Dale,
Once again you bring up some interesting questions. I'm taking the
liberty of copying this response to team.net and solo2atlanta to help
answer some of the same questions some others might have about the NOPI
Nationals Auto-X Tourney.
>From some of these questions I wonder if you read the Supps I sent to
you. I'll attach them to the bottom of this post, just in case.
"Seeley, Dale E" writes:
> Hi Ben,
> Allow me to apologize for the tone of my last message to you, it
> wasn't
> meant to attack you or the event, although re-reading it I realize
> that it
> would be very very easy to interpret it that way.
>
> I asked about the RTP numbers because currently there is no SCCA
> National
> STU PAX index. Considering the allowable modifications
> (superchargers on
> Type R Integras) I would expect the PAX to be near the EP numbers,
> or even
> worse, DM.
The STU index falls between ESP (0.823) and SS (0.827) at 0.824.
>
> Our car is currently being run in STU because we intend to develop
> it to
> meet the allowances of that class (once somebody sets them) and got
> tired of
> removing the road racing/ drag racing motor mounts to be eligible
> for CSP
> and enjoyed installing and removing the gutted doors and bumpers
> that
> brought the weight down enough to have a chance at local EP cars
> even less.
> Basically STU is a convienent class for the car and it's enjoying a
> moderate
> amount of success in this highly undersubscribed class.
>
> I'd still like to see the RTP numbers for al of the classes, feel
> free to
> point me to a website if they are available.
OK here goes (In decending order):
AM 1.000
BM 0.951
F125 0.941
CM 0.917
EM 0.903
FM 0.895
DM 0.893
AP 0.870
BP 0.867
EP 0.865
FJR 0.854
DP 0.852
CP 0.850
ASP 0.842
CSP 0.838
BSP 0.835
SS 0.827
STU 0.824
ESP 0.823
DSP 0.820
STR 0.814
AS 0.812
BS 0.808
FS 0.807
CS 0.798
DS 0.796
GS 0.789
HS 0.781
ES 0.780
ST 0.774
The rest of the Nopi
> event is
> uninteresting to me except for the opportunity to network with some
> of the
> vendors and about a dozen friends are going for the carshow and
> bikini
> contest. Basically, I was concerned about lining up against a CS
> MR2 with
> the equivilent of an EP PAX to overcome. We both know that autox is
> about
> driving and while the AM to STU example is well taken, those two
> classes
> should not be in the same run group.
They might be if you make it to the overall bracket at the end of the
day.
We might be able to drive
> better than a
> well driven MR2 (just an example) or get lucky and have him cone-out
> or
> sleep at the tree, but making up 90 feet in a heads up competition,
> a sport
> usually measured in thousandths of a second, seems pretty unlikely
> if there
> are actually turns in the course. The quick 8 should be just that,
> the
> eight fastest cars regardless of PAX. That's what drag racing and
> the Nopi
> boys are all about. I don't expect Alan nor I to progress to the
> quick 8,
> even with an HS handicap.
We're going to keep the handicaps for the whole event.
>
The RTP numbers will greatly help with this decision.
See above:
>
> Also, the note mentioned that cars would start off a green light,
> but judges
> would determine if a car started early. I'm hoping that was a
> misprint and
> you'll be using the trees and equipment we see at the ProSolo2
> events.
Nope, since this is a one time event we can't afford to pony up for the
high zoot equipment of a christmas tree. However, the lack of the tree
actually makes anticipation of the green light less likely since there
isn't a yellow to try to jump. The starter will vary the time between
getting the OK from each driver and signaling the start. It will be quite
obvious when a car jumps.
> Redlight starts should be determined by a repeatable measurement
> system, I
> can't expect judges to distinguish between the .501 (.001) excellent
> start
> and the .499 (-.001) redlight that many dragracers flirt with at
> every
> start.
This anomoly will have to be dealt with as a fixture of this event. If
you have ready access to a high-zoot tree, maybe you could bring it with
you.
>
> Again, I'm sounding negative, but I just want to understand the
> event
> better. I think that this style event will eventually replace
> prosolo2 and
> is certainly better for the television coverage that everyone so
> desperately
> wants. Even if the starting system were as simple as a green light
> that
> goes on when the starter hits a button (no tree), everyone deals
> with the
> same situation.
Exactly!
I'd hate to be eliminated by a judgement call on a
> decent
> reaction time that is percieved as a false start.
NOPI National AUTO-X Tournament I
What is an Auto-X Tournament?
An Auto-X Tournament differs from a standard autocross (Solo II) in that
cars compete against one another in head-to-head matches rather than
against the clock. The two cars in a match start halfway around the
course from each other and compete through the whole course to see who
gets back to his/her own finish line first. Both finish lines are aligned
to clearly show who wins.
Tournament Brackets
The event is a double-elimination tournament. All competitors will be
grouped into one of 5 brackets. Each competitor will remain in the
tournament until he/she loses two matches.
Brackets
NOPI pays a purse for each of 5 brackets. We will be setting up those
brackets based on the actual entries to the event. Below find the
preliminary brackets (Subject to change based on actual entries):
1. DS, GS, HS, ES, ST
2. STU, DSP, STR, BS, CS
3. BSP, SS, ESP, AS, FS
4. AP, BP, EP, Fjr., DP, CP, ASP, CSP
5. AM, BM, F125, CM, EM, FM, DM
Competitive Handicapping
We are using a distance handicapping system based on the RTP (Racer's
Theoretical Performance) Index. A car from a faster indexed class will
start a calculated distance (plotted on a spreadsheet) back from the
start line to help to equalize competition.
Prize Money
NOPI pays prize money in each of the 5 brackets:
· First place $350 and a set of 4 Toyo tires plus $500 if you win with
Toyo tires on the car.
· Second place $150 plus products
TheNOPI National Champion (Overall) will receive additional products to
be determined before the event.
Practice
Saturday will be a practice day. Everyone will get at least two practice
laps, one from each start lane. Cars will be run two at a time during
practice just like in the tournament. Each Bracket will get at least a
One-Hour practice session.
Auto-X Tournament Rules
Working - Each competitor will be given a work assignment and are
required to work to compete.
Entries per car - There will be a maximum of 2 entries per car.
Entries per driver - Each driver may enter the Auto-X Tournament only
once.
Order of running - The brackets will run in numerical order. Each bracket
will complete its entire competition and determine the winner for that
bracket before the next bracket runs.
NOPI National Champion Bracket - 8 Competitors. The winners of the 5
brackets will automatically qualify for the final bracket to determine
the NOPI National Champion for the event. The 5 runners-up will have a
drawing. The winner of the drawing will automatically be in the final
bracket. The other 4 runners-up will have a single elimination bracket to
determine the last two slots. Depending on time available, the final
bracket will be either double or single elimination.
Pairings and Lane Choice - Each match and lane assignment will be
established by event officials. When your bracket is competing, drivers
shall stay with their cars, in grid, and be ready to be called to the
start at any time.
The Start - After both cars are lined up at their start lines, the
starter will point to each competitor. Nod big or wave if you are ready.
When the start light goes on, start your run.
The WINNER - will be the first car back to its own finish line. Two
judges must agree, without consultation, which car arrives back first
(except in the case of DNFs or cones hit). If the match is too close to
call the match will be rerun from opposite lanes.
Cones - If any cones are hit during a match the competitor that hits the
fewest cones wins.
DNFs - DNFs lose. If both drivers DNF in a match, the worst DNF loses. If
both DNF's are equal the match will be rerun.
5 Ways to DNF - (Listed in order of importance)
1. Passing the other car is a DNF, unless a course worker waves you on.
2. Not Running Missing a match is a DNF for that match (except for Byes).
3. Not Finishing failing to finish your run.
4. Jumping the Start The Starter and Judges will determine if you start
before the start light goes on.
5. Going Off Course or missing part of the course.
Byes - There may be times you have no opponent for a match. You may run
or not and still advance. It is your choice. But you must tell the grid
official(s) what you want to do.
Co-Drivers in same match - If co-drivers are matched to run against each
other a timer will be used to determine the winner. Co-drivers will be
bracketed to limit such matches.
Protests - Protests will be handled according to the 1999 SCCA Solo rules
except that the protest fees are doubled.
Ben Thatcher
Apex Benefit Services & Motorsports
Stockbridge, GA
Phone 770.474.1402
FAX 770.474.0938
|