The Compulink AUTO START System once armed to :ON

[Cglrcng]

The when and why, according to my research the why...The 2008 Pro season saw a lot of Guessin starts at the tree, the system was a bit too reliable and some Pro's were watching the tree (a lot more than just pro drivers were), and it was just flat out too predictable and too easy to guess when those .4 tenths yellows would flash, Pro drivers in the top fuel ranks were leaving before the yellows even activated, and it was evident.

It wasn't even "NHRA" as a body that requested that something must be done. It was the NHRA Driver's Committee Input, and The masterminds at Compulink went to work coding after the 2008 season was over, and it Debuted in the first 3 National Events of the 2009 NHRA season. (And proved it's worth immediately as the first and second races of the season saw a few Red Lights from Top Fuel Guessers, and it surprised more than a few drivers, nobody was guessing by Gainsville, they were now leaving again on yellow).

It has evolved to a very fair, and reliable starting system.

Like I said earlier, as a returning driver, I love it, it is clean, it is reliable, and best of all it is fair in my opinion, no games, straight forward, a great evolution in the game.

You. Me, the starter for safety (but out of the game early, still in control of us), and the variable computer that is fair, we know what the fouls are in advance and best of all...We activate the tree by our actions. And most times it is seamless, until it isn't.

You, me, and the tree. Like a drag race should be, a fair start! (If we start playing guessing games, somebody is going home early). Best of all, our tyranny guys are replacing a lot fewer bands and clutches. What a side benefit!

[Cglrcng]

Everyone in the thread so far is correct according to the following article from 2009, explaining how it all came about.

It only puts the drivers in control for a limited (and reasonable period of time, the key word is reasonable), period of time to set their own fate, to limit games
being played, and take it from guess twork, to repeating reasonable actions by drivers. Get in, or go red.

The game has certainly evolved. Computers are wonderful. It has sharpened drivers into some amazing .000 trip zip machines, worthy of the machines loaded down with electronic devices, and those of us still foot braking it, that we drive.

Better yet, nobody really cares about the guy flipping the switch (no quick tree), of The old days gone by long ago. If you ever raced at an outlaw track of the 70's-80's you would know what I was talking about (back then who you knew, could be better than what you knew!)

[Mike Volkman]

So...I've had it happen and cant remember if it only happens on a solo run or not. I fully stage the car and the tree doesnt come down. Seems like eternity on the 2 step and several times backed completely out and other time tree came down when I left off throlttle. Was I staged before the starter activated the tree? Or is there something else going on? Can both cars stage without tree being activated?

[Cglrcng]

While I was not actively racing in 2008-2009 (I raced actively from 1975- early1997), then back again in 2023-).

I was actively watching that 2.5 decades, and remember when it went into effect and read, watched everything I could fully expected to return to the sport I love. Here is the article from 2009 explaining the changes.

https://competitionplus.com/featured...s-tree-routine

I made a mistake above, 3 different variations of the code are actually (Pro's, Pro Stock, and all the rest of us Sportsman), and each has minor reasonable slight timing differences, and all once the 3rd bulb actually activates the tree are slightly variable, to keep the guessing game to a minimum emulates human involvement (within reasonable tiny increments, without actually having a human involved beyond throwing the switch to arm the system to :ON!! Then no timers start till both pre-staged, then boom 1 driver will trigger it by lighting bulb 3. (Compter and last driver in hybrid control, but time is running to foul countdown), The Ghost of world famous Buster Couch RIP, is telling you get your butt in, stage already! Quit playing staging games.

[Cglrcng]

This all boils down to 3 easy to follow steps now (and has since NHRA season start 2009).

1.Track is checked and cleared, Starter gives go signal to drivers to pre-stage and throws Compulink Auto Start switch to armed:On!!

2. Drivers both pre-stage.

3. First driver to stage turns on bulb 3, and activates the "reasonable" last to stage countdown timer, and activates the tree. The computer Sure Start timing system takes full control. (Though the starter always maintains control of competitors (hand signal commands, voice, etc....plus has E-stop control to override the computer in case of emergency, breakage, etc).

Fairness is assured. It is a very simple system, faster, more efficient, more fair, dang near flawless. And it has been in place now almost 15 years...

So, what is the problem and why did this old dumb geezer even bring it up?

I love the system, I will eventually go to my grave, and I don't think the system will be replaced with anything better I can think of, not a single thing need ever be done to the Compulink Sure Start System.

But there is 1 flaw in my opinion. And it isn't a hypothetical issue, it is a real issue. And it can, and should be fixed. It needs to be fixed soon in my opinion, and it really isn't hard to do.

And it does not concern the Compulink Sure Start System, but NHRA itself (who never asked for it, the drivers did), and NHRA allowed it, tried it, liked it, and installed it, made it a permanent part of the game we play...they allowed the sport to evolve,, and evolve much fairer..

Then, for nearly 15 years failed to update the rules reflecting "Race Proceedures." In the NHRA Rulebook.

What in heck is this idiot talking about....?

[Bobby Fazio]

And then there's this lol!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/761688246114778

[Cglrcng]

Oh Bobby, you are killing me brother, I don't have Fakebook, ok where was that Final so I can find it please and watch it, as you have my curiosity up on overdrive. Ty