Bracket Racing TEXAS Style
Hey There Guys and Gals,
Just wanted to remind everyone of some rules that need to be enforced and need the help from all drivers to assist in making this happen.
**1. All vehicles shall have some light shining from the rear of the vehicle. This rule will be strickly enforced from here on out, one warning will be given. (so i can sees you guys at the end of the track)
2. Faceshields on motorcycle and open cockpits of vehicles. IHRA states that All helmets must be equiped with either a full faceshield or driver must wear goggles.
**3. Parents to Jr. Dragsters, Once your little racer pre stages, you are not allowed to touch the car or the driver and must stand 10' behind the vehicle. If the Jr. deepstages, The starter is the only person that can pull back the Jr. and only once can this be done, but must be permitted by the parent of crew chief of that driver. (I will be painting a yellow strip for this rule)
****4. Starter has the authority to pull a racer's vehicle out of any type of stage, if the starter feels there is a vehicle issue, i.e leaking liquid, loose or missing safety devices on vehicle, or for any situation deemed a safety issue for the driver, vehicle or track. (had issue on this one Friday Night during test and tune).
***5. Courtecy staging is Mandatory per IHRA. If a racer fully stages before you pre stage, IF you pre stage, IHRA states that you are accepting his full stage and must fully stage. The starter will activate the timer once both racers have prestage regardless if one vehicle has fully staged. IF YOU DO NOT want to accept the other driver's full stage, DO NOT pre-stage, The Starter will look at the driver not staged getting an indication that he does not accept the full stage, in return the Starter will back the fully staged vehicle out of the full stage so both vehicles can stage again, if the Driver of the vehicle fully stages a second time before other vehicle pre-stages, the Starter will call tower for a DQ for that racer fully staging. (had that issue last Bracket Race).
If there is any challenge by a driver for any incident by the Starter, go to the tower, DO NOT go up to the starter.
SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE THERE FOR YOUR PROTECTION AND WILL BE ENFORCED. Please read you IHRA Rule books.
Thanks and hope to see everyone on March 28
Tim
Tim,
Ease up. The people that read this page already know the rules. Now when do you think the score board will be fixed so people in the right lane can verify their dial in is correct before they stage? It's a rule you know.
In IHRA, Courtesy staging is mandantory in Sportsman Classes.If a car fully stages(double bulbs)it is the starters job to stop the other car that hasnt pre-staged and back the fully staged car out and issue a warning of the staging infraction.There's no looking at the other driver to get his approval of the double bulb.The starter has control of the line,control it.
Tommy Freeman
IHRA Div 2/4 Starter
I have seen a lot of racers who either don't know or don't put these rules into practice. Especially the staging issue, I have had that happen quite a few times. Not just there at Angleton, it happens all over the place.
It may not be those who read this board, but it might not hurt to get the word out there. The new bracket racers (and other racers) don't always know all the track and/or IHRA rules, or the staging and racing procedures. I have people ask me things all the time in the staging lanes.
How about a simple drivers meeting at next bracket race, to make sure everyone knows what courtesy staging is?
Tim,
Thanks for posting this info, as a long time Bracket Racer, I am personally aware of these rules and most are, but it is good practice to remind those that know, and inform those that don't. Courtecy staging should go for time trials also.
What you don't read in the rule book is also important. When we are running time trials, it would be nice that a staging lane would always set you to the same track lane. If ya'll are running 4 lanes, it would be lane 1 & 3 for the Right, and 2 & 4 for the left. If you just want to run 3 stage lanes, then 1 for the right and 3 for the left, and 2 could go where ever the driver wants, and the person pulling the cars forward would pull his or her apponent from the correct lane.
It would make things a lot better for us, knowing when we get in the staging lanes, don't want only two time trials and both in the same lane.
Thanks
Murphy
courtesy staging has never really been enforced well, and it's about time. An ocassional drivers meeting would help clear this up for the new racers. maybe pass out a rules and regulations flyer at the tech line to newbies.
and if I may add a suggestion, the staging lanes would run smoother if you would have designated lanes as Murhphy said,,R- lane L-lane , and maybe pull five pairs out of two lanes, and go to the next two lanes and do the same, then all drivers have no excuse not to be ready and suited up. They have been doing this at other track for 40 years and it works well.
Tim, thanks for showing interest and posting here..
Jack
Hey Mike, A funny thing happened Friday Night, Ricky Bell went all out in his car ran a 5.38 and as he passed the scorebord in the right lane, it began work and worked the rest of the night, however on the down side to that, Ricky lost his torque converter in the process, but at least for now the score board is working.
LOL, you said ease up, I know you guys know the rules, however, most on here not included, there are still drivers not turning on lights to the rear of the vehicle.
I mentioned the courtesy staging because there was an issue with a time trails where one fully staged and the other pre-staged, i tripped the timer and then the driver did not fully stage and got a red light, he rolled his window down and started complaining to me, I told him once he prestaged as quick as he did, i started the timer, and once i start the timer, i can not stop it.
I will do better on my part as a starter and be more apt to catch that,
Thanks
Tim
Tim,
Thanks for the communication. I, like some, would also like to see 4 staging lanes open for time trials. 1 & 3 for right and 2 & 4 for left alternating 5 pairs at a time. This would leave lane 5 for Jrs. I understand the guy in the lanes is new and this is only a suggestion to make things run smoother not a complaint. I would also like to see the time trials be more like eliminations including staging. I will say I have never seen a starter back out someone for CS'ing unless the other driver said so. The practice I've seen is where if the unstaged car prestages they accept the other car fully staging.
I don't have a problem with it because it gives the control to the racer. Glad to hear the board is working hope that grimlin doesn't jump on my car I've already got problems.
Chris
Tim, As long as you are talking about time trials,94vm what would be the harm in calling the time trials by class?
"Tim, As long as you are talking about time trials,94vm what would be the harm in calling the time trials by class?"
Amen to that! Sux to have the kids or even big cars belted up and ready and have to sit there for 10-15 minutes while cars that came into the lanes after you get to run. Most all other tracks call cars up by class for time trials and it works really well. Keeps the "hotlappers" from getting in 4-5 time trials and others only 1 or 2. Two time trials per class and then "lets get it on". Also, the 10' mark being painted would really help, or put up some cones. Parents are allowed to be past the line (to help stage) but are not allowed to touch the car after the 10' mark. And you are exactly right that only the starter can pull the car back after a deep stage. The rule book actually says that the driver is supposed to wave hi/her hands to signal the starter to pull them back. I really don't understand this rule, if you have your driver strapped in correctly their arms/hands should not be able to move above/outside the drivers compartment. Makes it really hard for the starter to see them unless he moves up and looks into the drivers compartment. Hence the strange look I gave you when you turned to me after Brynlee went in deep the other night.
Thanks for all your efforts Tim and all the other track staff that come out to work and let us have fun. I realize that there are alot of new faces out there this year, ya'll will find your groove soon.
Shane
Shane,the 10ft rule was changed in IHRA Jr's in 2008.Crewmembers touching the vehicle once it is prestaged will be disqualified.In '08 at D4 events and Team Finals I wasnt using cones.Also at D4 events,Jr Nationals and Team finals if the autostart is activated and either car rolls deeps,the competitior accepts the deep staging and WILL NOT be pulled backed.I see alot of kids start waving their hands expecting to be pulled back.It will not happen.Teach your driver to proceed like normal.For info on this,page 84, 2009 IHRA Rule Book.I've worked many Jr Nationals,Divisionals and Team Finals in D4 and D2 thru the years and from time to time a Junior will go deep by mistake and the parents goes on a rampage on why I didn't pull them back.I have this section highlighted in my book for quick reference.
Angelton does not use Auto Start for Juniors, but Tommy you are right on that rule, just like in Bracket Racing, sometimes drivers pull up to the tree so fast and either full stage on one side and prestage on the other, once both drivers have prestaged, i activate the timer and once the timer is started it cannont be stopped.
Tim
Gotcha Tim.I didnt know you werent using autostart for juniors.Kids that get used to not racing without the autostart system and then go to a race where it is used are thrown for a loop sometimes when they get hit with it sometimes,like the accidental deep stage.Good Luck this season.I check in on here alot,see what's going on.Ever need anything,got a question,give me a shout.Always willing to help.Going to try and come down for a race,help you out one weekend in the near future.
Tommy Freeman
IHRA Div 2/4 Starter
"not" wasnt suppose to be in the 3rd sentence,my mistake-
I stand corrected. I guess with the rumors of the helmet bar ruling lingering I did not even look at the section on staging.
Shane
You guys might want to make sure the timing system is actually working and giving out correct times this race. Last time it was majorily screwed up.
Justin, I am not sure I am following you on the times, but if there is an issue anytime, please do not hesitate to go to the tower and let them know. If any of the drivers ever have an issue or descrepency with your time slips, it would be to everyone's bennefit to let us know at the tower so we can get that corrected.
Thanks
Tim
So Tommy what about courtesy staging? What do you do if one full stages before the other stages? Do you automatically DQ the offender or give them one pull back and do you do this automatically or at the request of the car not prestaged?
Chris
As far as the staging rule # 5 I have no problem with a car going in a little fast and lighting both lamps , however the autostart should not be activated when that happens until the second car prestages . Common sense would dictate the starter gives at least a 5 count and then start auto start to give the second car a chance to pre stage or go ahead and start autostart to keep the 2nd car from burning out the first car . Every time I see the double bulb by a driver it looks like a mistake of distance judgement and has to be a dis advantage or some kinda weird arrogance game . I trust the starters so far at all the tracks either I or Eric have driven at thru all our racing days . If somebody plays games we just play back so pull the trigger when it feels good Tim ! Great to be racing again with everybody . HAMMER
in jrs, courtesy staging is mandantory.if one car goes in and doubles up before the other car pre stages i will pull them back out,imform them to courtesy stage properly and to wait for the other driver to pre-stage.i count it as their one pull back they are allowed and i will inform the parent of such.
Dart360,on big cars in staging,i dont have a problem.one lites em both up before the other pre-stages I'm stopping the the action,backing the double bulbler out and we're having a conversation.I can go thru a 3 day event and not have a car double bulb.Once they get used to how it's going to be you usually don't have a problem and if I do have it happen it's usually an accident and the guy/gal will back out real quick on their own.Usually when I run into one that does it and they sit on it at the line they are used to doing at their home track.I've actually had to explain what the term "courtesy staging" meant to a few driver from time time at tracks here in Tx,and at tracks in Ok.La and Al.And believe me,I've even held some in pre-stage till the other car roll'd in and motioned them into stage and then had an offical at the end of the track to finish explaining what it meant so the understood it before they came back to the line.They had never used it.
As far as auto start goes, If a car fully stages and the other driver prestages I activate the timer, the car still has 15 seconds to fully stage, I dont dq the car for fully staging, the first time. The track has a rule that you the drivers have set on courtersy staging. There will be a short meeting to discuss what you the drivers want for bracket racing as track rules.
Tim
That is easy for me. Make it just like the bracket finals so the rules are consistant for us between the home track and the finals. Tommy is correct about most people who go full stage before the other pre-stages in that they back out real quick. I know I did it once, only once. After that look you get you don't want to do it twice. Just kidding Tommy every bracket finals I have been at the starter always did a great job and at times made me laugh. Remember the burndown at the finals in Pine Valley in 2008, I believe you were the starter who just sat down on the line.
Chris
I remember all the burndowns and usually know when they are coming.Get a couple of heavy hitter's that like to stage last paired up in late rounds and it can get interesting sometimes.
You never know when there comming !!! But they can get funny......uuuuhhh....I've heard!!!
I mean I dont remember any !!!!!
Yea,Yea, I think we remember that burndown that you can"t seem to remember........I think it involved a black nova.
Jack
I always enjoy watching those burndowns and have considered teaching the technique to Eric but of course never would Jay . I meant Brian , no Bobby , yea now I remember it was Jack that I told him to never do it to ! You have to admit when you see it going on it really gets the adrenaline flowing for the folks watching . HAMMER
Just an added note. This may sound very elementry but Tim, Tommy and all other 'starters' should ensure that the FINAL stage motion is forward. I have personally witnessed a racer light both up then go deep. He then backed up to the staged location just as the opponent went in. He launched about 4' backwards on the green since he was still in reverse. Thank goodness it didn't result in a incident. It was pretty funny though. Almost as funny as the guy who rolled through the water, threw it in reverse, backed up into the water, set the line lock and proceeded to do one helluva burnout in reverse. The funny part was when he released the button.
What did you call me Jack ?
Know what you mean Ray.Have had alot of T&T drivers do that "reverse" deal on the line and I've backed them out and made them restage to make sure they have put it in a foward gear.About the time you let one slide it will be the one that forgot to put it in drive and a couple people will be standing behind the car or they go flying backwards to the waterbox and all hell breaks loose.You always expect the unexpected for sure.By the way Ray,Good Job in Baton Rouge,good seeing you again and keep doing what you're doing,cause the Nova was on.
Hey Tommy, what about t-brakes in mod class? I raced a roadster at the finals last year and he had a t-brake. I saw him "testing" it in the staging lanes. I should have said something. I thought they were illegal. Oh yea, I got beat.
Bobby,
IHRA rules say you can have them in MOD, but at the track owners meeting in PV last year I was told again that we will not be allowed to use them in Div 4 by Frank. So yes you should have protested the race if he used it.
Chris
Hard to see him when I have the head start.
That is why with all the starter already has to watch maybe they need to put a tech/rules person on the starting line to watch for someone using a brake in MOD. - Chris
I was on the line watching my dad race at the track that used to be in Sealy. He didnt mean to stage and had to back out. Well the starter let him back into the stage light and he left it in "R" for race and cut a good light but he couldnt run his dial.I was right behind the pinto, thank god it didnt go sraight back (made a hard turn) I wouldnt be telling yall this funny story.Ha Ha funny !!! Not really but its true. I think every starter should back a deep stage or non courtisy stagger out of the beams. Its safer for everyone.
Hey Brian tell the truth it was you in R for reverse.
To Brian it's R for RACE.
Poor Brian. Everybody is picking on you. So you need to step up and tell them the real truth... it was in "S" for SLOW. hahahahaha !!!
YALL KNOW THAT I WENT TO A FOUR BARREL. KEEP IT UP AND THE TWO BARREL WILL BE BACK ON IT! TONIGHT IM GOING TO ARP. TO SEE IF I CAN GET IT A LITTLE MORE "UN" SLOW. ANYONE ELSE GOING TONIGHT? LORD KNOWS YALL NEED SOME PRACTICE!!!!!!
Hey Brian, we are going to S.A. tomorrow. Why don't you go too? It's 1/8 mile. you know your car won't run longer than that.
