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The only tests I saw that SpeedPro described showed the effect of having too small a gap with the top ring. There weren't any that I found that compared tests with the second ring gap.

BTW, the one test did show that the tighter top ring gap made more power right up until the ring's ends started butting together, at which point you can guess the results.




I think what you have to visualize is that during high RPM cycling, pressures can build up between the rings over time. At just 6000 rpm, each cylinder is firing 50 times per second. Remember, during combustion you have a high pressure atmosphere in the cylinder to fill the gap between the rings much faster than it can escape through the gaps and equalize with the rapidly changing environment. So pressure builds up and tries to escape not only through the ring end gaps, but past the rings' seating surface. This pressure will want to take the path of least resistance, if the top ring has less tension, then it will unseat first.
Boy, good thing I slept at a Holiday Inn last night.