worst red light debate, again!

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Henry S

I do not usually comment, but I have been reading all 44 pages of this thread and I have some questions.
1. What is the purpose of a red light?
2. Why are there pre stage and stage bulbs?
3. Why were blinders implemented on the tree?
4. Why does Top Fuel, Funny Car, ProStock, ProStock Motorcycle,Pro Mod, TAD, TAFC, S/C,S/G,S/ST, and heads-up runs in Super Stock and Stock all have the worst red light rule in effect but not the Handicap tree?
Were all these for fairness? Please help me to understand.
thanks

Thanks for participating in this discussion, Henry
I look forward to hearing from new people here.

I'll answer with MY opinion ,only that.

1, Obvious ..Not sure what you're looking for here

2, I'm pretty sure there was only a stage bulb on some of the early Xmas tree
The pre-stage was added as a warning signal only, so as to allow racers to know they were close to staging.
(It's purpose has since been corrupted by NHRA,IHRA to be used as a means to disqualify someone ...See Deep Staging, S/SS rulebook)

3, Blinders and cones were added to help ALL racers to see their own lights better, particularly in night racing situations.

4 a, Because that's the way it's always been...since 1963
b, Not necessarily. There was no way to fix this situation until reaction timers became standard at National meets. In retrospect , NHRA could have changed the handicap red light situation from first to worst at that time. Racers would have gotten over it quickly, seeing that it doesn't happen all that often any way (double minus R/T)
Some of us didn't care for the three amber tree either. We just woke up one morning and there it was.. standard equipment.
I wouldn't expect to see a change any time soon due to input from this forum.
With the proliferation of 9 and 10 second cars lately, it has become largely an agenda driven discussion here.