Can you really win a NASA season championship
12-31-2010, 02:00 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
12-31-2010, 12:17 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
NorCal ST2 regional ranking was based purely on attendance this year. IMO, there are too many race classes and not enough cars in each class. The NASA events are packed with cars and overall attendance is peak capacity. Even so, some classes have only 1 or 2 cars. I don't see how those classes can grow when the track is already packed with cars from other classes. Why do they need the AI classes when there are ST classes? Why the camaro/mustang class when they can probably run competitively in PT or something? Not to mention all the GTS classes. I just started running with NASA so I don't have the answers, but this is my first impression is as a newbie.
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
12-31-2010, 01:24 PM
#9
Drifting
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
A regional club that I run with does something very similar. The winner gets points equal to however many cars were in the class. If they are the only one running, then 1 point. If there are seven cars in the class for that day, then the winner gets 7 points. The last place car gets 1 point for just being there and running. It keeps the season tally pretty close.
12-31-2010, 01:25 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
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NorCal ST2 regional ranking was based purely on attendance this year. IMO, there are too many race classes and not enough cars in each class. The NASA events are packed with cars and overall attendance is peak capacity. Even so, some classes have only 1 or 2 cars. I don't see how those classes can grow when the track is already packed with cars from other classes. Why do they need the AI classes when there are ST classes? Why the camaro/mustang class when they can probably run competitively in PT or something? Not to mention all the GTS classes. I just started running with NASA so I don't have the answers, but this is my first impression is as a newbie.
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
Welcome to politics 
12-31-2010, 04:02 PM
#12
Safety Car
12-31-2010, 04:26 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
However, it's not just NASA. I think most season "championships" are largely influenced by who makes the most events. It would be more complicated, but to me it would make sense to vary the points awarded for winning based on the number of cars that started the race. For example, if there is only 1 car in the class then he would get 20 points for finishing the race. Maybe 40 points with 2 cars, 60 for 3, 80 for 4, up to 100 points for 5 or more cars. That way, a faster driver would still have a chance to win a seasonal championship even if he couldn't make all the events. The points for 2nd, 3rd, etc. would also have to be on a sliding scale. But I'm sure some computer programmer could pretty easily take care of it.
SCCA Nationals have too many classes (29 I think), and Regional classes are even more. So it is not just NASA. I too think there can be some consolidation: STO & GT2 in SCCA; AIX & ST1 in NASA (maybe). PT & ST.
I am racing a Spec Miata this year so I can work on my driving. My first race (Sebring) will have more cars in SM (51) than I raced against in all on 2010 in STO. Think about that.
12-31-2010, 05:29 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
. Keep us posted, I'm curious how you will like it and how you will do in that class.
01-01-2011, 11:15 AM
#16
01-01-2011, 11:33 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
01-01-2011, 12:09 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
01-01-2011, 05:46 PM
#20
Safety Car
Just about every series is like this. Grand Am, Conti challenge, WC, whatever. The only difference is that they have more consistant entries each race, whereas NASA or SCCA has a wide variety as few of us can really attend every event.