Starting Line Beam vs Rest of the Track - Page 3

Casey Miles · 04-22-2010, 08:44 AM

https://www.autoimagery.com/store/cg...12&sortfiles=2

This is the as close as I can get to a picture that I can upload to this site. You have to look very close to the front of the car, the stripe takers look almost like shadows.

Casey Miles
248H

Bimbo Jones · 04-22-2010, 09:10 AM

I agree with Michael Beard on the 3" clearance though about down track beams. But I have had several long talks with a friend that used to install Compulink systems and he gave me all sort of reasons why they chose to locate the beam around 10 inches at all locations except the starting line. On some older tracks there is an issue with crowning and a low beam wouldn't clear the rise at 3 inches. Debris is more of a problem at lower levels. Here in Texas during the fall even crickets become an issue blocking the small beam on the lower starting line beams. I've worked a few ADRL events at our local track and replacing foam reflector cubes can turn into a real workout and your main concern is getting the reflector lined up as quick as possible for the next pare of cars. BTW, My first win in my 65 Chevelle wagon was on the first night I ever used a stripe taker. A couple of guys complained because they were used to seeing where we were to each other when we were at the prestage beams, and they knew their longer, lower nose would take the finish line before my tires would. So my flat black stripe taker fooled them for a week or two. Now most of the racers are used to them so its no big deal, but it is most critical in heads up and no breakout racing where et is everything just as roll out is on the starting line. I believe they are legal in all classes except Stock and Super Stock.

Mike Carr · 04-22-2010, 10:29 AM

Bobby, I think the reason the finish line light isn't that low (1") is because there had been issues in the past of Top Fool cars skipping over the finish line lights. I think it happened to Dick Lahaie at Denver 1989, and Don Garlits had it happen to him a few times in the past, based on his autobiography.

nopwradders · 04-22-2010, 07:02 PM

Hello, first I just want to say that , no, I dont run in Stock or SS. I am just a local bracket racer that just read all these responses. My question is this. Why worry about where the stripe is? Why do all this "dropping the nose", "putting a fender on someone", and just over all "sandbagging"? Dont most racers have cars that can run a consistant number or a consistant driver without having to worry about how the car in the other lane is running? Cant these racers put a number on their car and run it pass after pass? From what I have researched, this is why "package racing" is becoming so popular Best package wins. There is no nose dropping or fender racing. You have to know YOUR car, and your car only.

Can someone please explain why bracket racing has turned into a series of finding new "tricks" to beat the other car? I am not hating what you guys do. Just trying to understand.

LNorton · 04-22-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopwradders

Hello, first I just want to say that , no, I dont run in Stock or SS. I am just a local bracket racer that just read all these responses. My question is this. Why worry about where the stripe is? Why do all this "dropping the nose", "putting a fender on someone", and just over all "sandbagging"? Dont most racers have cars that can run a consistant number or a consistant driver without having to worry about how the car in the other lane is running? Cant these racers put a number on their car and run it pass after pass? From what I have researched, this is why "package racing" is becoming so popular Best package wins. There is no nose dropping or fender racing. You have to know YOUR car, and your car only.

Can someone please explain why bracket racing has turned into a series of finding new "tricks" to beat the other car? I am not hating what you guys do. Just trying to understand.

Because racing with one gameplan leaves you way too open for your opponents. Plus... There is really no fun in "package racing" IMO. The fun part is the chess game.

Bobby Fazio · 04-23-2010, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopwradders

Hello, first I just want to say that , no, I dont run in Stock or SS. I am just a local bracket racer that just read all these responses. My question is this. Why worry about where the stripe is? Why do all this "dropping the nose", "putting a fender on someone", and just over all "sandbagging"? Dont most racers have cars that can run a consistant number or a consistant driver without having to worry about how the car in the other lane is running? Cant these racers put a number on their car and run it pass after pass? From what I have researched, this is why "package racing" is becoming so popular Best package wins. There is no nose dropping or fender racing. You have to know YOUR car, and your car only.

Can someone please explain why bracket racing has turned into a series of finding new "tricks" to beat the other car? I am not hating what you guys do. Just trying to understand.

The guys who have won 35+ national events in the sportsman categories do not just put a number on their car and hope for the best package, believe me. Not only do they have lots of talent and know their cars very well, they do everything in their power to find a trick or strategy that increases their chances of winning.

04-22-2010, 08:44 AM	#21
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 699 Likes: 123 Liked 475 Times in 88 Posts	Re: Starting Line Beam vs Rest of the Track https://www.autoimagery.com/store/cg...12&sortfiles=2 This is the as close as I can get to a picture that I can upload to this site. You have to look very close to the front of the car, the stripe takers look almost like shadows. Casey Miles 248H

04-22-2010, 09:10 AM	#22
Bimbo Jones Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Starting Line Beam vs Rest of the Track I agree with Michael Beard on the 3" clearance though about down track beams. But I have had several long talks with a friend that used to install Compulink systems and he gave me all sort of reasons why they chose to locate the beam around 10 inches at all locations except the starting line. On some older tracks there is an issue with crowning and a low beam wouldn't clear the rise at 3 inches. Debris is more of a problem at lower levels. Here in Texas during the fall even crickets become an issue blocking the small beam on the lower starting line beams. I've worked a few ADRL events at our local track and replacing foam reflector cubes can turn into a real workout and your main concern is getting the reflector lined up as quick as possible for the next pare of cars. BTW, My first win in my 65 Chevelle wagon was on the first night I ever used a stripe taker. A couple of guys complained because they were used to seeing where we were to each other when we were at the prestage beams, and they knew their longer, lower nose would take the finish line before my tires would. So my flat black stripe taker fooled them for a week or two. Now most of the racers are used to them so its no big deal, but it is most critical in heads up and no breakout racing where et is everything just as roll out is on the starting line. I believe they are legal in all classes except Stock and Super Stock.

04-22-2010, 10:29 AM	#23
Mike Carr VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Enon Valley PA Posts: 1,650 Likes: 234 Liked 83 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Starting Line Beam vs Rest of the Track Bobby, I think the reason the finish line light isn't that low (1") is because there had been issues in the past of Top Fool cars skipping over the finish line lights. I think it happened to Dick Lahaie at Denver 1989, and Don Garlits had it happen to him a few times in the past, based on his autobiography. __________________ Mike Carr, Tri-State S/SS Association President Looking for 2015 S/SS Race Sponsors Contact me if interested buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com (724) 510-5912

04-22-2010, 07:02 PM	#24
nopwradders Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 22 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Starting Line Beam vs Rest of the Track Hello, first I just want to say that , no, I dont run in Stock or SS. I am just a local bracket racer that just read all these responses. My question is this. Why worry about where the stripe is? Why do all this "dropping the nose", "putting a fender on someone", and just over all "sandbagging"? Dont most racers have cars that can run a consistant number or a consistant driver without having to worry about how the car in the other lane is running? Cant these racers put a number on their car and run it pass after pass? From what I have researched, this is why "package racing" is becoming so popular Best package wins. There is no nose dropping or fender racing. You have to know YOUR car, and your car only. Can someone please explain why bracket racing has turned into a series of finding new "tricks" to beat the other car? I am not hating what you guys do. Just trying to understand.