25 replies to this topic

[Roho21]

Just for information sake, so everyone will know what to expect when they attend Retro South races, here is the standard format we will use.

There will be Can-Am races and F1 races at every event.

GTC-FK & Stock Car will rotate (depending on venue) usually alternating every other event.

Any races that have 11 or less entries, will not qualify and will be run in round robin format.

If more than 12 entries, we will qualify using the laps and sections format. Qualifying runs will be 1 minute. Ties will be determined by fast lap.

If there is more than one main in a class, mains will be seeded by qualifying times, with fastest 8 in the A next 8 in the B, and so on. If there is an odd number of competitors that would require one main to be round robin, it will be the lowest qualified main.

Once all mains are completed in a class, the results will be merged and the final rundown determined. It does not matter what main the highest lap total comes from, that racer will be the overall winner.

At all events F1 and GTC-FK/Stock Car will be entered, teched, and qualified at the same time. Can-Am will follow upon conclusion of these events.

Retro South will try to ensue that raceway hours are the same at each event, though we cannot guarantee it, due to circumstances beyond our control. Hours will always be posted in advance.

Retro South will recommend pit pass fees, but pit passes are the track owners option. Our goal is to have these fees the same at each event, but it is beyond our control.

Entry fees, however, are determined by the series. The entry fees will be on a sliding scale. The first race a racer enters will be $15, the second $10, and the third $5.

IRRA™ ruleset will be strictly enforced. The series has final say on interpretation of rules and reserves the right to consult with the IRRA™ BoD for information. The series tech tools will be the official tools and gauges for all tech procedures. Personal tech tools will not overrule the series tools.

Retro South is a non-profit series. All monies received by the series will be used for prizes to be given for the end of the season points fund.

This season will be shortened to four events due to time constraints, our standard season will be at least six races, with one double points event.

Hope to see you at all Retro South events!

[mjsh]

If you are using IRRA™ rules why the deviation in the qualifying and lap totals guidelines? There are no mention of laps and sections only fast times in the rulebook, and if you have four racers in the B Main you really can't compare that to eight racers in the A Main.

[Ron Hershman]

While the IRRA™ rules do say "qualifying" may be used in certain "formats" there is no wording that specifies that qualifying HAS to be done as fastest lap. With no mention of what is used in the determination of "qualifying" it can be done either laps and sections OR fastest lap OR a combination of the two.

For Retro South... lets say for example there are 16 entries... the top eight qualifiers will go into the A Main and 9-16 qualifiers will go into the B Main.

Both races will be run and the "overall" lap total from BOTH races will determine the overall finish.

One could win the B Main and turn more laps than the racers in the A Main and he/she would be the overall winner of the class.

One could win the B Main and turn enough laps to finish 2,3,4, etc., to finish in those positions overall.

Everybody will run eight heats in a race and their lap total will count in the overall finish.

[JHMerriman]

Why tech GTC/Stock Car and F1 at the same time?

[Don Weaver]

We still use the "red flag" rule from the SERRA days in our Retro Slots series at Abbeville. Will you be doing the same considering how far everyone will be traveling to attend the races?

Don Weaver

[Roho21]

GTC and F1 tech will conducted at the same time in an effort to save time. Simple as that, no other reason. Also, if a racer comes in late say after GTC, Their F1 will be teched and added to the rear of the field

As Ron points out there is no IRRA™ rule as to how we must qualify. So therefore, there is no deviation from the rules. We just wanted to try something different from the majority.

There will be no red flag rule, because there is no red flag rule in IRRA™.

[mjsh]

Ron,

Thanks for the reply. Actually the web page says if qualifying is held, lane choice is selected in order of fastest qualifier to slowest qualifier, which to me denotes lap times not lap totals.

Not trying to start any crap, just asking a question.

[Ralph Thorne]

Well, to go the most laps and sections in qualifying you must must go the fastest, and not fall out.

Like Roger said, we really want to try something different here. After all, the final finishing positions are determined by most laps and sections so why not determine the starting grid that way?

[Rick Crutchfield]

I like it!

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I assume you will place some type of tape marker on the track for stopping position. I can see how there would be many ties by section alone.

Have you decided how an actual tie will be settled? One of the scenarios I thought of when I considered laps/sections was what happens when two racers stop very close together in a corner? Depending on viewpoint either racer could be considered ahead of the other. It's hard to visualize. Put two cars down in a corner and you will see what I mean.

This actually happened to me in a race which would be no different than laps/sections qualifying. My situation was so close that I first had to determine what decided the leader... who had traveled the farthest from the start/finish line or who had the shortest to travel back to the line. I decided that since it was a timed race then the distance traveled was the deciding factor so I measured both cars from the start/finish line.

I know this is a " one in a million" happening but one thing about slot racing... it's full of surprises. LOL.

[Cheater]

Could visual ties be decided by seeing who made the fastest lap during the qualifying run?

[John Streisguth]

Good to discuss the "what if's" before they happen... then you'll probably never see it!

[John Streisguth]

Could visual ties be decided by seeing who made the fastest lap during the qualifying run?

According to the first post, it would (I know, smart-aleck...LOL)

[Ralph Thorne]

If there is a tie in laps and sections, the tie breaker will be the fastest lap. If there is a tie there also, we will go to the second fastest lap.

[Cheater]

According to the first post, it would.

John,

I seemed to remember Roger posting that and actually looked again at the first post to confirm my recollection and just missed it, as I guess did Mike.

We had a power outage at work overnight and things were pretty crazy here this morning. Multi-tasking isn't something I do especially well...

[Ron Hershman]

If there is a tie in laps and sections, the tie breaker will be the fastest lap. If there is a tie there also, we will go to the second fastest lap.

And if there is still a tie after this... two pistols and 20 paces... BAM... we have a Top Qualifier... LOL.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Actually I did read that. I was asking how were you going to determine WHAT is a tie? How close together do they need to be to be a tie? Depending on where you are standing in the corner some close finishes could or could not be a tie. Looking from left of center I may beat you by an inch... from right of center you may beat me.

Are all finishes in the same section a tie? If so, and as close as Retro racing is, you may be deciding most by fast lap anyway.

[Cheater]

Wasn't qualifying by laps and sections utilized in the bigger races (like the Arco races) fairly commonly back in the '60s?

How was the situation Mike speaks of handled back then?

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Laps/sections was used only until a reliable timing system was available IIRC.

[Ron Hershman]

I would think "only" the guys going to the race would be "worried" about it.

The quickest and easiest way I know of doing it it so simply move the car from where it finished directly left or right of the qualifying lane and up against the retaining wall(s).

Whoever is ahead is the leader/winner or higher qualifier... two guys finishing in the same section makes no difference as the lap distance is the same for all drivers. So if two guys finish in the same section... whoever is in front is the higher qualifier.

Like qualifying pays 10 grand... if it's for TQ... well, both are going to be in the A Main anyway... will it really make a difference? Other than lane choice and ego... what does it matter?

But care and attention must take place because it could be the difference in making the A or B Main.

[Ralph Thorne]

And if there is still a tie after this... two pistols and 20 paces... BAM... we have a Top Qualifier... LOL.

LOL, I like that! Then we can have series of duels until only one competitor remains, then he can crown himself the race winner.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I'm not "worried", just curious. I am always looking for new ideas since, unlike some, I don't know everything. LOL

And you're right, Ron, slot racers have NEVER argued over something so trivial as lane choice or fractions of an inch.

[Cheater]

Not!

[Noose]

Oh God, Mike, did you have to say Ron was right?

[Cheater]

LOL! The dripping sarcasm kinda takes away the sting, Noose...