SHELBY FEST 07 - Let's talk Classes

[REPTYL]

Being an event organiser with the cobra car club over the last decade, I have noticed a trend involving the major events and people and cars competing in them.
As technologies advance we find the performance gap widening between the newer Cobras and the pre 90’s normally aspirated small blocks. We also have many competitors running road/race tyres and another group spending thousands on stroking or supercharging their older vehicles.

Last year at the Shelby Fest we had to run 5 different Cobra classes to ensure we weren’t disadvantaging a competitor with a lesser machine running out of his class. This keeps most happy (although we always get a few wingers).

Problems with this scenario: Trophy cost, in-balance of numbers within the classes, some classes may only have 1 or 2 competitors entered, people try to get there car in to a less competitive class. How do you group the cars fairly: On power, engine size, performance, tyres, handling or driver skill.

Last years classes:
Cobra class1
Cobra class2
Cobra class3
Race class
Ladies
Mustang
GT40

Times the number of classes by the number of events and you have a lot of trophies.

Let’s think outside the box on his one. No more adding to the number of classes or modifying the criteria for the specific classes.
Let’s re-think the whole event, simplify and maybe add a new twist that allows everyone to compete on a level playing field.

[REPTYL]

This is my proposal that I’m putting forward for all to view and comment on.

If it passes scrutiny here, we will be running with it at this years Shelby Fest.

I have utilized the results from the last two years Shelby Fest to ensure the formulae works well and covers all contingencies.

Saturday’s event will be split in two.
In the morning competitors will be on the track trying to record their fastest lap time. Laps completed after lunch can also count towards the fastest lap, but these laps also have another use. (I’ll cover that in a moment).Trophies will be awarded to the top 10 fastest performers regardless of car type or spec. If you have a fast car and you’re a good driver, you will be rewarded.

Now for the afternoon’s competition:
Trophies will be awarded to the 10 competitors that have the lowest regulatory factor. The regulatory factor is calculated by:
Subtracting the fastest lap time from the average (total number of laps completed minus the 3 slowest laps or safety car laps).
To qualify the driver must have completed 80% of the average number of laps completed by all competitors (Rounded up to the nearest whole number).

Sounds complicated, but it really works and works well.

To add one last twist: If you placed in the speed event, you will be exempt from the regularity event. Unless you have scored a higher ranking on the reg event, in witch case you become exempted from the speed event, thus freeing up spots for more trophy winners.

So regardless of weather you have a stock 302 doing 2 minute laps or a supercharged chev doing 1.30’s, there’s something in the event for everyone.

[REPTYL]

These are the reularity times from ShelbyFest 06
First number is the number of laps minus slowest 3, warm up and cool down laps.

2nd number is the reg. factor (fastest lap - average lap speed)

Garry Shipton 13 00:00.902
Leigh Reaby 17 00:01.565
John White 18 00:01.756
Lindsay Ratnik 13 00:01.934
Phil Neall 18 00:02.249
Garrett Hebden 18 00:02.383
Peter Maloney 18 00:02.387
Warwick Harrison 17 00:02.401
Chris Liokos 13 00:02.404
Colin Turner 18 00:02.614
Richard Ferguson 17 00:02.749
Cameron Parsons 19 00:02.755
Jason Millington 19 00:02.841
Don Stafford 14 00:02.859
Robert Ginneken 13 00:03.033
Tony Cram 13 00:03.108
Trevor Hill 17 00:03.837
Shelly Wyatt 11 00:04.094
Warren Boylan 17 00:04.280
Phil Mizzi 18 00:04.316
David Draper 13 00:04.384
Karen Mizzi 13 00:04.741
Ross Kaigg 17 00:04.753
Mark Pividor 14 00:05.066
Bruce Rigby 11 00:05.109

DNQ Not enough laps completed

Darryl Carr 2 00:00.183
Richard Gilham 10 00:01.007
Alan Davies 5 00:01.423
Bill Davies 4 00:01.584
Peter Duncan 9 00:01.919
Terry Ridley 8 00:02.371
Danny Higginson 8 00:03.544
Kaylene Turner 9 00:03.695
Garry Higginson 7 00:03.928
Jason Nichols 9 00:05.529

[REPTYL]

These were the times from Shelby Fest 06

John White 01:37.563
Garrett Hebden 01:38.245
Warwick Harrison 01:39.087
Trevor Hill 01:39.154
Warren Boylan 01:39.854
Ross Kaigg 01:40.869
Garry Shipton 01:41.409
Cameron Parsons 01:41.837
Colin Turner 01:41.842
Peter Duncan 01:43.053
Phil Neall 01:43.689
Don Stafford 01:45.898
Chris Liokos 01:45.990
Lindsay Ratnik 01:46.689
Jason Millington 01:46.791
Peter Maloney 01:48.441
Darryl Carr 01:48.545
Kaylene Turner 01:48.765
Leigh Reaby 01:50.059
Phil Mizzi 01:50.790
Richard Gilham 01:50.843
Bruce Rigby 01:52.115
Robert Ginneken 01:52.910
Danny Higginson 01:53.156
Richard Ferguson 01:54.470
Bill Davies 01:54.600
Shelly Wyatt 01:54.913
Tony Cram 01:55.051
Mark Pividor 01:56.612
Karen Mizzi 01:56.720
Garry Higginson 01:56.863
David Draper 01:57.397
Terry Ridley 01:59.321
Alan Davies 02:01.136
Jason Nichols 02:09.514

[Philm]

HI Jason,
Sounds complicated but I am getting my head arround it.

Is this correct,
The morning session will be setting the fastest lap, the number of laps or average has nothing to do with the afternoon event other than the Fastest lap time?

The afternoon event will be a "One run" format where you would go out complete a determined or minimum number of laps.


I have one concern with the afternoon event. With my limited experience driving at these events, the one thing that I always enjoy is the courtesy that all drivers show when competing. If you buggered a lap that was ok, it didn't matter, with this event you may not want to slow down, pass when safe etc etc...

However I do like your proposal.

My 2 cents.

Phil

[Flukeyluke]

When and where is this event held?

[REPTYL]

The morning session will be setting the fastest lap, the number of laps or average has nothing to do with the afternoon event other than the fastest lap time?

Correct. This allows drivers to go out and complete their laps as per other years. You can warm up your tyres for a lap or two or cruse around at your leisure slowing to let cars past when you have to.

The afternoon event will be a "One run" format where you would go out and complete a determined or minimum number of laps.

Not exactly. Again as per previous years cars will be grouped and set out on the track at different times through the afternoon.
The time spent on the track will be same as always. It's only the afternoon times that will be calculated differently.
The 80% rule is added to stop drivers only doing a coulpe of laps and having an advantage when averaging out the times.

As for slowing down to let cars past.
We always group the cars according to lap speed, so lapping other cars is rare.
If you do slow down a couple of times, no worries, your 3 slowest laps are deleted from the equation for this exact reason.

[REPTYL]

Originally Posted by Flukeyluke

When and where is this event held?

Winton motor raceway 20th-22nd April 2007
Stay tuned for further updates.

[Leeroy]

Reptyl

looks like a very fair system. As I see it it rewards the person doing the very best with what they have got on the day, which is to drive to your personal best limit and driving your car to its potential best limit.

Leeroy

ps/ did i make sense!!!!

[richardferguson]

Sounds good to me. As long as we get a few more laps than were on offer at Goulburn.
Any ideas on how many cars will be allowed to enter? Oversubscription seriously reduces the enjoyment factor.
Richard

[BJ's Snake]

So how do you decide who misses out on the fun Richard?
Brett

[REPTYL]

Originally Posted by richardferguson

Sounds good to me. As long as we get a few more laps than were on offer at Goulburn.

haven't had any complants yet from past years in regards to the amount of laps completed at the Shelby's.
I did 28 including warmup laps last year thats about 3/4 of a hour on the track.

[Philm]

Jason,
Are you planning to have the practice day on the Friday?

Phil

[REPTYL]

Originally Posted by Philm

Jason,
Are you planning to have the practice day on the Friday?

Phil

Winton will be putting on the Friday practice same as last year.
$100 and the track is yours for the day.

[richardferguson]

My point was that too many people are allowed to register for the Nationals. The Shelbyfest last year was fine (even though I did not make the practice session). With such a well-run event it's only going to become more popular. What do you do if entries are up 50%? I'd suggest working out a number of cars which guarantees a fair amount of track time, excluding non-Shelby cars (unless the event is under-subscribed) and keep doing what you're doing. As far as who misses out: first in, best dressed.
Richard

[Aussie Mike]

Jason,

How are we going to go with un registered cars? Mine should be ready by then but may not have finished going through engineering.

Cheers

[REPTYL]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Jason,

How are we going to go with un registered cars? Mine should be ready by then but may not have finished going through engineering.

Cheers

I sure I had the same question from you 2 years ago.

If your car is in roadworthy condition and passes scrutineering your right to go.

Richard,

We have it all under control, we can take 30% over last year without changing the format. Over that we have a plan 'b' format up to 90 cars.

This event is all about getting out on the track and having fun. Not to have 100 cars sitting in the pits.

[richardferguson]

Well done Jason. Sounds like it's going to run like clockwork!
Richard

[OZVENOM]

Hi Jason yea i like your thinking i am never about trophys i got enough of them racing speedway for 10 years , I still have not found a way to recycle them yet.
I think its a good idea lets hope people think more about track time and enjoying their cars than dam trophys.

Hope to be there this year i am due for a tip to Victoria.

Regards oz

[Cameron Parsons]

Jason,

looks like you have a consensus. Knowing personalities however, you may want to pre-prepare a concise example for people to look at. It will at least limit some of the questions/challenges.

What's the Sunday plan?

I'm looking forward to it...

Cameron