Run time postings...

[Marsh]

I pointed this out ot one or two people during a mini rant I had at the HADA regional, but I'm going to bring it up here as a real discussion.

During the event I was pleased to see times being posted in a timely and organized fasion, but there was a problem. When 4th run times were posted I didn't get my 4th run time, because it was slower than my previous run, so only the best time was shown. Now it turns out that my 4th run was 0.15 second quicker than my 3rd. That would have been good for a 99.6 back up. I didn't know this, so went for it again on my 5th run. I went 0.2 sec faster and my resulting back-up was 99.5. I know this is virtually nothing, but the point is it's also possible I could have gone much quicker and screwed up my backup completely.

The point is that I would really, REALLY have liked to know what my actual run time was and not my best time to date. I know several people here think it's stupid to take it that seriously, but I do, sorry.

So I'm just posting this as a polite request for all clubs to try and post raw run times, even if it's every other run they get posted, it can make a difference.

Thanks.

[ice/solo racer]

Marsh I think its great that you take the series seriously enough to worry about a .nothing difference from one run to another so don't take my comments to heart or anything.(cause its not intended to be directed at you at all)
I've been thinking about this for well over a year and haven't said anything till now,and since my opinon's seem to spark so much fun on this forum here it goes.

While I think that using back up runs to break ties is relatively good way to do so,it also kinda goes against the general autocross theme IMO.Solo 2 is all about showing up to an event and running a course never seen before with no practice laps with the single fastest run determining the class winners.
But with the back up rule we get guys playing the game(and thats the idea I know)buy making a couple of runs pulling out a calculater deciding if they think they have the class covered and then sandbagging the rest off the day so as not to screw up a decent back up.
Since we have the shootout at the seasons end it makes much more sense to me to have whoever is tied in the overall series along with the shootout qualifyers make the runs in the same cars in order to break the ties/crown the shootout champ.
This series is supposed to crown the best driver as overall champ and what better way to assure this than having them drive head to head to acheive this.I in no way intend for this idea to steal the gloy from past champions by implying anything and I'm not saying that I disapprove of current rules etc.
I'm just saying that with all the variables between classes and cars to me this method would assure that the better drivers come out on top is all.
So there you go guys let er rip,I'm someone will point out the flaws with this thought.
:(

[Taylor]

Tom: I think that's a pretty good idea. My beef with it would be that people would HAVE to attend this event and the great thing about our local series is you have a couple throw aways, you don't have to attend any one event.

Marshall: I agree (though more for people trying to catch 1st place, not 1st place being able to work on backups). It was a request by the organizer to print in this fashion. We're unaware of a method to print in that software all times in class position order.

[J.C.]

Just to add my $.02

We made a few changes to the setup to see if we could get a better time. Now on that run a cone was caught and the time did not get put up as it acquired a penalty. So the dilemma is do you leave it or risk another try and hope that the change made it quicker. If the system does not have the ability to post all the runs then there is not much that can be done. But if it can please post them. :confused:

[Taylor]

JC: I didn't say the system couldn't post all the runs. Obviously it can as they were printed that way 3 times. However, we are unaware of a way to print all run times yet have the competitors listed in current position order in their classes.

[haniforama]

The reason not all times was printed was to save time and to keep the event running in a timely fashion (we were using a dot-matrix, where this probably wouldn't be an issue with an inkjet).

What we did offer in replacement, was access to the printer where immediately after a run was registered, the time was printed out.

[ice/solo racer]

Taylor I already thought about the must attend thing,the way I see it is if the person is in a tie position than the person is pretty intent on following the series and in following thru with the shootout/tie breaking process.
My other thought would be that if a class is propositioned the lower class should get the points that the higher class winner loses.That way less tie breaking would be needed in the first place.
If that were the case I'd be way out in front(he he):D

I heard that a certain competitor used to bum a ride in car in a class other than his to try and beat the other guy to take points away and ensure that a tie wouldn't happen.

Anybody want a tire warmer for their CSS car!!:eek:

We could always have gentlemans agreement to settle the score at the shootout amongst any tied competitors-exchange each others cars or something.I know if I manage to be in that position I'd be up for.Still way to many events left for me to start counting chickens however.