[MikeRaceDayTek]

Ok, let's imagine for a second that you are Bruton Smith. You own outright 8 tracks. You have the option of who runs there. You are thinking about starting your own series. Let's answer a few questions.

#1. What type of cars are you going to run??

#2. What restrictions do you place on cars types?

#3. What modifications are allowed?

#4. Do you have a points system, if so, how does it work?

#5. Engine restrictions?

#6. Anything else you want to throw out there.

Come on everyone. We all love to complain about our sport, lets see how you would fix it. Maybe someone will eventually read this and offer you a job setting it all up and getting paid a trillion dollars a minute to do it.

[MikeRaceDayTek]

Since it's my thread, I'll start us off.

#1. What type of cars are you going to run?? Anything that is considered a Mass Produced car. No approval needed from the sanctioning body.

#2. What restrictions do you place on cars types? Perhaps throw a MSRP $ limit out there so that we don't have everyone showing up with Lambo's and Porche's and making it no contest (i.e. ALMS GT Series). Say $100,000 MSPR limit. Other than that, bring it. And I say MSRP limit, not what you paid for the car. Just because your "friend" (read as "partner") bought a Bugatti Veyron and "sold" it to you for a dollar doesn't mean you can use it.

#3. What modifications are allowed? Safety requirements must be met. 5 or 6 point harness, approved seat, approved roll cage. Minimum weight must be met (so all you Civic fans, no dice). No Nitrous. Turbo's allowed. Any engine tuning you want is allowed.

#4. Do you have a points system, if so, how does it work? This kinda sticks with me. I would basically use NA__AR's "pre-chase" points system with one major change. 75 point bonus for winning, this will hopefully kill "big picture" racing. There is no big picture when the guy who was 5th in points wins the race and is now leading.

#5. Engine restrictions? Engine must be produced by the manufacturer of the car that you are using.Thats it. Thats my restriction. Again, maybe a CID restriction, but probably not. Bring back the days of "run what you brung". And when I say the manufacturer, I'm talking nameplates must match. Just cuz you are running a VW Jetta does not mean that you can drop the Veyron W-16 into it (although that does sound cool). If you run a Nissan, you use only engines that are available in the Nissan Production cars.

#6. Anything else you want to throw out there. There are a couple things that I would consider to make things exciting and more fan friendly. One that I think would be fun is random inverted restarts. Basically have the officials with 2 dice, when the caution comes out he rolls the dice and if the numbers add together to make an even number you have a normal restart, if the add up to odd number you have an inverted restart. That makes you pass stuff again. And if you are inside of 25 to go, this does not apply. I'm not going to dictate terms of a race.

Another thing I would consider is making it so there are no (and I mean NO) "private" interactions between my sanctioning body and team owners. There will be a weekly meeting between myself and all team owners that takes place at the track, with everyone there.

Also, my rule book is public knowledge.


Thoughts?

[moon]

Just go back to about 98 before the move to get all the cars to look the same and use those Cup rules and don't over police the racers.

Let the creativity that made the sport come back.

Now don't think I'm condoning cheating but non-racers telling the racers how to build race cars is why the sport is in downfall. (my opinion)

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by MikeRaceDayTek

Ok, let's imagine for a second that you are Bruton Smith. You own outright 8 tracks. You have the option of who runs there. You are thinking about starting your own series. Let's answer a few questions.

I'll stick to what I've stated multiple times before:

#1. What type of cars are you going to run??
Stock appearing cars, using only bodies and power plants available to the general public and cars, power plants and performance options which have sold a minimum of 500 units to the public.

If I were Bruton I might even consider have two classes running accompanying races; a stock car class and a convertible class.

#2. What restrictions do you place on cars types?

Minimum and maximum wheel base and other restrictions necessary for safety of the driver and those who attend the races.

#3. What modifications are allowed?
Modifications to wheel wells and steer geometry to accommodate wider racing tires, unobtrusive reinforced front and rear ends, roll cages, safety restraints, and anything else deemed necessary for safety..

#4. Do you have a points system, if so, how does it work?

Points rewarding competition and NOT consistency. Example: 1st-250, 2nd - 220, 3rd - 200 4th - 185, 5th - 175 6th - 170 7th thru 12th - 5 point separation, 13th thru 20th 4 pt separation, 20th thru 25th 3 pts. No points awarded below 25th place.

Prize money for each race isn't awarded rewarding complacency (Oops! make the consistency, in NA__AR it's tough to tell the difference), why should points be awarded that way?

#5. Engine restrictions?

Run what the factory makes available to the general public.

#6. Anything else you want to throw out there.

(a) Do away with "Sell-A-Lot-Of-Toy-Cars" special paint schemes. A team shall create a paint scheme when they start the series and be required to keep that paint scheme and car number throughout 80% of the season. Special paint jobs could be allowed on a very limited basis. This would be that fans could not only have brand identification (see item #1) but also to have team identification.

(b) Whoever is selected to run this operation should be a leader and NOT a manager. It should be someone who has an interest in motor sports itself and not just a P&L Statement (thought an knowledge of that is absolutely necessary). A leader who has the foresight to see past the next quarterly board meeting and dividend report.

Come on everyone. We all love to complain about our sport, lets see how you would fix it. Maybe someone will eventually read this and offer you a job setting it all up and getting paid a trillion dollars a minute to do it.

That's my input. Mike, I admit to complaining about NA__AR a lot. But, I try to never complain without having a reasonable possible solution to my complaint. Virtually every answer I have given above reflects on things I have been crying for since long before i found this forum.

[wingkey1]

Fun and stimulating excercise. Until which time perhaps one actually has to engage in the actual process. Been there, done this. Brain hurter that is a continuous process.

It is stimulating in that the required responses immediately puts one in the position of "sanctioning body". It is further stimulating in that upon second, third, and subsequent other review of ones own reponses the "holes" that will require patching, improved definition, plugging, continuous scrutiny and agility, etc. become painfully apparent.

It's tempting to respond with some form of "no approval from a sanctioning body". But if one succumbs to that temptaion, there no real sense/purpose to answering any of the other queries.

Before I (any?) could give any real thought to beginning to create the answers/definitions (dare I say "rule") required for each question, found the need to first

1. Create a/the very well defined vision / goal of the Series

If it is to be defined a pure "outlaw" or pure "run what ya brung", well, that pretty much eliminates the need to address or define anything. Don't really believe any engaged in motorsports would give this an endless endorsement. It's crazy fun for a while.

2. Identify the 8 (the number may not be important) tracks/venues

If they are set in advance of the vision/goal definition, and one (you, me, whoever) is real "stuck" on ones intended goal/vision, there may be a whole lot of competitive definition(s) required.

If the tracks/venues can be selected, better yet configured, along and in conjunction with the vision/goal for the Series, yer gonna better serve the vision/goal AND make those who enjoy and embrace yer vision/goal mighty happy.

************************************************
Now the real potential slammer in this is ensuring the vision/goal is supported by an adequate base of participants and observers to succeed. Which means ya can't do it in a vacuum. Which means there may well be the need to consult with or obtain the inputs of some group of others ---- Oh my good God no!!! ---- I'm considering some form of sanctioning bod ----------- Where'd I put that "ol #7?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Now the real potential slammer in this is ensuring the vision/goal is supported by an adequate base of participants and observers to succeed. Which means ya can't do it in a vacuum. Which means there may well be the need to consult with or obtain the inputs of some group of others ---- Oh my good God no!!! ---- I'm considering some form of sanctioning bod ----------- Where'd I put that "ol #7?

this occurred to me as well ..... seems you may look into hiring at least a handful of 'stars' to run in the series .... though they would have to be under the same qualifying rules as everyone else

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by simple simon

this occurred to me as well ..... seems you may look into hiring at least a handful of 'stars' to run in the series .... though they would have to be under the same qualifying rules as everyone else

Are you sure about that, Simon? "Hiring?" Right off the bat I can see a handful of things about that which scream "Conflict of interest!"

You don't want the inmates running the asylum. That's what happened to CART.

My personal feeling is the input can be very valuable. How about a rotating panel of "experts" (drivers, chief mechanics (not all from megateams), track presidents, engine builders, and a permanent Goodyear rep - unless NA__AR gives the teams a choice as to what tire to bring to the track) and have these meeting open to the press (including high visibility bloggers) to report the proceedings to the fans. There would be complete transparency with no secrets or hidden agendas.

This group could meet every other month, or as needed. With a good representative rotating group and with transparency, I see no reason to suspect conflict of interest.

The glue that is absolutely necessary to hold this together and make it function smoothly is GOOD LEADERSHIP, and not just management.

How's that with you?

[wingkey1]

Thanks MikeRaceDay. This was/is an interesting opener.

It's kinda fun to watch as with time near every response will include the very beginnings of some level of specification relative to the competitive platform (vehicle). Very, very subtle perhaps, but beginnings.

There are also the initial cornerstone(s) for rules. Platform, competition, qualifying, end point determination, etc. In fact we pretty much all cannot avoid including some level of "rule" in our responses.

Brain breaking stuff cause as soon as ya (me to) commits yerself to "rule", you're on the road to NA__AR. And the bricks ain't yellow for long.

Some of the more fun we (the mouse and I) were involved with "hired" noone. Participation and contribution was from the/a heart that bought into and shared the same vision and goals from the endeavor. "Stars" were born from participation in the environment set up that served the vision and goals.

Good stuff.

[nascaraddict]

I think my little Suzki Areio would be toast in this series. I'd need the Nitous.

[thunderfoot]

I'd run a late model series. set the requirment for the chassis a perimeter type coil over. Run a 9:1 engine, 390 carb and spec tire. Engine rules like the tour motors we used to run. All motors pumped and sealed. All sheet metal comes from one manufacture.

[Racer Duck]

An interesting group of responses. Discussion seems to be moving away from the initial questions asked. So, why not join in the fun with my 2 cents?

Tracks: I believe which tracks are on the schedule will determine the type of "race car" to be specified, whether it will be some super sleek, custom built thingamabob or Granny's old Desoto, complete with "racin' slicks"!

I also think the track ought to specify the tire(s) they will allow: brand (not multiple brands), size(s) *within limits", and how many sets are allotted for each team for the entire race weekend (notice I didn't say "given" to each team .. they still have to buy them! This, I believe, will help curtail egomaniac spending by the "haves.")

I shy away from the word "spec" 'cause when you "spec" something, it's generally the beginning of the end .. a la IROC. So I tend towards the more "open" interpretation of "specifying a race car"... But whatever the particular parameters defining the "race car", they must be such that anyone with sufficient knowledge and with a minimum bankroll of X, should be able to put a car on the track. And any "mandatory" equipment must meet certain "universally known specifications", i.e., fire suppression, safety restraints, driver's equipment (uniform, helmet, etc.), transponders, radios, etc..

I don't really care where the car owner/crew chief/driver gets their parts. But they must be available on the open market including any body parts (no custom made pieces .. the only exception would be certain "common" designed pieces like frame gussets, roll cage bars, etc.)

The races themselves: I'm thinking I like what I see happening in Superforumula: 2 races on the same day, each with winners and prize monies, the 2nd of which requires the cars start inversely of their finishing position in the first race. I also think that once the car has "qualified" for the 1st race, it will not see the track again, nor a fuel filling apparatus, until the first race starts, i.e., whatever fuel load they finished qualifying with is what they start the race with and there will be no practice sessions to "iron out" any uh-ohs found in qualifying. And qualifying will be the same day as the race .. which makes "impound" a lot more meaningful. The crews, however, will be allowed to work on the cars between the two races.

Races will be held no matter the weather (with the possible exception of tornadoes and hurricanes .. no rain outs.) All races start with a double file formation with the leader choosing which lane he/she will start from. All restarts will be single file in race order at the time green condition was canceled, either by yellow or red flags.

Every car that completes a qualifying attempt will start the race. There are no minimum nor maximum number of starters.

Prizes: Prize money amounts will be posted prior to the race. The first 25 finishing positions will receive the prize money. All others will receive a "tow money" award of at least $10 and not to exceed $100 as determined by the track. (A track may make the amount dependent on the number of starters.)

Points: the first 20 positions will receive championship points beginning with 100 points for the winner and decreasing by a varying amount down to 1 point for 20th place. In addition, one point will be awarded for every lap led and 5 points for winning the pole.

After the races have concluded for the weekend, the top 3 finishers (podium) in each race will be REQUIRED to attend a press conference at which time the media will be allowed to ask questions. The media will not be allowed to approach any driver, owner or crew member between the start of the 1st race and the conclusion of the 2nd race, nor to approach any person on any team winning a podium until after the press conference. Breaking this rule will result in the immediate expulsion of the entire media team of the offending media person and a 1 race weekend suspension for the media team - no exceptions! The media are allowed into the event at the convenience of the sanctioning body: they do not have the "right" to cover the event, but, instead, are awarded the "privilege" of covering the event.