Max-V Article on Runoffs

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Vitamin K
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Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Vitamin K »

So, in case you haven't seen it, in the most recent (as of writing this post) issue of the Max-V newsletter, there's an article on scheduling run-offs for points based PN/PPN races.

This is particularly interesting because I have the task of organizing our Pack's Pinewood Derby this coming January, and I plan to run a PN/PPN points race. If I'm reading this article correctly, it seems to suggest that whenever you have a situation that requires a Partial-Perfect-N chart, you need to be running a second round that consists of an actual Perfect-N chart.

Is this pretty standard procedure? I am certainly not adverse to more runs of the cars down the tracks (I like watching cars roll!), but I'm worried about extending the race too long. After all, not everybody is as Derby-obsessed as I am. I'd also have to explain the second rounds to our spectators, so as not to breed confusion.

Here's another question: When using the "Master" scheduling option for GPRM, how to handle second rounds? I'm assuming that these all need to occur after the original Master schedule has run?
Last edited by Vitamin K on Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by gpraceman »

Vitamin K wrote:Here's another question: When using the "Master" scheduling option for GPRM, how to handle second rounds? I'm assuming that these all need to occur after the original Master schedule has run?
Generally, you will complete the master schedule for Round 1 before creating a Round 2 for each of your race groups.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Stan Pope »

The two stage "points" racing is (or should be) rather standard for the reasons that Randy listed in "Times". I recommend that about twice as many racers compete in the second stage (Finals) as you have trophies to dispense. That ratio seems to allow the worthy racers who got disadvantageous pairings in the first stage to have equal pairings in the finals and claim the prize that they deserve.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by birddog »

I read the article and found it interesting. I also read the companion article:

http://www.maximum-velocity.com/pinewoo ... v6_i11.htm

and had many issues with the comparisons. Basically, I disagree with much of it and certainly disagree with the conclusion.

Given our pack has a huge investment (many hundreds of dollars) in a timer that displays times to the audience to the ten thousands of a second, I would not consider switching to points. The biggest derby in the country (Mid America) uses times, all the pros use times and in my view times are the most fair and easiest to understand method out there.

I would not recommend anyone use points unless they do not have a reliable timer.

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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Vitamin K »

I agree with the efficiency of using times. But, philosophically, I like the concept of points racing better, where the cars you run against are actually significant, as opposed to just happening to run (and record times) at the same time as you.
birddog wrote:I read the article and found it interesting. I also read the companion article:

http://www.maximum-velocity.com/pinewoo ... v6_i11.htm

and had many issues with the comparisons. Basically, I disagree with much of it and certainly disagree with the conclusion.

Given our pack has a huge investment (many hundreds of dollars) in a timer that displays times to the audience to the ten thousands of a second, I would not consider switching to points. The biggest derby in the country (Mid America) uses times, all the pros use times and in my view times are the most fair and easiest to understand method out there.

I would not recommend anyone use points unless they do not have a reliable timer.

Birddog
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Darin McGrew »

birddog wrote:I would not recommend anyone use points unless they do not have a reliable timer.
For what it's worth, the reliability of the timer is only part of the equation. The timer can be accurate to ten thousands of a second, but if minor bumps at the start gate (while staging cars before each race) and at the finish line (while retrieving cars after each race) change the performance of the track by a few thousandths (or a few hundredths, or a few tenths) of a second, then the timer's reliability is irrelevant and misleading.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by MaxV »

I agree that large races need to use time as the basis - otherwise it takes too long. But for smaller races, points is great way to race.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Stan Pope »

MaxV wrote:I agree that large races need to use time as the basis - otherwise it takes too long. But for smaller races, points is great way to race.
For large races involving youngsters, another great way to race is "15th Burlington" (See also, here.) Youngsters are there to race ... the more the better. 15th Burlington also promotes (indeed, requires) active involvement from many of the packs whose boys are participating. 15th Burlington reduces the racers/track ratio, producing more heats per minute to produce finalists, then culminates in a "race the clock" finals among the fastest cars.
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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

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Darin McGrew wrote:
birddog wrote:I would not recommend anyone use points unless they do not have a reliable timer.
For what it's worth, the reliability of the timer is only part of the equation. The timer can be accurate to ten thousands of a second, but if minor bumps at the start gate (while staging cars before each race) and at the finish line (while retrieving cars after each race) change the performance of the track by a few thousandths (or a few hundredths, or a few tenths) of a second, then the timer's reliability is irrelevant and misleading.
While this is true to a point (I don't think reliability of the timer is irrelevant even after the track is bumped), track run time changes due to physical changes in the track during the race also can impact points style races, especially if only one lane (or a subset of lanes) is impacted as opposed to the entire track.

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Re: Max-V Article on Runoffs

Post by Vitamin K »

So...from the Max-V article, the contention seems to be that if the original schedule isn't Perfect-N, you need to have a 2nd round that /is/ Perfect-N. But I wonder: if I do second rounds for some of the schedules, does it make sense to do 2nd rounds for /all/ of the schedules, Perfect-N or otherwise? It seems like watchers might be confused by some groups having 2nd rounds while others finish after the first round of racing.
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