Rd #3 Stock @ Atlanta

[Bryan Phillips]

If I remember correctly, it used to be that a driver could pre-stage, check the scoreboard and back out if there was an error with dial. That was changed quite a few years back that once you light the top bulb "you own it". I do my best to stop short of the beams, wait for the burnout smoke to clear (tailwind, right?) and the dials to pop up before I light the top (although I have to be honest there have been occasions when I didn't!). As much as I don't like the fact that if I correctly place my dial-in and someone in the tower makes a mistake with the input that I own it, however I do understand that it is my responsibility to check before pre-staging. What I would like clarity on is what happens if my dial gets entered over the index and I go on to "own it" and the other driver red lights, crosses the centerline, is light at the scales or does not pass fuel check. Who is the winner/wiener??? In my opinion, this is the only thing that needs clearing up. All else is clear, you pre-stage, you own it!

BTW-congrats to Cooter for his win in Atlanta. That's 2 consecutive years of azz kicking in ATL-he nearly doubled there last year. Know that the old man is proud! Deer stew and cold brew!

[Toby Lang]

I wonder why this hasn't been fixed yet. All it would take is one simple line of code:

if dialin > index then dialin = index

I guess it would probably cost 3K+ to implement like the worst red light deal.

Get it done Compulink!

[Jeff Stout]

I totally agree on having index being noticed on computer as being wrong if it is installed with a slower then class index. But some how the human error on correcting to proper dial in needs to be figured out.
It sounds like there is a warning that goes off in tower when something is wrong but human error is still in play to correct it. Drivers should never put their trust in someone else's hands when it comes to racing. I doubt anyone lets a stranger work on their car, check air pressure, add fuel. So why would you trust a stranger in putting a correct dial on the scoreboard? Answer: You don't, its drivers responsibility

Going forward and all the bells and whistles go off and computer states dial in is slower then index and self corrects it. Its still not correct.
1) So now what will be said when a car is -1.00 under index and tower reverts over dial to class index dial in and driver does not notice and stages car? Answer: Driver is responsible for dial in has now excepted it.

2) Is this going to be ok when dial is still wrong and driver excepts by staging car? Answer: Yes as its responsibility to check dial in before pre staging.

3) Or will the complaining still continue and rerun be demanded? Answer: Yes

Bottom line is driver is responsible for proper dial in before pre staging no matter what's on the board or when computer operator installs wrong dial even if dial in is 99.99 on score boards. Drivers need to take responsibility for your own demise.

[Jeff Stout]

Also, Toby stated that a addition to the system (dial in > index = index) would have self corrected Mr. Hills example of 2 cars in the same class and yet operator installs 1 car with slower then index dial in. Then this race would have been corrected and a heads up race would have been run properly.

[Randy E]

At the NMCA race at Atlanta in April, I was part of the first pair in round 1 of Stock Superstock. They had the correct dial in on the scoreboards, so we did a burnout. Went to prestage and the dial ins changed to index in my lane. They backed us up for several minutes to fix the problem. When it appeared to be fixed, they motioned us back up to stage. We didn't quite get staged and the dial in went back to index. They backed us up again. After what seemed like a long delay we were motioned back up. I did another burnout and pulled up to stage. Scoreboards changed again to index. Backup and wait. Finally they got the problem fixed and we finally got to run. Maybe they have computer problems that need fixing. Randy E

[Mike Carr]

I had brought this incident on my Facebook page yesterday. I had asked if the computer, software, etc. was in place to prevent an over-the-Index dial-in. Brian Lohnes, NHRA announcer, wrote the following:

"So here's the deal as I was standing about 2ft from the computer operator in the tower when this happened.

Yes, the computer alerts the operator with a beeping noise when things aren't "right"

The computer also uses that same beeping noise to alert the operator to set the next pair at the starting line.

The pair before Jim's run had some sort of a hangup or delay so Jim and his opponent were behind the starting line. The computer was beeping, telling the operator to set the next pair. It was likely ALSO beeping because of the 12 second dial in.

She set the pair and the beeping stopped.

I was not on the mic at the time but in the room. Ultimately I'm disappointed in myself that my brain did not trigger in time to stop it from happening.

So the answer is yes there are guards in place and yes there's human error at play here and yes, it should have been caught and stopped."

[Jeff Stout]

Seems like the beeping would continue as the dial over index was still in system. IDK

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Randy E

At the NMCA race at Atlanta in April, I was part of the first pair in round 1 of Stock Superstock. They had the correct dial in on the scoreboards, so we did a burnout. Went to prestage and the dial ins changed to index in my lane. They backed us up for several minutes to fix the problem. When it appeared to be fixed, they motioned us back up to stage. We didn't quite get staged and the dial in went back to index. They backed us up again. After what seemed like a long delay we were motioned back up. I did another burnout and pulled up to stage. Scoreboards changed again to index. Backup and wait. Finally they got the problem fixed and we finally got to run. Maybe they have computer problems that need fixing. Randy E

We've had issues several times, trying to run a S/SS race, using computers and operators that are set up for straight bracket, or ET racing.
This does not pertain to NHRA National Events, however.
This "over the index dial" situation should have been fixed by now...in my opinion.

[Chuck Beach]

Who writes all the rules and runs the show? Didn't Jimmy Defrank red light against Mike Cotton several years ago and they had a re-run because they claimed that Jimmy's car didn't move? So what's the difference? Malfunction or human error or who you know? This is 'sportsman racing' & fair is fair. The starter should have recognized the problem & should have had it corrected, isn't that part of his job?