Questions about race format.
 

How many cars should you put in a heat for IFMAR qualifying for a series race?

Example, If you have 20 cars in a class should it be broken into several heats or just pack the heats to 10? Remember, it's IFMAR qualifying on a big track.

We usually take a 10 to 20 minute break after each round.

This last weekend we had 6 heats listed and some of the drivers insisted on having one class broken up into 4 heats of just 5 cars in each. They pointed out this would not add any time to the day if we did away with the break between rounds. (what about the race directors break?)

Is this the way BIG races are done? Or do they qualify 5 cars at a time?
Is this the normal thing to do?

When it came time for the mains (where you get points for the series) if you qualified in the B-Main the best you could do is win the b and get 8th. place points in the series. If we had packed the mains to 10 cars in each heat then you could have gained more points than just 8th. place.

What are your thoughts about IFMAR qualifying 10 cars at a time with 20 total in a class?

I think the two standards for the max per heat are size of drivers stand and average length of laps seconds. In other words a track where the laps are 22 secs on average can support more cars(per heat) than one where they are 12 secs.

Track is 90' x 50' overall and the track drive line is 330' with 10 second laps in mod and 12-15 second laps in sportsman stock and rookie classes.

The drivers stand can hold 15+ without any problem.

On a track that size 8 cars is about max our track is 120 x 55 with 12 to 14 sec lap times and 8 can be messie.

Ok, let me ask this another way. I believe the SnowBirds layout is about 36' x 80' How many cars do they run in qualifying?

Is it IFMAR qualifying?

Is IFMAR qualifying used at most weekend/club/series races?

Snowbirds is a different beast compared to your Club Racing. Snowbirds pretty much HAS to fill the heats. with 130 racers in stock last year..... you get the picture. Normally if you have more then 1 heat, divide them up so there is a nice mix.

25 Entries... 3 heats
35 entries....4 heats

I wouldnt go less then say 6 or 7 per heat though

If the fast guys are running 10sec laps then 5 per heat for club racing doesn't seem unreasonable. If you go below 2 secs per car per lap then things can start to feel a bit cramped. You also get problems with the leaders catching the tail of the stagger too soon.