More on Traction Control

By Jeff Burk
8/8/03

n part one of this story I talked in general about traction control, the ethics, possible benefits and problems associated with the use of traction control devices. I just stated a few of the facts about the problems sanctioning bodies would have in detecting and or controlling the use of a traction control device. I stated at the time that NHRA was looking at the problem and perhaps would give in to the inevitable and just make traction control legal and solve a lot of problems. Apparently some readers wanted more detail about the devices, such as they could be installed how they function and how to detect them if they are on a car. So I did some research and here are some answers.

First, let's talk about how the traction control devices that are currently available work. Basically, how they function is that they monitor current or voltage spikes that occur within state-of-the-art electronic ignitions, regardless of whether it has a distributor or a magneto, when excessive wheel spin happens. This situation usually happens when the drive tires start spinning due to the racecar overpowering the track. In most applications the micro processor senses the voltage/current spike and sends a signal that retards engine timing, which in turn reduces the power the engine is making and stops the tire from spinning. There are more complicated methods involving engine functions that will affect traction control, but that's the most basic way it is accomplished.

The main problem for tech officials trying to find an illegal traction control device is that the devices currently available on the open market are very, very small microprocessor devices that are approximately two inches wide and can be concealed almost anywhere on the drivers person or in a race car. Then there are traction control devices that are implanted into stock appearing electronic engine ignition boxes. It is a nightmare.

If the user of one of these devices has indeed had it installed into a stock ignition box, then simply switching those boxes at random could detect it. All that requires is enough ignition boxes to replace every racer suspected of using the device. This solution is both time-consuming and expensive.

I've learned that the NHRA tech department has regularly made leading Pro Stock teams replace their ignition box, coil and crank trigger pickup at national events in an effort to thwart the use of the devices. The only problem with that solution is that as long as the car has an ignition box, crank trigger and the related wiring it can have a traction control device. All that the user needs is a hand-held or remotely installed device and must be able to tap into the right wire from inside the cockpit or hide it in some other location close to the right wire. The device then will do its job.

If you've ever looked at the massive wiring looms found in every Pro Stock, Pro Mod or .90 class car you understand the problem facing every sanctioning body tech department. Unless they virtually field strip every racecar in every class or get very specific information about where to look on a specific car, chances are they are never going to find one of these devices.

Don't think that's the case? Remember how Billy Glidden installed a nitrous system in his Pro Stocker a few years back and went undetected until he took the NHRA tech department by the hand and showed them how it was installed? Then, just to make sure they knew, he also went to the Indianapolis Star newspaper and 'fessed up.

Then there was the sad case a few years ago of the Pro Stock racer who had the nitrous bottle in the dry sump oil tank and NHRA never found that until it blew up in the pits. If those guys could hide a complete nitrous system that an NHRA or IHRA tech couldn't find, hiding a two-inch device and a nine-volt battery would be a cinch. As one source at MSD told me, "As long as the ignition system has wires leading into and out of it they (NHRA) will have a possibility of traction control devices being used."

Traction control is here to stay and chances are very, very good that it is being used. The only real problem is the scandal that the sport will suffer from when some famous racer gets caught using it. Unless, of course, the powers in charge just make using the devices legal and move on.

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