+1blindsidefive0 wrote:
This could be done with the points system. If you allow cars to "class up" you can combine the total number of classes. For instance, SSU, ST1, and SPC all run fairly similar times (depending on the track). I'm not saying we just dump these together, but a points system that could group some of these cars together would make it interesting. You could go from 17 total classes to maybe 10 combined classes. My stock 325i and some SM's are actually a good match, in my opinion - it would be fun to mix it up with a class that has stock and modified cars competing.
I would guess that some concern with going to a small number of classes is that parity gets lost, but with a "combined class" type system (via an overall points-based system) this could be mitigated.
I understand some research is being done about this in 2011 - I'll be curious to see how it goes.
From my understanding, the NASA points based scoring system creates a very level playing field across all classes. It would alleviate alot of the issues that have been hotly debated for the past few months on this thread (allowing R-comps for SS classes, classifying different Miatas based on power/weight, etc.). It allows for competition in all classes, regardless of how much $$ the competitor wants to spend (as Nick mentioned, our stock E36 325i actually competes pretty closely with alot of the more heavily modified Miatas). Some poor sap who removes front carpets on his Corvette to meet weight requirements for NASA would no longer necessarily be classed in SPA, the same class that someone lands in who does a monster engine swap to his Mustang.
It obviously would be a bit more complex to initially class yourself, but we have plenty of knowledgeable stewards who I'm sure would be more than happy to help those less mechanically savvy. As others have mentioned, cheating would be more difficult to enforce, since there are more items on the table that move your car's class around. COM could pick up a set of scales that people could use a couple times throughout the season to confirm their stated weight is accurate, and beyond that, leave it up to protest or tech for track records to determine if cheating occurs. In my 2 years running with COM, I've only met folks who are passionate about the sport, and no one I've met seems to be out there to bend the rules. I hope the risk of a public shaming / possible event or season disqualification would deter folks from considering it.
Thoughts?