What “guessing the tree” means in NPK/instant green racing

[@SwingingInJoggers]

I find myself respecting reaper more and more after hearing him speak for himself more and seeing what he goes through. Good shit man keep it up

[@freshkryp69]

Same here!

[@sodapop8408]

If it doesn’t flash red you are golden that’s the rules like you said every body has that option and Bobby is good at it

[@edallen5119]

Thanks Reaper , you're so good at explaining things . I can't wait to see you racing again

[@rodneywilliamson6048]

Thanks for explaining the tree! All my life I bracket raced. I’m 53 and when I was about to get out of the Army I was going too build another race car. Well I was stunned about all this technology!! I didn’t know your car could shift itself 2 step and trans brake etc. thanks for going over the tree! I understand it more now! Great lesson! I’m from Brewton Alabama and if you ever down this way holler at me!

[@bryanc23]

Reaper, Thanks for the excellent explanation on guessing the light. Ryan will be dealing with this all season of NPK. In first 2 episodes this season there has already been successes and failures at guessing the light. Hope we get to see you on one of the street or track shows in the near future.

[@xaphan8581]

so he has a part on his car behind the tire that will keep the timer from starting basically?

[@matthewvarnam4302]

I couldn't have said it any better you said it just right. When you used the flash light while explaining rollout it made it look so much easier to see what you are talking about...even though I already knew what you were talking about I just don't see how no one don't understand...

[@Adhdroamer]

There ain't no rules of engagement when it comes to staging against someone. You could have a gentleman's agreement but that can always be broken. You definitely nailed it you just gotta run your own race

[@GregCobb]

I think this sums it up nicely. When I raised four wheelers on dirt with a sportsman tree I was taught that I should be moving when the green light comes on. I was cutting a .007 or better light. There is risk in going red as well so run your race and when when you can.

[@foxchasejrt1]

Thanks for the breakdown, enjoyed the video. Especially liked the tip about the light's filament glowing before bulb lit. 🤩

[@jameshanson3883]

Reaper, Thank you for the explanation on how the roll out through the Stage lights works. Another thing to add with the roll out of the front wheels is how much stagger is allowed and built in with some of these cars. Example; my friends Top Sportsman car has a 1 inch stagger built-in between the left side and right side front spindles/tires per the class rules so the roll out distance is that much more or longer before the trailing tires clear the "Stage Light" beam. This is the reason why cars will Stage a shallow as possible during Qualifying Rounds of class racing, they are looking for as much roll out or running start before the timing clock starts.

[@mikelohmeyer4140]

Thanks for your thought and opinion. I think after both cars are fully staged it should be a random amount of seconds Before the light goes green nothing that would torch a transmissions. Also I think it should be a driver's agreement that is agreement that Turbo cars Fully stage Last.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

The delay is randomized from the time both stage lights are lit and the thre ambers go. The .400 or .500 is always the same, decided and agreed upon before the race. At least in the NHRA. The tree can be programmed to work off the starter’s command by the button. I’m not aware of NPK being any different and wasn’t told such when my team ran NPK in Ennis last weekend. Drag racers are taught since jr drags to chop the tree down. Trip zip is the goal.

[@quicktopsportsman]

Yip The mis information here is epic Feel like I’m watching cnn

[@TheTepis78]

Thanks james for making this treelight simple for us,some times you just have to walk people step by step trough the hole proses.

[@chrisharold1]

Very nice explanation. I understand it because I race and for the ones that don't race this should help.

[@omarboone1220]

Great explanation! You could have also thrown in the effects of shallow and deep staging.

[@justinkanne6466]

I’ve watched every single Street Outlaws and NPK episode and had no idea about the trees. Thanks Reaper for explaining this. Now I finally know lol

[@dougdevine8555]

Thank you for explaining this 👍🏻 much appreciated

[@joejoe-qn4hu]

Thank you reaper for explaining that to the folks that don't understand guessing the tree. I keep hearing people talk of it being cheating and had to argue with them to explain it's not lol. I enjoy the channel keep up the great work wishing you the best.

[@scottbrockway4568]

Just started watching Npk thanks for the explanation

[@young11984]

And all that doesnt even factor in the delay of incandescent bulbs lighting and a “good guess” they will actually leave before the green bulb is fully lit but the red wont come on. Thats where LED lights are of a great benefit. If that reaction time is not a -.00001 then its a legit pass and nothing else matters lol

[@jjpope1113]

Damn straight the same weak pathetic loser will always cry about the guess is a 405 fan

[@tommccarthy7227]

Great video! Wow 80 degress🔥 every second waiting

[@mikewood1421]

You literally broke out the big chief tablet and crayons, I LOVE it! Not that my opinion means dick, but for what it's worth, you explained that as well as it could have been. I myself can not for the life of me understand all of the damn crying over drivers "guessing the light". It isn't a new concept, and as you explained has been around as long as flaggers have been starting races. Christmas tree, flashlight, arm drop...literally doesn't matter, it's the same concept, and drivers have been winning or losing races on the tree since day fucking one.

[@SLDave]

Thanks James. Good luck!

[@jeremydavis340.]

Big country explained this way better and more simple. You made something simple really complicated

[@marksiniard9731]

I've been saying those exact same things about guessing on the light, Reaper. I totally agree because they have the same opportunity to do it too and if it were cheating, then it would be against the rules.

[@andrewvaughan8541]

I’ve been out of racing for yrs but at the same time spent the majority of the time I was in it bracket racing & index racing. I suppose it’s a good thing I don’t do any green light racing because once I broke both beams, the next step would have been chopping the tree down and bringing it with me. My teachings and my actions were if you waited to leave when you saw green, go park your shit on the trailer because you just lost. Apparently the NPK , flashlight, arm drop is just that different tho. For me personally, waiting on green to leave would be an extremely hard habit to break even after being out of racing for nearly 20 yrs….🤷. None the less, nice video Reaper. I thought you explained things very well.

[@student1979oct]

The "go on green" comes from flashlight starts in street racing. There, they say if the tire cracks before the light is on, you jumped. Now these guys are coming to the track and they are having the opposite problem that you would. Except there's no ambers for you to time the green off of...

[@chrissteinmeyer6119]

Great explanation. I was wondering if it was just purely guessing or if there was some science behind it.

[@garymckinziejr7194]

Once one car turns on a stage bulb the other car has 7 seconds to turn in their stage bulb. Then once both cars are staged there is a random timer before the amber lights come on. You can guess but the time is random. Typically your time slip will say wether or not the starter used manual start or if auto start was on.

[@davidmcnerney3048]

Robin guessed the light last weekend.

[@84CJ7]

Good Stuff clears up a lot

[@BillyP-49Chevy]

Well said. Daddy Dave cries about it. He looks like a fool when doing so . You can win by it or lose by it. Bobby is definitely a good example. The whole flashlight with the solid circle thing was perfect example, way2go Reaper.

[@Steve_Hayden]

Did you see the last NPK race, where robin Roberts told that kid we can't be friends if it takes that win? The kid jumped the light and nailed it. Robin was 2nd in points and told that kid if he didn't skip the weight scale and forfeit the win ( because he jumped the light) "I won't be your friend anymore).

[@BillyP-49Chevy]

@@Steve_Hayden whaaaat? I have it recorded and actually watching it at the moment.

[@BillyP-49Chevy]

I get a kick out of Robin Roberts and specially Mike Murillo, getting help from the 405 from day one and then turns their back. 405 put Mike's car on the street. They're all big babies.

[@Steve_Hayden]

@@BillyP-49Chevy Agreed! I liked Mike M. But he seems like a sore loser. Finding out he cheated in all on season 2. He had twin turbo car, but he also had nitrous setup inn his car. But he claims "I never used it". But since they made him take it out in season 3 and 4 he hasn't even win a race. Omg, Birdman. I talks like he's still reliant. He blasted ppl for years for guessing the light, now he does it and justifies it (and still loses) lol !!

[@aaronalvarez9807]

@@Steve_Hayden Robin Roberts did that kid dirty was being a cry baby about it and the event before when he raced a teammate and lost cause his teammate cut the light was whining about it to his team in there team meeting also said it was his event to win and he took it from him, excuses for his mess ups.

[@harrypersaud9422]

Best video ever Reaper thank you for that

[@Casey-Jones-i1y]

I’m from a different sport but I don’t really understand why people get upset about guessing the tree, whenever every racer can guess. Races are won in the shop anyways.

[@aaronculleton9726]

Good explanation fair play thanks for video 😊

[@freshkryp69]

Reaper... The Ambassador of "No Prep"!

[@JAAB9296]

Don't know about anybody else who watched the video but, for all of the years I drag raced (quit racing in 91) I never guessed the light, no, I anticipated the light, who in the hell waits for a green light. That is stupid in my book. Anyway, staging was everything did manage to catch 3 perfect lights over the 12 years of racing. Very seldom did I red-light, it is all about focus and NEVER EVER getting "rattled" by anybody or anything. Never used a delay box. I guess drag racers today do things differently, should get back into drag-racing if everybody is waiting for the green,lol.

[@IshamJames]

Hey Reaper. About the guessing the tree video.So what about that thing on the front bumper of the car . For example,Ax man has an ax blade on the front of his. Does that affect the tree beam?Iv heard that it gives an advantage at the finish line.

[@Steve_Hayden]

I thought jumping the light was a chicken shite thing to do. But now this kinda changed my mind.

[@the_hobby_cavethcracing444]

You got the explenation kinda correct, but also probably confused the non-racers @ the same time Lol! I am not trying to be a smart ass just keeping it real...best of luck w/ Red Reaper, the car looks like it's ready to rip the face off every competitor in the other lane! Hope to see you in the winner circle soon! It's definantly not cheating I agree, run your race...gotta risk it for the biscuit!

[@curtisendicott5989]

The part that pisses me off was hearing from racers that if you guess the light I’m kicking your ass it’s racing the last time I checked

[@IshamJames]

Yeah,run your race. Race the track. Roll on!

[@bubbasmith5142]

Great educational video, thanks

[@greenmirror5555]

From photo cells to 15 20 vision to which red was worser. I do like "chase is a race" best it can take the start arguing completely out. 2nd choice is with all the timers and gizmos "first to red light" it gives the only advantage a faster car should have when dial in racing to make things "fair".

[@heathcox4944]

Absolutely agree with what your saying, BUT, If nobody wants the ability to guess why remove the ambers????? It just doesn't make sense to give the ability then raise hell when it's done.

[@qdog5678]

Rich Bruder guest on Ryan Martin 2 months ago.

[@omgwtflmaololrotfl2368]

Thank you for explaining.

[@shannonfrye1800]

I was always told if you don't red light sometimes your not trying.

[@jonovoudouris]

So if someone knew their car took 0.2 to roll out, when the final stage light came on they could press a button with a 0.2 delay and nail the tree? But then your reaction time on the stage light would be equivalent to a reaction on the green light and just as much guessing

[@FastWilli1]

Great Explanation!!!

[@billlannan7767]

If you guess the light make it you're happy if somebody guesses against you and beat you you're mad and they jump to light that's just called drag racing and you got beat on the starting line it's called a whole shot

[@procharger94]

Just curious if the tree could be set to a type of manual mode allowing a track official to determine when the light goes green using a button after the cars stage. Then the guessing the tree game wouldn't be an issue.

[@Nobexxx]

They did that in the first NPK season, and as far as I can recall there was a few issues with it. One being the guy pressing the button did it before one or both cars/drivers was fully staged.

[@danielsmith-ze3wy]

How much are y'all allowed to stagger your front tires to lengthen your rollout time

[@wallbs05]

I agree with you its not cheating when both cars have the option .thanks for the vid Reap

[@jmr1970]

What do you think about a GREEN LIGHT START , No amber after the stage lights…. Wouldn’t that take the guessing out! Thank you

[@Jsta2v_racing]

That’s what they are doing. There are no Amber’s after the stage light.

[@Ghettoize]

great video !!!

[@deanquall9139]

And it increases the chance of red lighting.

[@dougbigcountry48]

So what do you set your delay box at? 0.002, 0.001, 0.003??? At 0.004 your late.

[@sanders24]

It's just like planning Russian roulette if you think about it

[@bob5466]

Good explanation my friend

[@dannyboyz4200]

great video really helpful

[@Wangan280z]

“Guessing” is cutting a perfect light, you cannot cut a perfect light if you don’t “guess”

[@MartinMcMartin]

Damned good demonstration.

[@billwilliams4394]

Why don't they do stage and then have a starter with a button ,so it's like a flashlight,then go back to tire crack is a jump

[@383Bbohn]

Hey James will that porta tree work with RC cars lol?? I need to find a good setup!!

[@travisstoneking4049]

The tree is the equalizer just like the road ✌🏼. Love the drama lol

[@fearlessshadow5856]

Leave on the tire, win by the bumper? I never understood that. But I guess the pecker extensions remedy that

[@Ooshwink82]

Yea which is why i am so confused on why one wouldnt put the biggest one on their car they could per the rules. Murder nova thinks they are ugly so he isnt as big as it could be.

[@user-ht4fb9jp1f]

I have the same tree in my garage!!😁😁🤣

[@fastlx3901]

If you see the green light your late! Lots of drag races are won on the starting line, it's perfectly within the rules. Drag racers have been doing this for years.

[@TheOne-234]

What happens if the wheel dont roll out and if lifts up

[@brandonanderson2443]

Great explanation!!

[@donjuan690]

Great video! I dont rly understand the crying over "he / she guessed the light ".. as you say, everybody got the same opportunity to do so. And sure, If there are two cars that run simular times, say 3.90's, it might be considered a bi*** move.. but still its the rules. Cant rly call it cheating imo. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Good luck with the new car, wish you all the best!💪

[@dougbigcountry48]

So your saying a delay box off second yellow light on the tree after staging doesn't work anymore??

[@ZZ430T56]

They all use LED bulbs now, so no filament lag

[@Unknownuser_1954]

I think all guys have guessed the lights some regret, some have on accident and others because they don’t have the BALLS in their ride to roll it out the big end!

[@adredsox79]

I know swanstrom did it in the first race he won. Yet he was so apologetic saying he was getting hot and just had to let go. By the way robin def guessed the light in Texas in semi. Personally I don’t think there should be teams in no prep kings. It should be man vs man car vs car.

[@StreetOutlawsReaperSS]

💯

[@busterturner8702]

Hell yeah, you the man.

[@riverrat4631]

Good video James…

[@brennanlaskey9393]

So what do you think about Robin Roberts telling Brandon James that we're not friends if you go over the scale because Brandon jumped the tree

[@StreetOutlawsReaperSS]

Robin was wrong saying that

[@IshamJames]

Speaking of the light.I noticed in the first year or two of NPK,There were more racers red lighting and losing. Lately it seems no one ever red light s.But now I'm just watching on TV so I don't know every race results.But just sayin.

[@jasonmerrill4717]

Does the extender affect the roll out or just the finish line?

[@Jsta2v_racing]

That’s just the finish line. The beams at the tree are lower I do believe

[@billlannan7767]

Hey reaper you know it's well as I do guess your lights all part of the game if you take off and you don't red light then you just beat him on the tree that's the way it goes it's called reaction time

[@johnhoult3532]

You could tell them about deep stage. That’ll bugger them

[@anthonyking4387]

Any track wt a real timing system has always staggard the delay automatically!

[@Ziggy1320fox]

Don’t think it could of been explained any better down and to the point

[@TucciRacing]

if its not in the rules and everyone can do it, i dont see a difference in guess with the middle yellow bulbs or not...

[@samc.291]

James most of these drivers today can't guess a light without red lighting and yeah it's a good thing to figure out for a person that is underpowered and they know they're underpowered but Chuck has knocked the goddamn tree down twice on Justin swan and I do like Chuck and I like Justin but then again,, I like everybody in that NPK stuff and in drag racing All Together because I love the sport.... Now you're right when it comes to both drivers having the opportunity to guess a tree and Chuck has it figured out when it comes to running Justin that's for sure...... I was watching one of chucks videos where he guessed a tree and beat Justin a second time doing it and both drivers had the same opportunity to guess the light but yet again as always Justin came up short relying on that big horsepower but that's been nothing but a damn mess between Chuck and Justin's team where one will start bragging and it pisses the other one off and then all the drama starts but the only one that acts like they've got a inch of common sense in that small mess there, honestly is Justin because he's the only one that really don't get bent out of shape over even though he don't like it and really you can't blame the guy because he got beat by a lesser horsepower car and you can't blame Chuck for guessing the light because he knows he has lesser horsepower and needs every advantage but I mean honestly the two strongest cars in the NPK would be probably Ryan Martin and Justin Swanstrom with kye Kelly coming in not far behind with that monster musi power but anyway it's comical as hell to watch only every now and then, when Chuck boast and brag when he gets his win and then Corey lets it eat away at him and then he gets ready to turn Chuck inside out but knows that he can't because it would get him and his team banned but gee whiz those two just need to meet at a truck stop somewhere and get their differences over with and then come back to the racing surface and act like damn grown ass men for a change and knock off the ignorant shit and race and realize there has to be a winner and a loser....

[@toddclark332]

Yes sir but do what we got to do always have and always will have a good night buddy good night

[@davidnoliviaallen6034]

go on yellow!

[@lisamatosevic]

Thank you

[@beaupowell3419]

I’ve always said nobody can build a software that’ll randomize the tree every time??? Like 2-6 tenths tree

[@trevorjarvis3050]

As long as the red ain’t lit, it’s all good! This is not a problem. The red light is the judge and jury. Kwityerbichen and learn to cut a better light.

[@billabong3610]

High risk with low reward. Best thing you get is a fraction of a second, or your done before the race ever started. Seems fair to me.

[@ronaldkirby9299]

Well explained.

[@rogerw3818]

They could just add a camera to the back to watch for tire crinkle. The tire crinkles before the light come on, it's a jump. Everyone makes a big show of "giving their word", but that goes out the window when the money is on the line. You have to force people to "do the right thing". If there is no set enforcement protocol, the rules are meaningless.

[@student1979oct]

The enforcement protocol is the red light. If it's not red, it's clean.

[@rogerw3818]

@@student1979oct Then where does their anger come from? If they signed up full well knowing that only the red matters, they have no standing to complain. The race master needs to tell them to STFU and deal with the contract they agreed to and that if the majority agree to a rule change, then it will happen for the next season.

[@StreetOutlawsReaperSS]

And never should ANYONE BREAK THEIR WORD PERIOD!!!!

[@student1979oct]

@@rogerw3818 They get angry when they lose, and if there's something they can point to and say "that is why I lost" then they don't have to admit the other car won.

[@rogerw3818]

@@StreetOutlawsReaperSS We are in full agreement there, but they always end up doing it because they have the rule book as their fall back. It just proves the point that some people will only do the right thing if they are forced to and have no wiggle room to twist the situation.

[@coryrodvik329]

WHERE IS THE GUARD BEAM?

[@H3110NU]

Thanks!

[@daivdrodrigues8957]

When your fully staged, Doesn’t the starting line official control the lights, As to when he flips that switch to start the count down? Just my opinion…

[@TurboRanger351]

From an outsider looking in, I see people doing it all the time and say oh I'm sorry I didn't mean too and it's all good. But those same people whine and cry about it when someone else does it. Drag racing is a big gamble, sometimes that guess is a red light. You either like it or get out. Way too many two face people in the sport.

[@billydankert1764]

If you jump light goes red ! Your just good at what you do when you can judge the light ! If you loose then get a faster car and learn the light ! Lol

[@e-racer4673]

It’s not cheating if everyone has the same opportunity. Now if rules say you only have the option for one power adder and your scramble button is hooked to a small bottle of nitrous and your running a turbo then you’re cheating. Because it’s another power adder but guessing the light isn’t.

[@Ooshwink82]

Who did that?

[@kevinc9006]

It's gambling, taking a shot.