Is there a good site that explains the starting lights and all the other stuff involved, like qualifieing on the lights , when does the clock start when the light turns green or when you break the beam, or how many inches do you have between stage and turning off the top bulb and where do they measure your speed from and all the other things I should know. I was watching NHRA on tv and during qualifing if they turned on the red light it didn't matter.

 

the clock for your run starts when you roll out of the staging beam. The speedstart timing beam and cone it set up 60ft before the finish line. Normally when you see a red light in nhra it is when there is only one car. They do this to keep the computer automated bracket(point keeping also) system happy. It basically tells the computer that the other lane lost even though nobody is there. The other possibility with the redlight is when you go before the last yellow is turned off.

 

My local track has an explanation of Drag Racing and everything it entails

check out http://www.newenglanddragway.com

 

Try this link on nhra.com, as well.

http://www.nhra.com/basics/basics.html

Additionally, pre-stage and stage beams are 2 to 2.5 inches high (hence the rule on 3 inch minimum ground clearance, so you break the beam with your tire, not the front of the car). Approximately 7 inches between pre-stage and stage beams. All other interval and finish line beams are 5 to 7 inches off the ground.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old guy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try this link on nhra.com, as well.

http://www.nhra.com/basics/basics.html

Additionally, pre-stage and stage beams are 2 to 2.5 inches high (hence the rule on 3 inch minimum ground clearance, so you break the beam with your tire, not the front of the car). Approximately 7 inches between pre-stage and stage beams. All other interval and finish line beams are 5 to 7 inches off the ground.</TD></TR></TABLE>So in theory, the race car is actually running less than 1/4 mile if you are starting the run with the front wheels but ending it with the body (5 to 7" height of finish line light)

 

That's correct. I also double-checked my dimensions last night.

The pre-stage and stage beams are NOT adjusted to a set "height". Rather, they are adjusted to provide 11.5 to 12 inches of rollout using a 22-inch diameter tire. (22-inch is a standard dragster front tire size) This must be accomplished while keeping the beams under the 3 inch height requirement for cars. It is almost impossible to get the exact rollout in each lane at any particular track, due to crown in the pavement, etc. But every effort is made to keep them as equal as possible. So that's why some tracks seem to have "tight" lights, others are loose. To keep the lanes equal, a particular track may have to use less or more than standard rollout. While we're at it, the distance between the pre-stage and stage beams is 7 inches.

There you go H-T'ers. That's a lot of info that I'll bet even some Top Fuel guys don't know. Now, I want to see everyone's reaction times come down this year!


Modified by old guy at 5:26 PM 4/23/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by earl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So in theory, the race car is actually running less than 1/4 mile if you are starting the run with the front wheels but ending it with the body (5 to 7" height of finish line light)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Earl,
This is something I tried explaining to Mike, but he said I was crazy. You should have him read it.

Also Try...
staginglight.com

 

Mr Billy..How you doin'