Hanging out bench racing while it was raining this past weekend the subject came up about a laser pointer that shines on the opponents car so you could tell your position relative to their's. Does anyone remember seeing something like this for sale several years back? I can't see how it would be helpful but no one could remember who made them.

I do not know but I bet a laser pointer would be illegal. If you mounted a small spot light to do same they would see it and know where you are same as you do them.

I remember people doing this in the 90's. Don't know if it was a store bought or home made item.

Yes remember seeing them advertized NHRA promptly outlawed them -wow imagine that-seems like an unfair advantage!

Pfffft, most of the time I can't even locate the finish line, let alone try to zero in on a laser dot.

quote:

Originally posted by davidsracing:
I can't see how it would be helpful but no one could remember who made them.

You can't see how it would be helpful to know exactly where your car is in relation to your opponent?

I don't know how many times I have given it back .00x because when I found my spot at the starting line, I was relaxed, but at the finish line I was up on the wheel leaned forward. That 18" is the difference between a great job and a long wait to next week.

It is illegal, you cannot have a "track locator" tool or item on your car which is what they (NHRA) specifically determine those to be. They also state that tape, shoe polish, or any other mark on a door car side window is a track locator and make you remove that at NHRA events (bracket finals, divisional, nationals).

They did not force the removal of a giant dial in on a side window (opposite of the tower) or the brace bars for lexan windows however, so you can still get around those rules.

NHRA checks stuff at the bracket finals?

quote:

Originally posted by Lenny5160:

quote:

Originally posted by davidsracing:
I can't see how it would be helpful but no one could remember who made them.

You can't see how it would be helpful to know exactly where your car is in relation to your opponent?

I don't know how many times I have given it back .00x because when I found my spot at the starting line, I was relaxed, but at the finish line I was up on the wheel leaned forward. That 18" is the difference between a great job and a long wait to next week.

Not with anything I race. My opponent is typically becidede me for less then nothing....

quote:

Originally posted by MadMax4040:
It is illegal, you cannot have a "track locator" tool or item on your car which is what they (NHRA) specifically determine those to be. They also state that tape, shoe polish, or any other mark on a door car side window is a track locator and make you remove that at NHRA events (bracket finals, divisional, nationals).

Where is this rule written?

Laser Too obvious.

quote:

Originally posted by TomR:

quote:

Originally posted by MadMax4040:
It is illegal, you cannot have a "track locator" tool or item on your car which is what they (NHRA) specifically determine those to be. They also state that tape, shoe polish, or any other mark on a door car side window is a track locator and make you remove that at NHRA events (bracket finals, divisional, nationals).

Where is this rule written?

It's not 100% clear, but I believe it would be covered under this paragraph of General Regulations, Section 21, 9:2 - Data Recorders:

Any device (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, etc.) other than OEM-type that assists in determining track location of the competitor’s own vehicle or opponent’s vehicle is prohibited. Only OEM-style mirrors, mounted in conventional fashion, permitted.

This would also make some of the mirrors out there illegal.

I know some of you are that good but most are doing good to get within a fender let alone a dot the size of a nickel.

quote:

Originally posted by Mopar Traitor:
I know some of you are that good but most are doing good to get within a fender let alone a dot the size of a nickel.

You might be surprised. When I drove a dragster for a friend, some nights I could judge a .00 whatever stripe. Next night not even close. We all have those nights.

I’m with Lane on that one. Sometimes I look like a hero and then I have the race in the bag and give it back by two thou.

Giving it back a couple thou is like red-lighting; if you don’t do it occasionally, you aren’t being aggressive enough.

It is all fun and games until someone gets shot in the eye...with the laser...