REQUESTED RULES CHANGES
By Chris Lawerence
FOR 1998
17 April 1998
1. At least half the races should be an odd number of laps. In particular, Albert Park should be 7 laps (and on a one race day) and Interlagos should be at least 5 laps. Recommend redrawing or deleting Brands Hatch, Paul Ricard and Kyalami and reinstating Magny Cours.
2. Time limits should be loosened up a little on one race days. Don't really like the two-race days, but do not want to expand the number of weekend days committed to the series. Perhaps, if we had a good central site (close to Greenbelt and Arlington/McLean) we could have a shortened race on Thursday nights.
3. We need to force more improvisation in the planning process. I prefer it to be more of an art than a science. It makes the planning more enjoyable. The best way is to vary the track a little just before the race. As such, I have created a "track and weather conditions" table that results in some minor or even major changes to the track for 75% of the races. The other 25% of the time there is no change.
Before each race, at 10:45 AM (encouraging people to arrive a little early so they can adjust their planning), roll a twenty sided dice to determine the race conditions for that race. The results affects everyone equally.:
|
Die |
Event |
Effect |
|
1 |
Highly abrasive track |
Receive only 3/4 wear |
|
2 |
Very smooth track |
Replace "hot" wears with more "cold" wears |
|
3 |
Track is just perfect |
Double number of "hot" wears |
|
4 |
Very cold weather |
1. Replace "hot" wears with more "cold" wears |
|
2. Then double number of "cold" wears. | ||
|
5 |
Cold weather |
Double the number of cold and hot wears |
|
6 |
Hot weather |
Must make an engine check every two laps (must make a reliability check using a gold chip, as if testing top speed) |
|
7 |
Very hot weather |
Must make an engine check every lap |
|
8 |
Very Windy/buffeting |
Reduce top speed by 20 MPH |
|
9 |
Dirty/Damp track |
+ 2 to all cornering and braking rolls except when using line |
|
10 |
Drying track |
1. Same as "light rain" for first two laps |
|
2. Same as "dirty/damp track" for next two laps | ||
|
3. Normal starting lap five | ||
|
11 |
Terminating rain |
1. Same as "rain" for first two laps |
|
2. Same as "light rain" for next two laps | ||
|
3. Same as "dirty/damp track" for next two laps | ||
|
4. Normal starting lap seven | ||
|
12 |
Steady Light rain |
1. + 2 to all cornering, braking and start rolls. |
|
2. Cannot use a tire wear to brake. | ||
|
3. Maximum braking 60 MPH (+ testing brakes) | ||
|
13 |
Steady Rain |
1. + 2 to all cornering, braking and start rolls. |
|
2. Cannot use a tire wear to brake. | ||
|
3. Maximum braking 40 MPH (+ testing brakes) | ||
|
4. Reduce all posted cornering speeds by 20 MPH (0 = 0) | ||
|
14 |
Worsening conditions |
1. Normal starting first two laps |
|
2. Same as "dirty track" for next two laps | ||
|
3. Same as "light rain" for next two laps | ||
|
4. Same as "rain" starting lap 7 | ||
|
15 |
Worsening rain |
1. Same as "dirty track" for first two laps |
|
2. Same as "light rain" for next two laps | ||
|
3. Same as "rain" stating lap 5 | ||
|
16 |
Tire company screws up |
Reduce handling by 20 MPH |
|
17 |
Head of FIA threatens |
All conditions are normal sanctions on team leading championship |
|
18 |
European Union |
All conditions are normal threatens a ban on tobacco advertising |
|
19 |
Head of FIA imposes |
All conditions are normal fine on most outspoken driver |
|
20 |
Head of FIA imposes |
All conditions are normal fine on race organizer |
Note the last four items result in no change to on-track conditions.
4. Would like to use hidden wear chips.
5. Would like season long car designs. Each submits a car at the beginning of the season. That car must be used for the whole season. Each driver can adjust the car design by up to 5 points, taking from 1 to 5 points from any number of categories and assigning it elsewhere. Drivers nominated to drive for a particular team must drive for that team if they are present (no jumping from team to team to get the best car designs).
6. I think team championships are just wonderful (note how good of a season that the newcomers Jeff August and John Nestor had).
7. Would like to extend the period that two teammates can "serve together" continuously too three years, with a three year separation period required after that.