I'm involved with a local race series who have a reverse grid system. The current system caused mayhem this weekend so we're looking at tweaking the rules.
The raceday format is a qualifying session and two sprint races. Qualifying determines the race 1 grid, and the race 2 grid is determined by a 102% rule. Here, the fastest lap time of race 1 is taken, and positions are reversed up to the first driver with time over 102% of that time, with the winner of race 1 in the final reversed position (i.e. at the back of the reversed grid) regardless of his time.
This usally works well, and sees around 5-8 drivers reversed of a field of about 15. But last weekend the race 1 times were tight, and the whole grid was reversed except for two non-finishers. This was a balls-up though, as it caused some lap 1 mayhem that saw the session red-flagged, damage to cars, and a minor (wrist) injury.
So we're looking at alternative methods which will consistently see just less than half the grid reversed, but perhaps not by a fixed number. So far a bit of googling has uncovered a few used or proposed alternatives. I'm hoping some of you know of other viable methods or have opinions on these ideas. What we have so far is:
- Reverse grid for the second race will be based on the final results of the Q1 qualifying session.
- Podium draw to determine where on the grid the race 1 winner will start - anywhere between sixth and 10th. Cars are reversed ahead of him until the grid is full.
- Use the fastest laps of race 1. That way a driver who has completed all but one lap, might still be rewarded for a great race, instead of being relegated to the back of the field.
- Use the second fastest time in qualifying to set the race 2 grid. To be done with both grids in the same qualifying. Puts some more pressure on the drivers in qualifying too that way.
Any other ideas or debate about ideas would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Chris
