No Blinders

[GTS340]

Is there an advantage using one? Been doing this for 50yrs watching a full tree and holding the rpm on a footbrake at the same time without a two-step. I can watch one bulb come on. What's the big deal? Of course I can't string .000 lights like the last few races last year either like some. I'm sure they'll be able to adapt if blinders were used.

Paul Haszlauer
79 C/SA

[Billy Nees]

When are we going to do something about the "data loggers can't be hooked to the ignition box" rule? Or how about the "no driveshaft sensors" rule?

[Frank Castros]

I searched the Rule Book and I couldn't find a Sandbagging statement, but I clearly remember seeing it in past issues.
Just a note, much of the current Rule Book was written by lawyers.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

I searched the Rule Book and I couldn't find a Sandbagging statement, but I clearly remember seeing it in past issues.
Just a note, much of the current Rule Book was written by lawyers.

Thanks Frank, after being interrogated by Mr. Gary I was questioning my sanity ….LOL. ….

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

When are we going to do something about the "data loggers can't be hooked to the ignition box" rule? Or how about the "no driveshaft sensors" rule?

Hey Billy, Here’s a good place to start….remove the 327 intake manifolds from the 283’s ……..

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Hey Billy, Here’s a good place to start….remove the 327 intake manifolds from the 283’s ……..

I'm OK with that too! But that's not a "written rule" problem, that's a Tech Dept. problem.
Maybe we could get stuff like this fixed if we could get the NHRA Techs to "take off their blinders".

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

When are we going to do something about the "data loggers can't be hooked to the ignition box" rule? Or how about the "no driveshaft sensors" rule?

One problem I foresee with trying to enforce this, is what are you going to do with all of the EFI guys that use their ECU to control their MSD ignition. Specifically, one of the more, relatively speaking, "dumb" MSD boxes such as a 6al, 7al-1,2,etc. I understand the things that can be done if someone were to be using a GRID, but these other boxes have no internal hardware of their own to do any sort of "witchcraft" during a run. It would be relatively straight forward to police datalogging with a racepak. If the sd card isn't in it, and no computer is plugged in to the COM port, no data is able to be recorded. EFI however stores data logs within the ECU, so that could be a tricky one.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

One problem I foresee with trying to enforce this, is what are you going to do with all of the EFI guys that use their ECU to control their MSD ignition. Specifically, one of the more, relatively speaking, "dumb" MSD boxes such as a 6al, 7al-1,2,etc. I understand the things that can be done if someone were to be using a GRID, but these other boxes have no internal hardware of their own to do any sort of "witchcraft" during a run. It would be relatively straight forward to police datalogging with a racepak. If the sd card isn't in it, and no computer is plugged in to the COM port, no data is able to be recorded. EFI however stores data logs within the ECU, so that could be a tricky one.

All well and good BUT, NHRA DOES differentiate and allow for cars using an OEM ECU.

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by GTS340

Is there an advantage using one? Been doing this for 50yrs watching a full tree and holding the rpm on a footbrake at the same time without a two-step. I can watch one bulb come on. What's the big deal? Of course I can't string .000 lights like the last few races last year either like some. I'm sure they'll be able to adapt if blinders were used.

Paul Haszlauer
79 C/SA

Re advantage, well yes, its great for me in the Gremlin when the guy in the other lane is running a Copo/Cobra Jet and blinding, and having to sit on the 2 step for 5 plus seconds, all hyped up and ready to go, not knowing when that #$#$# light was going to come one........advantage non-blinder

And of course at night, it gets even better, for the Copo/Cobra Jet......same problem, now theres a explosion of light going on behind that blinder, takes some mad focus skills to rip a 00 light under those circumstances......advantage non-blinder

heads up runs......blinder could help you be safer assuming you have the faster car....advantage blinder for fast car, no advantage if your the slower car, unless you need the safety net.

normal racing.....blinding can help you simplify the process, and just see light and react to light, helps add that additional delay(assuming your vehicle can react.....blinding with a T/SA gremlin would be challenging for most) Advantage blinding.......but if your late, your dead late.....

The sun visor of course can be used to legally block the tree, but its not going to be as consistent as a roll cage mounted blinder.......advantage non-blinder

I am of the opinion that it doesn't really matter. You have to consistently react to the flash, it would be truly brutal for many if they REQUIRED blinding/blocking!

Eric

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

All well and good BUT, NHRA DOES differentiate and allow for cars using an OEM ECU.

If it was 1999, I would definitely consider running the factory ECU in a 5.0 mustang or a 3rd and 4th gen firebird, but you pretty much need a time machine in order to get the software and a computer that will run the software. And those early handheld programmers have mostly faded away into the pages of history. The factory stock cars are a tough one too. I don't know about all of the years, but the Cobra Jet mustangs were using essentially a tuned up street mustang ECU. I believe the COPOs and Drag Packs use aftermarket ECUs from the factory, so that sort of makes the OEM ECU rule a moot point in a way for them.