Percentage qualifying rule suggestion

[gordon]

Guys, in the interest of keeping cars of a given class within a reasonable lap time of one another, I thought that we could take an idea from F1's 107% qualifying rule and apply something similar. Basically, it states that if a car qualifies outside of 107% of the pole time it cannot start the race.

Why would we want to do this? Well we've seen cases in the past where one or more cars in the same class and race are substantially slower than the rest, so that they become moving obstacles for everyone else. This is really unfair to both the slow cars and the rest. In order to avoid this, we can consider introducing a "percentage" rule similar to F1.

I've been playing around with various percentage numbers and have come up with the following chart showing how this will affect qualifiers using first a 115% then a 120% factor:



Let's hear your thoughts on whether or not this is something to consider and which of the two samples is better. Of course we can also do it with other percentages and compare the results.

[Luke]

GG,

Here's a chart of FRC's (15 Classes) recent qualifying pole times compared to my personal qualifying times ... and the gap set.

• • Mixed GT IROC ........................................... 6.546/7.051 = 0.505 gap
  • Scalextric GT Challenge IROC ....................... 7.433/7.640 = 0.207 gap
  • Restricted GT ............................................. 5.240/7.454 = 2.214 gap
  
  
  • Historic Saloon ........................................... 6.617/7.416 = 0.799 gap
  • Vintage Sports ............................................ 5.726/DNQ = N/A no car
  • Group 5 Sports Cars .................................... 5.671/6.130* = 0.459 gap
  
  
  • Mini Challenge IROC .................................... 8.465/8.690 = 0.225 gap
  • Rally Car .................................................... 41.165/57.455* = 16.29 gap
  
  • Modified Production ..................................... 6.555/6.819* = 0.264 gap
  • F1 ............................................................. 5.346/5.884 = 0.538 gap
  
  • Nissan GT-R Super Series IROC ...................... 6.214/6.525 = 0.311 gap
  • Slot.It Challenge .......................................... 5.429/6.049 = 0.620 gap
  
  • American Muscle .......................................... 4.395/5.018 = 0.623 gap
  • GT .............................................................. 4.132/4.774 = 0.642 gap
  • LMP ............................................................ 4.009/DNQ = N/A no car

Note how I am slower in qualifying lap times with most of the classes and at least by half second (much more in others) with my cars in GT, AM, SC, F1, HS & RGT ... In MP, RC & G5SC with (* symbol for) sponsored cars ... and no times at all because of no cars in VS & LMP classes ...

Introducing a "percentage" rule (and not sure what I'm off by) means I may no longer be considered a Red Carpet driver and might only be competing in the 4 IROC classes.

Now, don't what to give the feeling I have an issue with this sort of suggestion but from the looks of things ... that's just how it is.

Luke

[gordon]

Luke, I've added the percentage over pole to each line below (rounded):

• • Mixed GT IROC ........................................... 6.546/7.051 = 0.505 gap (108%)
  • Scalextric GT Challenge IROC ....................... 7.433/7.640 = 0.207 gap (103%)
  • Restricted GT ............................................. 5.240/7.454 = 2.214 gap (142%)
  
  
  • Historic Saloon ........................................... 6.617/7.416 = 0.799 gap (112%)
  • Vintage Sports ............................................ 5.726/DNQ = N/A no car
  • Group 5 Sports Cars .................................... 5.671/6.130* = 0.459 gap (108%)
  
  
  • Mini Challenge IROC .................................... 8.465/8.690 = 0.225 gap (103%)
  • Rally Car .................................................... 41.165/57.455* = 16.29 gap (108%)
  
  • Modified Production ..................................... 6.555/6.819* = 0.264 gap (104%)
  • F1 ............................................................. 5.346/5.884 = 0.538 gap (110%)
  
  • Nissan GT-R Super Series IROC ...................... 6.214/6.525 = 0.311 gap (105%)
  • Slot.It Challenge .......................................... 5.429/6.049 = 0.620 gap (111%)
  
  • American Muscle .......................................... 4.395/5.018 = 0.623 gap (114%)
  • GT .............................................................. 4.132/4.774 = 0.642 gap (108%)
  • LMP ............................................................ 4.009/DNQ = N/A no car

Note how I am slower in qualifying lap times with most of the classes and at least by half second (much more in others) with my cars in GT, AM, SC, F1, HS & RGT ... In MP, RC & G5SC with (* symbol for) sponsored cars ... and no times at all because of no cars in VS & LMP classes ...

Introducing a "percentage" rule (and not sure what I'm off by) means I may no longer be considered a Red Carpet driver and might only be competing in the 4 IROC classes.

Now, don't what to give the feeling I have an issue with this sort of suggestion but from the looks of things ... that's just how it is.

Luke

Based on a 115% rule and these percentages (in blue), you would qualify for all classes except Restricted GT. Thinking back on that race night, your car was definitely "out of class" with respect to its performance compared to the other cars, so this would have worked in everyone's interest if we had applied the percentage rule (unless you really liked the driving experience in the RGT races).

Remember the purpose of my suggestion and also remember that we can increase the percentage. I just gave two examples, one at 15%, the other at 20%.

[gordon]

Oh, and another positive effect if we were to implement this is that it will stop people from "sandbagging" during qualifying. We have seen this done in the past to purposely fall into racing with a group of slower cars.

(Sandbagging: verb – deliberately under-performing in a race or competition to gain an unfair advantage)

[Luke]

GG,

I wish to clear the air with - unless you really liked the driving experience ...

Yes, my (off the pace) 7.5 seconds qualifying lap compared to other cars doing 5.3s was surely "out of class" in RGT - I personally wanted to stay off the track and not compete at all in that class after the results.

So I was more than happy & ready doing so (stay off the grid) but you said no to that and to race the car for what its got. Which turned out to be nothing much other than being everybody else spoiler. Even Marlon (not competing in RGT) had discouraging words towards the car's qualifying time but I had nothing much to say because I knew I was going to give him ... lots of encouraging racing words in MGT

The point I'm making here GG - who in their right frame of mind will want to enjoy that type of "off the pace" driving experience.

Luke

[gordon]

Luke, I really don't think you liked it, I just added that to cover all the bases.

Coming back to the point of the percentage rule, we can go on without it as we always have, it's just a thought to try to keep the racing enjoyable and interesting to all. I appreciate your constructive comments and I'd sure like to hear from some other FRC racers. After all, we each have a stake and, I'm sure, an opinion.

[RameshB]

Hi guys , i just got in from my Grandy run , great day with the children we are planning a family day on Monday, lots of games an an int Canadian visit of 21 guests , will be here on Friday. I just got through reading and realize that the intent of percentage rule can be helpful to all, and we would be willing to help guys to get their cars up to speed if they needed . Luke T i did not think this was directed at you at all , the last RGT was just used as reference, but your stats did prove your cars are up to speed and you are well on the way to get your RGT firing . from what i see just about 20% might be a good start . Thanks Ramesh

[Luke]

GG & Ram,

Not making it a problem guys - I comprehend and no hard feelings but just thought I should have mentioned it anyway ...

I know for sure with this suggestion/post how much home work I now have ... trying to close down 6 racing gaps (high to low) and then make ready (set-up) 5 racing cars.

• 1. RGT ......... 2.214 gap
  2. HS ........... 0.799 gap
  3. VS ........... No ready Car
  4. LMP ......... No ready Car
  5. G5SC ....... No ready Car
  6. RC ........... No ready Car
  7. MP .......... No ready Car
  8. GT .......... 0.642 gap
  9. AM .......... 0.623 gap
  10. SC ......... 0.620 gap
  11. F1 ......... 0.538 gap

All, so I can enjoy racing with the Big Gunners ..

BTW Ram - reading about your activities got me so bushed and don't know how you find the time and still set-up slot cars the way you do

Luke

[RameshB]

Hi Luke T from what i guess the average time difference from fastest to to slowest can be in the range of 1 second , for eg if a car sets pole as 5.2 sec your last car can be at least 6.2 sec , which does not put anyone out really, just the cars that are really off the pace , i hope this helps , thanks Ramesh

[arden100]

Luke,

Your RGT used to work well. I know you can set up your car and get it to 5.5sec. You are sandbagging!
All it takes is 30 minutes to get your car to that time.
I really like the idea of the qualifying time percentages. I think you could put it to a vote 115 or 120.

Arden