Speed Series Competitors

[V 8]

Hi Machin, sorry, don't know who you are , you've no name in your profile. Have you read the other thread re a proposal to alter the points system. I have suggested a %age difference with second as a datum point to adjust up and down from

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

Tommo - His name is Richard Machin and runs in class A. he was at Goodwood. Perhaps you were too busy having cold showers after your "shoot" to notice?  

[cast iron]

"Basket Case"

"novices shouldnt be allowed to win overall"

Well thats two people off the Christmas card list

The Scotish system is good, just look at the class record for the class at the venue and work out the points acordingly, if you are the only one, or there are 100 of you, its the same points system.

[machin]

Hi Machin, sorry, don't know who you are , you've no name in your profile. Have you read the other thread re a proposal to alter the points system. I have suggested a %age difference with second as a datum point to adjust up and down from

Yes.... I'm agreeing with the % proposal and giving an example from my own experiences.....

I also agree that the novice classes shouldn't be overrall champions....

Machin

[SteveC]

just to add my tuppence worth to this,

i am registered for the SS but havnt competed this year due to some unforseen re aranging of the car at the start of the season, but the t shirt is being put to good use around the formula Jedi paddock

The only event I have done this year (with many thanks to Magnum) was a non SS event at Abingdon. Otherwise i would have done a mix of local non SS events (3 events ) plus some sourthern / central rounds of the SS (again 3 ) as i try to not do events that up the whole weekend. So generally i try and do 1 day events that dont have a stupidly early start.

I guess I fit into the social competitor group, getting promoted would turn into a bit of a lost cause - thats my excuse for driving so slowly So i like the idea of combining A and C with prizes for fastest novice, but then what constitutes a novice, first year of competition? promotion on 3 fastest novice awards?

We must remember that we have the 2 lower classes that encourage people to have a go in the road car. Would this be diminished by 1 bigger class?

My car has to fit a few objectives to make it justifiable from a cost point of view. eg track days, competition, posing, social club runs, something to tinker with in the winter - or this year the summer as well  

see you next year

[GuyH]

The Scotish system is good, just look at the class record for the class at the venue and work out the points acordingly, if you are the only one, or there are 100 of you, its the same points system.

True, but whereas you don't get a penalty for being the only competitor with this system, you instead get a penalty if it rains or is v cold etc.

I agree that novices shouldn't be allowed to win the championship too, but the novice classes are the biggest in terms of entries, so they should have a big prize to compete for nonetheless. Perhaps one championship trophy and one novice trophy.

[V 8]

I think we could avoid the no maximum issue, irrespective of the number of competitors in the class or on the day by using a target time.

I did the research 2 years ago to compile the best time for every class, for every venue, and catered for anomolies like class record one timers e.g.Ian Stinton and John Palmer.

You could then further enhance this with points for a %age above and below the target time.

Adverse weather conditions could use the time of the winner of the class as a "one off" target time for the day.

This coupled with a best novice award with promotion to expert being a MSA class win could satisfy most.

The best novice award could come then from all classes.

I know there are members of A & B that may feel disincentivised when promoted, but remember, there are a number of competitors who are still novices in all the other classes who just get on with it.

Me Julie was a mile behind for ages......now shes beating us.....without moaning!!!!!

JT

[MartinH]

OUCH! Martin, as one of the promotees from last year i like to think i got there by competing against the Husseys and on one occasion beating them, not by avoiding them.  

No offence meant Paul just pointing out how many got promoted when David and Guy were not there.  You got your expert status at Harewood and David and Guy don't do hills.  However, you beat them fair and square in the wet at 3 Slappers.

[Rob Navin]

Me Julie was a mile behind for ages......now shes beating us.....without moaning!!!!!

Cold shower for Tommo please  

[GuyH]

However, you beat them fair and square in the wet at 3 Slappers.

.. really not sure we should reward people for that sort of behaviour.  

[Mark Stanton]

QUOTE

I agree that novices shouldn't be allowed to win the championship too

and seriously that's the one thing where very sadly comments like that have all lost the original ethos of the SS and does little to continue attraction for novices to the sport  

How would a novice looking at entering next year view such a comment........... it would look quite unwelcoming and somewhat elitist

When commenced in 1998 the championship, Tom was quite to the point and maintained that it was the ideal opportunity for a novice to win and be encouraged to get a rung onto the ladder of competition.

Tom had been around paddocks for more years than any of us and he knew what was needed to encourage drivers to take part and then onwards to develop their skills be that with the SS or other championships

Admittedly some folks weren't around in 1998 so perhaps do not fully appreciate matters     but many others were  

The Championship has been won by 2 experts in its time, so it is a proven equal and possible for all to attain honours from whatever class.

Most other championships can only be won by experts. The SS has always offered wins to novice and experts .............. and simply that experts must try that bit harder at times............. but surely this is not much to ask    

Some good points made which will hopefully be presented in a proper manner ...................... but please let us not damage our spirit and comerarderie by losing sight of what got us all into the sport and gives novices and experts an achievable goal  

[V 8]

Thanks Mark, your comments are duly noted and as a registered SS driver I assume will be presented in the appropriate manner also. It is only your opinion however, and other opinions have been voiced here, none of which have been to keep it as it is, so there is obviously is a quiet discontent in some areas which cannot be ignored just because we have *always done it that way*

[Mark Stanton]

For sure     I always like equality for everyone both Novice and Expert should be able to win IMHO and not just novice or not just experts  

As can be seen in 2006 where both novices and experts are vying for the championship    

[GuyH]

I agree that novices shouldn't be allowed to win the championship too

and seriously that's the one thing where very sadly comments like that have all lost the original ethos of the SS and does little to continue attraction for novices to the sport  

.. I think you stopped reading my sentence at that point Mark. Read the rest of the sentence and you'll see I also think there should be a big prize for novices.

[fordy]

I personally feel the Novices should only be so for 2 yrs or 10 events, whichever comes sooner - as competitors that have done 40 events have a lot of experience, and therefore couldnt still be classed as a 'novice'!!!     This would mean there would be more 'lowish' HP cars in the C and D, and the true novices wouldnt be competing against people that had been round a particular track lots of times and hence learnt it well.  As at the moment it looks a bit like C and D are mostly high HP cars compared to A and B - maybe thats how some get promoted in the first place - The lack of being able to be competative in C with a lowly 130hp is what puts me off this year.

It would be interesting to see the HP/weight breakdown per class.