SHELBYFEST to class or not to class

[400TT]

Jason, sounds good.

I certainly think it's worth trying a year without classes. With the events you are proposing any Cobra, regardless of HP, build cost etc could win a trophy.

You could also think about an event for:

Fastest session(stint). i.e. Fastest set of 3 or so laps. So it's not just someone that can throw together a lucky fast lap. But someone that can go out and go fast for all 3 or so timed laps. So you would just keep the total time of each session. The A Series racing we do up here in QLD is timed like that. Not the fastest lap, but the fastest time for each stint.

You could also do some peer vote type trophies - best sounding cobra, best looking cobra(on track), best lines, best engineered(from PhilM), most legal(roadworthy). You could get a panel together to come up with a short list and then go around and get votes for the trophies that required it. These would be more work, but that's what volunteers for for. Anyway, just some ideas.

I think a trophy for "most legal" is an interesting one and would certainly bring out some unique compeition. I know some interesting an unexpected Cobras that would top that list.

[Philm]

Jason,
Your ideas are fantastic and I love the fact that you are willing to see what the entrants would like from the event.

I would however prefer the class style competition, but as you have suggested, the classing is subjective and somewhat unfair.

Would we be able to class cars by time,

eg group 1 1.40 or quicker
group 2 1.50 to 1.40

etc etc.

The entrant will nomiate what class they would be in. The rule would be that if you go quicker than your class then you are not eligable for a trophy.

Don,t forget that we also have the motorkana, absolutely everyone has a chance at being the champion.

Would the 3 events or competitions be run at the same time on the track or do we do the fastest, then the DYO then the regulatory?

Is an entrant allowed to enter all competitions?

I would be concerned if you try to fit to much in the one day, the best thing about Shelby fest is the relaxed atmosphere.

I would enjoy the weekend what ever is decided.

Phil

[Cameron Parsons]

Jason,

I like the idea of trying a year without classes. It will reduce complexity and allow a relaxed competition without those who are either unfamiliar, or more timid. There should be no pressure to take the family jewels to the raggedy edge.

A moment in the red mist (no offense to the car and very capable driver of similar name), can ruin a proud Cobra owners year.

But I also like Phils idea of nominating in brackets. It allows the double challenge of regularity and a cap so that driving beyond limits and comfort has a negative effect.

The only hardship here is for new drivers who have no idea what bracket to nominate. If you allowed them to go out in the first session of the day and effectively 'self nominate' through performance, that might provide a solution.

The regularity would also run in the brackets.

One last comment. If you do this, then I believe this comp should be fully restricted to Shelby 'style' vehicles (Cobra/GT40/Mustang/Daytona...etc). One capable rice burner would spoil the spirit. Let them run if they like and it helps the club be financial, but the understanding should be, no rankings in the official comp.

As for the Motorkhana, keep it in as is, it's fun and fast, and ANYONE could win.

Cameron

[REPTYL]

Thanks for the input guys,

All events would run as one through out the day.
Everyone’s full day of lap times would be entered for all events.

I'm not sure how the 'class by times" would go down. For example. I can do 1:49- 1:51 all day and squeeze out a mid 1:40 occasionally. Some one else may do 45s all day and down to a 1:40. The brackets are going to benefit anyone whose lap times are already at 1:40/1:50/2mins.
I think the DYO comp goes close to this idea, but doesn't discriminate against cars doing times in the middle ranges.

The event has only ever been open to Cobras, Mustangs, and GT40's. So no chance of non-Shelby’s taking the trophies.

[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

[REPTYL]

I think the bike idea would be great if we were running several events through out the year.
But we don't, and a year is a long time between races to organise cars into groups, also taking in to account modifications done during that period and new cars and drivers.

We would also have the existing problem of to many classes (groups).

We are also trying to make the scrutineering/grouping easier and quicker.
And also take out the extra variables which can complicate the results.

I think it was 2006, we wrongly had Warrens car down as a stroker. This one error affected many results over several classes. It only takes one to slip through in to the wrong class and the S...t hits the fan.

[Wazza]

I think it was 2006, we wrongly had Warrens car down as a stroker. This one error affected many results over several classes. It only takes one to slip through in to the wrong class and the S...t hits the fan.[/quote]


Yeah it caused a few dramas ...nothing serious though.

It was actually around the other way.

I had/have a 347 stroker, and I had been taken out of the stroker class, and put in the Supercharged/Turbo group in error.

All fixed very quickly, but of course slipping me back into the correct class, while it was great to have the win, moved the current placings all down one spot...causing a few headaches.

Keeping in mind we're not racing for Sheep Stations, I'm sure a format can be set in place, so that those that win trophies are as a result of some substantial skill on the part of the driver, whilst still giving some reward to those who have invested a bucket of cash and a squillion hours in getting their beasts up to a better level than most.

Good luck with it, and I'm sure you guys will sort it out without any dramas.

Regards,

Warren.