On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 1:27:46 PM UTC-6, Sean F (F2) wrote:
LOVE the GP start.


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:56:06 PM UTC-5, John Godfrey (QT) wrote:

All,

4. Regionals: Grand Prix Style Start Allowed in Regional Contests


I'm a bit surprised at silence here, except Sean. The GP start rule allows GP style races in US regional contests.

We generalized it a bit. There is a "last start time" that can be substantially later than the start open time. So if the CD sets start open at 12:00 and last start at 1:00, you can go on course any time from 12:00 to 1:00 and scored as usual. If you go on course any time after 1:00, your start time is 1:00.


This would let people go early if they don't want to play the GP game, or if they get a thermal too good to lose. Allowing earlier starts should make the GP start a bit more relaxing; less mad gaggling, scraping, staring at clock and GPS in the minutes before the start.

Otherwise it's all US rules -- handicaps (if sports or handicapped FAI), US start cylinder, TAT and MAT allowed as well as AST, credit for distance in the turnpoint, cylinder finish etc.

A CD can use this to create a real GP, or just to cut short hours of start gate roulette and get everyone off on course.

I hope someone tries it next year. If it sounds good to you, bug your local CD.

John Cochrane