A VOTE FOR TIME BASED CLASSES

[mazmad]

If 2 cars do the same time, and one car has twice the hp, how would the lesser hp car ever overtake? You would catch up under brakes, get held up around the corner, and repeat. And if you did get around, you would get passed on the next straight.

Thats motor racing. That's how it works, unless it is a strictly controlled category endeavouring to make all cars equal. Like Spec Miata (and I refer you to my first post as to the success of that....).

[mazmad]

I love the idea of time based classing.

But who are you competing against? If faster cars are in a different class, you can't go too quick for fear of being bumped up a class and being at the back of a quicker class (losing). So you're better off just running at the front of your own class, trying not to go too fast. Seems like the result is something akin to regularity racing. Interesting for some, but not for me.

Or do you simply go for outright speed and the win in the fastest class...back to most $ wins. Again, not for me.

Hundreds of people who have competed in the '300s have a different view on the fun to be had.

Have you raced to a time? It is pretty much impossible. Regularity it ain't.

[Boyracer]

should have a class where you run retreads and only use first gear, that would be cheap.

[zossy1]

It is apparent I am in the minority here and to be honest, as I said before, I have had great fun in the time based class racing I have been a part of. It does simplify the notion of post-race scrutineering and makes things easier. But to me... Half the fun of racing is building a car to a rule set, and doing it better than the next person. You still have to drive it well enough to win.

I came from karts and all classes run to a rule set. Cheating is rare but it happens... More often in the junior and rookie/cadet classes where parents are desperate to see their child develop into the next Ricciardo and will do whatever it takes to get them there... But everyone in the pits knows who is cheating, and generally, they all eventually get caught and spend lengthy periods of time on the sidelines.

A smart set of rules can minimise cost AND the risk of cheating. I'll leave it there though, and full disclosure... Regardless of the rules, I'll be racing the cup next year with bells on, time based or not

[StillIC]

I'll be racing the cup next year with bells on, time based or not

So when you go MX5 Cup racing I really hope you don't win the slowest class with a 'fast' car ;).

[greenltd]

One way to keep it simple is to have a restriction rule, such as maximum tyre size/type or perhaps standard intake that effectively nobbles any major development in other areas. That way, compliance with such rules is visible, and it renders any "hidden development" futile.

[zossy1]

So when you go MX5 Cup racing I really hope you don't win the slowest class with a 'fast' car ;).

I'm already racing the cup, and I have done times fast enough to qualify for the fastest class... Though my car is probably best suited to the 1:07-1:09 class.

[mx5002]

Just out of curiosity, what are the time classes for the mx5 cup?

[david_syd_au]

Just out of curiosity, what are the time classes for the mx5 cup?

They are in the "Rules & Regs" document, which you can download from here:
http://nsw.mx5.com.au/motorsport/mx-5-cup/downloads

[mx5002]

Thanks David,
I've looked at that page a few times but never dug deep enough to find it

[mazmad]

Another Vote.

Prod Sports is using Time Based Classes for Bathurst next year.

Next year we will be dropping the Power to Weight classification of cars and adopting a simple lap time based class division.