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After the scheduled one-day show at Volusia turned into a two-day show and a sunrise church service, my constant complaint about single car qualifying seems to be even more profound... Had the time trials been dropped, at least the show would have gotten over about the time midnight bowling ended in Deland.
My question is: Why qualify, then run heats too?? It's a waste of time, especially with such a big field and support classes to boot...
I really think single car qualifying should be held only for races of 200 laps or more that are going to require pit stops anyway... In that case, I can see the point in letting the fast cars start up front. Even so, by the time the first set of pit stops is over, everything is usually pretty jumbled up and you have a really good, competitive race from that point on... The Hooters races at Lakeland are a good example... The first 100 laps or so are usually pretty boring. But when pits stops and pit strategies begin, that's when the race gets interesting...
On the other hand, you see many 50-75-125 lap races become a parade even with the inversion... Plus, I'm sure most drivers hate the re-draw after qualifying... What's the point in setting quick time if you end up starting eighth anyway....
Here's an idea that makes sense... And turns out to be a great deal for the fans...
Lets say a dirt LM show ends up with 61 cars (like Volusia)... Start the show with a feature for one of the support classes (no heats for them this night) to help pack the track in... After that run a series of "qualifying" races... In this case, ten 10-lap qualifiers with six cars in each one (seven in one race) with a 10 minute time limit for each race... The 10 winners would then draw pills 1-10 for the first five rows in the feature. The second place drivers would draw pills for starting spots 11-20. The rest of the field would run a pair of 20 car B-Mains (20 laps each) with the drivers who finished third in the qualifiers occupying the forward starting positions. After the qualifiers, run the second support class feature followed by the B-mains... The third support class feature would follow, then the main event for the Late Models... If there is a fourth support class, they would round out the show... That would give the fans a total of 17 RACES to watch... As a promoter, I sure would not want to see half of my fans leave before the main event... weather most certainly is a factor here in FL, but if that's the case, you must ADJUST!! The fans are your most important asset...
By the way, this qualifying system works even for the woefully poor car counts on asphalt this year... Say you have 16 cars show up... Split them into 4 ten lap qualifiers and use the same line-up procedure... You still have an 8 car B-Main and at least the fans get to see some racing...
Many drivers would not like this idea because "I might tear up my car." But, the way I figure it, you come to RACE and the fans come to watch RACING, not one car at a time go around the track...
Just my two cents worth... Chime in with what you think... With the economy the way it is right now, track owners and promoters are going to have to start thinking "outside the box" and do things a bit differently to get both racers and fans to show up to their facilities...
My question is: Why qualify, then run heats too?? It's a waste of time, especially with such a big field and support classes to boot...
I really think single car qualifying should be held only for races of 200 laps or more that are going to require pit stops anyway... In that case, I can see the point in letting the fast cars start up front. Even so, by the time the first set of pit stops is over, everything is usually pretty jumbled up and you have a really good, competitive race from that point on... The Hooters races at Lakeland are a good example... The first 100 laps or so are usually pretty boring. But when pits stops and pit strategies begin, that's when the race gets interesting...
On the other hand, you see many 50-75-125 lap races become a parade even with the inversion... Plus, I'm sure most drivers hate the re-draw after qualifying... What's the point in setting quick time if you end up starting eighth anyway....
Here's an idea that makes sense... And turns out to be a great deal for the fans...
Lets say a dirt LM show ends up with 61 cars (like Volusia)... Start the show with a feature for one of the support classes (no heats for them this night) to help pack the track in... After that run a series of "qualifying" races... In this case, ten 10-lap qualifiers with six cars in each one (seven in one race) with a 10 minute time limit for each race... The 10 winners would then draw pills 1-10 for the first five rows in the feature. The second place drivers would draw pills for starting spots 11-20. The rest of the field would run a pair of 20 car B-Mains (20 laps each) with the drivers who finished third in the qualifiers occupying the forward starting positions. After the qualifiers, run the second support class feature followed by the B-mains... The third support class feature would follow, then the main event for the Late Models... If there is a fourth support class, they would round out the show... That would give the fans a total of 17 RACES to watch... As a promoter, I sure would not want to see half of my fans leave before the main event... weather most certainly is a factor here in FL, but if that's the case, you must ADJUST!! The fans are your most important asset...
By the way, this qualifying system works even for the woefully poor car counts on asphalt this year... Say you have 16 cars show up... Split them into 4 ten lap qualifiers and use the same line-up procedure... You still have an 8 car B-Main and at least the fans get to see some racing...
Many drivers would not like this idea because "I might tear up my car." But, the way I figure it, you come to RACE and the fans come to watch RACING, not one car at a time go around the track...
Just my two cents worth... Chime in with what you think... With the economy the way it is right now, track owners and promoters are going to have to start thinking "outside the box" and do things a bit differently to get both racers and fans to show up to their facilities...
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