Great Race

[lugnutz]

I was looking at the newest rally news letter and it was explaining the "Great Race".

Can someone explain to me why you need two stop watchs, pencil and paper plus a sliderule or calculator if there is no math involved?

This mis-nomer of "NO MATH"eludes me. You are still dealing with average miles per hour and a specific time to a designated point. The math is different but a huge part of being on time.

Chuck or anyone, can you help us by explaining the simplicity and the no math aspect?

[ceecpa]

Here's Appendix D to the RRRs regarding the Great Race Class:

APPENDIX D    SCCA GREAT RACE CLASS RoadRally

This Appendix is written to define a set of parameters to be used by rallymasters presenting a RoadRally suitable for cars without mileage measuring equipment.

A RoadRally allowing Great Race Class competition will comply with the rules for National Touring Rally events in the current SCCA RoadRally Rulebook.  Route following will comply with Article 22, Route Following Priorities.

In addition to the competition within class the Great Race Class will also be scored as a Class S entry for a National Touring Rally and must compete with the same Route Instructions as used by other entrants to compete in the National Touring Rally.  When the Route Instructions are different than the other entrants Great Race Class shall be considered a separate Regional RoadRally for purposes of National RoadRally Touring Championship competition. (In local events it is my hope that only ONE set of route instructions will be used.)

Odometers (mileage measuring equipment) are not allowed.  Odometers, if present, must be masked during the entire event.

Computation equipment is not allowed except for performance charts and tables.  All calculations must be done without any mechanical or electronic aid. (Mechanical aids include the Curta, the Stevens wheel, a sliderule, and an abacus all of which are prohibited. Electronic aid would include GPS and hand-held calculators - all prohibited.).

Any mechanical or quartz crystal analog or digital timing device is permitted.

Rallymasters should design Great Race Class events with consideration for the age and type of vehicles that may be competing.  Timing and maneuvers may have to be adjusted to suit these vehicles.  With regard to Article 17.D all references to mileage shall also be given in equivalent elapsed time within the Route Instructions and on Control Data Slips.

[Autox]

Sooooo... That does not indicate math is not required which is how everyone who has been excited about the new type of event has explained it.

So math IS required?

[ceecpa]

Consider the following route instructions:

1. Right out of lot.  CAST 30 at Speed Limit 35 for 7 minutes and 30 seconds (noted as 7'30") then CAST 40.
2. Begin transit zone to lunch.

There could be a checkpoint in the timed section.  If so your score will be based on how well you averaged 30 for the given duration and then how well you averaged 40 until you got to the transit zone.

Appendix D prohibits calculations with other than pencil and paper.  Calculations are not needed, but many folks want to know how far they've gone even though they can't measure it.  

Sometimes you can estimate distance by telephone poles, certainly by highway mileage signs, and often by "seat of pants".

Math is not required but some folks have a need to convert the physical world to a digital reference.

[lugnutz]

I understand now. It is not that there is no Math but it is not required. Unless you would like to be competitive.

A navagator better be good: Since in the post above you have stated the rules saying that "calculations must be done without any mechanical or electronic aid. (Mechanical aids include the Curta, the Stevens wheel, a sliderule, and an abacus all of which are prohibited. Electronic aid would include GPS and hand-held calculators - all prohibited.)." you had better be quick with math in your head and at the end of your pencil.

[ceecpa]

I guess I don't see the math - even the math in your head.  Can you give an example of the math you see as being required in order to win?

Thanks