Pomono qualifying

[Tet]

From the results pages on the NHRA site, it looks like they're only listing the top 12 cars as having qualified in the pro classes at Pomona, even though there are more than 16 entrants in each class. Yet if you look at the ladders, they have the full 16 car field that you'd expect. What's all that about, then? Anyone know?

[Barry B]

Tet said:

From the results pages on the NHRA site, it looks like they're only listing the top 12 cars as having qualified in the pro classes at Pomona, even though there are more than 16 entrants in each class. Yet if you look at the ladders, they have the full 16 car field that you'd expect. What's all that about, then? Anyone know?

Seek.. and ye shall find.
http://www.nhra.com/content/news.asp?articleid=266...

[Time Machine]

Are they aiming to make it as complicated as the US election procedures?

I'm not sure I understand the motivation for only counting the top 12 runs on day 1, anyone have an insight?

[MotorPsycho]

How to turn a very simple procedure into a pointlessly complicated circus

[Time Machine]

It would seem it is primarily there to stop the Friday night session deciding everything when teams run in cool evening air, traditionally quicker than the heat of the day.

Leave well enough alone I say, certainly can't see any point in it being brought over here.

[Jon C]

So, the 4.78 bump from yesterday is wiped out, new bump is 6.28, Urs has run under this time twice already this weekend. He is put into a tricky right hand lane, blows the tyres off, runs an 11 (far from the slowest pass this weekend) and is now on the outside going into the final session.

And this new system is an improvement in what way?

[ian feltell]

Jon C said:

So, the 4.78 bump from yesterday is wiped out, new bump is 6.28, Urs has run under this time twice already this weekend. He is put into a tricky right hand lane, blows the tyres off, runs an 11 (far from the slowest pass this weekend) and is now on the outside going into the final session.

And this new system is an improvement in what way?

it giving everyone a chance to get on the ladder i guess..my 2p worth.

[Tet]

That was pretty much my thought. I just can't see who this new system is meant to benefit. It doesn't affect the frontrunners. I can't see how it improves things for spectators. All I can see it doing is mixing up the bottom half of the field, for no apparent gain.

[Tet]

ian feltell said:

it giving everyone a chance to get on the ladder i guess..my 2p worth.

Under the old system, you had 4 perfectly good attempts to get on the ladder. Now, if you're outside the top 12, you only get 2 shots on the last day, as your first two attempts are wiped out, even when they're quicker than the bump spot.

Edited by Tet on Saturday 9th February 22:04

[PythonLeeJackson]

Smoke and mirrors. NHRA is just trying to find new ways to inject some excitement into ever decreasing numbers in TF - just 17 TF entries for a Pomona season opener?
Ferchrissake, how bad can things get?

[Bob Jarrett]

Personally I think it's a good idea. You have to take into account that the Pro's race at other tracks where the only time the track will take everything they can throw at it is Friday night and a lot of these sessions are 8pm or later. Consequently one of the championship contenders may not get a Friday night time through no fault of there own, like timing malfunctions, or the other car taking out the finish line mirrors, etc. Then by chance some of the cars that would not normally qualify get to race on Sunday. The unfortunate racer then gets to race another heavy hitter in the first round or worse does not make the field. This is more critical if one of the Saturday sessions get rained out, cutting short qualifying, which is very common in the southern states. The NHRA have been trying to come up with an idea for some time, this seems the only solution. At the moment..BJ.

[Bob Jarrett]

PythonLeeJackson said:

Smoke and mirrors. NHRA is just trying to find new ways to inject some excitement into ever decreasing numbers in TF - just 17 TF entries for a Pomona season opener?
Ferchrissake, how bad can things get?

Just to add to my last post. This Format applies to all 4 classes. There are 23 FC & 22 PS so the fact there are only 17 TF is irrelevant.

[ian feltell]

yay, urs is in on the bump spot.way you go.

[Tet]

Bob Jarrett said:

Then by chance some of the cars that would not normally qualify get to race on Sunday.

But why should cars that normally qualify be given an artificial advantage like that? If they can't get into the field in 4 sessions of qualifying, do they deserve to be there come race day? Surely if one of the lesser teams has pulled a rabbit out of the hat and say run a couple of PBs in early qualifying, that should be rewarded with a slot on the ladder. What's the point of the lesser teams entering at all if they don't stand a chance of getting into the field? They only had a small chance to start with, and it just seems like the NHRA are making it even harder for them. Rain? That affects everyone equally.

Now at the same time, there is some merit to the idea when the championship is at stake. I would be more understanding if this rule was brought in at the time the countdown to four starts. But at the start of the season? I just don't see it.