Changes to Qualifying?

[ROB17]

It has been unofficially confirmed that effective immediately (i.e. Hamilton) the current qualifying system will be changed. There will now be 2 qualifying sessions of which Q1 determins grid positions for Race 1 and Q2 determins grid positions for Race 2. It was decided that ffinishing position for Race 1 WILL NOT determine the grid for Race 2 as the races this year are completely seperate entities with a podium presentation for each. As such, there is a seperate qualifying session for each.

I think this is much improved as your weekend is not over if you qualify poorly in Q1 or if you get turned around early in Race 1. It gives all drivers a second bite at the cherry and will mix things up a little. A driver is also not penalised twice for a poor qualifying performance.

The downside for mine is that it still places too much emphasis on qualifying. The series should be about rewarding drivers who race well and pass cars, not those who qualify well.

That being said, I still think it's a massive improvement on the system used in Adelaide. Let's se how this goes for a few meetings...

Expect this to be officially approved at an Emergency VESA meeting this week.

 

[Jaguarstd]

Well you can hardly categorise the races over a weekend as totally separate entities.
Courtney's crash in the first race at Clipsal, totally stuffed his chances for the second race.

Thats inevitable, and thats why each driver has to control their aggression over the weekend. The beauty of starting the next race from where you finish was that it rewarded 'driving ability'!!!

I guess the new system will encourage aggression. Before if you punted someone off, a drive through/time penalty would cost you not only a poor result for that race but also a start from the rear in the next race.
Now you can punt someone off, and not suffer twice the consequences as before.

 

[Car61]

VESA confirms qualifying changes - Release date: 06/04/2009

V8 Supercars Australia (VESA) has changed the qualifying format in time for the Hamilton 400 to give fans two distinct and stand-alone race days on an event weekend.

Starting at the Hamilton 400 in New Zealand next week, a 20-minute qualifying session will be held on Sunday morning at all two-race weekends.

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/content/hero_news/april_2009/vesa_confirms_qualifying_changes/

 

[ROB17]

Bingo Car61! The changes were needed but I have not agreed from the outset with this '2 distinct races' idea.

Shootout to remain on Saturday for Race 1 with the sunday qualifying session not attracting a shootout.

 

[Poita]

I think the new qualifying format is spot on, about time VESA listened and acted on all the flak they we copping.

 

[Dgw86]

Yeah I heard about it on Sunrise, good changes lets go DJR/JBR

 

[Timmy]

Yes the changes are good. Bring on the next round

 

[Gerry]

Having 2 separate qualifying sessions is great but 20mins only before the 2nd race makes me feel as though it's being treated as a 2nd rate citizen. Why aren't the sessions the same for both races?

 

[TS-50]

It will be easy to stuff up your run in Qualifying on the Sunday won't it, with only 20 minutes

 

[Bigcol]

The changes are crap

They should have left it the same as it was last year.
That was one part of the racing that wasn't broken

 

[Jaguarstd]

I agree with Bigcol.
Even if the races are seperate, I still prefer the old system.
Having two different types of qualifying for each race is bloody ridiculus!

 

[Nascar12]

The changes still reward qualifiers - not racers.
We've just been fed a whole lot of "spin".

 

[Poita]

As the two races are now classed as separate races they need to have separate qualifying and the idea of having the second session on the morning of the second race is also a good one. If the format was the same as last year then one qualifying session would have been the only way to go. They are awarding trophies for each race so there must be qualifying for each race. I prefer last years format but if they are going to stick with each race winner being awarded a trophy then they have the format correct in my opinion.

 

[Damo]

I agree with you there Poita, but I beleive that they should have left the race format from last year.

 

[4EVER17]

I Like the changes and believe every race should have a qualifying session. This gives the less funded teams who may not have a fast car straight out of the box a chance to move up the grid over the weekend which has to be good for the championship and raceing.
As well, I would be very excited to see a Qualifying session on Sunday morning ( If at the Track ) Oh! Yea......

 

[Racin Jason]

If the races are being treated as equal and regarded as a "stand-alone" event, then surely the qualifying format should be the same for both races? If not go back to finishing order of race 1 like last year.

 

[XYGTReplica]

20 minute qualifying session and 30 cars on the track, Teams won't have time to play around with different set ups. Getting a fast lap in will be critical for the Sunday race.

Still better than the crap we saw at Adelaide I s'pose........

 

[Racin Jason]

I still think that both races should be treated equally and the quali should also be treated equally.

 

[Timmy]

Yeah fair point. The V8SCA will most likely change the format after this round as well. I think they have tried to fix the problems with the Clipsal round. I think it is better just might need some further tweaking.