Payne v. Taylor question?

Will, your awfully brave thinking NHRA would use logic and make a questionable decision twice, assuming it were to ever happen again. However, while I was listening on NHRA.com and even while they were trying to figure it out, neither driver should have been allowed to advance to the final, at least the way I understand the rule book, not to be confused with the book of rules, and here is why. Payne clearly left before the tree was activated, therefore he is disqualified, JUST LIKE HE WAS NOT IN THE LANE. Taylor would now be on a single run, and he crosses the centerline, disqualifying him. I know that sounds to simple, and I also know my opinion means nil, remember who I race with, but it all seams very cut and dry to me. Once again the saddest part of this whole thing is how much Rick Stewart is NOT in control of the starting line. I will have to give Taylor credit, his car was running well enough to get in Payne's head. See ya at Indy Will.


Pirate

 

Single Run

"Payne clearly left before the tree was activated, therefore he is disqualified, JUST LIKE HE WAS NOT IN THE LANE. Taylor would now be on a single run, and he crosses the centerline, disqualifying him."
He is not DQ'd for crossing the center line.
If he is now on a single run the rule book states under Section 17 SINGLE RUNS, In situations where a driver is making a single run, he or she is considered the winner once he or she stages and receives the start signal or is declared the winner by the official starter. If a competitor crosses the boundry line on a single run, the elapsed time is voided for lane-choice determination.
I would think this is how there detemination was made.

 

Chuck, I read that paragraph a dozen times. It must be what they used for the ruling. None of this matters as it is already done, but I cant help wondering what the ruling would have been if it was the wall rather than the centerline. For even a better read, look under the "Disqualifications" in that same section. But which is really worse?

Pirate

 

A few years ago our steering wheel broke during a bye run (which is what they seem to be considering this) and Mick hit the wall. We were not DQ'ed and allowed to move on to the next round.

 

Will, to answer your question in post#3, the car the car has broken the beams by staging, they reconnect when the car leaves. On a bye or single the car is awarded the win once the tree is activated, this takes place just after the stage beam has been "broken". I announce at a divisional track and from our tower I can watch both the tree and my screen at the same time and if watch real close I will see the win indicator on my screen before the tree comes down(random amount of time after activication). Would think you could also see this if you could see the tree and track win light. As for the other stuff "think" Taylor DQed for leaving before tree activated, no time, can not win. Not sure if this puts Payne on a single, the computer would still be set for two cars, this might be the deciding factor. If a car breaks on the burnout, the computer is reset for a single. Just my guess

 

"once he or she stages the car and recieves the start signal or is declared the winner by the starter" the common incorrect assumption is that the car must move forward

 

Are any of you old enough to remember when the car had to break the finish line lights, whether under its' own power, or by being pushed by the driver ONLY? There were several incidents such as this at national events, one resulting in either heat exhaustion and/or heart attack. NHRA figured in order to speed the show they'd allow the win if the car broke the staging beams, and most likely saved the lives of a few drivers.
I know when I read the NHRA website report of that round, I was puzzled by the call, but the first or worst deal worked out in this event.
Henry

 

First or Worse. I would think crossing the centerline would be considered worse as it's potentially putting the other racer in danger. I know that wasn't the case in this situation but...... .

 

Will, I originally thought the same thing as you and was going to post it but after further investigation this is what I determined: If the first car had of red lit instead of leaving before the tree was activated he would have gotten the win. Because he left before the tree was activated and the other guy waited for the tree it is considered a single run (I believe)
Dean
Oh ya Harry I do remember back in the day when you could push your car to the finish line. I did witness that a couple times actually.
Now you don't even have to break the beem. :Stage: wait for the green: roll back

 

Obviously I can't give any official insight, but I believe the term "taking the tree" means the car is staged and the tree activates to the point of a green light. I wasn't aware any further movement was involved once both staqing beams were lit.

 

Most Wallys have a memory.

Thanks Will for your account of the 02 Memphis d4 final. I service the bottom end of the Fritts car and have some fond memories of that whole scenario. I would like to add that Kim did in fact "clean" not smoke the tires and a tribute to our forged block that had no window after kicking a rod is well worth mentioning.
P.s. Use duct tape on the rod journal and then cable tie a bearing around the tape to ensure a good seal. haha

Bryce