Non Points Races Instead of Testing?

[Ted68]

With the ban on testing in the current system, is there anything keeping the teams from competing in unsanctioned, non points races as were run back in the 60's and 70's?

There could be six or seven of these races throughout the calendar on off weekends at tracks that are not on the regular schedule. They could have the test and reserve drivers running at tracks like Kyalami, Buenos Aires, Fuji, Magny Cours, Dijon, Jarama, Zandvoort, Brands Hatch, Charade, etcetera. It would also give actual competition data which regular testing cannot.

Just a fleeting idea...and a good way to see the modern cars on classic tracks.

[Paul]

How do you differentiate that from testing?

[raymondu999]

I guess the heat of battle really. And everyone is on the same program.

[jddh1]

Bring back the T-car, and let the 3rd drivers race in them as a feature 12-15 lap sprint race, with no pit stops unless it's tire punctures or repairs. DO award points.

[Shrek]

It would make testing fun that's for sure

[WhiteBlue]

Not in the concord agreement. Test tracks have to be F1T certified and have full F1 safety measures. Bernie does not allow F1 teams any races that are not sanctioned by the FiA and pay to him.

The only realistic solution is more fully paid F1 races instead of testing. This is going to happen anyway. Bernie wants more races, the fans want more races, the sponsors want more races and the teams have certain demands which will only be met by Bernie if they agree to more races.

This is why night race capability and venues in the southern hemisphere or the Arabian desert are valuable. You can race there in winter, early spring and late fall.

[donskar]

A great idea (IMHO), but totally impossible today. I recall there were several non-championship F1 races each year back in the 1960s.

[flynfrog]

I cant remember the team or the series now. They would put fenders on there car and go test it. They claimed that it was not a legal car for the series since it was now a covered wheel car completely different than what they were racing.

[rjs]

Sounds like a fantastic idea. Don't think it's especially practical but if it was possible it would be brilliant.

[pgj]

I support a two tier F1. Bernie could still sanction races and take his cut from them. They could be franchised at a lower rate and made non-compulsory for teams to attend. The advantage to teams would be the additional testing that would be available to them. It might be a way of getting the French and San Marino GP's back onto the calendar as non-championship events.

[Chaparral]

With the ban on testing in the current system, is there anything keeping the teams from competing in unsanctioned, non points races as were run back in the 60's and 70's?

There could be six or seven of these races throughout the calendar on off weekends at tracks that are not on the regular schedule. They could have the test and reserve drivers running at tracks like Kyalami, Buenos Aires, Fuji, Magny Cours, Dijon, Jarama, Zandvoort, Brands Hatch, Charade, etcetera. It would also give actual competition data which regular testing cannot.

Just a fleeting idea...and a good way to see the modern cars on classic tracks.

G'day Ted yes I remember the Race Of Champions at Brands Hatch and it was all good stuff - in the 60's they ran F2 cars also against the crop of GP cars(Nurburgring etc) and I'm all against the call for the refueling b/s to be re-introduced and other artificial means of so called 'spicing up' a race - GP's have been like this with rare exception for as long as I remember i.e. some team is always dominent in any era and there maybe various battles down the field for example Brabham dominated 66/67 Lotus dominated 63/65 etc etc - I dont have a problem with that as I like to see/study the various driving talents of the drivers - yes some overtaking is great and you do get some real good stuff i.e. GV etc. Id rather that than the artificial crap - I only wish they opened up the regs again regarding power plants so you could run anything at a set capacity - and any configuration...........................are to dream (wasnt that Shakespeare)

[pgj]

A non-champioship F1 would also allow changes to procedures to be tried out before inflicting them on the point scoring championship.

There would be a market for a lower-cost [to spectators] F1.