wondering if it is common to have the arrow shaft rub on the buttom of the rest forks?

I noticed yesterday that the buttom of the forks (below where it mounts to the lever on the rest arm itself) had rub marks on it from what I guess is my arrow shaft hitting it while the arrow is being launched out. I am not getting any vane contact, but is it common for the shaft to hit the rest like this?

If you are getting marks down at the arrow then you are getting fletching contact.

i don't see the marks on the arrow, but i do see some makrs along the red felt where you have the arrow. could my arrow just run along that portion of the forks before the forks are all the way down? I see no marks on my white vanes or on the black plastic of the upper forks.

if this is not right, than do I need the rest to fall faster?

I would suggest you spray the tailend of your arrow with some foot powder spray and see where it rubs off after a shot!
If you are getting a rub mark under the arrow shelf you are getting arrow contact.
If you are shooting with ****vane down,try shooting with it up,I have an old style rip-cord and after getting it adjusted properly I can shoot with the ****vane up/down/in/out and don't see any differance in arrow flight.
With a few adjustments you will be more than pleased with the rip-cord, I love mine. Good luck

Had the same problem with my ripcord. You probably need to raise the fork just like I did. I drilled two mounting holes (to mount the fork to the pin) about 3/16" lower on the fork so that it made the arrow sit higher and then lower the ripcord assembly by that same amount on the bow. Then when the fork drops down it the fletchings clear the fork. I had to take extreme care to space the new holes carefully. Hope this helps you.