What's my Rollout

[Al Smyth]

Hey guys,

If any one has any questions regarding rollout, L.E.D. bulbs, starting line measurements, etc. let's start talking about it before race season starts. Does anybody know what a guard beam does ? Where is it located ? Why was it used ? Why was it introduced ?

Have a great race season guys !!

[melissa shepard]

OK - you've got my interest...what does a guard beam do? Where is it located? Why was it used? When was it introduced?

If it "was" used - is it still in use today? Does it have an affect on me and/or my car? Will my racing improve if I become familiar with said Gurard Beam? :rolleyes: Am I the only one who doesn't know what a guard beam is?

[Al Smyth]

OK - you've got my interest...what does a guard beam do? Where is it located? Why was it used? When was it introduced?

If it "was" used - is it still in use today? Does it have an affect on me and/or my car? Will my racing improve if I become familiar with said Gurard Beam? :rolleyes: Am I the only one who doesn't know what a guard beam is?


The guard beam was introduced in the late 60's because a very famous racer figured out that when the 5 amber tree was coming down, if he had a flapper under the car that also came down and blocked the stage beam, a RED light would not occur. In other words he could get quite a running start and not RED light. The guard beam was born.

It actually is located on the starting line. The stage beam is 15 inches before the guard beam and the pre-stage beam is 7 to 8 inches before the stage beam. The guard beam also protects against tire smoke keeping the stage beam blocked or anything else blocking the stage beam. The guard beam is used in conjunction with the stage beam.

The local tracks do not use a guard beam because their timing systems get false signals which can cause premature red lights from Engine RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) and EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference ). Our systems can use a guard beam and a stage beam in 3 modes. Stage only, Guard Only ( Example: for racing bicycles), or Stage and Guard.

If you do race at a track that uses a guard beam, your rollout can change. The guard beam limits your rollout to 15 inches !!

Good Luck Racing !! Al