Ron, the rule has been the same for sometime now on out of division races. You can count the best three races for points for out of division races. You must have two in division starts. You must finish four races. However, the four finishes can ALL be out of division races. So, theoretically, a driver from outside SEDiv can come to Sebring and he count count the finishes for both races at the new points scale of 22 for a win, etc., then go to PBIR which is 100 miles and 4 days after Sebring and get two races and the old points scale of 12 for a win, etc. . He can count the best three points races for those three races and count all four as finishes. Then, he could attend an in division race that was a double, start and park both those races and be eligible for the Runoffs IF he finishes in the top three in his class in his division.
So, let's assume he wins both races at Sebring and both races at PBIR, he would take 56 points home(44 Sebring & 12 Palm Beach) and four finishes. He also now has 44 points in the Majors program in the Eastern Zone. Then, let's say he does another double Majors in his home division which for example one is NEDiv. He wins both of those and now has 88 points in the Eastern Zone. And he will have a total of 100 points in NEDiv points, 56 OOD and 44 in Division. So, he has a choice now to decide to either to go for top three in Division points or run one more Majors to be automatically eligible for the Runoffs. Now, example 2 would be someone from other than NEDiv. That driver would have 44 Eastern Zone points and the 56 OOD points. None of the Majors points can be used in another Zone. He has the option of running more Majors in the Eastern Zone or running his own Zone Majors or just running for Division points. A lot of that decision will be based on the strength or weakness of his class in his division and his Zone.
It seems confusing but when you think about it for a while, it starts to fall into place. I think it is really good to have several series to run.
And as for top 1/2 of the Nationwide points, it will again depend on the number of drivers who run Majors vs non Majors races. In a Division like SEDiv where we have 12 Nationals scheduled, of which only three are Majors, drivers will be able to reach the top 1/2 easily. In others, with less races and more Majors, it will be easier to run the Majors. It may mean a bit more travel, but it might mean less race weekends and less expense. There's no doubt the Majors will have a better level of competition.
Curtis brought up the past vs current in Nationwide points and we did that for 2012. I edited this part of the answer after the SCCA press release. As you can see from the press release, exceeding 2012 1/2 way will be another way to be eligible for the 2013 Runoffs. If you look at prod #'s for 2012, 39-E/ 26-F & 31 H, it will be easy to exceed those numbers if you run & finish 4 Majors and/or Nationals. The press release is shown below. The chart will not copy.
I'm going to send an email to all our SEDiv & NEDiv drivers, the Eastern Zone letting them know the basic plan and invite them to join us at Sebring. That race normally has right at 150 out of division drivers each year so many are already planning to be there. There's always big fields to race and Central Florida Region puts on one of the best race weekends of the year. The schedule goes like clockwork, there's acres & acres of paddock with electrical hook ups, the track has two test days on Wednesday & Thursday and the weather is 70 degrees in January. Need I say more.
For Immediate Release
2013 SCCA Runoffs Qualification Criteria Set
TOPEKA, Kan. (December 4, 2012) – Sports Car Club of America announced today the qualification criteria for the 50th SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, set for Road America Sept. 16-22, 2013.
The qualification process is largely unchanged from 2012, with paths through the Divisional Points, National Points and now the U.S. Majors Tour. Additionally, as the Runoffs’ Golden Anniversary, all former Champions are invited to participate in the event.
As was the case in 2012, to qualify through either Divisional or National point standings, a driver must finish four SafeRacer National Racing Series races (regular National or U.S. Majors Tour events included), with a minimum of two starts within their Division of Record. Once the participation criteria are met, at least one of the following performance criteria is required:
- Finish in the top three of their class in their Divisional Championship.
- Finish in the top half of the coast-to-coast, National Point Standings within their class during 2012.
- Reach or exceed a minimum number of points for a given class in the National Point Standings (listed below), set by the top half of the 2012 National Point Standings.
Through the U.S. Majors Tour, any driver participating in three different Majors events in the same class (turning a wheel in an official session) will earn an invitation in that class. This criteria was used in 2012 for the Majors pilot program in what has become the Mid-States Conference.
A special invitation will be extended to any past SCCA National Champion to return to the 50th running of the Runoffs, provided that they qualify for a National license. Any past Runoffs National Champion may enter one class at the 2013 Runoffs without meeting the participation or performance criteria.
“Not only will we crown our annual National Champions at the 2013 Runoffs, but we will celebrate 50 years of one of the great motorsports events in America,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “As part of that celebration, we invite any of our past Champions to return to battle today’s best amateur racing drivers. You only have one 50th birthday, and we want to make sure that the event be as spectacular as the racing on the track.”
Mid-point of 2012 SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series point standings, by class:
American Sedan: 36 points
B Spec: (using SSC level): 40 points
C Sports Racing: 38 points
D Sports Racing: 33 points
E Production: 39 points
F Production: 26 points
Formula 500: 36 points
Formula 1000: 43 points
Formula Atlantic: 25 points
Formula Continental: 22 points
Formula Enterprises: 28 points
Formula F: 22 points
Formula Mazda: 32 points
Formula Vee: 32 points
GT-1: 25 points
GT-2: 36 points
GT-3: 38 points
GT-Lite: 34 points
H Production: 31 points
Sports 2000: 24 points
Spec Miata: 10 points
Spec Racer Ford: 13 points
Super Touring Lite: 19 points
Super Touring Under: 20 points
Touring 1: 47 points
Touring 2: 44 points
Touring 3: 45 points
Touring 4 (using SSB level): 50 points
The 2013 SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series, U.S. Majors Tour and BFGoodrich Tires SCCA Super Tour begins January 4-6, 2013 at Sebring International Raceway.
