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.
Thanks,
Chris
