I would like to see a 4th practice session on practice days. 15 minute sessions. This would help with keeping more open track in each group for safety, as well as helping with less congestion during qualifying.
What lap time cut-off would you suggest? 1:00 and under?
What if it was 4 rotations:
A: All novice, intermediates under 600cc
B: Intermediates 600cc and up slower than 1:05.00, all experts under 600cc, (possibly all experts slower than 1:03.00 600cc and up?)
C: Intermediates running 1:05.00 or better
D: Experts 600cc and up, 1:02.9 and faster consistently
That's the best format I could come up with to group similar pace, while trying to maintain equal size groups.
I would suggest a
1:01.0 or faster
1:01.0 - 1:06 group
1:06 and slower
Novice and intermediate under 600
But that can be massaged by the exec once numbers can be established. It can also be massaged after round 1 as well.
Last year or maybe the year prior there was a rule change regarding quickshifters in a particular class. Which class was that?
Another topic I'd like to re-propose is one Heiko brought up in 2010 for the 2011 season which was to separate intermediates from experts in Formula Thunder. I hope Komo takes this as a compliment, but an intermediate on a dirt bike cannot compete with a seasoned expert on a 1000cc superbike.
I know it's very hard to class everyone where they can be competitive within their respective class - but I'd love to hear some more discussion on this.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the FT grid seemed to average out to 9-10 riders, which 2-3 of these were intermediate...??... not sure what there is to discuss here.
Last year or maybe the year prior there was a rule change regarding quickshifters in a particular class. Which class was that?
Sportbike:
• Sportbike racing class machines must be standard models as catalogued by the original equipment manufacturers and sold to the general public in Canada or U.S.A. for street use and available from all of their authorized dealers.
• This class is also opened to the Motard Style motorbikes within their respective classes.
• Tires - DOT or slicks.
• Front Suspension must use the original front forks both inner and outer tubes. Fork internals may be modified.
• Rear Suspension must retain the original swing arm and the swing arm must be left unchanged. The rear shock linkage may be substituted. The rear shock may be modified or replaced.
• The original frame must be retained. Unnecessary brackets may be removed.
• Engine modifications are unlimited except for the following
• Stock cases, barrels, cylinder heads and throttle bodies must be used but may be altered.
• Stock carb bodies or fuel injection systems must be used but carb internals; velocity stacks and injection management systems may be altered or replaced.
• After market exhaust systems may be used, but must meet noise restrictions.
• Electronic quick shifters are not allowed. Manual secondary hand operated kill/quick shifters not allowed.
• Clutch actuation may be modified to a racing kit type.
• Dry clutches are only permitted if used on the stock motorcycle.
• Stock air box is not required but an air box is required. An air filter is not required. Larger air boxes may be used but the stock tank and tank placement/mounts must be used. Ram air systems, including ducts and scoops, must be identical in spec to the OE fitment.
• Engine capacity must fall within class size as follows. There are no horsepower limits for these classes.
Hmm, the "race classes" section under "club information" on this website needs a good going-over. Earlier in the year it stated lightweight was restricted to twins up to 550cc (I see it's corrected now) and here is the classification of sport bike:
Thus my concern about quickshifters, I don't keep a paper copy of the rule book, I refer to this website for info... Maybe we can update it?
Would like to suggest the possible change of "red flag" procedure, instead of stopping off the race line at the next corner worker station just proceeding to the hot pit at a cautions pace...
Thoughts?