From: xxkozak@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (GEORGE KOZAK)
Subject: Re: Drags, for beginners
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 16 Dec 1992 00:07 EST  

In article <1992Dec15.235657.6355@moxie.hou.tx.us>, hackney@moxie.hou.tx.us (Greg Hackney) writes...
>I have a few beginner questions about drag racing:
> 
>1. How is "reaction time" calculated.

   The reaction time is the amount of time from when the green light comes
on until your front tires clear the starting line.  A perfect RT would be
000 seconds.  However, most timing systems start
this clock when the last yellow light comes on, 1/2 sec. before the green.
Therefore a perfect RT would be .500 sec in Bracket racing.  
> 
>2. In bracket racing, what happens if you exceed your
>   dial-in time? Automatic loose?

    If you run SLOWER than your dial-in, no disqualification.  If you run
QUICKER, it's an automatic loss.  To win, you must beat the other car
across the finish line without going quicker than your dial-in.
> 
>3. What is the liquid sprayed on the track in the tire warm-up area

    Usually water.
> 
>4. What are all the bracket racing classes, i.e. Super Quick, Street Tire,
>   etc, and a general description of each.

    The names of the brackets are chosen by the individual tracks, so the
names will differ from place to place.  However, there are usually three
or four brackets chosen to divide the cars up into similar performance 
catagories.  For example, Super Pro at our track is for cars quicker
than 12 seconds, regardless of modifications.  Pro is for 12 to 13.99
sec and Super Stock (bracket) is for 14 seconds and slower.
> 
>5. What is a good source to learn about drag racing.

    National Dragster weekly newspaper, put out by NHRA, is a good 
source, IMHO.  They have all the results from the national events,
and have articles geared toward the novice, too. 
> 
>6. What are some good catalogs for racing auto parts.

    Jeg's in Columbus, OH and Summit Performance in Akron, OH are two
that come to mind. 
> 
>7. How do "high stall speed" torque converters function. Can they also
>   be used on a daily driver.

    Drag race engines make the most power high in the RPM range.  The 
high stall converter allows the engine to rev higher and therefore get
into that power band.  A higher stall converter can perk up a street
cars performance, but a race only converter would die an overheated
death.  They slip too much.
> 
>8. What are some electronic gadgets used for better reaction time? Rev
>   limiters? Christmas tree monitors of some sort?

    The most common add-ons in a drag car are the transbrake, the delay
box, and the two-step.  All work together to improve RT and consistancy.
The transbrake locks the transmission in 1st and reverse simultaneously
to hold the car at the line.  The two step limits the engine RPM to a
predetermined launch RPM while the transbrake is active.  The delay box
allows the driver to react to the top yellow light, instead of waiting
for the green.  All are controlled by one button.  When the driver puts
the car on the starting line, he pushes the button which activates all
three items.  When he sees the top yellow come on he releases the button
and puts his foot to the floor.  As the delay times-out, the two-step
holds the engine at the launch RPM.  After about 1 second, the delay
times out, the transbrake releases, and the two-step reverts to a high
rev limiter function.  The car launches like a rocket, hopefully with
a .500 RT.  :-))
> 
>--
>Greg

    These are my opinions, observations, and experiences, Greg. 
I hope they've helped.

    George Kozak
    Kozak Racing
Newsgroups: alt.autos.rod-n-custom