2 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

As many of you know there is really no "Perfect" way to take 60+ racers and whittle them down to the winner. Every format is a compromise between fairness, time, and quality of racing. Many of you have contacted me and indicated that you liked last years format and didn't really want any changes. But, I believe that qualifying, as we do in the ORS as well in other areas, does improve the racing. Here in the ORS region the races are much cleaner and the racers, for the most part, are happy with the results. That is why we are qualifying this year at the R4/4.

As much as I think qualifying will help I also do not think it is right to have a fast lap put you right into the A Main. Everyone should have to race into the A Main. That is why this years format is the way it is. I know that qualifying will add time to the schedule. That is why we will be running "Round Robins" for the qualifying Mains. To save some time. Remember your goal in the Qualifying Mains is to turn laps - not necessarily to finish first. And, like last year, I tried to add a "second chance" possibility for anyone who didn't qualify well in this years format. However, after some additional thought, I realized that my original plan for seeding into the Semi-Mains this year did not have the proper "balance". So I have made the following changes:

The top 14 lap totals will be seeded into the Semi Mains (Semi #1 will be 1,3,5,7,9,11,13) and Semi #2 will be 2,4,6,8,10,12,14). There will be 2 "Wild Card" spots open to any qualifying Main winner who did not earn a position by laps. The Main winner with the most laps will be taken first for the "Wild Card" spot and second most will be second WC. Most laps will go into Semi #1 and second most into Semi #2.
At the conclusion of the Semis the top 4 in EACH Semi will advance to the A Main.

It is still not perfect but as I said before there is NO perfect way. It is a compromise just like any other format. If you normally don't like to qualify try to have an open mind about it at the R4/4.

Practice will be controlled as mentioned before. The practice format for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday WILL NOT CHANGE. However, both Chris R. and Matt B. suggested alternate ways to do race day practice. Matt's idea, while good, is also a little more complicated. I am sure it works great for those who have done it before and know what to do next. Chris's idea is an improvement on my own. So the following changes have been made in the practice format:

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the track power will be on from 8:00am till 10:00am. The power will shut off every 5 minutes for 30 seconds. When the power shuts off you must move one lane to the right ( if on the RED side) or leave the track -OR- one lane to the left (if on the BLACK side)or leave the track. Drivers will form 2 lines, one starting at Red and the other at Black. The "Red Line" rotation will be Red / White / Green / Orange. After Orange you can go to the the rear of either line or quit practice. The "Black Line" rotation will be Black / Purple / Yellow / Blue. After Blue you can go to the back of either line or quit practice.

We are expecting a good turnout. We have been working VERY HARD to squeeze every inch of Pit Space we can out of what we have. But it still is going to be a little "cozy". Please be considerate of the other racers and use only the pit space you need and I am sure that we will be fine.

Large entries make for long days. And qualifying also will add a little length to the schedule. As always we will do everything we can to move things along at a good pace. Our past events show that we are good at that. But we also need your cooperation to make it work. Try and be ready when your race is called. Be ready to turn marshal when it's your turn. Chasing guys down when they are outside for a smoke break or napping in their car causes delays and every little bit adds up. And, do your best to make your car legal before you bring it to tech because we all know that Noose misses very little.

That about covers it. We keep the store well stocked and should have everything you might need. Tires, motors, braid etc. The food will be ready and is always good. We are all excited and ready to race. Even though this requires a huge amount of work, me, my wife Cindy, and my entire family look forward to this every year.

So see you soon. Let's have some GREAT racing and a whole lot of FUN.

[Rick]

Mike, allow me to understand, this new format:

The top 14 lap totals will be seeded into the Semi Mains (Semi #1 will be 1,3,5,7,9,11,13) and Semi #2 will be 2,4,6,8,10,12,14). There will be 2 "Wild Card" spots open to any qualifying Main winner who did not earn a position by laps. The Main winner with the most laps will be taken first for the "Wild Card" spot and second most will be second WC. Most laps will go into Semi #1 and second most into Semi #2.
At the conclusion of the Semis the top 4 in EACH Semi will advance to the A Main.

SO the last 2 or 3 consi winners may not make the move to the semi?

[Hipsticker]

well there goes my chance of winning the 6th heat and making the a-main .. lol