Outside observer view of CCS

[drew231506]

I replied to this on the other forum...my opinion:

I felt the same way last year. It’d prolly make for better racing if they did qualifying. But on the other hand its nice go out and get used to the bike a little in the practices before pushing. Also most of the people racing that are serious about it are pre-registered anyway.   I was new to racing last year and was gridded in the back, still finished top 6 in most races, maybe i could have hung with the leaders if i was up front...which is why i signed up early this year.  Kind of a right of passage.  Plus I was able to improve my passing skills.

You don’t have to register really early, if you know a month before hand that you wana race, and sign up, youll prolly be in the first 3 rows at most events. Also if you get a really good start you can blow right by 4 rows of traffic into T1 anyway.

As for the comment "It's only club racing". I think more people should think like this. Especially Amateur racers. Some need to be reminded that their mom can go out and race in the Novice class, call herself "Mom's Racing Team", and list a bunch of bs "sponsors". JMO

[Johnny B]

I hope I'm not in the video but I'll admit going from 17th to 5th in 7 laps compelled me to lose some politeness.

Now THAT was elegantly stated!  8)

[Solo]

What if the rider has multiple bikes that fall in the same practice groups? (ie a thunderbike and a 125gp. Both run the same practice group). How would staff know which bike they used?

I felt I owed you an answer on this and after reviewing 10 random expert races matched to practice classes, I found the average race lap time for a combined practice class was within 1-2 seconds of each other.

This means whomever set the practice classes put some statistical thinking to it.  It also means CCS would not need to care about which bike the rider was on so long as the practice classes remained the same.

Now I'm sure there are "bookend" classes that have to be considered but I'll let the group challenge my "back of the napkin" reasoning before going there.

So, we've shown the practice classes permit time to qualify.  We know with timing and scorekeeping technology a software program can stack riders on the grid in almost real time.   We know qualifying improves the breed and makes for safer racing.  What am I missing? 

[OreoGaborio]

I prefer they grid by points rather than by practice times, like they do in LRRS.

Sometimes mechanical difficulties prevent fast practice times, or even your ability to make practice at all.  I prefer my mornings being a litle more laid back and use practice for getting the cobwebs out & not trying to get that best lap in.

[antirich]

Hey Solo.

I was the guy talking to you at registration. Cool stories about racing in Japan, especially how they get up at 6am to 'claim' their pit spot.

Yea, I agree with some in that this is only club racing, but in terms of safety, I did some issues with the current format. My first race was last year, registered late and gridded pretty much on the last few row. Had a blast.

This year and register about a week before the early deadline. Just wanted to save a few bucks and not be in the back row. Well, I end up on row two of the Middleweight and Heavyweight races. Sounds cool, but within a few seconds of the flag dropping, I realize that this was a really bad idea. I soon realize that I have no business  challenging the turn one chaos. I held my own, but man, that was a wake up call.

Considering that I am a true amateur at this, I don't think I'll be doing the early registration any more. Maybe next year if i stick with it, but right now, it's not worth the risk on a 60+ bike grid.

But, if gridding was placed by an average (or best) practice time, I would have gridded mid way in the back. Far safer than where I was.

And yes, it doesn't take much for software to assign a grid based on time (or points) parameters. If anything, if may even speed some things up.

And regarding registration, I've always found it to be quite antiquated in today's technology world. Not just racing, but track days as well. How about just registering online, then arriving in the pit and swipe your card to alert the system that you showed up? Except for any changes, what else is needed? No real reason to touch a pen these days.

[skiandclimb]

And regarding registration, I've always found it to be quite antiquated in today's technology world.

+1, but you are preaching to the choir on this one!  Now, where did that avatar for whipping a dead horse go????

[tstruyk]

anit-

why not just pre-reg and request to be gridded at the back? 

[skiandclimb]

anit-

why not just pre-reg and request to be gridded at the back? 

Stop making sense.  It hurts my head!

[Solo]

why not just pre-reg and request to be gridded at the back?

I read in the rulebook you can notify the grid marshal prior to the sighting lap you will grid in the back. (or words to that affect)

I seriously considered it at the start of my first race (GTO).
Never considered it for F40.  I figured my fellow old farts have long since given up MotoGP aspirations.  You didn't let me down!

So my plan from now is to do Summit and if I make the decision to stay, I'll put together a rules change proposal to incorporate qualifying or grid by points.  Figure if I'm staying I've got to be part of the solution.

I was the guy talking to you at registration. Cool stories about racing in Japan, especially how they get up at 6am to 'claim' their pit spot.

This reminds me I should point out the cool things about CCS:  Not only the friendliest bunch but I can't get over how many of you speak english!

[skiandclimb]

I am fluent in ebonix....

[antirich]

Um, I did just that on my third race. Talked to Kevin (?), and he stated that not only did I need to be on the last row, but on the row BEHIND the last guy. For HHW SS, that was almost under the bridge  Yea, a bit safer, but holy crap did I have to deal with some slow traffic for the first few laps.

So overall, my only option when pre-registering is to be part of the turn one mess, or get put to the back of the class.

I guess I'll just post register and pay the extra $20 next time. Or get a Thunderbike.

[Solo]

the turn one mess

When I boil it all down, this really is the one thing that makes CCS less than a 1st class organization.
Tracks are good, staff is good.  All the right pieces are in place. 

Just need to organize the grid for a professional start.