3 replies to this topic

[Eddie Fleming]

In 1987 (before computer race controls) we ran a 600 lap race. As I recall we ran timed heats and at each lane change we totaled laps for each car. First car to 600 wins. 

 

My question is will the modern race programs do that or something like that?

[MrFlippant]

Maybe? It's not a common format, to have timed heats but a lap limit for the end of the race. Most systems use a heat time limit, or a heat lap limit. 

How did you figure out the best amount of time per lane? What happens when everyone has run every lane, but still not reached 600 laps?

If you divide 600 by the number of lanes, let's say 8 lanes, then you get 75 laps per lane. If the heats are run to stop at the first who gets 75 laps (everyone else stops where they are to move over, or completes their current lap, but does NOT get to complete 75 laps), then by the time the last racer completes all the lanes, you'll have a finishing order based on how long it took all the racers to complete all the laps they got. Any ties of 600 would be decided by who did them all faster. 

[Mike Patterson]

Yes. Tom Thumb used to run a 500 lap race, divided into 4-125 lap segments, using the Lapmaster software. PM Mike if you want details.

[Eddie Fleming]

If you run 8 heats of 75 laps it is not likely anyone will get to 600 because the same car is not likely to get 75 in all 8 heats.

 

I think our 600 laps was at least twice through the rotation.

 

Man that was a long time ago.