TruSTART looks to level the playing field.

[Bruce Noland]

It seems this debate keeps popping up and yet, as we all know, nothing will change. But for the sake of argument let's understand what "some" of the slower car racers would like to see happen in a performance oriented sport. They want a handicap start and a clean tree and a ton more time to figure out how to race the stripe. The faster cars, on the other hand, offer the handicap start and do not have the luxury of leaving on a clean tree and they don't have nearly the same amount of time to drive the stripe. And now some of the slower car racers want an additional accommodation by asking for this red light protection. While all the pressure cranks-up on the faster car while it waits up to 5 or 6 seconds to chase down the slower car.

[bottombulb]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

It seems this debate keeps popping up and yet, as we all know, nothing will change. But for the sake of argument let's understand what "some" of the slower car racers would like to see happen in a performance oriented sport. They want a handicap start and a clean tree and a ton more time to figure out how to race the stripe. The faster cars, on the other hand, offer the handicap start and do not have the luxury of leaving on a clean tree and they don't have nearly the same amount of time to drive the stripe. And now some of the slower car racers want an additional accommodation by asking for this red light protection. While all the pressure cranks-up on the faster car while it waits up to 5 or 6 seconds to chase down the slower car.

So, you've never left first?

[Mark Yacavone]

I would assume , as the "Stockers" get faster and faster, a few guys with low 10 sec. cars might change their opinions on this subject.
After all , it's usually about what's good for ME, rather than the sport in general.

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by bottombulb

So, you've never left first?

Only for about 20 years - F,G,H,I,J,K,M,N. Raced two barrels, off and on, for several years. Actually my favorite classes but never wanted to change the red light rule.

[bill dedman]

Bruce Noland wrote:

"some of the slower car racers want an additional accommodation by asking for this red light protection."

Can you rell me what "additional... protection" is afforded by making the situation IDENTICAL (BOTH cars would have an equal chance to red light, now, with the new rule) because in making them equals, there is no "additional... protection." And, if it's truly a small issue, why are you vehemently posting lengthy arguments against it? Especially, if your contention that "We all know it isn't going to happen" is true. so, no worries... LOL!

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

Bruce Noland wrote:

"some of the slower car racers want an additional accommodation by asking for this red light protection."

Can you rell me what "additional... protection" is afforded by making the situation IDENTICAL (BOTH cars would have an equal chance to red light, now, with the new rule) because in making them equals, there is no "additional... protection." And, if it's truly a small issue, why are you vehemently posting lengthy arguments against it? Especially, if your contention that "We all know it isn't going to happen" is true. so, no worries... LOL!

Vehemently? The situation is not identical. Bill you are showing your keyboard knowledge again. There is nothing identical about giving a racer a clean tree in one lane and asking another racer to wait for 5 or 6 seconds to give pursuit. Now that's a real LOL.

[Peter Ash]

Edited out.

[bill dedman]

Well, I don't know what "keyboard knowledge" has to do with vocabulary, but that's not the question here; You seem to want to bring up factors like driving off a "clean tree" as an advantage for a first-to-leave car, and you're right; I think that IS an advantage. But, if you are going to include the myriad advantages/disadvantages of faster or, slower cars, it is only fair to mention that there are many reasons why a fast or slow car might be perceived as having an advantage, such as; it is common knowledge that weather conditions, such as wind and temperature, affect a slow car's e.t. a lot more than fast cars' times (making it harder to "dial",) and,driving the stripe is much easier for the car that's closing the gap, because he has a better view of the other car, the stripe and the closing-rate; the first car has to try to gauge the progress of the two cars by looking back over his shoulder at the oncoming car... It is said that the slower car watches the upcoming finish-line as a series of still photographs, while the closing car watches a movie... no gaps, and so on, and, so on.

In the final analysis, it is impossible to factor in all the many conditions and situations that might give one car, or another, the advantage, and a "clean tree" falls into that category, just like driving the stripe.

In actuality, it could be said that driving off a "clean tree" for the first-to-leave car is "equalized" by the greater difficulty of driving the stripe.

So, who knows; I just know that from an ethical standpoint, it would seem that having BOTH cars face equal "red light jeopardy" (which they don't now, if the first-to leave, Bulbs,) is more fair than the system we have, now. That's what TruStart would give us.

Just my 2-cents...

[Bruce Noland]

"Us" You are not a racer Bill. Don't forget that. All the other weather condition stuff is hooey. The rules as currently configured offer a little something for both sides of this issue but should not be rejigged to offer red light protection for the slow racers.

[Michael Beard]

The faster cars ( ... ) don't have nearly the same amount of time to drive the stripe.

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

All the other weather condition stuff is hooey.

LMAO!