Practice vs Qualifying Sessions

[terrydale]

In an ALMS multi-class qualifying session, the clock runs for whatever the total scheduled time is - for example 60 minutes. Within that time slot, each class has 15 minutes on its own. At the end of that class's time a checkered flag is displayed to denote the end of their session and a green flag is simultaneously displayed to denote the start of the next group's session. No stoppage or wasted time shutting down and restarting between sessions.

To allow for potential red flag stoppages within a group's session, each class is guaranteed 10 minutes of green flag time.

Something to consider...............

[RFoegele]

There are interesting suggestions being knocked around but the fact still remains we need to reduce down time between sessions. Some Clubs are finding it harder and harder to run seven Race groups in a weekend, and may be forced in future to drop a group from their weekend. So would you want to be dropped from a weekend and possibly not race for seven or eight weeks during the season. Over the past weeks GT1 competitors have made a good case for splitting GT Sprints grids, great idea but where are the Clubs going to find the time? The most viable solution at the moment is to combine practice and qualifying in to a single 30 minute session for all,this could potentially save 60 minutes in the day (Saturday).
R.Foegele
GT Driver rep

[gpoth]

BEMC has had split qualifying for GT1-3 and then GT4-6 for a couple of years on the Saturday of on event 10 minutes for each group with not stoppage in between is this sort of what people would like and I am sure that it could be done for other classes aswell.

[abrracing]

A great way to reduce time would be returning to one GT series on each weekend. Either go to the 1 hour format or back to the 20 minute format. It would reduce time and the field for the series would grow, then a split between GT1-GT3 and GT4-GT6 would be more feasible.

[RFoegele]

Dropping GT Sprints or GT Challenge from a given weekend would not be feasible. These two race groups are responsible for contributing a majority of a Clubs income for a race meeting, the idea is not to lose revenue.
R.Foegele
GT Driver rep

[Dr.Smooth]

How about this. closed wheel then open wheel practice. Don't do anything stupid. Kind of like Hard luck practice.

For qualifying, closed wheel then open wheel qualifying. 15 minutes for each class with a hot changeover from one class to the next fastest to slowest. faster class takes the checkered slower class takes the green. Which helps ensure you don't have an Atlantic car coming upon a cooling down f-1200.

For example..
Qualifying.
Gt sprints gt 1,2,3, 15 minutes
Gt sprints gt 4,5,6, 15 minutes
G60 15minutes
Vintage 15 minutes
5 minute gap to put disabled cars behind the wall. Or start as soon as the last closed wheel car enters pitlane.
Formula Libre 15 minutes
OFFC (where applicable) 15 minutes
F-1200 15 minutes
5 minute gap to put disabled cars behind the wall. Or start as soon as the last open wheel car enters pitlane.
GT Challenge gt 4,5,6, 15 minutes
gt 1,2,3, 15 minutes
When the run group on the track starts, the call goes out to the next run group. The next group is staged on the Mock Grid. The next group is allowed onto pitlane with 2 minutes to go in the previous session. As soon as the last car from the previous session hits turn 5 time is started on the next session.

[Bill Lobban]

Originally Posted by RFoegele

There are interesting suggestions being knocked around but the fact still remains we need to reduce down time between sessions. Some Clubs are finding it harder and harder to run seven Race groups in a weekend, and may be forced in future to drop a group from their weekend. So would you want to be dropped from a weekend and possibly not race for seven or eight weeks during the season. Over the past weeks GT1 competitors have made a good case for splitting GT Sprints grids, great idea but where are the Clubs going to find the time? The most viable solution at the moment is to combine practice and qualifying in to a single 30 minute session for all,this could potentially save 60 minutes in the day (Saturday).
R.Foegele
GT Driver rep

I agree with you completely on 30 minute sessions Richard. Region Racing is for everyone and all classes should have the opportunity to compete at every event. We need to maximise entries not limit the number of events a competitor may enter.
Thank you for understanding the organisers' dilemma here.

[harhar12]

I can't believe nobody has said this yet!

"practice? we talk'n about practice? practice man, not the game...we talk'n about practice! Practice?!


seriously though...combining the two to ensure all divisions are there, and we don't lose track time, is a win win. more entries, more $$$

[Director]

Originally Posted by harhar12

I can't believe nobody has said this yet!

"practice? we talk'n about practice? practice man, not the game...we talk'n about practice! Practice?!


seriously though...combining the two to ensure all divisions are there, and we don't lose track time, is a win win. more entries, more $$$

Not necessarily. A lot of drivers want the split, as do I. If you take that away, then they may not come.

I would be inclined to do a formal poll at each race weekend with EVERY driver and see what the real feeling is.



Perry Iannuzzi
Pure Motorsports AutoRacing Team