Jr Dragsters & OnBoard Camera's

Hi Everyone!

I was browsing through the Competitionplus forums and stumbled upon this.

This was taken from the user SharX

For 2010 NHRA has banned the use of onboard cameras/camcorders on Junior dragsters.

I purchased one last year (GoPRO Motorsports Video Recorder) and loved it. I had many parents and other racers ask about them so I became a dealer for GoPro cameras. I have sold dozens of them to bracket racers and Junior Dragster racers so when this new rule came out I thought what in the world are they thinking? So I called George Phillips with NHRA. (He is the head of the Junior Program) and as the new rules came out George was out of his office for the holidays. So I left a voice mail concerning this issue. The first or second week of January one of his assistants called me back.

I had thought about it for nearly a month and ran all the possible reasons through my thick skull on why they may have made this rule outlawing the cameras. Perhaps someone mounted a camera with duct tape and zip ties and they had an issue with one falling off? Or perhaps they thought somehow a kid could cheat with it and read the tree and release the transbrake with it? (So they could win a $50 savings bond!) Wait we don't have transbrakes, switches, or anything else in a Junior! I just couldn't come up with a reason. But I thought I could talk some reason into them.... (I know funny!)


But when he told me why they outlawed the cameras, you could have knocked me over with a feather!

"It is purely a financial situation" is what I was told. “The junior rules committee was afraid that not everyone could afford one, so they decided to just outlaw them."
(They cost $149 ! the roll bar mount is $30)

I told him that these camera's have done more on YouTube to promote sportsman racing and the Junior Dragster Racing League than NHRA has done in five years. And that I personally had managed to get other families interested just from seeing a video.

We had a lengthy conversation and he was very cordial, but I just couldn't believe it. I asked of the several committee members if any have kids racing in the Junior Program, or used to. The answer was NO. I also asked if this rule was in stone or could the committee be persuaded to modify the wording to say must be mounted to the race directors discretion as not to risk coming off on the track? or something to that nature and he told me that would have to be brought up with the rules committee. He suggested a petition. So I am asking members to help us with this issue and sign the petition that we will forward to the rules committee, and hopefully they will re-consider this rule. Remember we get more flies with sugar than vinegar, So please be respectful to any of the NHRA rules committee!

I was reminded by another member to remind everyone to keep it cordial, not confrontational if you decide to email one of the NHRA Rule committee.

Here is the link to the online petition to get NHRA to re-consider this rule.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nhrajrvideo/



So if you believe that the Jr Dragsters should be allowed to use camera's or would like to post your opinions, please feel free to do so. I am in no way trying to stir the pot, but personally i agree that Jr Dragster's should be allowed the cameras as it helps refine the driving skills, and brings awareness to the sport if its put on youtube and such.

Also on the petition it asks if you want to donate, you do not need to do so it will register your signature without a donation all you need to do is close the page.


In the end, the NHRA Division Director's have the final say, and i respect that.

 

On Board cameras on Junior dragsters

Good on you for this petition,

 

could be that if you are recording down track you are also recording the shut down area and if there is a mishap that was for example a track official telling you to go left at the same time the other oficial is telling the other guy to go left they could be liable and we wouldnt want that

 

on board camera

Just a copy of the note I sent with the petition.

The onboard camera is a very good aid for driver training and I have used one for this purpose with great results. It also helps in reconstructing the run should any thing odd happen. Unfortunately I had a senario happen to my Junior Driver that resulted in a crash and between the data logger and the on board footage we found the result on the crash and how to avoid a similar situation from happening again.
I also run a Raffle-A-Ride program for beginers and having footage to review with them is an invaluable tool.
Please reconsider allowing the use of on board cameras for the Junior Dragster class.

Thank You
Scott McVey

 

On Board Camera

Not everyone can afford one? I think that should be left to the JR. dragster owners to decide. Video is a leading tool in education,training ,safety and problem solving issues in a vast array of industries.
In the educational field, an introduction of a machine to facilitate learning is a benefit as long as it remains a tool. When it becomes a toy it is removed and classified as a distraction when it no longer aids in the learning process.
I plan on mounting a video camera in our funny car so I can evaluate my driving abilities.
Well actually that's not true...I always wanted to see what boobs looked like at 200MPH. LOL

 

How much does a Jr Dragster cost these days and they are worried about a couple of hundred dollar camera and bracket? I don't run a Jr Dragster but I know people who have and that seems awfully silly, and even if someone can't afford one so what its not like its a performance thing so its not going to put any kind of advantage on anyone.

 

Remember, intelligent decisions, and NHRA is an oxymoron in terms.