Post by Keith Tanaka on May 5, 2018 21:59:27 GMT -8
Our "Racer Handicap" system was originally setup based on what is used to determine "bowling" and "golf" handicaps. Originally, it was based on a racer's 5 "best" lap totals for the "NASCAR" class races.
This was used for some time before I changed the system (a few years ago). For the last several years, the racer handicap has been based on the average total laps for a racer's last 5 races.
After some thought, I believe the original system was better as far as "fairness" is concerned. Of course, this would be my opinion and therefore I'm sure some won't agree.
Anyway, I believe a more fair system would be based on the best lap totals (an average of the two best totals) for each racer. This method would place an emphasis on how well a racer performs to his best lap totals and "not to their average of the last 5 races". Our current system uses the last 5 races to determine an average lap total from which the racer handicap is determined. This method provides a higher handicap to those who are not consistent performers versus those who are more consistent in their race performance. As with golf and bowling, "sandbaggers" generate handicaps which are not close to their best efforts and therefore tend to do well with their artificially higher handicap. Those who perform consistently close to their best efforts end up with less handicap and therefore get less handicap when compared to those who are inconsistent racers.
Of course, racer's who are inconsistent in their race performance will not get as much handicap as the current system. However, even a high handicap racer can have a handicap which reflects their ability if "they perform close to their best". There's no perfect system, but I do believe our handicap system should be based on how well each racer performs to their potential (best lap totals) rather than their inconsistency.
No matter what system we use, there's one key factor which has a major effect on one's handicap, yet it does not reflect each racer's driving ability. That factor is the "car". The car plays a major part as it determines how many laps one achieves in a race.
The better the car (handling, speed, drivability), generally, the more laps a racer will achieve in a race. If you drive a poorly handling, slow car, you will perform poorly compared to when you drive a fast, good handling car. This is irrespective of your driving ability. The "car's performance" is a factor which we do not determine as it is too complex to factor in. A racer's driving ability could be estimated based on other's judgment/opinion but we don't currently have any such system.
"Racer Handicaps" will never be perfect, but it's much better than having no handicaps (as far as making the racer handicap podium is concerned!).
I've recalculated the racer handicaps based on the average of each racer's two "best" lap totals for their GTP race results. In most cases, racers will end up with less handicap. Most racers will have a few less laps handicap and some will have much less handicap. We'll try out the revised system and see if it provides a more fair outcome of the racer handicap podium races. I'll post the "revised" racer handicaps soon, stay tuned.
Keith
This was used for some time before I changed the system (a few years ago). For the last several years, the racer handicap has been based on the average total laps for a racer's last 5 races.
After some thought, I believe the original system was better as far as "fairness" is concerned. Of course, this would be my opinion and therefore I'm sure some won't agree.
Anyway, I believe a more fair system would be based on the best lap totals (an average of the two best totals) for each racer. This method would place an emphasis on how well a racer performs to his best lap totals and "not to their average of the last 5 races". Our current system uses the last 5 races to determine an average lap total from which the racer handicap is determined. This method provides a higher handicap to those who are not consistent performers versus those who are more consistent in their race performance. As with golf and bowling, "sandbaggers" generate handicaps which are not close to their best efforts and therefore tend to do well with their artificially higher handicap. Those who perform consistently close to their best efforts end up with less handicap and therefore get less handicap when compared to those who are inconsistent racers.
Of course, racer's who are inconsistent in their race performance will not get as much handicap as the current system. However, even a high handicap racer can have a handicap which reflects their ability if "they perform close to their best". There's no perfect system, but I do believe our handicap system should be based on how well each racer performs to their potential (best lap totals) rather than their inconsistency.
No matter what system we use, there's one key factor which has a major effect on one's handicap, yet it does not reflect each racer's driving ability. That factor is the "car". The car plays a major part as it determines how many laps one achieves in a race.
The better the car (handling, speed, drivability), generally, the more laps a racer will achieve in a race. If you drive a poorly handling, slow car, you will perform poorly compared to when you drive a fast, good handling car. This is irrespective of your driving ability. The "car's performance" is a factor which we do not determine as it is too complex to factor in. A racer's driving ability could be estimated based on other's judgment/opinion but we don't currently have any such system.
"Racer Handicaps" will never be perfect, but it's much better than having no handicaps (as far as making the racer handicap podium is concerned!).
I've recalculated the racer handicaps based on the average of each racer's two "best" lap totals for their GTP race results. In most cases, racers will end up with less handicap. Most racers will have a few less laps handicap and some will have much less handicap. We'll try out the revised system and see if it provides a more fair outcome of the racer handicap podium races. I'll post the "revised" racer handicaps soon, stay tuned.
Keith