. Also, did I sign away my right to restrict who sees my run data and who can make money off of it. I am getting tired of others making money off of my information whether it be search engines, social media outlets or what have you.

BTW, thanks to Summit for providing the data all these years with relatively no cost to me.

Live Timing has nothing to do with NHRA or the CompuLink timing system. It is a completely separate deal.

[Myron Piatek]

The "live broadcast" is great to see what's going on, probably the next best thing to being there. Can be good for sponsors on the car as well. But DRC has had unbeatable, timely reference material during the actual race as well as being able to look back to see who, what, when, where, etc. It would be nice to have both for both sanctions.

[Larry Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Chris Williams

Live Timing has nothing to do with NHRA or the CompuLink timing system. It is a completely separate deal.

Not quite. There are at least two "live timing" sources out there - 1320go and NHRA's Live Timing. NHRA's Live Timing comes from the CompuLink timing system data feed, the same feed that goes to the TV production truck at national events. 1320go also uses that same data feed at CompuLink tracks. In addition, 1320go taps into the timeslip printer feed at non-CompuLink tracks. The data available in that latter case is limited to whatever appears on the track's timeslips.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Larry,

How difficult is it to show the actual qualifiing session results rather than the "Official" list? Don't need all the text like for the Pro cars but it is interesting to see a car ran .001 slower for two sessions or .3 slower when the official postion time remains the same.

Thanks