Jay Mitchell <jemitchell@compuserve.com> writes:
> > Eric Linnhoff's crack notwithstanding, I am not now, nor have I ever
been,
> opposed to new ideas. It appears, however, that I must apologize for my
> preference for ideas that actually make sense, as this preference does not
seem to > be universally shared. ;<)
Jay, I invite criticism. So as long as it is in a constructive way, fire
away. My problem is with the flamers on this list. You know, the ones that
do not like what is being said, so they start getting into the name calling
and personal defamation mode.
Constructive criticism, OTOH gives me a 3D image, and allows me to address
any weaknesses in the program.
> It appears, then, that your practice would be approximately 3 hours for a
90-car > event. If there are more cars, does practice get longer, or do the
competitors just > get fewer practice runs?
Practices are in one hour sessions. You might consider how many "fun runs"
a driver get in an hours time with the varying numbers of competitors, from
30 (90 total competitors) to 70 (210 drivers overall) to get a feel for the
practice laps - - it would be directly relative. The 70 driver scenario
should allow 3 or 4 runs, the 30 6 or 7 (If they are run back to back. A
couple have stated they liked that format because they could take a breather
between runs, watch others, or discuss the course with other competitors.
> >I do this to rid the competiton of the navigational aspect the SCCA has
> >built in to their rules. After several practice laps, one should not get
> >lost on course, one should have learned the course and know what lines
they
> >wish to use, for example.
> It would help your cause in cases like this to simply state your
preference for
> having a practice session. IMHO (I'd wager I'm not alone here), a
properly-
> designed Solo II course has no "navigational aspect" built in and can
easily be
> driven without getting lost, without practice. If you want to have
practice sessions > in your events, that's enough justification for it. It's
your show.
Not quite true. Why do people DNF? The answer to that question is generally
(on a properly designed course, as you pointed out) directly relative to
that drivers level of experience. The most experience drivers DNF because
they overdrove a corner, for example. But those same drivers have learned
how to walk a course. Even they will tell you the first walk-through is to
learn where the course goes (navigation), and then after that they walk to
visualize driving it. But how about the first time driver? Do you remember
your first time? I have talked with people that are in charge of the Novice
program, and they agree - Novices and less experienced drivers do not
achieve the same level of course familiarization as the more experienced
from course walking. Some regions even do a "Parade Lap" after the course
walk for this very reason.
> >This is not out of line, what other motorsport
> >does not have practice runs?
> This statement carries the implicit assumption that Solo II _needs_ to be
"more
> like" some other form of motorsport. If you are operating on such an
assumption, > maybe you should explain to us why we should accept it.
Aw, shucks, Jay - I thought I heard somebody say they wanted this sport to
be more popular - like NHRA, for example. Those same people (in "high"
places in the SCCA pecking order) are searching for ways to do that, and
attract those customers away from drag racing - again as an example. They
want to have the same following as the NHRA, they want the same or more
exposure, the same or more media coverage. From your comment, I can only
assume you feel the "rank and file" do not share these goas? That other than
the following, exposure, and media coverage, you don't want the SCCA to be
like them. Isn't that kinda like having your cake, etc.?
> >The time element is no worse than walking a course. My practice runs
started
> >at 8:00AM, and were completed by 11:00.
> For what appears to be a 90-car event. Would the same thing be true of
180-
> 200 entries? I ask this in good faith, not as a challenge.
See my comment above about the Practice Laps. The event runs a lot faster,
with paid course workers, when one session is completed, the next can begin.
There is not the normal delay the SCCA experiences (usually 20 minutes or
more) changing course workers and getting the grid set to go. This in itself
will allow the event to be run in the same time frame as a Solo II event,
and yet allow the additional runs.
> >But then the "qualifying" begins. Three runs, exactly the same as the
SCCA.
> >except the competitors are bracketed based on their best timed run.
> What prevents "sandbagging" at this stage of the event?
A severe breakout rule, anything over 1/2% of qualifying time is penalized.
This is addressed further in my response to Kevin Stevens.
> >My rulebook is about a tenth the size of the SCCA rulebook. The car does
not
> >matter, and there is no navigational skill required. My car
classifications
> >are simple, and will not change year to year (with monthly
"clarifications")
> >as does the SCCA classing structure. The winner is the best driver that
day
> >on that course. PERIOD.
> I don't see the above claims borne out by your description of the rules
and the
> events. If you truly succeed in making the "car not matter" and assuring
that "the
> winner is the best driver that day," you'll have succeeded where every
other form > of motorsport has fallen short in some way or another.
Time will tell. At least I am trying to accomplish that goal. I certainly am
a lot closer to that goal than SCCA Solo II is, at this point - don't you
agree?
> >Solo DSC does work,
> >and it works well.
> Time will tell.
Absolutely.
> >That is where the SCCA should head with their program. The driver should
be
> >the only factor to winning, as he/she is in Solo DSC.
> I don't buy your claims at this time, but it sounds like you're not too
far from
> having actual events. If the concept works, that fact should be evident
pretty early > on. I remain skeptical but open to being proven wrong.
Actually, I have yet to furnish and furbish a timing and scoring vehicle,
purchase the cones and standard autocross equipment, and locate a site. So
it will be a while yet. I will post a message inviting one and all to the
inaugeral event. Come on down, you can either congratulate me after the
event, or witness my humiliation.
G
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