Who Gets The Bye ?

[Larry Hill]

In Class runs does the fastest qualifier up to that point get the bye or do the competitors flip coins or use another way to determine the bye? Once the first bye is determined does it follow the the same pattern until at least all competitors have had at least one bye?

[Jim Bailey]

Larry, I laugh about this at every class race. If we have 16 A/SA at Indy... #1 runs #16... #2 runs #15... #3 runs #14... #4 runs #13 etc. Thats the way it should be with every class. If I wanted to play cards or flip coins, I'd save money, (a lot of money) and go to the casino. ( sure would stop 1000' shutoffs, wouldn't it !)LMAO, Oh, BTY, if there's 15 cars...#1 gets the first bye. JB.

[Bernie Cunningham]

Been to a few of these over the years and never seen anybody totally happy until I brought out the playing cards with pairs and a joker for the bye if needed.
Jim, I'm sorry, but it ain't the way it used to be anymore. Sometimes a slower car gets to play a little longer in Class than before and I reckon that's cool. BTW, if you've had a previous pick for a bye you do not get to play the bye again.

[Jim Bailey]

Bernie: That's why they call us sportsmen, because we refuse to act and race like the pros. JB.

[Dan Fletcher]

we all know that there is no set procedure, but clearly there should be. It can and has been coins, cards, numbers out of the hat, and yes, even a ladder based on qualifying. It seems as though its different every single time, and if one player demands a coin flip for the bye, the others must acquiesce.

I would think this should be an easy enough action item for us to address. It seems only fair that the fast car gets the bye, and if a sportsman ladder is applied, who can bitch? Oh, wait...I forgot the audience in question...

[herbjr]

x2

[Jeremy]

I would like to see low qualifier get the bye, but at least NHRA should make a rule about this so we could do it the same every time.

At Indy a few years ago the racers in my class voted to flip a coin first round which we did, then a remaining racer insisted on using low qualifier for second round when he thought he was lowest left, then after finding out I was lower because of the first round run changed his mind again saying we have to do it the same as first round and flip a coin again.

Thanks Jerry

[Bobby Brannon]

In the older days NHRA would have a number wrote down on every class that had uneven cars in them.. What ever number it was ex.[ "3 " in 11 car field] 3rd car in line would get the bye.. NO one knew who it was until you pulled out of staging lane heading to the line. There was no flipping or pullings cards.

[Bruce Noland]

#1qualifier of each class only applies to the first round and he or she should get the bye run. Flipping coins, drawing numbers, etc. should be used thereafter. But no more bye runs for #1. This procedure was explained to me by a Division Director at the Jegs Sport Nationals a few years ago. Sounds reasonable.

[Schenck]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

#1qualifier of each class only applies to the first round and he or she should get the bye run. Flipping coins, drawing numbers, etc. should be used thereafter. But no more bye runs for #1. This procedure was explained to me by a Division Director at the Jegs Sport Nationals a few years ago. Sounds reasonable.

In a 17 car field the #1 gets two byes (first round and semi final) if he is still in.

I believe class should be set up in a pro ladder. Why? Because it keeps the other cars from qualifing at the bottom so they keep from running the fastest car.

Greg Schenck