Post by Joetech on Jan 27, 2005 4:31:17 GMT -5
After reviewing the issue of AutoStart with all seven NHRA division directors along with concerns from a number of NHRA sportsman racers, there will be two starting line procedural changes for Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, as well as Division 2, 3, and 4 Top Sportsman; Division 3 Jeg's Super Quick; Division 4 Top Dragster and Sportsman Motorcycle; Division 5, 6, and 7 Top Comp. The two changes listed will be effective at the beginning of the NHRA Lucas Oil Racing Series national, divisional event series, Summit Racing Series and Finals, and Summit National Championships.
AutoStart
For 2005, the total timeout parameter will be adjusted to 10 seconds for all Sportsman categories, down from the 15 seconds the system had been set the previous years of the AutoStart system.
As a reminder, the Auto Start system is activated once three staging lights have been illuminated (i.e., one car fully staged and the second car pre-staged). When the computer senses this has been achieved, a timer will begin, giving the second driver (or the driver not in the stage beam) a set amount of time to light the stage bulb. If the driver does not stage within the set time, the Tree will activate and the driver will be disqualified for that run. As part of the system, courtesy staging is in effect for Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Both contestants must activate their pre-stage lights before either may advance into the stage beams (this is considered a courtesy rule and the starter has the option of backing out both drivers and re-staging to assure a proper start).
Index/dial-in acceptance
At all national and divisional events, the indexes and/or dial-ins of each competitor are displayed on the scoreboards and, at most tracks, on the dial-in board next to the burnout area, prior to each race. It is the contestant's responsibility to check both boards for accuracy.
Due to the automated countdown of the AutoStart system, once a contestant pre-stages his or her vehicle, it is assumed that the contestant accepts the index or dial-in as displayed and therefore is not entitled to a rerun resulting from incorrect times.
Both of these policy changes are effectively immediately for all 2005 national and divisional events.
AutoStart
For 2005, the total timeout parameter will be adjusted to 10 seconds for all Sportsman categories, down from the 15 seconds the system had been set the previous years of the AutoStart system.
As a reminder, the Auto Start system is activated once three staging lights have been illuminated (i.e., one car fully staged and the second car pre-staged). When the computer senses this has been achieved, a timer will begin, giving the second driver (or the driver not in the stage beam) a set amount of time to light the stage bulb. If the driver does not stage within the set time, the Tree will activate and the driver will be disqualified for that run. As part of the system, courtesy staging is in effect for Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. Both contestants must activate their pre-stage lights before either may advance into the stage beams (this is considered a courtesy rule and the starter has the option of backing out both drivers and re-staging to assure a proper start).
Index/dial-in acceptance
At all national and divisional events, the indexes and/or dial-ins of each competitor are displayed on the scoreboards and, at most tracks, on the dial-in board next to the burnout area, prior to each race. It is the contestant's responsibility to check both boards for accuracy.
Due to the automated countdown of the AutoStart system, once a contestant pre-stages his or her vehicle, it is assumed that the contestant accepts the index or dial-in as displayed and therefore is not entitled to a rerun resulting from incorrect times.
Both of these policy changes are effectively immediately for all 2005 national and divisional events.