Points System for AX Championship

[arena]

NumeroUnoPA wrote:

I have never weighed in on the whole points system. While I am extremely competitive, I always focused on improving my own times. I am not sure I can ever compete with the horsepower and other advantages of the new and powerful machines. I have 3 observations on the rating system.



1. I can tell you as an Industrial Engineer with a minor in Operations Research that a handicap system that barely changes the order of finish does not really accomplish much. I am not versed in the impact of all the factors but sometimes it pays to look at the big picture. The last column in the attached sheet shows the time each entrant would have to run faster than me to finish ahead on Sunday’s Hershey course. I am not sure I could get within 5 seconds of V or Jon and 2 seconds of Stephane.



2. I have never heard of a points system based on the number of participants. Not track, cross-country, gymnastics, racing, nothing. We should not penalize those who come to a sanctioned event and half the people do not show because of a few raindrops. There should be a fixed number of points for each place.



3. I believe it was Nick or V who suggested the only way to find out who is the best driver is to put us all on a track with the same car. That would really be FUN. I have had 2 instructors drive the mean green machine at sanctioned events and neither one beat my time. hhhhhhmnmmm.



Jon, as I mentioned at the event, I would be willing to break down the formula for you. Send the sheet to davemail@worldlynx.net.

Great feedback Dave, thank you.

1. I couldn't agree more. In the little experience I have putting these results together- I feel that the PPF formula doesn't offer enough of a handicapp to truly take the car out of the eqution... but then agian I understand that it is nearly impossible to COMEPLETELY take the car out of the equation because each car will perform differently on each autocross course. The best we can do is to get it pretty close. I'm completely open to creating our own system for equalizing the cars starting for next season.

2. A fixed number of points for each place is simple, but fails to reward the accomplishment of a driver who wins in a more competitive field. Since the number of participants varys signifigantly, I feel the top performer in a group of 20 should be rewarded more points than the top performer in a group of 10. I think a good compramize is to make a minimum (like 50 points) where event if participation is less, the points are still awarded as if 10 people showed.

3. That would be a blast, BUT keep in mind that it is a major advantage knowing your own car... If we were all to drive the same car, the driver who was most familliar would have an advantage as well... I'm working on getting a venue for our own event locally, and I think it would be a lot of fun to have everyone run in the same car.