Let’s have a drag strip Christmas tree discussion

[pittsburghracer]

As you guys know Keystone is my home track and I hit Quaker City 3-4 times a year. The reason a lot of guys can’t top bulb race is because you have .04 or so after you are staged to release your transbrake button. Keystone has what we call a “fast tree” meaning very quick from staging to first bulb. Quaker City has a “super fast tree” and a couple of my top bulb guys won’t even race there. Well I had a first this weekend. With one time trial and two first rounds I had a .062, .042, .040 lights. Terrible weekend. Ive only raced there one day (last year) in the last three years. As per Matt’s suggestion I set my delay box the same as Dragway 42 and that’s what I had in my records. Going from 1.067 to 1.057 resulted in the .040 lights. Well after being totally disgusted last night I set out to ask friends for suggestions. They laughed and said Norway pushed their staged to top bulb flash to over one second. They bitched and moaned early season till they finally got used to it. Man it seemed like eternity. Saturday night I practiced releasing as other left the line. I now know this has to be a practice I do at each and every track before making a pass. I try to hide out of the sun as it wears me out but doing this Saturday night showed me it must be done. Anyone else ever notice this. It probably wouldn’t affect a bottom bulb racer.

 

[MOPARMAGA]

I'd look stupid on a pro-tree for a while since I've never had to do it.

 

[pittsburghracer]

I'd look stupid on a pro-tree for a while since I've never had to do it.

It’s easy for some to say it’s easier but give it a try.

 

[MOPARMAGA]

It’s easy for some to say it’s easier but give it a try.

If the racetrack has it I'll try it.

 

[pittsburghracer]

If the racetrack has it I'll try it.

Any track that had box class has it.

 

[MOPARMAGA]

Any track that had box class has it.

Oh okay cool.

 

[Frank Mopar]

I thought It should be random. Anywhere from 1 to 7 seconds for the tree to start.

 

[pittsburghracer]

I thought It should be random. Anywhere from 1 to 7 seconds for the tree to start.

Can I have your reasoning. Do you know how long it would take to finish a race with 425 cars. This race started at 9am. It’s 9:30pm now and they are in the 6th round of a 10 round race.

 

[cojohnso]

On a pro tree. You perfer first, or second to stage? With foot brake or clutch? I prefer 2nd in. But Duster with 2 step/line locks launch control? I prefer 1st.

 

[pittsburghracer]

On a pro tree. You perfer first, or second to stage? With foot brake or clutch? I prefer 2nd in. But Duster with 2 step/line locks launch control? I prefer 1st.

I try to not get set in a pattern but I also hold some things back from public info as I have several friends on this site that I race against.

 

[pittsburghracer]

On a pro tree. You perfer first, or second to stage? With foot brake or clutch? I prefer 2nd in. But Duster with 2 step/line locks launch control? I prefer 1st.

Technically what I do isn’t a Pro tree but we (box racers) are leaving off the top bulb which is what pro tree racers do. Our delay box does the rest.

 

[cojohnso]

Technically what I do isn’t a Pro tree but we (box racers) are leaving off the top bulb which is what pro tree racers do. Our delay box does the rest.

Delay boxes are the competitive way to go. Especially with consistency. The only downside? Looking foolish if you mess the setup. Lol. Its not as common. But when they first were making the norm? I would see at least one a day sit there. Then take off a second late.

 

[Frank Mopar]

Can I have your reasoning. Do you know how long it would take to finish a race with 425 cars. This race started at 9am. It’s 9:30pm now and they are in the 6th round of a 10 round race.

View attachment 1716137178

The reason would be that it’s random.

 

[cojohnso]

Technically what I do isn’t a Pro tree but we (box racers) are leaving off the top bulb which is what pro tree racers do. Our delay box does the rest.

Do you prefer staging 1st or 2nd?

Personally, I believe delay boxes should be illegal. One of the oldest rules in drag racing? No automation. Driver is in full control. I know it's a Grey area. That was ruled long ago. But car is still launching from an automated process.

Another one that's even worse ? Is throttle stops. (Burn out I can see why. That's not the race.) It makes for the racing's most boring runs there has ever been?

JMO.

 

[famous bob]

Do you prefer staging 1st or 2nd?

Personally, I believe delay boxes should be illegal. One of the oldest rules in drag racing? No automation. Driver is in full control. I know it's a Grey area. That was ruled long ago. But car is still launching from an automated process.

Another one that's even worse ? Is throttle stops. (Burn out I can see why. That's not the race.) It makes for the racing's most boring runs there has ever been?

JMO.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------highly agree---------------------------------------------------------that and 1/8 mi racing has ruined it for me ...

 

[71Demon540]

John, I know without a doubt every time I’m at the track even if it’s keystone, I’m practicing while watching others. I am using “z-force” now to start my delay, opposed to letting go of the button.

I used to try to stage last but since I switched to z force, I try to stage first. If I don’t get in first, oh well, I just know I have less time after I light my stage bulb that I have to be ready. In general, as soon as both of us are pre staged, I am moving in. So if they light their bulb before me, I will take a second to breathe cause I know im close to being staged.

 

[71Demon540]

I know there are a lot of 1/8 mile haters and box haters out there, but I love it. I used to be die hard footbrake 1/4 mile. Wouldn’t go if it was 1/8 mile.
Now I’m dedicated top bulb racer who will not go anywhere and run 1/4 mile. Too many things happen after the 1/8 mile especially with how much power people are laying down now a days. That and it really saves the car going half the distance.

 

[pittsburghracer]

John, I know without a doubt every time I’m at the track even if it’s keystone, I’m practicing while watching others. I am using “z-force” now to start my delay, opposed to letting go of the button.

I used to try to stage last but since I switched to z force, I try to stage first. If I don’t get in first, oh well, I just know I have less time after I light my stage bulb that I have to be ready. In general, as soon as both of us are pre staged, I am moving in. So if they light their bulb before me, I will take a second to breathe cause I know im close to being staged.

I had to Google this and watch a video on it. After probably close to 30 years of letting go of a button I’m not sure I could get into pushing one. I’m pretty sure I know what I have to do but this is something to think about. Thanks.

 

[71Demon540]

I was just more putting it out there as something that helped me. If I had been letting go for that long I wouldn’t be able to change either. I agree with having to practice while others race, I think that’s a necessity. Sometimes I will watch bottom bulb guys and I’ll practice on the top bulb for the faster car just to see if I’m truly “reacting” or anticipating.

 

[pittsburghracer]

I was just more putting it out there as something that helped me. If I had been letting go for that long I wouldn’t be able to change either. I agree with having to practice while others race, I think that’s a necessity. Sometimes I will watch bottom bulb guys and I’ll practice on the top bulb for the faster car just to see if I’m truly “reacting” or anticipating.

After racing Quaker I used to think man I wish there was some delay before the tree fires. Now I like it because you have to focus so hard on being ready. I did flinch for the first time in years but caught it before full release. But you know that immediately means a .040 light. This was at Dragway 42’s Ace race. Matt preaches to me when my numbers are off .020 to get off the damn button. A lazy release for me adds .020.

 

[71Demon540]

Yep! I would say that’s the hardest part of top bulb. Coming off the button the same each time.

 

[Frank Mopar]

If the track is running auto start the tree starts from 1-7 seconds. Why a track starts a tree at the same time every run is beyond me.

 

[-Boosted-]

I'm a bottom bulb racer only because that's what I have been racing (no box) since the first time out. My new car that I am building will have all the bells and whistles (box, TB etc....) and I will have the ability to race in multiple classes so I will have to get used to racing the top bulb. It is interesting to see the different strategies used by top bulb racers and I am looking forward to getting my feet wet.

 

[pittsburghracer]

I put a long throw button in my car to try some bottom bulb racing but haven’t tried yet. My car leaves pretty hard and if I leave when I see the third bulb I’m red. Needed some built in delay.

 

[justinp61]

The last street car shoot out race I attended used "instant green". Once both cars are staged the green light comes on, no yellows. I got down to four cars, then was dead late and got beat. LOL