3 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I have had a few racers ask about the race format for the R4. It is actually very simple. However it is a little different from some of the other Premier Events in Retro racing.

 

So I thought I would post the how, and the why, of the race format for those coming to the event. I want to make it perfectly clear that this is not a indictment of any other format. There is NO perfect format.

There are two things I've always believed in as far as the structure of a race.

 

First, no one should automatically get a pass into the A Main based on just a quick lap. When that happens the racers not in the top six qualifiers are fighting for just two remaining spots. Your odds of making the "Big Show" have just dropped dramatically. For that reason we qualify all racers, group them into as many Mains as needed by qualifying time, and then after all Mains are run compare the lap totals to pick the top sixteen racers.

My second belief is that when you beat someone they should be on the track with you. Not in another Main with seven other racers. So, after we pick our fastest sixteen we group them into two Semis using the odd and even formula (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16). This time, instead of taking the top eight lap totals and moving them to the A Main, we take the top four from each Semi. This way those that you beat to make the A Main were on the track with you and you beat them head to head. And then, of course, we run the A Main to crown the overall winner.

I know this gives the top sixteen racers another Main to run and the top eight yet another but it also gives everyone more chances at the overall win. And winning a premiere IRRA^® event is a pretty big deal, so shouldn't you have to work for it?

There are those who like the move-up format that many other Premier Events use. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that format either. The supporters of that format can give just as many reasons why they like theirs as I can about mine. The diversity is what makes it interesting.

So that's the how and the why.

Now... Lets go racing!

[Steve Deiters]

Mike,

 

Could you also describe how the GT races will be conducted like you did at the ORS warm-up. 

 

Thanks.

[Cap Henry]

GTC has usually been overall laps.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Since GT Coupe is considered a "Tier 2" class and traditionally uses handout motors (now only the GT Coupe FK does) the "one and done" format has always been used. Everyone qualifies and then put into as many mains as needed. After all mains are run then total laps determine the finishing positions regardless of which main they ran in. I know it goes against my "when you beat someone they should be on the track with you" belief but it does make for a shorter opening day while the racers are using every second they can to prepare for the "Tier 1" classes the rest of the weekend.