So because people 5, 10 or 20 years ago were screwed, it shouldn't fix it now?
A competitor taking out the cones is in the act of competition. I suppose it could be argued that you should have been in front of them.
In this instance they were not given the equipment to make a run.
Once the red lights flash, isn't that the kill sign? If one or both of them had shut it off, would they have been allowed another shot then?
We've all seen that happen but usually once the reds come on, they stay on. It doesn't reset then still give the light.
A couple of things.
I don't know what your 5, 10, or 20 year comment means. I am sure NHRA doesn't consider the situation "fixed". But, this is also a good time to clear up another statement that is being passed off as fact that I don't believe to be the case. The timing system is owned by the track. So, everyone can quit blaming NHRA for this issue and point back at the track. Now, yes, it can be argued that NHRA takes control of that system, but, if there is a problem with it, it isn't NHRA's doing. If I am wrong about who owns the system, please, someone point it out to me.
As for the rest, you are parsing words. It becomes an act of competition when the car is started behind the line it could be argued.
But, I will stand by my argument (which is the very same argument some others are making) that if the lights fail due to no fault of a driver or team involved, why can they not have a re-run? I suppose you could argue that it is because it is not a technical issue at that point, but bottom line is, much like the current situation, they had a run DQ'd for no fault of their own. Its the good for the goose and gander argument.
The last part of your post points out, but I am not sure you intended for it to, that some of the responsibility belongs on the shoulders of the drivers involved. If that red flashed, they didn't have to stage, and could have shut the fuel off and maybe then, (and only then) they get shoved to the back for another Q attempt. But once they lit the bulb, it was race time.
I know a lot of people want to (in no particular order) attempt to :
cast blame on Light and the NHRA,
get the rule and process changed
dig up ways to get their favorites re-runs when stuff happens.
None of which is going to happen.
First, Light and NHRA went to the rule book, saw what it said, and reacted just as the rules say they should.
Second, there has to be some sort of method to satisfy everyone with the Saturday Q issue. Just changing it again for the sake of changing it, doesn't cut it. This is not something that happens so often that a rules change is needed. At some point, if they keep racing long enough, those who didn't make the field will make it based on a Saturday pass, and those who did make it will get bumped. That is just the law of averages catching up.
NHRA doesn't give re-runs, so everyone can just quit that line of thinking now. They arent going to start giving them over this. It just aint gonna happen.
