Originally Posted by aussiemidgetfan:
Time trials (aka qualifying-something found in every form of motorsport) are important. They give sponsors value for money. All eyes are focussed on one car at a time, that is good sponsorship exposure. It is also a fairness thing, in the spirit of competition, qualifying needs to be held. It is not fair that a faster driver should be held up by being stuck behind a slower driver who is not there on merit (something you will find on a poor/slick racetrack).
While time trials are found in every FORM of motorsport, they are not used by every SANCTION. Such as MSCS.
Heat races are qualifying, TT's are a waste of time.
Also, if I were a sponsor, I wouldn't be looking for my value during time trials. Not that many fans really pay attention. Everyone is waiting for the RACING to begin and most are getting something to eat or out in the parking lot getting lubed. The ones who are in the stand are mostly ******** to themselves and wondering "When the hell is this **** gonna be done and the real racing get's going".
A good announcer will make sure sponsors get mentioned. Bottom line, as a fan, I'm at the track to watch a race, not a commercial. If I want that, I'll stay home and watch NASCAR.
And, TT's are hardly FAIR. Maybe if you have 20 cars, but if you've got 40-50 or more, the track usually goes away and it's never the same for the last ten cars as it was for the first ten (or sometimes vice/versa). How many times have you seen quick time set by the first 2-3 cars out and then the track loses up to a half second a lap as it gets burned out? I hardly call that FAIR.
Finally, tracks will be a lot less dry/slick if the show gets moving and there are fewer unnecessary laps on it.
Concerning the call in show, I echo Racefan20, I usually don't get a chance to hit the laptop until later in the evening. This radio show sounds like a great thing, but I don't get a chance to listen live.
With today's technology, can Mr. Klepper tell how many lurking listeners are logged in at any given time. I'd be curious.