[PROBRD]

Craig, I'm going to a Hipster brake for next season. The guys I have talked to say it is the most consistant releasing brake they have used. It also has a few features others don't have.

As far as having to push the button to go into reverse that has to do with if it is a protree brake or not. All protree brakes that I'm aware of you have to push the button to make the car go into reverse. With a standard brake all you do is put it in reverse. In my opinion you would be better off staying away from a protree brake since they release so fast, unless you are going protree racing or are going to a delay box. You will find it hard enough not to redlight for a while with a standard brake.

It doesn't look like you are having a problem in the traction area and I doubt you will with a brake. You may hit the tires a little harder with the brake but not much harder than you already are. If you leave off of the top of the converter like BR does it actually hits the tire easier than if you were to leave at 3200 with the same 5000 stall converter. The reason is that by leaving at 3200 the converter will jump right to the stall of 5000 and shocks the drivetrain and tires harder. That's why a majority of the really fast cars (4 and low 5 sec. 1/8 mile cars) leave off of the top of the converter. All depends on how your car is set up. Some cars need to hit the tires hard to plant them. Others leave better not hitting them so hard. Just need to try different launch rpm's.

The one thing to remember is to buy the best converter you can afford. I run a BTE 8" and believe it is the best converter for bracket racing. My 60' rarely vary more than .006 all day.

The main thing you will gain is more consistant reaction times and ET's with a transbrake. Once you switch to a transbrake you will wonder how you ever raced without one.

[This message has been edited by PROBRD (edited 10-23-2000).]