I would still have it that any run faster than -710 would lower the class index unless it’s mineshaft than any run faster then -760 would lower class index.
I know a few guys that want to get into comp but PI is pushing them away as they are afraid if they whack their index they do not have the money to buy another engine to change classes.
Anyone that raced the doorslammer nationals and the racers revival that had this concept of no PI had an absolute blast and loved it. I guarantee that all 16 guys that race the Indy specialty race this year regardless of the money will say how much fun it was.
Take a look at D4 during qualifying, they are running it WFO and people love it, the fans they get actually understand it and don’t question why guys are shutting off at 1000 ft.
Guys and Gals,
Can we bring some logic to this conversation and please stop with the straw man arguments?
First, "I know a few guys that want to get into comp but PI is pushing them away as they are afraid if they whack their index they do not have the money to buy another engine to change classes."
Now, this has nothing to do with how the Personal Index system works. This would, in fact, still be the exact same consequence for any racer who hits his class index in the Pre-PI era. Having a system based on Personal Index does not relieve you, yourself, from responsibility of consequences to the index on your scoreboard.
Another argument I hear, "Because of PI I am slower than RACER X in my class even tho I ran quicker on the track. That's not fair."
Well, let's say you and RACER X are paired up on race day. Now, you race heads up off the National Index and any disadvantage you had by having a more difficult PI becomes your advantage as the quicker car. Again, this would still be applicable to the Pre-PI era. Yes, the one difference is qualifying position, but should there not be some penalty for using your index? Is that not what the system is supposed to do?
To say that PI is too complicated and thus should be eliminated on that alone is laughable. We've seen at least two instances this year where the common practice of CIC between rounds was innocently mishandled and outcomes of races were affected. Should we just eliminate CIC altogether because it's difficult? Or, as Clint suggests, should we, the racers, take it upon ourselves to make sure our indexes and CIC is correct before and during the event? We can do it. We have done it. Sometimes, yes, mistakes will be made. All we can do is better prepare so those mistakes don't happen with regularity.
Now here is how PI actually works for the BENEFIT OF THE CLASS.
RACER Y goes to Florida in February or March. More power to him. But, he goes -65 to -70 to win a few rounds or better yet bring home a Wally or two. That's great. Some would say its well worth it. But with PI involved RACERS A, B, and C waiting for the 24" snow drifts to melt aren't saddled with a crippling index hit that causes them not to bring their cars out once the Midwest summer weather arrives.
The Personal Index system does not change how those who race early and often are affected by their own performance. What it does is protect those who can't or don't race in great conditions from getting slower while at home working just as hard as everyone else to stay competitive.
Is there a perfect system, no there can't be. Our class is too grand and too diverse. But the way this system allows you to sit down at the breakfast table on an early spring Sunday morning and not be worried that you might be down a tenth by dinner should not be lost in this discussion.
The truth about PI should and would not deter any new racers from coming out and joining the fun. By all means let's race!
