More ideas

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My brother and I have been talking for a few years about what could help, and your first idea is spot on with what we have been talking about. One of the main reasons everyone has a hard time understanding Comp is the index system. Specifically, how it plays out to the casual fan in the stands. I have a hard time following along from the stands, and I know what I am looking at. The casual fan knows the fuel cars are fast because, well, they are loud and fast. The PS cars have that record number and it's easy to relate to that as the performance measure, but the system is so complicated and the numbers are only on the boards for a short amount of time, by the time you may have figured out if a particular run was good the next pair is going down, and you have to figure it all out again.

Take, F/D for instance. Current index (class) is 8.59, record is a 7.88. The index would become 7.90. Only way I hit the index is if I go 7.89 or quicker (which is BAD fast). Then the fan in stands would see my 7.89 as a BAD run because the index was 7.90.

It would make it easier to understand, and thus, possibly, help someone on the fence about the class start to participate. Plus, it's just a simpler system....

 

I have said this for years.

 

One thing about this rule is that it can be changed now because it doesn't effect anybody. It just makes it easier to understand. How about reps?

 

I agree 100%. I have talked with several people about this for years and everyone think highly of it.
Brian your post was great top to bottom. You don't do that often. Lol. Thanks
Clark Smiley

 

I really doubt that making people understand Comp in the stands is the answer to increase participation. I watch the stands empty out when the heads up classes run.
I also do not agree with your idea on taking away 7 tenths and running on a pro ladder either. I think it would take a lot of guys out of the game but maybe I don't know what I am talking about.
If you want say I used a loophole to make your point, have at it. My family and I have supported Comp for many years and will continue to do so. As I mentioned in other posts we race as the rules as they are written which is actually what the reps are trying to do, encourage others to race this great class we love. I race other classes and there is nothing like Comp.

 

I would agree with that.

But what about potential racers? You think they are going to dive head first into Comp without first understanding it. I mean I did, but I'm an idiot. Lol.

 

Frank, you right, it will not bring in new people but it would help us on the starting line figure it out quicker. I believe I saw Alan Patterson taking his shoes off quickly to figure how far under Todd had just gone.lol

 

I like it, this is the young innovative thinking that that Comp needs.

 

Greg, really! Is that what we should do, make it easier to do math on the starting line? LOL

 

You can be one of them, LOL They are coming. You can keep being sarcastic with the it's working comments. Like I said I hope you are as vocal if and when the numbers are the other way around.
Truth is these posts are getting me more calls then I can ever imagine. I'm actually surprised what I'm hearing but we will see I guess.

 

Hi David,
Do you think it would increase participation?

 

Care to share what you are hearing? Obviously names don't need to be mentioned.

 

I would say it is radical ,but anything we can do to make the rules easier to understand ,explain and race with won't run anyone away. It's this brainstorming and communicating that's going to improve the class.

 

That idea does a lot more than make the rules easier to understand.

I agree on the brainstorming and communication and that's what we are trying to do.

Are we going to see you out some more this year, I hope? Have you spoken with Greg?

 

Brian, you are way off base. It seems you're the one who wants to be right. Out of the 8 of you that agree this idea would be good 5 of you are not currently running Comp. Would the 5 of you commit to running Comp next year if this was in place as you wished? That's what it's all about, whether you believe it or not!

 

Ok take six tenths off the index and simplify to concept of comp. the seven tenth Brian is talking about is to actually do something to help the fast guys. You know the ones that have comp cars and are actually out (trying) to race them.
Like I have said I will race comp with the pi system in place and not bitch about it but I will not say that it is not a huge kick in the nuts to the faster cars in the class.
Clark Smiley

 

The biggest mess up with the pi system was the starting point of the class index. The tenth back was a huge mistake because it royally screwed the people that have been running comp and making their cars faster.
Clark Smiley

 

Im not sure if this has been the specifics of what has been discussed...but I do think that increased participation in Comp can be traced to the fans in the stands and more importantly general interest in the sport. And the simpler/easier to understand it can be... would help. Interest is always good... whether is fans in stands... racers on the starting line in other classes... or my friends coming to watch. And if one of those people decides they want to get involved... our sport grows.

That being said my pet peeve with Comp is our indexs and the arbitrary numbering. And this is an easy/cheap one to fix. This is what I think is most logical.

Lets say you have class X/XX. Index is 8.51et. So at -0.51 under you start get a CIC penalty (8.00et). Why .51 under? Why all the math.

Make the index for that class 8.00. When you run faster than 8.00... your index changes. Its easy math and easy to explain to fans (and my friends who know nothing about racing and when I beg them to come out and watch... I have to literally take a piece of paper and show them the math).

A decent run in comp will now be your index. A fast run... 0.1sec faster than your index. A rocket ship run.... 0.2sec faster than your index.

No changing of the indexes relative to each other. No changes to the regular vs personal index situation. Just make the math easier. All that has to change is the scoreboard and the rule book. And the way Comp guys talk about how fast their car went.