Double whammy on gearbox rules?

[Conceptual]

So, if I am reading the new regs for this year, anyone needing to change gearboxes within a 4 race span loses 5 spots from their qualifying position.

So, Team A goes to the Australlia. Does the practices, changes to the 4 race gearbox for quali on Saturday, and then runs the race on Sunday. Team A looks strong by starting on the front row, and sneaking into the lead in the first corner... The next 68 laps is a parade procession among the top 3 teams (6 cars) until the driver leading for Team A blows his gearbox on the last lap.

So, that driver not only loses the race, and all points for that race, he also knows that no matter how well he does NEXT race, that he can start no higher than 6th, and since it is going to be ANOTHER parade procession, he can only pick up 2 points.

I sincerely hate holdover penalties, and any rule that forces them into existance. For 50+ years the loss of a gearbox meant that TODAY all is lost, but TOMORROW is a brighter day. Now, what happens in THIS race directly affects your outcome NEXT race. And what happens if you blow an engine in qualifying at that next race? Do the penalties stack?

With $400M+ budgets where every single point is worth 100 times their weight in gold, you are not only losing your points at the current race, but also compromising your possible point earning next race. Quite frankly, I cannot believe that the teams agreed to this. Especially with how 2007 ended on the drivers points side.

I do have a related question. What happens if with the no TC cars, someone spins into a wall, tearing off a perfectly functional gearbox that needs to be replaced for the next race, is the penalty still levied? What about a rain race where Vettle drives under Weber and shreds Webers gearbox, is Weber penalized by 5 spots NEXT race for Vettle's mistake?

I find these arbitrary rules based on subjective application to be entirely out of place in what is a VERY serious competition, that literally has Billions of dollars at stake.

COME ON USA OPEN-WHEEL RESURGANCE!!! I am so counting on you to take me away from the Bernie and Max Puppet Show!

/rant off

Chris

[TRICKLE69]

I dont think if you crash or damage the gearbox from anything other then a genuine mechanical failure that there will be a penaty. Anyway US open wheel racing sucks, sorry to say but if i wanted to watch cars going in circles i would watch REDNECK RACING (NASCAR) [-X

[Conceptual]

I dont think if you crash or damage the gearbox from anything other then a genuine mechanical failure that there will be a penaty. Anyway US open wheel racing sucks, sorry to say but if i wanted to watch cars going in circles i would watch REDNECK RACING (NASCAR) [-X

Hopefully the IRL/CCWS merger will bring grandprix racing to the US along with some oval tracks.

Remember, Indy still has the infield track that F1 used. The Indy 500 does NOT have to be on the oval.

Chris

[rjsa]

I didn't read it anywhere, but it has to be like the 2 races engine.

If you break it and abandon on sunday, you are ok for the next race.

If it leaks on saturday, you loose 5 positions on sunday.

[teecof1fan]

"TRICKLE69: I dont think if you crash or damage the gearbox from anything other then a genuine mechanical failure that there will be a penaty. Anyway US open wheel racing sucks, sorry to say but if i wanted to watch cars going in circles i would watch REDNECK RACING (NASCAR)"

Well, TRICKLE, I assume you're talking about the 2007 season since 08 hasn't started, so I'll say that I really enjoyed watching US open-wheelers going around Long Beach and Mont-Tremblant and Surfer's Paradise and Road America. Regarding the merger, more of the road/street courses will be added to the new series in 2009, and new chassis' will be added in 2010. By then the series will look more like F1 than anything else, but by no means do I think it will challenge F1, nor do I think it should; it is its own series. And anyway, if you want to watch NASCAR check this thread out: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5202&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
and specifically check out JP Montoya's comments about how NASCAR is more difficult than F1: http://www.dawgrant.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=701921 (only the first post is relevant. I couldn't find the direct link to the magazine)

So, TRICKLE, although you don't have to like either of these series, I would wish that you at least respect them

[modbaraban]

And anyway, if you want to watch NASCAR check this thread out: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5202&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
and specifically check out JP Montoya's comments about how NASCAR is more difficult than F1: http://www.dawgrant.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=701921 (only the first post is relevant. I couldn't find the direct link to the magazine)

Couldn't resist...

The secrets of NASCAR winning strategy

PS: I do remember Montoya saying that it's really hard in NASCAR coming from F1 "like driving a truck after a Ferrari" he said.

[teecof1fan]

=D> Gotta love the Onion!