VOTE ON THE NEW APBA STARTING PROCEDURE
 

this is the new starting procedure right out of the APBA rule book:

C. Starting Procedure for Super Series and Factory Series

The mandatory starting procedure for all APBA Offshore Pro Series events is as follows:

1. Starting Grid Position -

a. Application – All starts involving Super Series and Factory Series Classes shall require the formation of a Starting Grid for each class pursuant to the procedures set forth below.

b. Establishing the Starting Grid –

i. First Event -
At the first Pro Series event of the season, the starting grid positions for each race shall be determined by random draw conducted at the Race Day Driver’s Meeting. There shall be a starting position number assigned for each boat in each class commencing with the number “1” for the innermost lane position relative to the first turn of the race (hereinafter referred to as the “Pole” or “Pole Position”) and continuing in ascending order across the starting lineup and ending with the last boat in the class with the outermost lane position. Thus, if there are ten boats in a class start, the inside pole position shall be number one and the outermost lane position shall be number 10.

ii. Subsequent Events (“Inverted Start Rule”) - Commencing with the second Pro Series race of the season and continuing with each subsequent event through the National Championships, the starting grid for each race shall be determined for each class subject hereto, by inverting the finishing order from the immediately preceding race for that class. Thus, subject to sub- paragraph iii, below, the winner in each class from race #1 will be assigned the outside position of the starting grid for its class at race #2; the 2nd place finisher from race #1 shall be assigned the lane immediately to the inside of the race #1 winner , and so forth and so on until the starting grid is complete. This procedure shall be repeated for each subsequent race through the National Championships event.


IF SOMEONE CAN MORE CLEARLY EXPLAIN THE NEW START PROCEDURE VS. THE OLD, PLEASE POST IT.

Its pretty simple, I think. . .

First of all, don't let the word Grid get to you. Remember, technically a grid can be 1 row by 15 columns.

Think of it as a straight line of boats just behind the pace boat as it has always been. The "pole" position would be the closest boat to the inside of the upcoming turn buoy. This is often (but not always) a coveted position, and hence is being considered to be an advantage. The winner of a race will have to start the following race on the far outside of the line, thus having the furthest distance to travel to the upcoming turn buoy. The boat finishing last in the previous race would be awarded the #1 position, or the "pole".
<Pace Boat>

<1> <2> <3> <4> <5> <6> <7> etc, etc.


Don't confuse this type of start, with a 2x2 grid following a full course yellow flag. Remember too, that if the inside of the course doesn't allow, the pace boat may actually be just outside of starting grid, rather than on the inside. It happened maybe twice last year.

Hope this helps.

bobby is correct...they were talking of a 2x2 grid for the race start as well...that idea got droped and the word "grid" still remained...so even i was confused...only because i was involved in early talks of do'n a true grid start...

bobby...you'll love the start of an F2 race :D

we will give it a try...see what happens..

Well stated Mr. Fisher.

Dreg. you need to change the wording on the vote. Put new start with position based on last race.
Randy

Thanks for rewording it.
Randy;)