Reaction time
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Re: Reaction time (Sliding)
Nope.
Reatcion time measures the time it takes you to leave the staging beams after the light turns green.
The ET clocks begin at the exact same momen that you leave the staging beams. This is why reaction time is critical in a bracket race. Essentially a better raction time of say .050 gives you that much cushion in terms of how far off of your dial in you can be.
A lot of guys I meet that are new to the track try to subtract the RT from their ET to tell people how fast their car is and this is not accurate.
MPH is another one that we can explain - it is not your actual speed as if measured by a radar gun. It is the average speed between the last two cones (the MPH cone and the finish line).
Hope this helps!
:thumbs:
Reatcion time measures the time it takes you to leave the staging beams after the light turns green.
The ET clocks begin at the exact same momen that you leave the staging beams. This is why reaction time is critical in a bracket race. Essentially a better raction time of say .050 gives you that much cushion in terms of how far off of your dial in you can be.
A lot of guys I meet that are new to the track try to subtract the RT from their ET to tell people how fast their car is and this is not accurate.
MPH is another one that we can explain - it is not your actual speed as if measured by a radar gun. It is the average speed between the last two cones (the MPH cone and the finish line).
Hope this helps!
:thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Reaction time (Sliding)
No,
Clock for Qtr mile calculation does not start till you pass the infrared that gives you your reaction time.
Example:
Both cars run 13.9
1st reaction time is .80
2nd reaction time is 7.5
Both cars will show 13.9 on computer printout but #2 wins.
Others can chime in if you want the technical aspects.
Clock for Qtr mile calculation does not start till you pass the infrared that gives you your reaction time.
Example:
Both cars run 13.9
1st reaction time is .80
2nd reaction time is 7.5
Both cars will show 13.9 on computer printout but #2 wins.
Others can chime in if you want the technical aspects.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa CA
Re: Reaction time (Sliding)
Reaction time is recorded separately from the ET. The reaction time is the delta time between when the green light comes on (on a pro tree) and when the starting beam is no longer broken (tire rolls out of its beam). The ET is measured as the delta time between when the starting beam is no longer broken to when the finish line beam is broken. They are measured and displayed on the run slip separately.
There have been many instances when a race is won by a hole shot. That is, the winning driver had a quicker reaction time, BUT his ET was slighty longer. This is why most drag races are won at the starting line. You may recall seeing an instance where the win light went to the higher ET.... if so that is why.
There have been many instances when a race is won by a hole shot. That is, the winning driver had a quicker reaction time, BUT his ET was slighty longer. This is why most drag races are won at the starting line. You may recall seeing an instance where the win light went to the higher ET.... if so that is why.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 1
From: louisville ky
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Reaction time (Sliding)
u guy's did a good job explaining this but most people think if they had a bad reaction time they will go faster if they just could get a better light! :sleep:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Reaction time (DragMan)
Well a better light won't make them faster or quicker but it often brings home the trophy.
So the time to the traps is RT + ET; this only shows up on your time slip as "win" or not.
So the time to the traps is RT + ET; this only shows up on your time slip as "win" or not.
