Effective with this weekend’s LODRS event at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Division 2 the LED compensation will be set to .00 for the Super categories (Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street) at all NHRA national and divisional events. 

The NHRA began using the LED amber lights in the Christmas tree starting system in 2003 at national events.  That same year, many tracks also switched to the new lights and by 2004 practically all tracks were utilizing the still new technology.  These new LED lights were approximately .03 quicker when compared to the previous standard incandescent amber flood lights used in the tree.  Those first couple of seasons also saw a larger number of red lights in the categories that did not use a delay box as one of their weapons to dial into perfect reaction times. 

When a higher number of red lights was becoming an obvious trend in many classes, the LED compensation was introduced and ‘slowed’ the tree ambers firing by .03 seconds.  This change was made across the board for all pro tree categories (LED compensation only works on a “pro” tree).  In effect, this change made it more difficult for super category racers to cut a light.  Many racers were against adding the LED compensation and have asked for change since its inception and many “association” programs for these racers do not utilize any LED compensation at their events. 

What does this change mean to the racer?  Simply stated, anyone with a delay box can add .03 to their normal delay and be ready to go.