Time for a Three Night Format? (Read 1,987 times)

[percy]

With the continued success of the Stockcar class and the huge prevalence of drivers in the lower north island is it time we looked at splitting the field in two for qualifying at applicable tracks?

Even if 20 cars withdraw between now and the title we're looking at scrutineering and qualifying 220 cars on a single day during a single meeting. Is that asking too much of our officials and race night teams to get it all done in the current time frame?

Would it be better to split the field in two, running four groups per night plus perhaps a support class each night to better manage the load? Crucially, if you're the sort of spectator that attends both nights of a title now, would you attend all three nights under a split qualifying format?

[hbhornets]

Dec 23, 2020 19:55:48 GMT 12 percy said:

With the continued success of the Stockcar class and the huge prevalence of drivers in the lower north island is it time we looked at splitting the field in two for qualifying at applicable tracks?

Even if 20 cars withdraw between now and the title we're looking at scrutineering and qualifying 220 cars on a single day during a single meeting. Is that asking too much of our officials and race night teams to get it all done in the current time frame?

Would it be better to split the field in two, running four groups per night plus perhaps a support class each night to better manage the load? Crucially, if you're the sort of spectator that attends both nights of a title now, would you attend all three nights under a split qualifying format?

When would you do it? Feel like this is a drivers issue. Not a fan issue with 3 days. With auckland hosting next years champs. There needs to be some conversations. Quilfying events held around the country?. Moving new zealand title back to march. And teams to late march?

[meeaneemic]

There is so much to discuss on a topic like this.
Would you hold scrutineering over 2 days just for the cars that were racing that night?, which could help to ease the massive work load on the track staff except for the track prep team who would have to work their magic over 3 nights.
Extra meetings bring extra costs which as we know can be considerable.
Would the 3 meetings actually bring in more fans???, quite possibly not as it may come down to a choice of which qualifier to attend along with the finals.
Hard core fans will always do all 3 but there isnt enough of them to make a profit as its the casual fan who makes these meetings a sellout.
I would love to see 3 NZ qualifying meetings held around the Country.
One in the South Island based on a percentage of cars that usually attend, one in the lower North and one in the top half of the North Island.
Top 120 cars then attend the title.
Those qualifiers would be jewels on a hosting tracks calander.

[tony68]

Having qualifying before nz champs would mean slower cars and drivers would miss out on the big show and my opinion for stockcars you need them there for the top dogs to get past to make the show!

[00crewchief00]

How bout local club champs results go towards some sort of pre-qualifying spots?

Obviously not as easy as it sounds as would have to sort out exactly how it would work, but as an idea surely it has some merit?

[graemeh]

Its not so much an issue with the number of competitors entered but with the officials in charge. I dont know how previous events have been handled but my thoughts are problems occur when protests happen and results are in question so I'd have multiple referees, stewards and lap-scoring teams on hand so the flow of the meeting isn't compromised.
Hope everything goes smoothly, but if it proves the numbers are too great I guess I would prefer a 3 day format at the same track as opposed to regional qualifying which could dilute the event.

[bradcity985]

Has anyone ever thought about the start time of a race meeting? Why not just start at a earlier time like 2pm so it doesn’t drag on to those midnight finishes?
Just an idea...

[meeaneemic]

Dec 27, 2020 10:39:00 GMT 12 bradcity985 said:

Has anyone ever thought about the start time of a race meeting? Why not just start at a earlier time like 2pm so it doesn’t drag on to those midnight finishes?
Just an idea...

Start times for some meetings is an issue I have with the Sport.

[saloon14b]

Dec 27, 2020 10:39:00 GMT 12 bradcity985 said:

Has anyone ever thought about the start time of a race meeting? Why not just start at a earlier time like 2pm so it doesn’t drag on to those midnight finishes?
Just an idea...

Sadly, racing is only half the issue with these larger meetings. For some of these meetings- scruitineers will have to start being at the track from 9am or earlier to get through all cars and give them the thorough check a championship deserves, so that nothing illegal gets onto the track night 1 and adversly affects legitimate racers chances. Starting the meeting earlier just makes the day longer for drivers and volunteers, who will have to start even earlier to get through all the cars. Giving the cars a cursory check on night 1, and having a detailed look at the qualifiers before night 2 is in my opinion unfair, as while an illegal car may be weeded out on night 2, if weeded out on night 1 before racing it may have seriously changed the qualifying pool.

I agree with other posters. There needs to be another way looked at, whether it be regional qualifiers, or something done on club points.

From a purely logistical point, the promotor will get the same customer base with 120 of the best cars as he will with 120 of the best cars and 120 middle to nobodies - It'll be a full house regardless in the stockcar and superstock classes - they draw the crowd. There's an opportunity for something along the way like 2 regional qualifiers to get additional revenue for the sport/clubs and make the champoinship one where the cream gets to the top, rather than the current lottery that having such large fields makes now.

Plus for hosting clubs, it avoids the logistical nightmare of 200 plus competitor and crews decending on the place?

Question for promotr - do crew etc in pits count towards total venue legal crowd capacity??? If so, having a field with all their mates coming as "crew" only lessens potential revenue levels or adds to risk of venue overcrowding and a poorer crowd experience

[midway]

Dec 26, 2020 7:27:51 GMT 12 graemeh said:

Its not so much an issue with the number of competitors entered but with the officials in charge. I dont know how previous events have been handled but my thoughts are problems occur when protests happen and results are in question so I'd have multiple referees, stewards and lap-scoring teams on hand so the flow of the meeting isn't compromised.
Hope everything goes smoothly, but if it proves the numbers are too great I guess I would prefer a 3 day format at the same track as opposed to regional qualifying which could dilute the event.

I could imagine the chaos in the traffic along Nielson street for a three day event to your beloved track ,

[graemeh]

Dec 28, 2020 21:51:58 GMT 12 midway said:

Dec 26, 2020 7:27:51 GMT 12 graemeh said:

Its not so much an issue with the number of competitors entered but with the officials in charge. I dont know how previous events have been handled but my thoughts are problems occur when protests happen and results are in question so I'd have multiple referees, stewards and lap-scoring teams on hand so the flow of the meeting isn't compromised.
Hope everything goes smoothly, but if it proves the numbers are too great I guess I would prefer a 3 day format at the same track as opposed to regional qualifying which could dilute the event.

I could imagine the chaos in the traffic along Nielson street for a three day event to your beloved track ,

Your right, Neilson St is an issue at times, with the NZ Stockcars (21/22) in Auckland next year, holding this meeting between Xmas and New Years may be worth considering. Its a shame the Mt.Welly link to State highway 20 has been put on hold, not that it would be ready for a few years anyway.