Qualifying vs. Pill Draw

[jdavis-403]

I like the idea. Seems to really reflect racing to get your spot instead of setting up the kart to run a fast lap and then change it slightly for the race. Though, there isn’t much you can really change to make it faster compared to a race. lol Maybe less fuel to get a fast lap in? 😉

I remember at the track we had something similar when the timing system had some technical problems. We didn’t get an extra race at that time based on what I remember but it was fun to pass people and what not.

I like the idea of separating the weights with this too. Have all the lights with the lights and all the heavy’s with the heavy’s. Sounds great! I mean they are still running at the same time but line up all the lights together and all the heavy’s together. Great idea! 🙂

[Doug Welch]

Before the ready access to accurate timing at the club level, pea pick and 3 heats was the norm. The argument against is that with the fast drivers back in the pack, the potential for wrecks is increased as they try to get through. The counter to that is they also have more experience and they can pass safely.

With timing and scoring, at first I really liked it. Since we were usually in the front, it meant that after the first few turns, we were out in front and away from all the mayhem. Over time we realized how boring it was. We only had a race to turn one and then it was only about catching lapped traffic at some point late in the race. We had lost the fun of racing. Later in the boys career, we would often purposefully start in the back. The bigger the field the better. Did we usually win, no. Most of the time we could only get up to 2nd or 3rd but we would pass 10 to 15 karts in the process.

My point is this, if winning is important, qualifying will make sure the fastest racers have the best chance of winning. If racing is important, then pea pick gives you 3 races instead of 2 and it is guaranteed that you will pass someone or be passed. Usually involving a lot of someones. At the end of the day, the fastest racers usually win. They will just have had to work a lot harder than win the race to turn one.

[adam_kasick]

I agree… one of the greatest aspects of the pill draw is that the fastest kart rarely won. adding a 3rd race is also really nice, as for most, it’s more enjoyable than a qual session.

another positive is that you’d see drivers winning heat races that may not have the speed to win a race in the qual format. it’s a great “reward” for parents, and also helped to build confidence in newer drivers as well as teach them how to lead…

[Author]

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