ANew kind of Endurance race

[TomoHawk]

I've not heard of this done locally or anywhere in the U.S., but it may have been done somewhere:

An endurance race of 4, 6, 8 or more hours where you go around the track at an average speed. It's like a road rally where cars leave the start at constant intervals, but you get to go faster in certain places to make up for braking in corners. You get points added or subtracted according to how far off you are on lap times, so the winner has zero points.

Speedometers are covered to test the driver's seat-of-the-pants skill for speed. The average speed could be set to whatever you like, either a safe, slower speed to test the driver's ability to stay awake, say 40 MPH (if the track is not too challenging or fairly straight with long curves) or to be more exiting with some speed.

That way, no additional safety equipment would be needed, besides the common stuff like helmet, safety belt, fire extinguisher so most any car could be used.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I think this has merit. I would add this.

The people in the race can choose a set of average speeds, have a GT1 class that runs a X. A GT2 class that runs at X + 15 mph, and a GT3 class that runs at X + 30 mph. That way you avoid a procession of slow cars driving by, and passing comes into play. Getting out of the way may put you off your pace, as might passing, or getting caught in traffic.

I think you idea has LOTS of merit. Rent the track and have at it.

[TomoHawk]

It sounds like taking the freeway to work, no? You gotta keep your speed at exactly 60 MPH (for the 'melicans) to avoid a speeding ticket, but get you to work on-time, yet you eventually get a group of vehicles bunched up & slow, which drags your average speed down, then you punch the throttle to get the average speed back up & get to work on-time.

The GT class names makes it easy to figure the speed of your class. GT1 is the base speed plus (1x15) for example. GT2 adds (2x15) and so on.

The original idea was to get people on a track safely and inexpensively, by either fixing the speed or creating a comfortable distance between vehicles.

If you're going to have cars at different speeds then there will have to be passing. I think that by limiting passing to only on the straight sections, it could be done safely. You'll need a fairly wide track for safe passing, of course.

Edited August 26, 2013 by TomoHawk

[guaro]

These track officials will keep order >>>

[Virto]

Sounds like a time-trial rally, which isn't really common here in the states, but I've seen a few of them done on a local scale. Essentially you have a set destination and you have to follow a specific route and you are awarded your points based on how close to the target time you are.

In other words, you have to calculate distance and traffic (most of these are on public roads) and then adjust your speed to aim for the target time. It's actually pretty enjoyable if you like thinking while cruising.

[TomoHawk]

Actually, it's nothing like that, and road rally is sill popular in the U.S., but road high-speed racing like nasTcar gets all the attention. And having done road rallies as both driver and navigator, all you have to do is follow the instructions; there are no calculations are needed- that is left for the gimmicky rallies. This idea is more like a regularity rally, where you drive the SAME route a number of times, and your points depend on how much you are off each 'lap.'

As for the 'track officials,' they won't be needed; a decent transponder system will work a lot better.

Edited August 26, 2013 by TomoHawk

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Those particular track officials have little to do with NEED, more WANT.

[djwarner]

This sounds a little easy, run faster than the target speed and slow down to cross the finish line at the desired lap time.

[TomoHawk]

I think that after a few hours, you'd be a little more off target than that, especially with morethan one class going at the same time.

[TomoHawk]

Zedy-wan-

I wouldn't even look twice at those overweight girls with the rats nest on the head. You should get some Ohio beauties in stead.