Here's a provisional calendar for 2009 Season.
All race distances listed are based off of the minimum number of laps to exceed a 230 km race distance. Time limits will be officially determined one week prior to the event. The formula will be ((WR x 105%) x Laps) + 10 minutes. This takes the laptime that is 105% of the WR and multiplies it by the laps scheduled, and adds on an extra ten minutes. Any remainder will be rounded up to the next minute.
Round Date Track Laps Time Limit (Approximation)
1 27.03.2009 BL1R 70 4384.5s = 73.05m = 1h14m
2 05.04.2009 AS4 29 3729.1s = 62.15m = 1h3m
3 19.04.2009 KY2R 46 4116.7s = 68.61m = 1h9m
4 03.05.2009 WE1R 45 3765.3s = 62.76m = 1h2m
5 17.05.2009 SO5 75 5000.25s = 83.34m = 1h24m
6 14.06.2009 FE3 66 4423.38s = 73.72m = 1h14m
7 12.07.2009 BL1 70 4341.5s = 72.35m = 1h13m
8 26.07.2009 SO4R 58 4944.778s = 82.41m = 1h23m
9 09.08.2009 FE4 35 4409.05s = 73.48m = 1h14m
10 23.08.2009 AS3 42 4028.04s = 67.13m = 1h8m
11 06.09.2009 KY3 32 3852.48s = 64.21m = 1h5m
12 20.09.2009 WE1 45 3731.1s = 62.19m = 1h3m
13 04.10.2009 AS5 27 3997.14s = 66.19m = 1h7m
Now, I will gladly reconsider the time limit factor, but I do wish to have a time limit. I seemed to recall the average laptimes of the frontrunners to be fairly close to WR on average, and figued offhand while doing the schedule that 105% would be a good figure. I could increase this to 107 or 108%, but I don't think any more than that would be needed. But for sure, I'd say what I have currently listed is a decent representation of how long the races should take on average.
I'm 99% certain that TC will NOT be forced off, I'll leave it to driver preference. If we try some TC-banned races, they'll be late in season, and only if there's a cry for them.
All dates above are on Sundays. I'm thinking of around an 1900 GMT start for qualifyiing, and the qual would run 20 minutes. After qual, the race would start at 1930 GMT. I reckon that this would put it decently after F1, and early enough to where we wouldn't all be up too late for those in Europe. An hour or two later I reckon is also doable. I consider there to be a "Sweet Spot" where the average dinnertime would be in the middle of the Atlantic so we could have decent involvement from both those in Americas and those in Europe. That's what time I'm trying to hit with the above itme.
I'm also thinking of making qualifying be no telepitting or spectating until session done, similar to how IGTC did it last season (from what I remember). You may start whenever you like, but you must make a pitstop for fresh tyres or damage repair. Once you telepit or spectate, you are done for the session.
Also, considering assigning pits for the season. one team shares a pair of garages/pitstall. The join race garages are not included, but a pit stall or garage to return to during session or session end is what will be assigned, or the pitstall for team. Teams that participated in 2008 season that enter 2009 season will get assigned in rank of Team finish last season. Further teams will be slotted in behind, in order of entry. The First garage stall for standard reference will be the one closes to pitlane exit. For garages with number signs, those will be correlated accordingly in the round's pre-race thread. For garages without, a system of cones or chalk line numbers will be used to indicate. Images will be provided to aid in planning.
Probably will make the schedule official in mid January, and start accepting team applications shortly thereafter.
Rules will come out just after the new year
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