STCC: New "F1-style" qualifying system

[JMeissner]

The STCC will introduce a new qualifying system for the 2005 season, a system that originally came from F1. It will be a lottery, two qualifying heats which the STCC organisation hopes will bring more overtakings and a brilliant show. "We are aware of that this is something completely new which strides against all tradition within the motorsport. We have recieved the positive reactions the idea got from the F1 fans and we are convinced that also old race fans will like it," STCC race director Sten Gunnarsson said.

The grid will be decided by two qualifying heats which lasts for 5-8 laps. The grid of the first qualifying heat will be decided by a lottery. In the second qualifying heat the starting positions will be reversed so that the driver which started on pole in the first qualifying heat will start last. The drivers get points from both heats and the driver with best results from these two qualifying heats will start from pole position in the final race.

Also the top six from the qualifying heats will recieve championship points. "The qualifying heats will give much more overtaking and in motorsports the audience wants the drivers to really figth for their results," Gunnarsson continued.

The qualifying system is not the only new thing for STCC 2005. A pitstop will be manditory in the final race of the weekend. It will only be a short pitstop without a tyre change. Rolling start will be back to equal the differences between RWD cars and FWD cars. The penalty weight system will also be changed so that not only does a win give extra weight but leading the championship gives another 20 kilos.

In order to reduce costs for the teams the number of tyres avalible each race weekend will be reduced. Also there will be eight different test days for each driver to freely manage over. The penalty system will also be changed, for example will a jump start be directly penalised with a drive through. And the decision will not be able to appeal against.

Source: STCC

Johan Meissner

[JMeissner]

Thoughts? Will this be good for the STCC or will the audience think it is too complicated?

[BSTR]

I think the spectators will enjoy the show very much. Frankly watching time qualifying is boring. First qualifying race can be a havoc though.

[kmchow]

I believe there should be consistency in the qualifying rules, but wouldn't it be cool if for one race or non championship race, they have a viewer's/fan choice regarding how the grid should be decided, whether reverse, random, by driver, by alphabetical or whatever??? Sounds quite silly, but that would be an interesting race or championship to watch

[rustyfan]

I for one like the new concept a lot. I just hope they extend the main race somewhat up from its current length, as the two short qualifying heats won't make up for the race that will be taken away, IMHO.

I also hope the gap between the qualifying heats and the main race is long enough to allow the teams to make repairs (considering it's rather likely the qualifying heats will, at times, feature a fair amount of fender-banging heh)..