PRP points

[Red]

I was thinking if my camaro runs right this season, I might get into the points at Pittsburgh raceway. I know Balaska runs points out there and was wondering if anyone else on the forum does? I had some questions about how they handle the points and if you have to run at another track sometime during the season. how do they determine by-runs for the class, is it based of et or et and reaction time. whats the cost to get into points and what all should I be ready for if I can keep my car right. points races are saturday and sunday right or just saturday. I'm kinda unsure about the idea of getting into the points out there because I plan on taking my car to norwalk and milan this year. I thought I should talk with someone on here that knows more about it then me.

[ChuckT]

I run points too, and Balaska is my buddy and teammate.

Points are run on mostly Saturdays. If you look at the PRP site, you'll see the asterisk on those Saturdays. It's not every Saturday, as there are other events, like this weekend's Pro Am, and next month's Chrysler Classic, that are not racedays for everyone, and therefore not points. There are only a few Sundays for points, and those are make up days in case we get a rainout (June 13, July 11, and August 29).

Points are awarded as: 1 point to stage first round, and 1 point per round win. So even if you lose round 1, you still get a point for staging the car. If you lose third round, you get 3 points (1 for staging, 1 each for 1st and 2nd round). Points are only awarded for races at PRP.

Points have 2 purposes, 1 - determine a class winner, and the top earners, for year end payouts. 2 - each class takes a certain number of cars and qualifies them for the IHRA Division 3 bracket finals. Bracket finals are all the tracks in the division sending a team of racers to compete for a team and individual championships. This year, it's at PRP, so you wouldn't have to travel to another track to participate.

For each class, bye runs for round 1 are determined by the best reaction time from the time trial sessions. If it's a tie, it goes to the racer who had the r/t first. Round 2 and on, it's the best winning reaction time from the previous round. Racers can only earn 1 bye, unless all other racers remaining in competition have also already received a bye.

You can hit this link:
http://www.pittsburghracewaypark.com/Signup.php
to see what the cost is. If you complete the form and print it, you'll also see the year end payouts.

My personal opinion is, if you're going to be there for most of the points races anyway, join up! If you do well, you have the chance for some excellent rewards. But you have to join... points are not rewarded retroactively. You can't win a race and then decide to join. Let me know if you have any other questions, about points, PRP, bracket racing, I'd be glad to help. I'll be out next week, at least for Friday and Saturday, in my '69 Cutlass.

[Rodeheavers]

thanks for explaining that Chuck.

[Red]

Thanks Chuck, I will have to think about it. I'm almost always at the track so it makes sense to join, 12 flat is the cut off for street right.

Rodeheaver, you going with a glide or did you get the c-4 redone.

[ChuckT]

No problem, look forward to meeting you up there hopefully soon.

Yes, street is 12.00 and slower, footbrake only, open headers ok, slicks ok (slicks require driveshaft loop).

Modified allows use of a transbrake, but no delay box, and the ET cutoff is 13.99 and quicker.

The other thing I meant to suggest was check the PRP schedule and compare it to Norwalk and Milan. Maybe the non-point weekends at PRP match up with when you want to go to the other tracks.

[Red]

Ok, I will check the schedules. I look forward to meeting you, I probaly talked to you at the track and didn't know it. I'm not hard to miss out there, I'm the only red hair big guy that I know of at the track. Most the time I have a Detroit hat on if I'm not in the car.

I used to run in some no box races last year but the car wasn't right at all. if you see the pictures of my camaro you will probaly know it. it would go 12:90's one pass then 13's,14's the next pass, the cam I was runing took out two cam bearings and they ended up riding on the cam. Then the trans didn't want to shift, so I had to change to a th400, but it seems to be right this season.

I might have the car out saturday, if not I will be there watching.

[Balaska347]

Thanks Chuck.

Red if you love racing and competition backet racing is the way to go and the points program adds a whole lot of fun and competition to it. Plus it gives you a goal to shot for along with winning each week. I for one wins races here and there but each year I shot to better myself in where I finish in the points at the end of the year. Plus I try to qualify for the bracke finals (a separate race at the end of the season) in which the track pays your entry fee to race for them as part of a team with the other racers that have qualified in points. The bracket finals is four days of racing in which you race against racers from other tracks from different states. There are so many more perks to racing for points that my fingers would get tired from typing so Ill look to meet you to talk in person.

As far as the car goes, we are always working on ours to try to find ways to make it more consistent that is also part of the competition.

[Red]

I think I'm going to join the points for street class. I will probaly do it saturday when I come out to the track. I just printed out the form that Chuck posted so I have to remeber to bring that with me saturday. Like Chuck said if I'm going to be there for most of the points races, I should just join and get to know everyone better out there.

[Balaska347]

Sounds good, even if you forget the form they have them in the tower. Dont forget that there is no racing this Saturday because its the Pro-am event. There is a big money race Sunday open to everyone, $65 to enter and $1500 to win. Points start next week I believe its the 15th.

[AdamantiumSilvr]

I would luv to run points races in the near future.

[Balaska347]

Brent why dont you sign up? Your have been doing great on the tree.

[ChuckT]

I agree, Brent, you're getting everything down, tree, consistency. If you're going to be there often, give it a shot.

A good reference site for bracket racing, whether you join points or not, is www.staginglight.com

Michael Beard is a 2 time Stock class champion, and has won a ton of races. Lots of good info on there in the Guide To Bracket Racing link.

[ChuckT]

Something I forgot to mention for Street points, is the Dean's Racing Engines runoff at the end of the year. The top 16 in points (makes it an even 4 rounds with no byes) run off for a 400hp complete, carb to pan, small block Chevy. Dean is a great guy who is willing to help anyone out. Here is his message to the racers from te PRP site:

A word from Dean Pollock of Dean's Racing Engines, who sponsors our year end runoff for Street class:

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our street racers to another year of fun filled activities, and to extend my thanks and appreciation to last years participants who signed up to race in the points series. It is my sincere hope that we get a nice group together this year. As a co-sponsor for the Street class, I will be putting up another complete turnkey small block Chevy engine, for the end of year runoff. The top 16 points participants will have a runoff for the engine. For the racers in trophy, and even all you casual racers, please step up and join the points series in street class, and also have the opportunity to be a participant in the bracket finals at the end of the year. It is a great way to improve your driving skills, and be in a competitive environment.
I have made many new friends at Pittsburgh Raceway Park, and hope to make many more. I also offer any help to any racer who has questions about anything. Pictured is the 2008 winner of the Chevy engine, Joey Pinsky, and last years winner, Art Armstrong. Congratulations go out to them again, and I would like to see a new face , in the winners circle this year. Many thanks to all of you who participated, and I hope we have a banner year in 2010.

[Red]

Chuck, when I pull in saturday I will buy a ticket for street class and then go to the tower to get into points right?

[Balaska347]

Chuck, when I pull in saturday I will buy a ticket for street class and then go to the tower to get into points right?

Yes you're correct.

[Red]

Thanks Balaska, I will look for you and chuck out their.

[Balaska347]

Cool we'll be there Friday weather permittting and Saturday for sure.

[ChuckT]

Sounds good, we'll be there. I'm borrowing my buddy's '00 Trans Am for this weekend, KX05 is my car number.

Anyone else have questions we can help you with, just let us know. We were newbies once, and we like paying back all the guys that helped us out.

[AdamantiumSilvr]

Yeah Balaska, I honestly would luv to run a season er two of points for sure! It's something I've alwayz wanted to do. I have been runnin pretty consistant #er's across the timeslips, and pullin some real decent reaction times too!
Racing is an expensive hobby lol, my funds might not all be their to do it at this exact moment. But I definately wouldn't mind tryin here in the near future thou. If I had some type of sponsorship from someone or even my parents or my uncle it might be possible now. Thanx for the heads up on the site Chuck, I'll check it out!

[ChuckT]

Brent, nothing says you have to be there every week. Just like I said to Red, if you're going to be there fairly often, might as well sign up. A few good days going rounds, and you can be in the mix up top, yaneverknow! :welcome:

[ChuckT]

Anyone considering points, still plenty of time to join. We've only had 1 points day so far, because of all this #$%^&@!!! rain.... and that even got cut short in the 4th round because of rain. Just sayin' :D

[AdamantiumSilvr]

Um really thinkin about joinin if not this year next year for sure!!