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"stripe taker"..??
#865049
11/27/10 09:47 PM
11/27/10 09:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
OP
master
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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What are the rules, if any, on the piece of metal/plastic panel I see on the front of some of the cars? Is this just a 'head game' or what?? I can't seem to get it straight in my head how this is going to help unless you are one he!! of a stripe driver and real good with the brakes.
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: CHAPPER]
#865050
11/27/10 10:09 PM
11/27/10 10:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
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I would guess it's to take advantage of a rule regarding overhang or something that any other body style might have over you. to level the playing field. pro stockers got carried away with overhang and along came a ruling. NHRA Quote:
Front overhang not to exceed
45 inches forward of the front spindle. If front overhang of selected
body is less than the maximum of 45 inches, an NHRA-accepted
extension may be added to reach the maximum length.
home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: CHAPPER]
#865051
11/27/10 10:30 PM
11/27/10 10:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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They are a usefull tool, if you choose to use one. Like any tool, knowing how to use it, and how to combat them is essential to the game.
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: MoparBilly]
#865052
11/27/10 10:37 PM
11/27/10 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,989
Anoka County, MN
Leigh
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,989
Anoka County, MN
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Quote:
They are a usefull tool, if you choose to use one. Like any tool, knowing how to use it, and how to combat them is essential to the game.
So true. I first saw one around 1995. I changed my routine, to either wheel or taker race the stripe. More work, but no big deal. You just have to be observant.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: Leigh]
#865053
11/28/10 01:59 AM
11/28/10 01:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,584
sycamore,ohio
BobsProFab
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,584
sycamore,ohio
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i will be adding them to both my cars being they have a short over hang to make them right at 45"
most dont know that the staging beams and ET beam at the end of the track are at 2 different heights.
they installed one on a A/M car the last Heads Up race at Milan, look to be around 16" long, he went his best ET with it installed
they where not designed for bracket racing !
Last edited by BobsProFab; 11/28/10 02:01 AM.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: BobsProFab]
#865054
11/28/10 04:06 AM
11/28/10 04:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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Quote:
i will be adding them to both my cars being they have a short over hang to make them right at 45"
most dont know that the staging beams and ET beam at the end of the track are at 2 different heights.
they installed one on a A/M car the last Heads Up race at Milan, look to be around 16" long, he went his best ET with it installed
they where not designed for bracket racing !
Uh, Bob, you're a hell of a fabricator...but you got a whole bunch to learn about bracket, and index racing if you believe that!!!
First off, its not just the staging beams, it's all the beams, EXCEPT the finish line. So as soon as you put the stripe taker, out there, not only do they pick up ET, but you get a nice bogus bump in MPH, typically 3-5 mph, so it's deceiving on qualifying sheets, and what people think about your abilty to close on them or vice versa. Now do I need to explain about the stock elim guys who's stripe takers miss the beam under full throttle, but catch it on the brakes??? It's Chess baby, not checkers...
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: CHAPPER]
#865055
11/28/10 08:08 AM
11/28/10 08:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 714
Central TEXAS!!!!
sr4440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 714
Central TEXAS!!!!
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The height of the pre-stage and stag beam is apox 1 ľ inches off the ground. The rest of the beams should be 8 inches off the ground.
I have a nose cone that is 30 inches out from the front wheel centerline, it sits 5 inches off the ground.
It always takes the stripe; this adds consistency to racing the car. With a door car with a roll pan, when you hit the brakes and the front end dives, then your roll pan MAY take the light; even though you front tire is 12 inches away.
One additional thing, when I get ready to race someone, I look to see what part of the car is going to take the finish line. Most of the time, I can go wheel to wheel to the line because I am 30 inches in front!
Joe
Without Data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: sr4440]
#865056
11/28/10 10:43 AM
11/28/10 10:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
OP
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OP
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Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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I am still trying to get this straight in my head.
I can see how the 'taker' can change the out come of a pass by either braking or not braking. I realize it may become necessary to change your approach of finish line tactics,,but how are you going to change your number on the window too!!??
Like OP stated, may not be designed for us bracket racers. I guess I will spend some time this winter with a lazer level and a floor jack trying to duplicate actions on the track.
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: MoparBilly]
#865058
11/29/10 01:13 AM
11/29/10 01:13 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,584
sycamore,ohio
BobsProFab
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,584
sycamore,ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
i will be adding them to both my cars being they have a short over hang to make them right at 45"
most dont know that the staging beams and ET beam at the end of the track are at 2 different heights.
they installed one on a A/M car the last Heads Up race at Milan, look to be around 16" long, he went his best ET with it installed
they where not designed for bracket racing !
Uh, Bob, you're a hell of a fabricator...but you got a whole bunch to learn about bracket, and index racing if you believe that!!!
First off, its not just the staging beams, it's all the beams, EXCEPT the finish line. So as soon as you put the stripe taker, out there, not only do they pick up ET, but you get a nice bogus bump in MPH, typically 3-5 mph, so it's deceiving on qualifying sheets, and what people think about your abilty to close on them or vice versa. Now do I need to explain about the stock elim guys who's stripe takers miss the beam under full throttle, but catch it on the brakes??? It's Chess baby, not checkers...
i dont disagree with ya on how some bracket racers use them 
.
but in heads up its used to take the stripe every time.
the fastest to the end wins and if your car runs thru the lights with the front up and the tire clicking the beam (running the full 1320) VS a car that runs the same ET will win (leaving on a pro tree together)if setup with the stripe taker to click the beam because he has less track to run (45 inches of less track to run minus half the tire rollout from C/L of spindle) this is why some heads up racers use them, to get every advantage over the other guy when fastest ET wins.
theres a reason they put a length on the over hangs
 Bob
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: BobsProFab]
#865059
12/02/10 06:29 PM
12/02/10 06:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,363
Las Vegas
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The ovehang length rule has changed/evolved over the years to accomodate the new body styles more than anything else. Stripe takers are certainly nothing new they have been around for years. They are fairly new in the heads up world however becoming more prevalent in the last couple of years. I think MANY of them really push the limits of that rule, if it is even the same in thier sanctioning bodies. I also feel pretty confidednt in saying it was probably an ex bracket or index guy who started the trend. I understand what you are saying Bob but I think you will finds that this trend came from us lowly bracket guys..
Now I think a lot of bracket cars using them do so to maintain consistency in thier program. Some folks think it is "cheating" in the bracket world to use them. IMO if you are usinig one in a heads up class it would be closer to "cheating" than in brackets. Some cars, mine fits in here, are low enough in the front that off the throttle we are tripping the beams with the front of the car, rather than the tire. Other cars, dragsters altereds do not have the issue. They usually have some sort of wing up front to keep them consistent. Take a walk in the pits particularly at a National or Divisional event and see how many stripe takers you see.
I have considered putting one on my car but to this point have not. I do suffer from some inconsistecy at the stripe at times. I know in a numbedr of instances I was behind yet took the stripe on the brakes costing me a round win by braking out ever so slightly. I have a pile of 10.896 to 10.899 slips in the low 140's when I was on the binders and KNOW I was behind my opponents wheel(based on staging)and lost. That is from the front end of my car when I am on the brakes hard. As soon as I can make something that looks good we may install a stripe taker. For now I just roll the dice and hope for the best. I feel very confident if I had a stripe taker it would not happen as much, once I got used to driving with it that is. Maybe we need to work on this over the winter.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: CHAPPER]
#865060
12/02/10 06:39 PM
12/02/10 06:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 422
Columbus, OH
Ben Holt
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 422
Columbus, OH
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To answer the original post....there are no defined rules for one directly from NHRA. You need to check with your local track/organizer to make sure they are legal for whatever you are doing. Some series have stipulations allowing them, some say tough luck, that's the car you chose to race... They are on heads-up cars and index cars alike....but the majority I have seen are on stock front ended, close to stock ride height bracket/index cars. You take a 65 Coronet with a stock front end, and a 92 Camaro with a stock front end, the Camaro can dump the brakes before the finish line and have it's nose trip well before the Coronet's tires get there. They work in the heads-up arena, too (I've made several), but a lot of bracket racers use them to level the playing field against the newer cars.
EDIT: I just read Al's post......what he said:)
Last edited by Ben Holt; 12/02/10 06:40 PM.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: joshking440]
#865063
12/02/10 09:36 PM
12/02/10 09:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
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Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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This is what I was looking for,,,some talk/ideas/opinions on this situation. I am having a hard time figuring in my head how ANYONE can be so sure/accurate as to their reaction time and car's consistency, that they could let the front end down, or not, to STILL be on their dial-in. I have raced quite alot in my time, I still cannot be sure EXACTLY where I'm at, at the stripe...???,,was my light as good as I think it has been,,was he alittle late,,,am I about ready to break-out,,is he running off alittle,,is his "stripe taker" ahead of me..? I think there has to be a better way to gauge the finish line by the lights. I realize that some cars go through the finish beams taller...than they leave the starting line. I have always tried to run 'flat-out' to achieve my dial-in. I think some of going 'dead on' has a smidgen' of talent and luck combined. I know some will say it's all in seat time/ experience, But I don't know how much longer I have for seat time!! 
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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Re: "stripe taker"..??
[Re: sr4440]
#865067
12/04/10 02:38 AM
12/04/10 02:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
dartman366
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
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There is a lot of difference in purpose between a stripetaker and a spoiler,,apples @ oranges.
Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.
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