FE/FM combined at the Runoffs

[dalz]

A news flash from SportsVagen:Since the SCCA realized the combining the Sporty Deuces and Wrec racers was not a good idea, they decided to give the cob to their most hated class (FM) in their most hated category of cars (formula). I'm sure the FE guys are not thrilled either.

This is making it real hard to consider the Runoffs some kind of premium event to look foward all year to.

Dale V.

[Marshall Mauney]

This was beaten to death in an earlier thread... but:

If we can get a split start with enough of a gap, it shouldn't be too bad. I actually don't mind racing with FM anyway. I thought we did OK at Grattan two weeks ago.....maybe you didn't?

I agree with your basic point, however, that it would be preferable to have single-class groups wherever possible for the Runoffs. That said, I think it matters more in the qualifying than in the race. RA is a long track, so unless we get bunched up behind a pace car under double-yellow it shouldn't become an issue in the race.

Look at it this way: Let's say that there's a 1-second difference between the pace of the "slow" and "fast" class, and that the back of the pack is 4 seconds off the pace. If the second group starts one minute behind the first group, it would take 15 laps to catch the back of the field of the first group.

[dalz]

I may be behind here...I looked all over for a thread on this; is the combined race old news?

I thought everyone did an exemplary job at Grattan, given the hopeless snarl of traffic in the Formula/SR race. But I wouldn't say it was fun.

Still, I thought the Runoffs was the ultimate race. No TV, multi-class races; they are doing their best to devalue it. The June Sprints are still where it's at for me, and that has not changed, even with the RA Runoffs.

[Darryl Wills]

I firmly believe that combining classes at the Runoffs is 100% BS....It is the only event of the year that National classes get the full focus of the race on their class, with the exception of SM and SRF. The Runoffs are supposed to be a special race and splitting the broadcast coverage and victory podium between multiple classes is just BAD customer service. I do have a few influential ears that will listen to reason and they will be hearing from me on this.

[GT1Vette]

I firmly believe that combining classes at the Runoffs is 100% BS....It is the only event of the year that National classes get the full focus of the race on their class, with the exception of SM and SRF. The Runoffs are supposed to be a special race and splitting the broadcast coverage and victory podium between multiple classes is just BAD customer service. I do have a few influential ears that will listen to reason and they will be hearing from me on this.

I really ought to leave this alone, but be SURE to offer an alternative Runoffs plan when speaking to those "influential ears".

[Marshall Mauney]

I may be behind here...I looked all over for a thread on this; is the combined race old news?

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44905

[Marshall Mauney]

splitting the broadcast coverage

Broadcast coverage?

[Darryl Wills]

I meant webcast...My alternate plan is to run like cars at the bottom of the participation list together not classes that appear at the top of the list....e.i. GTL-24th and T3-28th on the list. It seems that the drivers who put in the effort to promote their class and spend the money to race at the National events should be able to show case their racing by having their own class at the Runoffs.

[Darryl Wills]

GTL is 26th...but you get the idea

[dalz]

Thanks to the link Marshall, but I didn't know the RACE was combined until yesterday.

I'm starting to respect racing titans like Bill France Sr., Ted Johnson, Tony Hulman, and the guy who has run my local dirt track for 30 years more and more all the time. Sure, they made mighty unpopular decisions at times, but they realized that you can't deliver rainbows and unicorns to every single person! Socialism is proving a miserable failure throughout the world, and it looks like motorsports is no exception....

Dale V.