Cheating [2-step And Buttons]

[Fred Suiter]

Another perspective on the 2-step:

One of my life long dreams was to race in NHRA Stock class. When I started in 2002, I was already in my early 60's. I tried footbrake racing for about a year and soon discovered that my reflexes were slow and I was inconsistent. I was an easy target, 1 or 2 rounds and out. My son suggested I try a 2-step button on the shifter. This changed my racing career. I could be competetive, give you a good race, have fun and go 3 or 4 rounds. This helped me level the playing field.
Most of you are younger (50's or less) and had previous experience footbraking. I experienced, and maybe some of you will find later in life your physical and mental skills will slow down. As one racer put it, "the only electronics affecting the launch of the car is the wiring to your brain". My wiring seems OK but the transmission of the signal and the response (releasing the footbrake) has slowed. In my case, eliminating the 2-step probably would make me an easy target, take the fun out of racing for me and definitely not level the playing field.

[Jim Bailey]

I believe some racers are missing the point. The problem is not an RPM limiting aid know as the Two Step. The real problem is that that nearly every, if not all, cheating devices, currently available, are accurately activated by a hand released button. These delay boxes, event timers, etc. are cleverly hidden, with the same color wires and disguised as Two Step Modules, Retards, etc. It is impossible for NHRA, IHRA, or anybody to police this stuff. Therefore, you eliminate the the cause, you eliminate the effect.

Let's all say a quick prayer for John Force,his teams, and his family, they've been though just about enough this season.

[Kandra Villani]

Jim: Agreed, prayers needed for Force. I can totally see that the 2 steps have been abused, like most other items, however, I do NOT see the need for NHRA to pass along their inability to enforce rules by hurting true and honest racers that depend on the technology. Honestly, except for the mention of Muncy, which I believe occurred about 4+ years ago, I haven't seen them post any information about anyone else, so how am i supposed to believe that there is THAT much blatant cheating that they MUST do away with the technology????? I haven't seen anything. I haven't raced until recently after settling into motherhood, but I've been to races and kept up on current events. Where is the list of all the CAUGHT cheaters? Not the I "think" cheaters???

No offense to your post, and yes, I agree with WHY NHRA is doing it, but they are trying to treat it like using a nuclear bomb to kill one or two little rats.

Kandra Villani
5329 STK/SS

[jdfpam]

Jim and Ed,
I agree with you guys totally on this one, you know that. I had to take a lot of abuse at Milan this past weekend over this subject. Some was good natured and some was not at all. People need to realize that we are allowed to have different opinions. I mean relax people!
But, I can tell you this, they already have thought up of ways to get around it if they take away the hand button. Tech just needs to let it all stay, or let nothing-be footbrake only. Taking away hand buttons only will not solve this problem. Guys are just too creative, plain and simple. I can also tell you this, it is a very heated debate at the races.
It all comes down to one thing, whatever the rule is for next year, if people want to keep racing stock, then they are going to have to deal with it. Two steps and buttons ARE a driver's aid, not to mention that they are a great place to start cheating, and that is not even the subject here-I am not going there. That is a fact, anyone who disagree's with that is well-you know-never mind.
I am going to also have to agree with Bernie Cunningham about what he said about them being allowed and to go use them. I am really considering it for next year, if they stay. It won't be my choice or preference, more so just to prove a point and to be more competitive.
So, if they say we have to keep the drivers aids, so be it. If they say footbrake only, we'll have to deal with it. I couldn't believe how upset some people are over this in person. I think that everyone who has driven a car with a button knows that it helps their reaction time(once you get on to it), and they don't want to give that up. I can see why, I really do. They just need to admit that it is an advantage, and it is that way because of the ease adjustability, that IS an advantage when we only get two hits on an unfamiliar track. Traveling and time off work is too costly to make this fair. Hasn't the majority of stock racers come from footbrake roots anyway? It is like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget, right? So, if it comes back to that, get you feet ready and come show the world how good you really are. Who knows, they might be very surprised at the results.

Jeff Day

[Kandra Villani]

Ed: #1, yes, I was THERE when the racers caught Muncy. #2: Did I ever say I DON'T believe others are cheating?????? Nope, never said that, but NHRA is the one raising this issue SUPPOSEDLY based on the cheating, yet I have not seen ANYTHING that they are posting as proof. That is my point, you missed that, Huh?? It is NHRA's responsibility to catch them, I agree they might not be doing their job, but does that mean we punish ALL people that LOOK like criminals, because they MIGHT be?? ( like all the thugs in the NBA, but that's another story....)

#3: Stock Eliminator is an ENTRY level class. My Ex has ONE other car that has built that SPECIFIC combo, and has done well, and has ADMITTED to him that he threw LOTS of $$ at it. Nice of you to spend others $$. He doesn't, nor do I, have tens of thousands of dollars to throw at another car if we don't like the one we have. I'm glad you have that ability. He has had that car for years. It has sentimental value as well, so he thought he'd try. Stock Eliminator has gotten rather expensive to just "scrap" a car and go buy one. I have one that I've had for a number of years that I plan on building, but it's a car I already own, cheaper to build one, or it used to be, than to go buy one. You assume that everyone has unlimited funding, MOST don't.

I really don't understand why you always have to play devil's advocate to everyone, if I even had a CLUE as to who you are, I might understand, but I don't. I don't think your assessment is fair, there are MANY that don't use these forums ( or even have a computer) that are in the same position as Lane. I can think of 3 here in CO and so there must be more in other areas.


Kandra

[Kandra Villani]

BTW Ed, Lane was a Stock Eliminator racer LOOOOOOOOONG before he was a S/C or other driver. He is the best slow car driver I've ever seen. He took his skills from running a SLOW car and is also one of the best Super Pro drivers in this area as well. I didn't do to bad my first full season in SS either, finished 7th in D5, and even had one runner up, got MOST of my skills from slow car driving. He isn't one that came down from S/C to stock, he went the other way, so your post is incorrect in him wanting to drive his dragster like his stocker, he changes from one car to the other. Something most DON'T/CAN'T do.

Kandra

[tgriffith]

...

[Inquiring Mind]

"Put me down for $100 on Biondo not winning as many races in Stock next year if Two-steps are gone !
Have a nice day
__________________
Ed O'Brien 4191 STK "

You are sooo smart Ed it is amazing. You probably have the same bet for Dave Connelly next year....that he will not win as many races as this year.

[Earle Holt]

Everyone is talking like banning two-steps is some kind of silver bullet...going to "Keep Stock, Stock." It will last one event...as soon people go get their asses kicked by the same people that were kicking them before...then what? What are people going to blame then? NASA satellites? GPS units?

This is just the flavor of the week.

I've got an idea. How about practicing to get better?

[Mickey Whaley]

Originally Posted by Ed OBrien

Inquiring mind
Get a real name and $100 bucks and you can cover the bet . Nobody else has even the guy that made the offer . Have a nice day

Ed dont want to argue with you but i see your name on here alot, i just want to know what kind of stocker you have?