UNOFFICAL POLL - (burn downs)

[my friends call me Zappy]

How many feel it's the starters job to stop burn-downs when he feels ready??

How many feel he should let 'em run out of fuel??

A shut 'em off...

B let 'em melt...

 

[Rat]

How many feel it's the starters job to stop burn-downs when he feels ready??

How many feel he should let 'em run out of fuel??

A shut 'em off...

B let 'em melt...

B 100% love it or hate it this is a classic part of drag racing that should never die and it pretty much died under Rick Stewart. I don't think B is ever going to be able to happen because the show needs to go on and I can understand why A happend. Mark is doing an excellent job as a starter and the NHRA seems to be wanting to be more fan oriented and after results like today, give the fans burndowns. Lyle also handled that burndown doing everything Rick Stewart never would of did. I have to say it's been a long time since we have seen one prior to today.

 

[Butch]

I vote for B.
It's there engines that are getting destroyed.

 

[vegasnitro]

While the hard head in me wants them to sit there as long as they want and burn 'em down ... at some point the starter has to consider the safety of the competitors and make a call that is in their best interest. They can't have them running out of fuel half way thru the run. Mark did a good job, let them sit there for a long time, then asserting his authority on the starting line. I am surprised someone didn't try out Mark sooner than this ... well done Mark.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

"B"let um sit. The crowd seemed to love it. Kinda like a peddle-fest, no one wants to see it often.......but once in a while,

 

[DixonFan]

Added a poll to the first post.

 

[J]

I thought the new starter did fine,At least he didnt lose his cool like the iceman did lol

 

[The Little Lizard]

I thought the new starter did fine

He could have been a little more forceful and persuasive in getting someone to stage, but he did O.K.-I was O.K. with it. They shouldn't burn folks down this day an age. Don't want to see someone get the thing so hot it unloads the motor on the line and set the program back. Or for that matter have something go wrong and have someone get hurt. If they don't want to play put them in time out.

 

[the zone]

I think he was pretty forceful I have photos at SpeedZone that shows him pretty animated right near the end. Take a look
SPEEDZONE MAGAZINE ONLINE

 

[NYNitro86]

B 100% love it or hate it this is a classic part of drag racing that should never die and it pretty much died under Rick Stewart. I don't think B is ever going to be able to happen because the show needs to go on and I can understand why A happend. Mark is doing an excellent job as a starter and the NHRA seems to be wanting to be more fan oriented and after results like today, give the fans burndowns. Lyle also handled that burndown doing everything Rick Stewart never would of did. I have to say it's been a long time since we have seen one prior to today.

And that was the first Time since Buster Couch that I saw the starter back off both racers. I know Buster stood up from his grave when Mark did that. Rick Stewart I never saw do that.

 

[Nitrohelper]

.... someone get the thing so hot it unloads the motor on the line....

That can't happen --- since 1983 the big fuel pumps prevent the engines from getting too hot , they can idle at the same temperature until the tank goes dry... The only problem is taking the weight off the front end, and then carrying the wheels...

 

[TR]

I like the new starter much better than Rick Stewart, he is not a drama queen.

Rick

 

[stanzig44]

The only problem is taking the weight off the front end, and then carrying the wheels...

True for TF and FC, it would be unsafe to go with little fuel in the tank but for PS and PSM, let 'em run out of fuel.

 

[You!]

The decision to go get 'em comes from race control in the tower, not the starter. Watch him key his mike.

Burndowns are not a good idea especially when bad weather is looming.

 

[n/a]

I like the new starter much better than Rick Stewart, he is not a drama queen.

Rick

Agreed. Mark did fine by me. Rick would have got his panties in a wad and made a soap opera out of it. The fans were showing approval and a couple of sponsors got some extended air time that wouldn't have otherwise. If either of the riders thought that it would have become dangerous they would have gone in.

 

[mick]

was getting some food in the kitchen

 

[TooTall999]

I like burndowns; however when bad weather is threatening the drivers should be professional enough to not use this tactic. Also when the weather is threatening the starter is in the right to shut down the competitors and go to the next pair.
Didn't Rick Stewart shut down Doug Herbert and Clay Millican which led to the whole Dougzilla incident?

 

[NYNitro86]

I like burndowns; however when bad weather is threatening the drivers should be professional enough to not use this tactic. Also when the weather is threatening the starter is in the right to shut down the competitors and go to the next pair.
Didn't Rick Stewart shut down Doug Herbert and Clay Millican which led to the whole Dougzilla incident?

probably the only time it has ever happened with Stewart.

 

[JB3]

I like burndowns; however when bad weather is threatening the drivers should be professional enough to not use this tactic. Also when the weather is threatening the starter is in the right to shut down the competitors and go to the next pair.
Didn't Rick Stewart shut down Doug Herbert and Clay Millican which led to the whole Dougzilla incident?

Absolutely agree! In an era where people want shorter days at the track and a package suitable for live (or close to live) TV, how can these games benefit anyone but diehards? What happens if completion of that round was delayed by these 2 ego maniacs? Now the whole event is off schedule.

And like David said is it fair to fans on a day with weather issues?

BTW ... Mark did what he needed to do. New guy staking his territory. He is not obligated at all to impress anyone here with his actions. Most here don't race and none of you are Mark's boss.

 

[DrRocket]

I thought I saw Smith's bike trip both beams JUST and I mean JUST before they were shut off. Woudn't that have tripped the automatic timer, or had the starter already disarmed the system??