55 replies to this topic

[nickatgt]

We are in the midst of planning for the 20th running of the American Road Race of Champions presented by Grassroots Motorsports and need your help.

 

This year we are planning for a feature race for Miatas prior to the Trans Am race on Sunday afternoon. The idea is to give the spectators and competitors a chance to see the Miatas one more time in the weekend and to give back a little thanking you for your support this year. While the name is still up in the air, here is what we are thinking.

 

 

The "Luck of the Draw" Outlaw Miata 
Feature Race

 

 

• “Fun” race…a little different. No points just money. One race on Sunday as a feature race before the Trans-Am race.
• $ 200 - 250 entry fee with $100-$150 going to payout.
• Give each car one raffle ticket for turning a lap. Give top ten finishers extra tickets based on finishing position. Dead last place also gets extra ticket(s).
• Drawing for prizes and cash. Cash split into three pots, 50%, 30% and 20%. Can only win one cash prize.
• No qualifying warm-up only...will draw for grid position. 
• Must have raced in one other race or registered for one other race (ECR: must turn a wheel in ECR to collect prize) as a class compliant car.

Here is where I am asking for feedback. Again we want to make it fun and a little different. We want to fill the field and want some interesting racing.

• Allow mods (weight, restrictor plates)?
  • All or 1.6 only?
  • Any mod has to be done between the Saturday race and the Sunday Outlaw race or put back before the ECR?
  • Anything else?
• Allow any DOT tire, no Race tires?
• Only requirement is that it must be safety compliant and have raced as a legally compliant car.
• Half way through the race bring all cars in, encourage driver change (new driver gets additional ticket) and re-grid by drawing for position.

Anything else?

 

Other ideas?

 

Interesting?

Again I'd appreciate your thoughts, I will be putting together supps in the next week. If you have any thoughts of feedback post it here or drop me an email. I look forward to seeing you at the ARRC.

[Todd Lamb]

Sounds like chaos....hard to get people to stick around for the Enduro, and this seems like a crash-fest of epic proportions if we're drawing for grid position. Need to find a way to factor in times from other sessions.

 

The only thing I can think of that might be fun is a 2400#, no restrictor, 99 only race. Of course that leaves a few people left out.

[nickatgt]

Todd,

 

Thanks for the feedback. Let's see what other comments are made and see how we can address that issue. We really want to make it a fun event and I really don't want to see a crash-fest. I'll keep monitoring the thread.

 

Nick

[Jim Drago]

Draw for qualifying spots... 

 

leave the rules alone.   Not sure you willl have enought 1.6's to allow all 1.6 cars? 

 

The only other option is 2400 no plates in 99 up cars? 

 

Jim

[nickatgt]

Jim,

 

Thanks for your reply, let me see if I understand what you are saying:

 

OK to draw for grid position at start...

 

Go with 2400# and no restrictors in '99 and up cars...

 

Historically we haven't had that many 1.6 cars but I would like to make it attractive to bring them out, although I understand that just one race will not be that attractive to dust off cars that normally would not come out for the ARRC.

 

[Jim Drago]

There have been attempts before to bring all of these so called cars waiting in the wings before at the ARRC and they didnt come. Look at SM2 of the past.

 

If the goal is to try and bring some 1.6 cars out, have a 1.6 only race.

 

If the goal is more entries and a better race, have 99 up race, no plates. My guess is this will out attend the 1.6 race 2.5-3 :1

 

No wrong answer, just depends on what you are trying to accomplish.  

 

Jim

[Glenn Davis]

Don't have a dog in this fight, but I would think that any modifications to the rules that wouldn't obviously favor the 1.6's wouldn't get any out that weren't already in the mix.  Are you talking SM trim only, or SM-5, T4, ...?

 

Having a new format is kind of interesting, but I think you need to plan to get either a strict SM field or a 99+ field.

[Danny Steyn]

Just an idea.

 

I think random drawing grid spots takes away from what make SM so much fun not only for drivers and for spectators - its the close wheel to wheel racing. So keep the fast guys together. How about an inverted grid based on previous days qualifying times? That way all the fast guys start at the back and try and work their way forward, but they are still together creating exciting racing. Keep the payout based on the podium or top 5 top 10 as you see. That way some of the slower guys have a chance at winning and prize money. With inverted grids it can take quite some time to get past the guys that are just a few tenths slower, and the wheel to wheel racing slows them down. Real possibility of the mid pack guys getting away.

[ner88]

Why not three classes within the race?

SM

SSM/SM2

Open (include EP, FP, STU/STL)

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I like most of dannys ideas... I say keep the payout radom drawing, but without having to be present to win. SCCA has our contact info for payout, some may want o load up and get out of town at the end of the race, as many have long drives.

 

I dont see a need to pull restrictors, as if that happens there is no reason for any 1.6 to race with us. just leave cars in SM trim, if you want allow everyone to run at any minimum weight they can get to. That way you give a small advantage to those guys with high metabolisms or those with minimalist cages, while penalizing thoe of us who over indulge... It will get us ready for Obama care.

[Keith Andrews]

Agree with those saying stay with SM trim.  Including out of class cars makes no sense.  Invert the field based on the SM race sounds fun.  If you go with 3 payouts 50%, 30%, 20%, you could split the finishers in thirds, then random draw, Top third is in the draw for the 50%, middle third draw for 30%, bottom third 20%.  Everyone one has a shot at some cash.  

 

Running at your minimum weight sounds ok.  

[AW33COM]

Le Mans start to the pace car.   Cars lined up behind the pace car is the starting order.  Start is normal.  Fun for spectators under "Road Miata". 

[nickatgt]

Le Mans start to the pace car.   Cars lined up behind the pace car is the starting order.  Start is normal.  Fun for spectators under "Road Miata". 

Interesting...I can't quite visualize how the start would work. Can you elaborate?

 

I think SM trim (although I am not sure how we define in in the supps) is the way to go it sounds like anything else gets pretty complicated.

 

I like running at minimum weight but keeping restrictors and other specs in place.

 

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

 

What do you think about changing drivers? Too much for a sprint race?

 

Anything else that I am missing?

[Todd Lamb]

You change drivers and you significantly reduce the number of cars that could enter.

 

Le Mans start - no - never get away with that for insurance.

 

You could do two segments - draw for grid, run 10 laps and assign finishing points. Then invert the draw spots (not the finishing order) to start the second segment, run 10 laps and assign finishing points. The combo points would be the overall winner.

[AW33COM]

Interesting...I can't quite visualize how the start would work. Can you elaborate?

 

Cars lined up sideways on the grid.  Car is shut down, door closed, steering wheel on.  Drivers with helmets and HANS devices on, stand across the cars.  We run to the car, jump in, get ready, and drive away to the pace car that pulled away already.  There is your order. 

 

And if you really want to make a fun show, make each driver stand in underwear across their Miata.  They would have to get dressed and then run to the cars.  Total crazy, but with an addition of umbrella chicks you could attract more spectators than Grand AM. 

[Jim Drago]

Of all the ideas, I have to admit. I like Danny's the best.
Invert the field, keep in SM trim and pay the top three finishers. I have started DFL and almost won a National there when the front runners started in the front. This is the best shot for anyone to win and it will be a hell of a race to watch.
Leave the rules alone, leave in plates, no out of class miatas. Just invert the field and pay the top three or five. Let's the chips fall where they may. Anyone who jumps the start is black flagged and gets a stop and go penalty

[CruzanTom]

Of all the ideas, I have to admit. I like Danny's the best.
Invert the field, keep in SM trim and pay the top three finishers. I have started DFL and almost won a National there when the front runners started in the front. This is the best shot for anyone to win and it will be a hell of a race to watch.
 

 

Yes, Danny's idea is best and will be the best race for spectators to watch. Close racing, lots of passing and everyone has a chance to place. If your goal to to present a fun race for competitors and give spectators a thrill, this is the way to do it.

 

Tom

[Ken Quartuccio]

Just curious is lemans start like a F1 start ?
Cars should be in 100 percent SM trim

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

I can't believe how many of you "racers" don't know what a LeMans start it.... really disappointing.

[Jim Drago]