[Aussie Mike]

I like Phil's idea with the time brackets. It takes into account the many ways of going fast and takes out some of the disparity between driver skill versus car development. Big HP vs good handling vs driving skills. It would also be a good way to group up similar lap time vehicles and avoid the need for over taking or getting held up by slower cars in the sprints.

The motorcycle racing clubs have a grading system based on past performance i.e race wins and lap times. They have A through D grade and is a way they can have a full field on the track and race yet you still have a chance of winning your grade if not take the checkered flag.

I'm not sure on the process for moving up the grades in bike racing as it's a long time since I was involved (I wasn't much good any way) but I think if you win your grade then you automatically move in to the next grade. We could group things similarly and depending on how you set the lap time cut offs between each group. Nearly ever one would have a chance of wining at some point as the faster drivers/cars would move to the next group. The system rewards improvement regardless of whether it's guys who improve their driving skills or develop their cars.

Just a thought.

Cheers