On Saturday I raced the Gainesville wally event...I did not get to the track until 2:30AM...got up at 6:30 and began getting the truck ready...this will be the first time off the button since June and first time off methanol as well...I kinda knew how high she would go up on launch from a pass my buddy made last Sunday...

They call our time shot and off I go...we lowered the 2 step chip from 3600 to 3200 rpm...I was a bit rusty with my routine and got caught with the tree dropping before I got on the 2 step...I Iet go and she went up in the air pretty good but ran slow...went 6.300 just 6 days ago and now it went 6.40..huh?...I thought I may have goofed up...oh well...I completely missed the tree as well...

We get called up for first round and I decide to use the mushroom button on the steering wheel versus the long throw...I know it is lightning fast but figure I might need that with my ring rust...I promptly go -037 red...sheesh...my opponent was 22 red and left before me, of course...qwap!...they use true start at this track so I lost even though he was red first...I buy back in and wait for round next...

Now I have gone 6.40 and 6.41 so I dial 6.40...as soon as I let go I knew something was different...the truck went way up in the air and carried the wheels out to just before the 60" timer...the truck was moving for sure...I get to my opponents rear bumper and begin whomping the tar out of it...I still went 6 numbers under going 6.340...the slip said I was going a 6.30...oh well...lol...turns out I must have been spinning my first two passes...I killed 6 mph, btw...I need seat time off the button for sure...

Next up is the night of fire at Orlando Speedworld on November 3rd...I have unfinished business there since i runnered up in this race 2 years ago...I have two shims in my long throw button so I am going to ad two more next time out...we'll see...this pic was one of the passes where I spun...went higher on my last one...he he...

 

Can you explain the true start? you lost because you were more red?

 

True Start…

For years it has always been first to red-light loses… and, in most places, it still is.

But, that’s not really fair, because the slower driver will always red-light first.

True Start was implemented initially by Peter Biondo at his “Fling” races as a way to even things out. So, now, in the event that both drivers go red, the one that went “more red” loses.

Sure would be nice if it all tracks used it.


At least, this is how I understand it to be…


And, Dan, thanks as always for the write ups.

 

You are correct, Pete...