Chrondek Timing Systems 1963 Mug

Drag race starting times by the flagman in the early days were not uniformly accurate, so a new timing system could hopefully be developed to correct the problems and ensure a fair race. As the story goes, Chrondek Corporation founder Oilver Riley was approached in 1962 with an idea of a step-light countdown system. LaVerne, California-based Chrondek was already working on portable timing systems before this proposal, and began refocusing their efforts to include what is now known as the standard Christmas Tree, which was debuted by Chrondek at the 1963 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.