Points for Qualifying and Records

[Alan Roehrich]

I don't think points for records would be too complicated. You'd need about 4 rules. (Feel free to point out anything you think I may have overlooked)

20 points for setting a national record.
No points for re-setting your own record.
Maximum of records in 3 classes per driver per year.
Records in only one car/engine combination per year.

With those rules, you get points for records, but you can't "game" the system by continually bumping the record by small amounts. You also can't switch cars/combinations and set a lot of records.

So it would work like this:

Driver X has a 1969 xxxx with a xxx/xxx engine, and an automatic transmission, for Stock Eliminator in 2013. It is a natural "A" car, so it can run "B" and "CC". So, driver X can set the record in CC/SA, A/SA, and B/SA, in the same car with the same combination. That lets driver X earn 60 points. If no one else sets any of those three records, driver X can only collect 60 points for setting records. If driver Y takes the A/SA record from driver X, then driver X can try to set the A/SA record again, if he succeeds, he earns another 20 points. Now, even if driver X sells his 1969 xxxx, and gets another car, or gets a ride in another car, he can only set records in CC/SA, A/SA, and B/SA. And he cannot reset his own records in the new car. So driver X can't get out of the 1969 xxxx, or swap engines or transmissions, then go set records in F/SA, G/SA, and H/SA, or any other class to gain points. That prevents anyone from spending money to buy more cars or get rides in more cars to set records.

And really, 20 points is not a lot of points for the effort and expense of setting a record, it is about the same as winning a round. Honestly, a record should be worth more than 20 points. But you have to be careful that 2-3 guys don't get in a little contest, since in theory those 2-3 guys could earn a lot of points bumping the record 0.05 taking it from each other, and making a record worth a lot of points could do that. In theory, if a record started out at 0.8 under, between 100 and 160 points could be paid for records before anyone even got instant HP. You'd get the record set 6-8 times in that scenario, at 20 points each time. Even making it pay 40-50 points to set the record, if two guys set it 6 times, that's 240-300 points each.

As much as I'd like to see it pay 40 points for a record, 40 points for #1 qualifier, and 40 points a round to win class, that's probably swinging the pendulum too far the other way.

[fredjohnston]

This would penalize racers who do not race a "bogus" combination.

Also, this would drive away racers who do not have the money to continually spend on their car chasing the latest/great trick to be competitive while trying to win a division or world championship.

Kinda silly if you ask me.

I'd be for it. One wrinkle to this could be class at Indy. If you win class there, 50 points for winning class with 10 or more cars, 40 for 6 to 10 cars and 20 for 3 to 6 and 10 for 2 cars.

Even though it will not happen, this could be a real motivator for winning class and putting some excitement for the performance driven guy. Not the paycheck lift at a 1000 ft mercenaries that have sort of ruled our sport for awhile now.

I still think combining the sticks and auto's for eleminations could be a cool thing as well. I think you have to be a stick guy to want that

[Ed Wright]

Never was complicated. We used to get 200 points (100 points per round back then) for ET records, 100 for re-setting your own ET record, and 100 points for a MPH record. Now, of course, that would be 20 & 10, right?

I agree with qualifying points. Ten for #1 down to one for #10. No big deal.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by fredjohnston

This would penalize racers who do not race a "bogus" combination.

Also, this would drive away racers who do not have the money to continually spend on their car chasing the latest/great trick to be competitive while trying to win a division or world championship.

Kinda silly if you ask me.

Bull!

[fredjohnston]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Bull!

Explain your "Bull!".

Let's say I've got a 2012 whatever and can qualify on the pole at every race. I can set the record a couple of times during the year. You've got a 1970 whatever and you qualify mid-pack every race and aren't fast enough to set any records. We both go the same amounts of rounds during the racing season. Who wins the Championship when points are awarded for qualifying and records?

Limit drivers to record points 2 times a year, unless his car is refactored and he resets it with the same car combination . Very easy

Sounds like its time to build a better car, or become a better driver!
The statement that alot of people like to use " It's all just a bracket race" would change fast.

Originally Posted by fredjohnston

Explain your "Bull!".

Let's say I've got a 2012 whatever and can qualify on the pole at every race. I can set the record a couple of times during the year. You've got a 1970 whatever and you qualify mid-pack every race and aren't fast enough to set any records. We both go the same amounts of rounds during the racing season. Who wins the Championship when points are awarded for qualifying and records?

[David Barton]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Sounds like its time to build a better car, or become a better driver!
The statement that alot of people like to use " It's all just a bracket race" would change fast.

I agree 1000% with Todd. That's the biggest problem......its just a bracket race. If you want to just bracket race or if its not in your budget, they make other classes for you.

[B Parker]

I really like the idea. You need to be careful how many points are awarded for qualifying. Lets face it it's not an even playing field out there. It would be nice if the AHFS would raise the 85 under average. There aren't many cars out there that can't run faster than that on an average. Barry