MR2 Championship

Guys & Gals,

In an effort to make the racing in the MR2 Championship series even closer and more competitive, I'm thinking of introducing a system of success ballast next year and would like some feedback from competitors. What I have in mind is something along the lines of +30kgs for a win, +20kgs for second and +10kgs for third. Ballast stays in the car for three races meaning the maximum penalty anyone would carry is 90kgs. In theory this would see a number of different faces on the podium over the course of the season.

Comments and suggestions welcome - I'm even open to other ideas such as reversing the top six positions on the second race of a double header etc.

Regards,

Patrick Mortell
Formula Official

I understand where you are coming from Patrick but the whole point of choosing to race in a one-make series is to compete in equal equipment. Personally, if I had to carry 90kg ballast I would find the racing very frustrating... and if I beat someone carrying 90kg ballast I would not find that victory very satisfying.

But that's just my view...

Struggling with this but I, er, aaaaaa..... I aaa... I agree with Andrei on this one.

I do see where you are coming from but don't think that this should be applied to the championship. Much of the debate this year has been about how we can (or cannot) modify the cars to enhance performance. I'd see success ballasting as the other side of the same coin. In principle (within each class) we are all driving the same car with the same minimum weight, ideally the same handling characteristics. The emphasis should remain on driver skill.

Given that the perfomance of the cars is likely to vary far more in the new Modified Series, perhaps success ballasting may be worth considering there?

Cheers JOHN #77

I'm almost certainly going to use success ballast in the Super GT series, which is why I wondered if there would be any interest in it in the MR2 Championship. If everyone's happy with the way things are then I'm not going to change things!

Any more opinions?

For the time and effort put into issuing and checking up on success ballast I think it would be better spent on policing the regulations so that we all know whoever wins does so on merrit and not because they aren't carrying 90kg around just because they are a good driver.

Hi guys
Patrick, have to agree with andrei,john,and rob
But like the new look with the forum

rob barnett wrote:For the time and effort put into issuing and checking up on success ballast I think it would be better spent on policing the regulations so that we all know whoever wins does so on merrit and not because they aren't carrying 90kg around just because they are a good driver.

I have to say I agree. You think the racing isn't close enough? Its rare, even at the back, that you are pottering round on your own. Mid-field looks mannic!

Im with all of the above on this one patrick,dont try fixing what isnt broken so to speak