Top 10 number system for novices turning experts

[Protein Filled]

Just a question/idea/comment here. GLRRA used to give the top nine novices from the previous year the option to run that number with a leading zero as their number for next year. IE: If you finished in first place as an amateur in your region, you get the number "01" as an expert for that next coming season. If you were in second, you get to run "02" for the next season, etc.

CRA is starting to do that this year and I think it's a great reward for doing a full season and putting all that effort as a novice. I could understand the confusion that it might cause if we were still doing it all with hand scoring, but if the rumors are true, we might have transponders next year, so it should not be too hard.

What do you guys think? Is it possible for CCS to also do this?

[motomadness]

Even though I don't qualify for a number plate under your proposed system, I still support it.  It would be great to see during the race, and on the results pages, where the former top amateurs are finishing.

[FUBAR606]

I think it is a great idea, but I finished 11th...ya think they will let me run "011"  :D

[the_weggie_man]

So, if James Bond comes out and runs 7th next year, in '04 can he run "007"?

[Litespeed]

That would be a great idea, but the top 10 amateurs will likely contest the bump and stay amateurs....lol.

[sportbikepete]

lol  :P

[YTAK_Racing]

LOL!  :D :D

[bmfgsxr]

 ;D

[bmfgsxr]

that would be a good incentive for ametures to bump up i think.

[BRG]

Why don't they just run yellow plate again.

Expert is expert, the days of winning races with 17's, 18's, and 19,s are over. This sould make you just work harder to meet your goals. But, if having a top 10 number on you bike is your goal all you have to do is get your $$$ out and enter all the races.

Why would a new expert want to be highlighted any way?
You may as well just put a target on there back.

Baker

[sdiver68]

LOL@BRG

[Bam55]

Brian, don't bother, you know all of us when becoming  experts after winning with the 17's,18's, and 19's thought we were going to be up front. They will figure it all out soon.  ;D
 Guys, just use your last year number. If you had made any impression on anyone and you change numbers, how are we going to know who you are?

[bmfgsxr]

Brian, don't bother, you know all of us when becoming  experts after winning with the 17's,18's, and 19's thought we were going to be up front. They will figure it all out soon.  ;D
 Guys, just use your last year number. If you had made any impression on anyone and you change numbers, how are we going to know who you are?

which track are you refering to?

[BRG]

Midwest track, Blackhawk Farm Raceway. 8)

[Jeff]

They have a tough enough time scoring as it is.  No need to complicate things...

Hell, last year I went for a new number and requested the "lowest ODD number available".  They gave me 42...

I find 42 pretty odd...  It worked for me this year and will work for me next...

[TiffineyIngram]

Sorry, guys, there's no way for our computer to be able to do that.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, guys, there's no way for our computer to be able to do that.

CCS must be using those computers that everyone was all worried about with Y2K.  This probably explains what happened to all my pre-entrys from the middle third of the 2002 season... :(

[TiffineyIngram]

And Chris, you used to be my friend.   >:(

[the_weggie_man]

I think that is called programming. Computers do pretty much whatever they are programmed to do, right? Just need to rewrite the program. That's what any other business does when they need to make a change.  No, I'm not a programmer but it doesn't sound impossible to me.

Any programmers out there want to weigh in on this?

[r6_philly]

I think that is called programming. Computers do pretty much whatever they are programmed to do, right? Just need to rewrite the program. That's what any other business does when they need to make a change.  No, I'm not a programmer but it doesn't sound impossible to me.

Any programmers out there want to weigh in on this?

Easily done, but I don't know what they are using and how much $$$ they are willing to spend.

we work on custom software systems from as low as $5000 to as high as... well u know :D

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

And Chris, you used to be my friend.   >:(

Please, Tiff!  You were the one who got all that $#it straightened out!

[SliderPhoto]

Sorry, guys, there's no way for our computer to be able to do that.

http://www.kingtet.com/lostnspc.au

DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!

DOES NOT COMPUTE!

DANGER! WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!

LOL.  You non programmer types.... :p

01 is not a number.  The program was probably written to save the rider number in a numeric field, to store 01 you would need a character or string field. There may be some other work around for example, store them as numbers > 1000, such as 1001. Or if they allow X before or after, then using 1X or X1.

[Eric Kelcher]

Here's why our computer cannot do the '01' or '02' (etc) numbers:

When we combine a race (for example, Heavyweight and Lightweight Sportsman), there are sometimes two riders with the same number (two different regions), and one is assigned an 'X'.  As we've all seen, the 'X' is not always visible to our scorers.  Imagine now, if we allow amateurs to have top 10 number plates.  What would happen if the amateurs and the experts from two regions all show up and run the same combined class.  Four people with the same number instead of the possible two that could happen now.  There is no way possible to assign 1XXX.  Our computer can't do it, and although our scorers are great, what if you were 1XX and the scorers only saw one of your Xs and you were confused with the other guy?  You'd be irate.  Anyway, to audit a race, we type in a number, enter, and enter the next number.  As it is now, it's difficult when Xs either can't be seen or are missed.  It would be so incredibly difficult to possibly have four of the same number.   Our computer cannot see 0s prior to numbers.  The top ten plates are reserved for the top ten experts as an incentive for a championship season.  I realize that the amateurs have incredible seasons too, but can't we all just be happy for how things are and look forward to a great coming season???

 :)

[BRG]

AM need to earn the top 10 plates in the expert class just as the current EX have. For an AM to run a 01 or 02 plate would mean nothing and be pointless. Running a #1 plate and finishing 15th at there home track against the real #1 plate holder, Ha, Ha. I don't think anyone would even know you were out there.

Baker  :o

[SliderPhoto]

...can't we all just be happy for how things are and look forward to a great coming season???

 :)

I don't think it's a matter of people not being happy or looking for ways to knock the system. It's just an idea that has some merrit, a way to reward an AM for working hard and entering every race. Maybe even give them a chance at some extra sponsorship dollars. But who knows, might be just another reason to cherry pick. :)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Actually, this whole thread was started by Edgar (the whining Colombian) Dorn.  He got his butt thoroughly whupped by me and Casper in 2002, but still managed to finish high overall by entering about 40 races per weekend.  Edgar knows that he's been blessed with luck that far outreaches his talent, and wants a Pseudo top-ten plate because for him it's never going to get any better than this!  Next year, he has to go prove himself against Ed Key in expert lightweight.  (I doubt he'd do any better against Montez and Gorden in 600, but Casper and I will be there, so you know Dorn will stay away!)  I say give Edgar his plate, and then just let the scorers ignore him.  It won't really change the outcome of the races...
Merry Christmas Edgar! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Protein Filled]

Oh Chris,

thoroughly whupped, huh? You are just jealous cuz you would not get one.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

I just thought it was a good concept and since the CRA can do it, I would think that CCS could have too...I know it would be confusing to score, but if we go to transponders I figured it would make it easier since you always have the number of the transponder as the one being recorded. I understand that if the transponders fail it would revert to manual scoring, but that should never happen, right?

Regarding top ten scoring for experts, can anyone explain the Chuck Stephan scenario in the midwest for me? I could enter every single race as an expert if I had the money to waste and BUY a top ten plate...

[harb990]

Why not reserve 11 thru 20 for the top amatuers turning to expert - but only if they want to change from their original number??

[sdiver68]

I know...CCS should just give every AM top 10 from the previous year a big gold star sticker like you used to get on your papers in Elem. school  ;D  In fact, on second thought, make it white and that will serve as the front number plate.

That way all the experts would think to themselves...damn I have to run against 3 stars this race  :D  ;D

[Thingy]

Why not reserve 11 thru 20 for the top amatuers turning to expert - but only if they want to change from their original number??

I don't like that idea...  :-[  

My number is EX 13

[the_weggie_man]

What  Jack said in his last post.  If there is no way of scoring this, which puzzles me. Sh-t we can send people to the moon, right?  Then how about a ceremonial, hang on your wall only yellow plate with a number 1-10 for the top Ams.  Just recognize these guys for their hard earned places as you do the experts.  Stand 'em up front at the banquet so all can see the new experts for '03 and beyond.

I sent a letter to Kevin Elliot about this earlier this month. Hell, if CCS won't recognize these guys maybe I'll do it myself if they'll give me the time at the banquet.

[sdiver68]

I don't think Jack meant to imply that it was 'impossible' to change.  It probably is impossible to input today, as the program(s) sit.  (BTW, sending people to the moon required less computer power than what is held in the average Palm Pilot  :D )

Changing a field from Number to Character in the database is not rocket science in and of itself.  However, you have to analyze the impact of making that change on the entire program(s).  Does it effect sorting?  Table joins?  Data integrity?  Interfaces?  These, and other considerations, make it expensive to change a program after its already written.

This is basically what R6_Philly was saying.

So, the question is, would you rather spend CCS money on that or something else?

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Edgar has stars all over his leathers already.  How much harder and faster can a guy stroke his own ego?
Just for the record Edgar, I was 6th in GP, 8th in GL, and 10th in MW.  Imagine the results I might have achieved if I had run more than three races per weekend!  How many classes were you entering? ;)

[SliderPhoto]

Edgar has stars all over his leathers already.  How much harder and faster can a guy stroke his own ego?

LOL! You guys are killing me! :)

Finally I got my answer, it's for the plates man, the plates! Or do you guys race for TV air time? :P

Whatever... Congrats to the top ten AMs, heck (can I say that?) congrats to everyone that races and congratulations on your own personal victories!

[Protein Filled]

Edgar has stars all over his leathers already.  How much harder and faster can a guy stroke his own ego?
Just for the record Edgar, I was 6th in GP, 8th in GL, and 10th in MW.  Imagine the results I might have achieved if I had run more than three races per weekend!  How many classes were you entering? ;)

I already mentioned that it's only midwest that counts...

 ;D