New Rules

New Rules

Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could
be quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having
some rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or
get off the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as
standing starts could be troublesome at a few venues.

Looser tyre regs for qualifying - very good idea IMO.

All races will be timed races - While this does work in some racing
series, it shouldn't be used here. This isn't an endurance race.

No more white flag at start-finish for last lap - I don't agree with
this. A white flag with a one-to-go signal at the starter's stand gets
the drivers' attention.

http :// www .champcarworldseries,com /News/Article.asp?ID159


INDIANAPOLIS (December 12, 2006) - The 2007 racing season will be a
landmark one for the Champ Car World Series with the genesis of the new
Panoz DP01 Champ Car, a number of new race venues including an historic
event in China, and the introduction of new teams and drivers to the
nation's top open-wheel racing series.

The changes will not affect the basic tenets of Champ Car racing, which
include providing fair and equal competition for all teams as well as
putting on a consistent and exciting event for the fans both at the
track and those watching from home. In producing the 2007 Champ Car Rule
Book, Champ Car Race Operations made a number of rule changes to ensure
that those basic principles would be followed, while also setting the
stage for some new and exciting advances for the series.

"This is a very important year for Champ Car, and these rule changes
will provide a competitive atmosphere that will allow our world-class
teams and drivers to put on a great show for our fans around the world,"
said Champ Car President Steve Johnson. "We are always looking for new
ways to bring excitement to the series and these rule changes are
another positive step toward that goal."

The series will introduce standing starts for the Champ Car World Series
at venues where the starting procedure can be accommodated in a safe
manner. For a standing start, the field will line up in their grid
positions where the drivers will see a 15-second board once all cars are
in position. A series of red lights will illuminate one-by-one until all
the lights are lit, and the race will start once the red lights go out.
The standing start is expected to be used in the season-opening Vegas
Grand Prix Fueled by Visa.

"This should provide a very exciting start to our races," said Champ Car
Vice-President of Operations Tony Cotman. "Unlike Formula 1 where they
have traction or launch control, the success of the standing starts in
Champ Car will be up to the skill of the individual drivers. We will do
the standing starts wherever the configuration of the track allows us to
do so in a safe manner."

In an effort to promote more on-track action in practice and qualifying
sessions, the rules on tire usage during a weekend has been changed.
Previously a team could only use four sets of tires during any
qualifying session. Now the teams have unlimited use of their weekend
allotment during a session, although the rules concerning the mandatory
use of one set of alternate Bridgestone Potenzas during a race in still
in effect.

The use of spare cars by the teams has been changed as well. Teams now
have the sole discretion to use their backup cars, but can only use one
car in any practice or qualifying session. In addition, going to a spare
car after the primary car has been qualified will result in the
forfeiture of the qualifying time for that entry, meaning that a change
after warmup on race day will result in that entry starting from the
rear of the field.

In 2007, all Champ Car races will be timed races. The event will begin
and will run to a set time limit. As the elapsed time of the race
approaches, a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the
field, with the race ending upon the next time the leader crosses the
start/finish line. The white flag will not be shown from the starter's
stand and will be used more in line with international FIA guidelines
around the course.

"As Champ Car grows into more of an international series and with the
majority of our driver lineup coming from international road-course
backgrounds, we want to update our flagging procedures in kind," Cotman
said. "Not only will it be easier for our drivers to understand, but it
will keep us from having to re-educate our course marshals when we
conduct international events."



--
forty

“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and
mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.” - Ernest Hemingway

Re: New Rules

These are the absolute WRONG way to go.

Timed races are awful. You are never quite sure just how many laps are
left. You have a guess, but its just a guess.

When you find out its one to go, there might have been a spot where you
would have taken the risk on the previous lap had you known the next one was
the last one. AWFUL decision. I can accept them as a catch for running
over coverage times, but as a primary such should and hopefully someone with
some sense will come back and change this one before the season starts.

Standing starts I have very mixed feelings about. If they can't get through
a first corner now with a rolling start (and they are surposed to be safer)
then what makes them think they can get through the first turn with a
standing one. Its a pandora's box that now opened a segment of the European
fans will not want closed.

Champ Car should try to be F1. There already is an F1.

As far as the tires and backup cars, I have no issue either way on that, but
the timed races wouldn't be necessary if they wouldn't take so blame long to
clean up the messes from relatively minor incidents and could occasionally
get through turn 1 clean.

Ive been a fan for a very long time, but timed races may be what has me
looking for other things to do. Management seems to be looking for the
magic pill to make growth happen immediately. NOTHING they can do will make
that happen. If they learned anything from the split and the fall off
Nascar is experiencing is that chasing off a loyal fan base isn't the way to
grow a series.


"forty" <cforteNO@SPAMgmail,com > wrote in message
news:4u8hpjF15d07tU1@mid.individual,net ...
> Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
> and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could be
> quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having some
> rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or get off
> the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as standing starts
> could be troublesome at a few venues.
>
> Looser tyre regs for qualifying - very good idea IMO.
>
> All races will be timed races - While this does work in some racing
> series, it shouldn't be used here. This isn't an endurance race.
>
> No more white flag at start-finish for last lap - I don't agree with this.
> A white flag with a one-to-go signal at the starter's stand gets the
> drivers' attention.
>
> http :// www .champcarworldseries,com /News/Article.asp?ID=11159
>
>
> INDIANAPOLIS (December 12, 2006) - The 2007 racing season will be a
> landmark one for the Champ Car World Series with the genesis of the new
> Panoz DP01 Champ Car, a number of new race venues including an historic
> event in China, and the introduction of new teams and drivers to the
> nation's top open-wheel racing series.
>
> The changes will not affect the basic tenets of Champ Car racing, which
> include providing fair and equal competition for all teams as well as
> putting on a consistent and exciting event for the fans both at the track
> and those watching from home. In producing the 2007 Champ Car Rule Book,
> Champ Car Race Operations made a number of rule changes to ensure that
> those basic principles would be followed, while also setting the stage for
> some new and exciting advances for the series.
>
> "This is a very important year for Champ Car, and these rule changes will
> provide a competitive atmosphere that will allow our world-class teams and
> drivers to put on a great show for our fans around the world," said Champ
> Car President Steve Johnson. "We are always looking for new ways to bring
> excitement to the series and these rule changes are another positive step
> toward that goal."
>
> The series will introduce standing starts for the Champ Car World Series
> at venues where the starting procedure can be accommodated in a safe
> manner. For a standing start, the field will line up in their grid
> positions where the drivers will see a 15-second board once all cars are
> in position. A series of red lights will illuminate one-by-one until all
> the lights are lit, and the race will start once the red lights go out.
> The standing start is expected to be used in the season-opening Vegas
> Grand Prix Fueled by Visa.
>
> "This should provide a very exciting start to our races," said Champ Car
> Vice-President of Operations Tony Cotman. "Unlike Formula 1 where they
> have traction or launch control, the success of the standing starts in
> Champ Car will be up to the skill of the individual drivers. We will do
> the standing starts wherever the configuration of the track allows us to
> do so in a safe manner."
>
> In an effort to promote more on-track action in practice and qualifying
> sessions, the rules on tire usage during a weekend has been changed.
> Previously a team could only use four sets of tires during any qualifying
> session. Now the teams have unlimited use of their weekend allotment
> during a session, although the rules concerning the mandatory use of one
> set of alternate Bridgestone Potenzas during a race in still in effect.
>
> The use of spare cars by the teams has been changed as well. Teams now
> have the sole discretion to use their backup cars, but can only use one
> car in any practice or qualifying session. In addition, going to a spare
> car after the primary car has been qualified will result in the forfeiture
> of the qualifying time for that entry, meaning that a change after warmup
> on race day will result in that entry starting from the rear of the field.
>
> In 2007, all Champ Car races will be timed races. The event will begin and
> will run to a set time limit. As the elapsed time of the race approaches,
> a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the field, with the
> race ending upon the next time the leader crosses the start/finish line.
> The white flag will not be shown from the starter's stand and will be used
> more in line with international FIA guidelines around the course.
>
> "As Champ Car grows into more of an international series and with the
> majority of our driver lineup coming from international road-course
> backgrounds, we want to update our flagging procedures in kind," Cotman
> said. "Not only will it be easier for our drivers to understand, but it
> will keep us from having to re-educate our course marshals when we conduct
> international events."
>
>
>
> --
> forty
>
> “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and
> mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.” - Ernest Hemingway

Re: New Rules

I like the standing starts, no more wasted time doing restarts because
someone was out of line or jumped. Also it's one of the most exciting parts
of an F1 race. I can handle the timed race because they are going to know
ahead how many more laps are left. It's not going to be like all of a sudden
theres 1 lap to go. We should know how many laps are left within 5-8 laps of
the end so I don't think it's that big a deal. I would rather see a
non-timed event, but can understand the reason for the timed event.

Re: New Rules

John Smith wrote:
> I like the standing starts, no more wasted time doing restarts because
> someone was out of line or jumped. Also it's one of the most exciting parts
> of an F1 race. I can handle the timed race because they are going to know
> ahead how many more laps are left. It's not going to be like all of a sudden
> theres 1 lap to go. We should know how many laps are left within 5-8 laps of
> the end so I don't think it's that big a deal. I would rather see a
> non-timed event, but can understand the reason for the timed event.


I like standing starts. But they should be used only on tracks that are
1> wide enough to allow cars to avoid each other if someone stalls and
2> have the start on straightaways long enough to sort out the field
before the first turn. It doesn't make sense to have standing starts
everywhere.

I've always thought the solution for getting out of line or jumping (or
otherwise screwing up) the start is a visit to the pits for a discussion
with an official to be reminded of the starting rules. Depending of the
severity of the violation, the officials might even read a passage or
two from the rules book while the driver attentively listens. An errant
driver is not likely to jump the start after a couple of these training
sessions.

As for timed races, everyone knows how long the race will run regardless
of whether its timed or not. Teams have plenty of opportunity to build
their strategy to allow for either laps or the clock. So there's no
excuse or whining about timed races.

I don't have any problem with timed races. It better than having
truncated coverage.

Re: New Rules

xorbit xorbit@nospam.ca said:
> I like standing starts. But they should be used only on tracks that are
> 1> wide enough to allow cars to avoid each other if someone stalls and
> 2> have the start on straightaways long enough to sort out the field
> before the first turn. It doesn't make sense to have standing starts
> everywhere.
>
I agree. Though I love standing starts and was pleased to see them reintroduced
to some Atlantic races this year, I'm not big on them being held at every event
because of the tight nature of some street circuits. Toronto would be a real
problem because (as you say) there's not much room to get the field sorted out
before they hit the first turn.

Champcar's first corner issues have been bad enough without increasing the
problem by holding standing starts at places like that. They need to decide on
which tracks to do it.

And I agree with the timed races too. Most often they are timed anyway and
it's not tough to predict how many laps it will be to the end. I would prefer
that they avoid finishing under Yellow though.

Re: New Rules

John Smith wrote:

> I like the standing starts, no more wasted time doing restarts because
> someone was out of line or jumped. Also it's one of the most exciting parts
> of an F1 race. I can handle the timed race because they are going to know
> ahead how many more laps are left. It's not going to be like all of a sudden
> theres 1 lap to go. We should know how many laps are left within 5-8 laps of
> the end so I don't think it's that big a deal. I would rather see a
> non-timed event, but can understand the reason for the timed event.
>


I like standing starts. But they should be used only on tracks that are
1> wide enough to allow cars to avoid each other if someone stalls and
2> have the start on straightaways long enough to sort out the field
before the first turn. It doesn't make sense to have standing starts
everywhere.

I've always thought the solution for getting out of line or jumping (or
otherwise screwing up) the start is a visit to the pits for a discussion
with an official to be reminded of the starting rules. Depending of the
severity of the violation, the officials might even read a passage or
two from the rules book while the driver attentively listens. An errant
driver is not likely to jump the start after a couple of these training
sessions.

As for timed races, everyone knows how long the race will run regardless
of whether its timed or not. Teams have plenty of opportunity to build
their strategy to allow for either laps or the clock. So there's no
excuse or whining about timed races.

I don't have any problem with timed races. It better than having
truncated coverage.

Re: New Rules


"John Smith" <someone@microsoft,com > wrote in message
news:%bJfh.42299$qp1.23878@tornado.texas.rr,com ...
>I like the standing starts, no more wasted time doing restarts because
>someone was out of line or jumped. Also it's one of the most exciting parts
>of an F1 race. I can handle the timed race because they are going to know
>ahead how many more laps are left. It's not going to be like all of a
>sudden theres 1 lap to go. We should know how many laps are left within 5-8
>laps of the end so I don't think it's that big a deal. I would rather see a
>non-timed event, but can understand the reason for the timed event.
Going to a timed event will change the entire character and flow of the
race. Many if not most of the important decisions that occur during a race
come far sooner than that. At that point everyone is guessing. At most
events 20 laps or so or more is still at least a half our out. You simply
can't be that precise. This isn't endurance racing. Just running laps isn't
the objective. This rule package would have robbed us of many of the great
finishes in the history of Champ Car racing.

You think F1 standings starts are going to eliminate jumped starts?? Think
again. In fact it might increase them. For champ car its totally
impractical for the most part. F1 has a system that is automated to catch
those that jump the start. Most of Champ car races are on temporary street
courses in which such a system could be very difficult to install. Then its
going to be constant bickering about who left before who only to get to the
first lap wreck. Its the most exciting part of an F1 race because its about
the only time you will see a pass. You can typically see more passing in a
single champ car race than a typical season in F1.

Rolling starts are also considered much safer. Have a car not leave the
grid and a serious accident is almost always guaranteed. If a car won't go
when the gas is dropped with a rolling start a driver can at least pull out
of the way. With a standing start they are sitting ducks.

An occasional standing start I could live with, but only to the point that
it would demand a driver with the widest set of skills possible. I would
hope they bring back a few ovals and hit some of the better more permenant
road courses. Too many street races now for my taste. What appealed to me
about the old CART was that a driver had to be good on all types of tracks
and situations.

This is the first sign of what worried me since the OWRS. Its a sign that
the ownership thinks that there is more money available in selling the
series overseas than to deal with the split fan base. It might make the
series more popular in Asia and Europe to be F1 light, but it isn't the
series they stepped up to save.

I was a CART fan in the early 80s, hoping they would find a way to keep
drivers legs safe. I loved Cart in the early 90s. I stuck with CART
through the split and didn't even think about defecting to the Indy Racing
Farce. I stuck with them through a bankruptcy and formation with new
ownership. Ive applauded the new ownership when they have faced new
challenges from the IRL.

Yet this to me is effectively abandoning the fans that stuck with them
through thin to hopefully create a larger new fan base from ticked off F1
fans overseas. If that happens I will be as hard to find as Robin Miller at
Tony George's house on Christmas Day.

Re: New Rules

> You think F1 standings starts are going to eliminate jumped starts??
> Think again. In fact it might increase them. For champ car its totally
> impractical for the most part. F1 has a system that is automated to catch
> those that jump the start. Most of Champ car races are on temporary
> street courses in which such a system could be very difficult to install.

The new cars apparently have some timing and scoring built into the
electronics....jumps ahead of time will be instantly recognized., or even
worse...not even allowed...I don't know the details yet, but the launch
control system built into the new cars does have some previsions for this
problem. (else, there would be NO WAY to recognize a jumped start).

>
> Rolling starts are also considered much safer. Have a car not leave the
> grid and a serious accident is almost always guaranteed. If a car won't
> go when the gas is dropped with a rolling start a driver can at least pull
> out of the way. With a standing start they are sitting ducks.

Well, in f1, guys just drive around the car in front...happens all the time.
And, with on-board starters, that car might get started by the time they
come around....and no yellow as a result....


And, as far as safely? This has been *heavily* debated both ways. With
rolling start, you have cars doing 150 mph+ or MORE by the START finish line
into the FIRST corner..they are going FULL BLAST. With standing starts, they
are barely even at speed over the start finish line....speeds are FAR less
into he first corner...and thus somewhat safer. In some tracks, this of
course would not be the case, but then again, they are going to make a
judgement call on a track by track bases (which means we will both types of
starts....).

> An occasional standing start I could live with, but only to the point that
> it would demand a driver with the widest set of skills possible. I would
> hope they bring back a few ovals and hit some of the better more permenant
> road courses. Too many street races now for my taste. What appealed to
> me about the old CART was that a driver had to be good on all types of
> tracks and situations.

I can't agree more. Unfortunately, ovals can NOT draw a crowd, even when you
have free naked women.......

I don't was to really rag on the IRL..and say that "they" can't draw a
crowd, but if you can tell me how oval races can start to draw a crowd that
cares, or enough of a crowed to pay the bills, then I all on board with you.
(I not shooting you the messenger here...I just pointing out that attendance
at ovals just sucks rocks big time).

> Yet this to me is effectively abandoning the fans that stuck with them
> through thin to hopefully create a larger new fan base from ticked off F1
> fans overseas. If that happens I will be as hard to find as Robin Miller
> at Tony George's house on Christmas Day.

The new car was designed with a possible oval kit. Right now, the IRL owns
all of the oval racing for open wheel cars, I just can't see how champs can
compete on ovals. And, as mentioned, attendance is so poor at ovals, then
when can/should champs start working on ovals again????

I wish I could say that a few ovals would be great, but not enough fans
agree with me....just go ask the IRL and look at the attendance.

I can guarantee you that if champs can find a oval that draws a good
crowd...,it will go to that oval.......

--
Albert D. Kallal
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Re: New Rules

Thus spake "Albert D. Kallal" <PleaseNOOOsPAMmkallal@msn,com > :

>> You think F1 standings starts are going to eliminate jumped starts??
>> Think again. In fact it might increase them. For champ car its totally
>> impractical for the most part. F1 has a system that is automated to catch
>> those that jump the start. Most of Champ car races are on temporary
>> street courses in which such a system could be very difficult to install.

Monaco.

>
>The new cars apparently have some timing and scoring built into the
>electronics....jumps ahead of time will be instantly recognized., or even
>worse...not even allowed...I don't know the details yet, but the launch
>control system built into the new cars does have some previsions for this
>problem. (else, there would be NO WAY to recognize a jumped start).

It is my understanding that the car "knows" when the lights go out and
will report if the car started prior to that, or within the "reaction"
period.

>
>>
>> Rolling starts are also considered much safer. Have a car not leave the
>> grid and a serious accident is almost always guaranteed. If a car won't
>> go when the gas is dropped with a rolling start a driver can at least pull
>> out of the way. With a standing start they are sitting ducks.
>
>Well, in f1, guys just drive around the car in front...happens all the time.
>And, with on-board starters, that car might get started by the time they
>come around....and no yellow as a result....

Ask Kimi about that. His wreck was horrific and I was certain
somebody was messed up bad.

In general, the starters are going to make for less or shorter FCYs,
and THAT is a good thing for the on-site fans and a bad thing for the
TV fans.

>
>
>And, as far as safely? This has been *heavily* debated both ways. With
>rolling start, you have cars doing 150 mph+ or MORE by the START finish line
>into the FIRST corner..they are going FULL BLAST. With standing starts, they
>are barely even at speed over the start finish line....speeds are FAR less
>into he first corner...and thus somewhat safer. In some tracks, this of
>course would not be the case, but then again, they are going to make a
>judgement call on a track by track bases (which means we will both types of
>starts....).

The only way to make them safe through turn one is to make the start
single file. You can bet on the amount of stink put up by the
drivers, never mind the fans.

>
>> An occasional standing start I could live with, but only to the point that
>> it would demand a driver with the widest set of skills possible. I would
>> hope they bring back a few ovals and hit some of the better more permenant
>> road courses. Too many street races now for my taste. What appealed to
>> me about the old CART was that a driver had to be good on all types of
>> tracks and situations.
>
>I can't agree more. Unfortunately, ovals can NOT draw a crowd, even when you
>have free naked women.......

Naked IRL women? Now I understand why the crowds are so small.

>
>I don't was to really rag on the IRL..and say that "they" can't draw a
>crowd, but if you can tell me how oval races can start to draw a crowd that
>cares, or enough of a crowed to pay the bills, then I all on board with you.
>(I not shooting you the messenger here...I just pointing out that attendance
>at ovals just sucks rocks big time).
>
>> Yet this to me is effectively abandoning the fans that stuck with them
>> through thin to hopefully create a larger new fan base from ticked off F1
>> fans overseas. If that happens I will be as hard to find as Robin Miller
>> at Tony George's house on Christmas Day.
>
>The new car was designed with a possible oval kit. Right now, the IRL owns
>all of the oval racing for open wheel cars, I just can't see how champs can
>compete on ovals. And, as mentioned, attendance is so poor at ovals, then
>when can/should champs start working on ovals again????

Champcar showed what it could do at ovals. And left when the crowds
started thinning. They should never look back. Ovals can be
"exciting", but it's either artificial (winner by .0000001 seconds) or
it's a wreck (one need look no further than the NASCAR race a few
years back that was green for the entire race, people bitched about
the "dull" race for weeks).

>
>I wish I could say that a few ovals would be great, but not enough fans
>agree with me....just go ask the IRL and look at the attendance.
>
>I can guarantee you that if champs can find a oval that draws a good
>crowd...,it will go to that oval.......

But Tony would never allow it.
--
dillon

When I was a kid, I used to think the horse's name was Bob

Re: New Rules


"forty" <cforteNO@SPAMgmail,com > wrote in message
news:4u8hpjF15d07tU1@mid.individual,net ...
> Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
> and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could be
> quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having some
> rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or get off
> the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as standing starts
> could be troublesome at a few venues.


I like standing starts but not when they end up taking half the field
out. Standing starts with just enough room to make it exciting but also
enough to not cause a big pile up is what I want to see. I'm not saying put
100 feet between each car but give them enough room to not crash most of the
time. I would like to see F1 increase the space between the cars just a
little.

Re: New Rules

Thus spake "Von Fourche" <Khonakong@hotmail,com > :

>
>"forty" <cforteNO@SPAMgmail,com > wrote in message
>news:4u8hpjF15d07tU1@mid.individual,net ...
>> Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
>> and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could be
>> quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having some
>> rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or get off
>> the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as standing starts
>> could be troublesome at a few venues.
>
>
> I like standing starts but not when they end up taking half the field
>out. Standing starts with just enough room to make it exciting but also
>enough to not cause a big pile up is what I want to see. I'm not saying put
>100 feet between each car but give them enough room to not crash most of the
>time. I would like to see F1 increase the space between the cars just a
>little.
>

And the IRL will have exactly how many standing starts next year?
--
dillon

Aim n Flame, the official lighter of Usenet

Re: New Rules

Von Fourche Khonakong@hotmail,com said:
> I like standing starts but not when they end up taking half the field
> out. Standing starts with just enough room to make it exciting but also
> enough to not cause a big pile up is what I want to see. I'm not saying put
> 100 feet between each car but give them enough room to not crash most of the
> time. I would like to see F1 increase the space between the cars just a
> little.
>
F1 cars have premium braking ability when compared to an IRL or Champcar. Not
to mention that F1 cars have tire warmers as well, so the tires are assuredly
up to racing spec when the start happens. It makes for a safer standing start
than what might occur during a Champcar race.

Re: New Rules

In much the same way "CART" was about a unique variety of circuits,
and thus, different challenges for a driver throughout the season, I
welcome a few (!) standing starts as an interesting variation in the
format. Rolling starts remain a favorite though, as there is that
moment at the beginning of the race where the field is tight and
on full throttle.

Already looking forward to 2007!

-Sterling


forty wrote:
> Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
> and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could
> be quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having
> some rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or
> get off the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as
> standing starts could be troublesome at a few venues.
>
> Looser tyre regs for qualifying - very good idea IMO.
>
> All races will be timed races - While this does work in some racing
> series, it shouldn't be used here. This isn't an endurance race.
>
> No more white flag at start-finish for last lap - I don't agree with
> this. A white flag with a one-to-go signal at the starter's stand gets
> the drivers' attention.
>
> http :// www .champcarworldseries,com /News/Article.asp?ID159
>
>
> INDIANAPOLIS (December 12, 2006) - The 2007 racing season will be a
> landmark one for the Champ Car World Series with the genesis of the new
> Panoz DP01 Champ Car, a number of new race venues including an historic
> event in China, and the introduction of new teams and drivers to the
> nation's top open-wheel racing series.
>
> The changes will not affect the basic tenets of Champ Car racing, which
> include providing fair and equal competition for all teams as well as
> putting on a consistent and exciting event for the fans both at the
> track and those watching from home. In producing the 2007 Champ Car Rule
> Book, Champ Car Race Operations made a number of rule changes to ensure
> that those basic principles would be followed, while also setting the
> stage for some new and exciting advances for the series.
>
> "This is a very important year for Champ Car, and these rule changes
> will provide a competitive atmosphere that will allow our world-class
> teams and drivers to put on a great show for our fans around the world,"
> said Champ Car President Steve Johnson. "We are always looking for new
> ways to bring excitement to the series and these rule changes are
> another positive step toward that goal."
>
> The series will introduce standing starts for the Champ Car World Series
> at venues where the starting procedure can be accommodated in a safe
> manner. For a standing start, the field will line up in their grid
> positions where the drivers will see a 15-second board once all cars are
> in position. A series of red lights will illuminate one-by-one until all
> the lights are lit, and the race will start once the red lights go out.
> The standing start is expected to be used in the season-opening Vegas
> Grand Prix Fueled by Visa.
>
> "This should provide a very exciting start to our races," said Champ Car
> Vice-President of Operations Tony Cotman. "Unlike Formula 1 where they
> have traction or launch control, the success of the standing starts in
> Champ Car will be up to the skill of the individual drivers. We will do
> the standing starts wherever the configuration of the track allows us to
> do so in a safe manner."
>
> In an effort to promote more on-track action in practice and qualifying
> sessions, the rules on tire usage during a weekend has been changed.
> Previously a team could only use four sets of tires during any
> qualifying session. Now the teams have unlimited use of their weekend
> allotment during a session, although the rules concerning the mandatory
> use of one set of alternate Bridgestone Potenzas during a race in still
> in effect.
>
> The use of spare cars by the teams has been changed as well. Teams now
> have the sole discretion to use their backup cars, but can only use one
> car in any practice or qualifying session. In addition, going to a spare
> car after the primary car has been qualified will result in the
> forfeiture of the qualifying time for that entry, meaning that a change
> after warmup on race day will result in that entry starting from the
> rear of the field.
>
> In 2007, all Champ Car races will be timed races. The event will begin
> and will run to a set time limit. As the elapsed time of the race
> approaches, a signal indicating one lap to go will be displayed to the
> field, with the race ending upon the next time the leader crosses the
> start/finish line. The white flag will not be shown from the starter's
> stand and will be used more in line with international FIA guidelines
> around the course.
>
> "As Champ Car grows into more of an international series and with the
> majority of our driver lineup coming from international road-course
> backgrounds, we want to update our flagging procedures in kind," Cotman
> said. "Not only will it be easier for our drivers to understand, but it
> will keep us from having to re-educate our course marshals when we
> conduct international events."
>
>
>
> --
> forty
>
> "There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and
> mountaineering; all the rest are merely games." - Ernest Hemingway

Re: New Rules


<sterlingla@aol,com > wrote in message
news:1166085360.774816.179130@73g2000cwn.googlegroups,com ...
> In much the same way "CART" was about a unique variety of circuits,
> and thus, different challenges for a driver throughout the season, I
> welcome a few (!) standing starts as an interesting variation in the
> format. Rolling starts remain a favorite though, as there is that
> moment at the beginning of the race where the field is tight and
> on full throttle.
>
> Already looking forward to 2007!
>
> -Sterling

I am for the first time in many years I really am not. The technology of
the new cars doesn't excite me. I could care less that its got a paddle
shift. I hope it doesn't have traction control, and almost no driver aids.
Lighter and more nimble is not necessarily a bad thing, but its not the end
all be all.

The thing that will turn me off is timed races. People forget how many
great finishes we got that would have been ruined if it had been a timed
race. Why? Its simple. There would have been more time left and the race
would have continued. It would have been no more than a highlight on a reel
than a lasting memory. Timed races change the whole character and flow of
an event.

Having one occasionally wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. It would add
variety and a different set of skills needed for a team to master to win the
title. All timed races STINK and may do one thing Tony George couldn't do.
That's have me turn it off.

Having a timed race option to make sure the end of the race is broadcast is
a necessary evil. Last year we had way too many of them wind up as timed
races because of too many drivers with too little experience and talent in
the back bringing out yellows that that with too little help take way too
long to clean up. It was ruining the race for everyone. One solution would
be that if you brought out a second yellow in an event, you were finished.
Done, parked. A year or two will likely take care of most of the talent
problems, but till then you can clean the offs up far faster than you did
last year.

Frankly they need to return to what made CART so successful. Thats VARIETY.
Even if they lose money for a while, run a short oval and a superspeedway
and an intermediate track somewhere. Three is plenty. Go to some of the new
tracks, ideally places where neither Nascar or the IRL has been in the past.
Take the time and build a fan base don't expect one to just appear. Its
called marketing.

I don't like sportcar racing because of the timed events, and I haven't
watched F1 hardly at all because of the politics. Started at the time of an
"intentional but instinctive" move that got only a slap on the wrist, the US
Grand Prix and last years aero mass dampener (a part totally embedded in the
car being called a movable aerodynamic device) only just confirmed that
nothings changed.

Re: New Rules

forty wrote:

> Standing Starts - mixed feelings on this one. I like the rolling starts,
> and it makes Champ Car stand apart from F1. OTOH standing starts could
> be quite interesting. I'm similarly mixed in how I feel about having
> some rolling starts and some standing starts. Part of me says, "Shit or
> get off the pot." The other part sees this as somewhat prudent, as
> standing starts could be troublesome at a few venues.

I like standing starts. I can see why they aren't going to do it everywhere
but where it's appropriate.....Bring it on!

>
> Looser tyre regs for qualifying - very good idea IMO.
>
> All races will be timed races - While this does work in some racing
> series, it shouldn't be used here. This isn't an endurance race.

I'm a little surprised at how much negative reaction I've been hearing about
this.

They've been timed races for quite a while now. How many times last season
were folks griping about the time limit kicking in? Or worse yet, not even
knowing there was a time limit and being thoroughly confused. They had the
time limit set so that any significant amount of yellow would guarantee
they wouldn't make the distance.

Before Legge's crash at Road America no could tell whether or not they would
complete all the laps. That really made them look stupid.

I'd rather they ran to a defined distance also but they are obviously doing
this to accommodate television. Given that, this is much better than
confusing everyone.


Also, since many of the yellows are caused by stalled cars we may actually
get more laps than before.

>
> No more white flag at start-finish for last lap - I don't agree with
> this. A white flag with a one-to-go signal at the starter's stand gets
> the drivers' attention.

This is a non-issue. Most fans at the track can't see the starter's stand.
Drivers get their info from the pit board or the radio.

It's like the 2 minute warning in football¹, useless. If you can't tell
there's one to go then you haven't been paying attention.

¹ The second stupidest rule in football. These guys make millions and no one
can afford a $10 Timex? Each team has approx. 600 guys on the sidelines and
no one is watching the clock?
--
Frank....H