Everything I've read says 3 bulbs: both drivers pre-stage bulbs and one drivers stage bulb, then the 7 seconds begins. Greg is arguing that the auto-start is not supposed to be used when one driver lights both their bulbs before the other has even pre-staged. All I want to know is if Greg is correct about the autostart not supposed to be used when one driver lights both bulbs while the other driver hasn't even pre-staged.

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"I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

Buell's and Hardley's suck!

Brent,
I've been racing AHDRA for many years. When the auto start came in we were told to courtesy stage. I have seen others time out in this situation.
And that always stirred emotions.
Of course the rules could very well be different in NHRA, than what we run.

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Friends, I am so sorry for having to say this. I am glad for Greg's success in pro stock, but part of me wants to tell him:

"Dude, you're 201 points ahead in first place, you qualify everytime #1 and win almost every race. Stop freaking crying about it. It doesn't matter."

On a second note, I know it does matter, and that he cares.

But...I think we all know how to beat Greg Anderson now. Do a quick quick burnout. Back up really fast. Stage both bulbs before he's done with the burnout. You'll win everytime.

I'm interested to see this on TV. DRC says that she staged after he prestaged and the DRO article says it was a matter of timing.

Could it have been that close that he didn't notice that she staged after he prestaged?

I don't know the rule and I am not a Greg Anderson fan. So why am I inclined to believe him more than Graham Light and Rick Stewart? Hmmm, could it be because of some of the iffy/BS calls they have made in the past?

This is Gregs way of using up all his bad luck for the year in one race.

I don't understand. Shouldn't it be reasonable to expect that once you light the pre stage bulb you should be able to finish staging in seven seconds? what was his intent? To try and hang Erica out to dry? If Greg wasn't ready why did he pre stage?

I guess we'll find out tonight on TV when we see the replay 50 times.

That would equal the number of wins for G.A. had he not timed out. Coincidence?

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_____PROUD Member of ACWC _____

Three bulbs have to be on for autostart. The starter has the choice to override autostart if he chooses. He chose not to override because he's also sick of seeing GA win.

Autostart has been used at all NHRA nationals events since 2001 and has not changed in any way for the Pros's.
At no time is it turned off in any way. At 3 lights the time out timer starts the 7 second countout.
In this case Rick Stewart acctually held the activation of the system till Greg Pre Staged, veiwing the tapes at TV it was 9.5 seconds from Gregs PS to the Red.
I feel for Greg that there was a missunderstanding in their camp about how autostart worked in that situation but has never been as Greg stated.
Also it was not a heated disscution in the tower, as I was part of it Greg and Ken wanted to know why and it was explained. Voices were never raised and no anger showen, they were frustrated but that was understandable. I respect Greg and Ken for their composure in the situation.

Jeffery, thanks for the clarification.

One of the things that didn't get done in time for this year's event was the installation of video screens in the media center, so we did not have the benefit of a video replay before posting our report and we did the best we could with the audio from the PA system. I am waiting to see the replay on the TV show to find out what the actual sequence was, but from the drivers' descriptions, it sounds like Enders went in and lit both bulbs before Greg lit the pre-stage bulb. That's legal in the Professional ranks, not legal in the Sportsman categories where "courtesy staging" is required.

In any event, the sequence caught Anderson off-guard and he was timed out before he could get the car fully staged.

pressure from what??!!!