Impacts of proposed 2007 race format

27/11/2006

At the AGM we have two new race formats that have been proposed. This will leave members with a choice of 3 alternatives,

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. Adopt 2 bump up 12 car finals

  3. Adopt 2 bump up 10 car finals

This is going to be a very important decision so its vital that all members understand the implications.  To help members understand the impact I would like to offer the following information for the members to review before the AGM.

Racing time/ Value of 8th racing.

We all know that drivers travel large distances at considerable expense to race in our national series. While running a gas car is not cheap the actual running of the car is not often the most expensive part. So we should consider how to provide the most value.

Based on an entry of 50 drivers and a fixed time table the following analysis shows the impact of the 3 alternatives on the time driver spend racing.

12 car finals/ 2 Bump up
Final Cars per final Final time Car racing minutes
a 12 30 360
b 12 20 240
c 12 15 180
d 12 15 180
e 10 15 150
58 95 1110
Note: With 2 drivers bumping up in 4 finals, the total drivers in finals increase to 58. 4 drivers get an additional 15 minute final, 2 get and additional 20 minutes and 2 get an additional  30 minute final.
     

Current Format
Final Cars per final Final time Car racing minutes
a 10 30 300
b 10 20 200
c 10 15 150
d 10 15 150
e 10 15 150
50 95 950
     

10 car finals / 2 bump up
Final Cars per final Final time Car racing minutes
a 10 30 300
b 10 20 200
c 10 15 150
d 10 10 100
e 10 10 100
f 8 10 80
58 95 930
Note: 22 drivers get a 10 minute final

This shows that the 12 car final format provides for an additional 3.5 hours of car running time, while the 10 car final 2 bump up will give drivers less racing time than they have currently.  If you increase the finals time for the 10 car / 2 bump up final, the overall time to run finals is longer, if we had more time to run finals then it may  provide better value to increase the running time for the lower finals of the 12 car format.

Impact of 12 cars on the circuit.

Of course 12 cars on the circuit will increase the traffic but as the following table shows we typically have around 3 cars drop out of the finals. (The wet rounds have been discounted) 

Cars finishing finals

  Finals  Average
  a b c d e f g  
Round 1 wet              
Round 2 7 7 7 6 8 7 6 6.86
Round 3 wet              
Round 4 wet              
Round 5 7 7 6 7 4     6.20
Round 6 4 5 6 4       4.75
Round 7 6 9 5 5 8     6.60
Round 8 8 7 6 6 7     6.80
              6.24

Of course we have to cater for the best case that all cars finish all finals but in reality 12 cars finals will increase the spectacle and make for more competitive racing.

While it is possible to take amendments from the floor on the day, its vital that you think this through before the AGM.

Remember you need to be at the AGM to vote.

Eric White
Section chairmen 8th IC Circuit

 

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