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"race start" qualifying lap

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by 720, May 29, 2004.

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  1. 720

    720 F1 Rookie

    Jul 14, 2003
    2,623
    So. Cal and No. Utah
    Full Name:
    Rick
    #1 720, May 29, 2004
    do you think anybody has considered running the single qualifying lap from a full stop? The reason I mention this is that there is a big difference among teams and drivers in how well they get off the line from a dead stop at at the beginning of a race. The start is so important that a car can jump into the lead from several positions back. Given that the combination of driver skill and the car's "launch" from a dead stop are so important at the beginning of the race it seems that this aspect of the car/driver's performance should be reflected in the qualifying lap. Hence, run a single qualifying lap from a dead stop. What do you think?
     
  2. Brian C. Stradale

    Brian C. Stradale F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 17, 2002
    3,615
    Dallas, TX, USA
    #2 Brian C. Stradale, May 29, 2004
    Valid point! I think it could easily be argued; especially if your goal with the starting grid is to avoid mass collisions at the first corner... or huge blocks of traffic unfairly slowing some vs. others.

    OTOH, the old style of qualifying basically made Formula One have two "events"... like a triathlon... winning the first event gives you a head start in the next event... where, in this case, the first event is Solo driving against the clock on an empty track and the second event is head-to-head racing in traffic. Like an autocross determining starting position for the club race.

    Being an autocross participant, I really enjoyed seeing just how fast each driver can get around the course.

    The current qualifying approach is in between old-style and what you propose. I'd say either end of that spectrum makes more sense than sitting in the middle where we are now.
     
  3. imperial83

    imperial83 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    May 14, 2004
    2,893
    #3 imperial83, May 29, 2004
    The idea of doing a qualifying lap from dead stop has been debated before. I think it was rejected based upon the grounds that in the race itself cars do laps based upon how quick they go through the start finish line. So a qualifying lap from dead stop would not be indicative of a real race scenario.

    But I am not sure of this arguements validity. I am not sure what kind of qualifying I want. I think as long as everyone has to play by the same rules and Ferrari keeps on being victorious I am ok.
     

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