THREE HEAT RACING

[Hydro doc]

Pros and cons.?

[Guest]

Cons - 1) If your a wimp you could be tired after 3 heats. 2) if your club is running 50 classes, better light up the race course because you will be there till dark and all your fans are gone anyways.
Pros - Run PRO we do it all the time. Short fast program, done by 5:00 in the afternoon and the fans stays to the end.

[Jack Stotts]

Three heat racing would result in a longer day which, for the most part, is tooooo long now. It would lead to running half the classes on Sat and half on Sunday resulting in a 50% reduction in club income but the insurance and other costs would stay the same. The way it is now, the club gets 2 days worth of entry fees- that would not be the case with the proposed change.

[runabout333]

Too long of a day. I agree with Jack...

[Art K]

I think that NBRA should try it at the Nats where 14 classes are spread over 2 days. Not a viable when you run a complete race Sat & Sun.
Art K

[bill boyes]

Longer day?? Try it. If you have eliminations it does not. all get a least 2 heats the final 12 get 3 heats.

[Jack Stotts]

Since NBRA awards points on a heat basis, upping the number of heats per race at only the Nationals may have an unintended impact on our traditional high point system. The Nationals already provides double points. Running 3 heat racing and the resulting unintended consequence of having to run half of the classes each day may well reduce overall participation in our organization in that some may elect not to travel the long distances involved for what has the result of one day of racing for those that participate in a single class. Additionally, splitting the schedule into one half each day may make it difficult to have enough folks present on the second day to perform the many duties such as rescue and turn judge etc. As now printed, the rule book states that a sanctioned event shall consist of two three lap heats of racing per class per sanction ( Para 1. D. page 1). Rewording that would be necessary of course.

[PopPop]

Jack makes sense !

[runabout333]

On a lighter side,,, I've only been trained to flag 2 heats per class per day.
Right now I can't afford to go back to flagman school.
Tuition is very expensive. But,, then again, If I get my doctorate degree,,, I will expect more recognition.

[David Weaver]

There are many ways to skin the cat....rules can be adjusted to reflect the interest of the members! And members must be committed to the organization (i.e. - stay and volunteer on a non-race day). The USTS system works wells for that membership. Something else to consider is the usage of the engines in certain classes. For instance, the largest displacements at USTS race typically run 2 heats to keep the rebuilds down (mechanic/owner preferences). I have been to a lot of local events where the 4th heat on Sunday has very few participants left in larger Mod classes.

An unwillingness to consider alternatives endangers our sport. Many comments above focus on "us" and "our" desires. This is fine if we want to pay for our races. If we want to have more and better sponsored events, we had better think of "them", the sponsors and spectators. What do they wish to see and experience? One format I really enjoyed at local races included a last chance qualifier in the largest classes, like C-stock when eliminations were required. This ensured every driver got two heats and a second chance for the main event. It only added an additional heat for the day.

[raceright]

USTS 700 runabout and 1100 hydro run two heats because they are not regular USTS classes. They are crowd p leasers and requested by many sponsors. It is true that Owners are somewhat relieved due to these engines having limited life's. At Nationals all run 3 heats. The three heat format has been well received by race sites as we like to consider a well managed short show. This allows for a longer Beer party.lolololo

[Hydro doc]

It was recently pointed out that at the short course nationals, because we run two complete races, that you get more points. If you run half schedule and three heats, you will be able to finish in 31/2 hrs. Presently, we are finishing later, because of the high number of entries(a good thing) and the larger number of delays.(turn overs). The clubs are doing well, and any change would need to be revenue neutral. The biggest advantage is less motor changes during the race time, speeding the program. Running a nationals off in one day(more classes than our normal schedule) is a long day. One thing that can be done is to start earlier.

[Jack Stotts]

I sure do want to be negative (con) on this issue but to tell the truth, keeping in mind that NBRA has 14 classes, I could not come up with a single pro argument. I'd be interested in reading some. Concerning long races, we could do a lot to shorten the schedule. At one race, the season before this one we just finished, it took the tow crew 45 minutes to get an overturned rig off of the course. A good standard to aim for is 6 heats per hour. To do this, a total concentration on the time consumed is required. Moving disabled craft to the infield vs. tow to pits. Boats must be sent out to the course quickly and not wait for the turn boat to be in exact position. You have 2 min of milling time to get to exact spot. As I said, you have to save every minute you can.

[David Weaver]

For NBRA regular events, you must plan on 28 heats a day (assuming no eliminations). If you divided the classes Saturday/Sunday with 3 heats per class, you would have 21 heats (assuming no eliminations). So if you gave up 7 heats a day, what could you do with that time? More testing, allow 5 minutes for a driver to make a repair, give the scoring crew a 30 minute break, more time with the fans??? Just some suggestions and certainly not the only way to go. Not having to thrash in the pits to make an engine change sure can make the pit crew's day more enjoyable!!

[Art K]

This year at the NBRA Nats the sponsor said he would have liked a longer program. Last year at Centralia it was the same thing. I am not in favor of running the Nats in one day, it just to hard and not fair to drivers and crews that run multiple classes. And I feel that three heats would solve the problem and would give every driver at least 2 heats at the Nats. As it is now if you have elimination heats you have to have at least four heats per class, and you may only get one heat.
of racing if you don`t qualify. I also feel the Long Course Nats should have big effect on Nat. Points. I am sure this subject will come up at the Nat. Meeting. Have heard from a lot drivers expressing interest.
Art K

[Jack Stotts]

I can see three heat racing at the Nationals where the schedule is traditionally split between two days but see to many downsides for routine races held during the season.

[Dave M]

I can see three heat racing at the Nationals where the schedule is traditionally split between two days but see to many downsides for routine races held during the season.

I am in agreement with Jack. Long Course nationals I see it as a plus. Short course Nat and regular races that are typically run on one day it might hinder more than help.