When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Can someone please explain why PCA insists on having EXCLUSIVE car numbers assigned to a race weekend?
The 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race, for instance, has 232 cars. No two numbers can be alike. Yet there are FOUR separate Race Groups. None of the cars in any race group will cross over. Timing and scoring is done electronically. Why can't you have FOUR #2 cars? One in each race group.
SCCA is the same way. They even make you pay a fee to reserve your number exclusively for the season. I HATE having to add crappy extra numbers to the side of my car. They fall off. I get black-flagged. It just seems like a silly rule not based in reality. Can anyone explain? Please?
(PS..."That's the way we've always done it," is not a legitimate answer.)
Excellent point but it is actually just a matter of resources. The answer is that it makes it easier for the PCA skeleton crew to distinguish cars during the race weekend. You think that timing is ALWAYS done electronically? This is correct until something happens, the timing loop goes down and timing is done by spotters and by hand. Also, some cars get re-classed and put in a different run group, either by themselves or because they have been found not conforming to the rules. People usually don't get black flagged for a number falling off, there is usually just a friendly reminder at the end of the session.
The secret trick is to register early (like within the first 10 seconds of registration opening up). You will be able to pretty much select any car number you want.
Excellent point but it is actually just a matter of resources. The answer is that it makes it easier for the PCA skeleton crew to distinguish cars during the race weekend. You think that timing is ALWAYS done electronically? This is correct until something happens, the timing loop goes down and timing is done by spotters and by hand. Also, some cars get re-classed and put in a different run group, either by themselves or because they have been found not conforming to the rules. People usually don't get black flagged for a number falling off, there is usually just a friendly reminder at the end of the session.
The secret trick is to register early (like within the first 10 seconds of registration opening up). You will be able to pretty much select any car number you want.
This. As long as you pay at the time. Until you pay on Clubregistration.net your number won't be reserved.
The secret trick is to register early (like within the first 10 seconds of registration opening up). You will be able to pretty much select any car number you want.
Hah! There's NO such thing as the "off season." Green flag, baby!
__________________ -Peter Krause www.peterkrause.net www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
Just be happy that your PCA region doesn't do what mine does, which is allow people to reserve their number until the end of time.
I literally had to submit a group of 4 different numbers three different times before I found one that wasn't already reserved. I have to point out that many of the reserved numbers haven't been used in years, sometimes decades but the lists aren't purged, nor are there any time limits for number reservation expiration...
I was also told I couldn't use "000" because zero isn't a number!
I'm not saying I would risk a 13 if someone were to take my number, because that would be wrong, but I can't promise that some reptilian subconscience part of my brain might run you off the track.
But I would never do that. Intentionally, at least.
01-05-2017, 07:38 PM
Car Number Craziness
