With the welcome news of Brands Indy being licensed for 2 extra cars to race this year (30 from 28) and the incredibly strong demand for places on the Monoposto grids, it is an opportune time to consider how our Brands Indy meeting is likely to be run.
Entry numbers (as at 28th March)
2000 = 20
Classic = 16
Moto = 15
1800 = 6
Dtec = 2
1600 = 2.5 (one Sunday only entrant)
Effectively 62.
On the face of it that leaves us just short of full capacity until we consider the grid split.
Using our normal Mono 2000 and Mono Classic as one grid structure we have 36 cars entered for a 30 grid maximum. People entering this grid have been told they were reserves once we reached 28 (2 have become confirmed entrants with the extra 2 slots on the grid becoming available).
The intention is to leave the grids as normal. This decision means we have a number of drivers who are currently reserves for this grid even though the whole Mono event isn’t full. The way we handle reserves is discussed in this link here, and we have confirmed that any reserves who go out for qualifying but then a place for them doesn’t open up, will receive an 85% refund.
To try and help give as many people who want to race the opportunity to do so, some suggestions:
- Entrants who might not race.
Our ‘member friendly’ entry process allowing people to enter without paying up front and cancel up to 3 days before the event might mean some people who are doubtful for this event are currently on our confirmed entrants list.
Everyone is 100% entitled to do this, those are the rules for accepting entries, but it does leave reserves ‘in limbo’ until the last few days.
Therefore:
- If any of the confirmed entrants are really sure they won’t be making Brands (or reach that decision nearer the event), please let Rachel know ASAP so that a reserve can be advised a place has become available.
- If any confirmed entrants think they might not make the event but want to keep their options a little open, should they wish to voluntarily become a reserve then they will stay at the top of the reserve list (the previous reserve number 1 will have been allocated their confirmed place). As any further slots become available the new number 1 reserve (or more) will be asked if they want to pass at that time but stay as number 1 reserve and the slot will be offered to the number 2 reserve (who might also be a volunteer reserve) and so on.
- Doubling up.
Probably not most peoples’ first choice but if someone with a confirmed entry might consider only doing one of the days and offer the other day to a reserve, then we will waive the premium for a single day entry and just charge them 50% of the 2 day fee.
Registration and Entries updated.
Headlines:
96 registered members.
Average entry for Championship rounds is over 50
27 entries for Spa (from 1st April entries to be accepted from non Mono members)
Over subscribed Grids
Had some good questions about the over subscribed grids at Brands Indy (2000 and Classic) and Silverstone GP.
Notably about grid swaps/changes or reserves policy.
Here are some pointers regarding how we try to get as many members racing as possible.
Firstly there is no space in either timetable to split out any of the classes to an extra grid as we have been able to do at Cadwell.
Thus at Silverstone we are very limited on any creative ideas for getting any more people out as it is one grid each day and that is it.
For Brands Indy there is the possibility of swapping classes between grids (as at Donington last year) but Moto isn’t all that far behind Classic in terms of numbers and by the time we get to the race weekend it might be that a swap would have no benefit as the problem is having 3 classes that are more than half a grid each in numbers. One thing we might be able to do if there are spaces on the 2nd grid is to ask for people from the 1st grid who aren’t after ultimate championship points if they would race on the other grid to help someone else get a race – but they would have to be ‘invisible’ for points if they raced on the ‘wrong’ grid.
We don’t run pre-qualifying, not considered fair at our level of racing. We want people to know when they set off for the weekend that they are either a confirmed entrant or a reserve (and accept the implications of that). No confirmed entrant will be ‘bumped’ by the Club. Reserves who decline to attend the meeting as a reserve will get a full refund.
So the procedure is:
1. We only know for certain how many entries we have at close of business 3 days before the event (that is the result of our very member friendly entry/cancellation policy which in this case proves less friendly to reserves) but will be asking people to be nice and let us know really early if they are pulling out so that reserves can be notified ASAP.
2. We can run with 20% extra cars in qualifying than in the race (MSA rules)
3. Reserves who run in qualifying are still reserves after qualifying, irrespective of the time they set (even if they set pole time), but must have set their 3 laps at least to meet the MSA 3 lap qualifying requirement.
4. If any cars then withdraw (mechanical or accident) we let in the reserves who have ‘qualified’ in reserve order (order the entries were received).
5. Even if they aren’t officially in as the grid is formed, the remaining reserves can wait at the pitlane and if cars fail on the parade lap or right at the start, the Clerk of Course can opt to let them join the race at his discretion.
6. Reserves who only qualify but don’t race get a significant refund (can’t remember the exact figure)
7. Because our race weekend is usually two independent days, the reserves who raced on Saturday are not guaranteed a race on Sunday as the original entry is re-set for day 2.
Cadwell testing 17th April.
As well as the normal test day format, MSV have set up a Mono exclusive test session at the end of the day…. ideal for people to travel to the circuit during the day and still have the opportunity for a shake down when they arrive.
Champ registrations and race entries to date now updated… here
3rd Mono grid at Cadwell CONFIRMED!
Meeting with MSVR Mgmt today, the message was “go for it”.
Therefore we will have one grid headlined by Mono 2000, one headlined by Mono Classic 2000 and one headlined by Mono Moto.
Thus those people who were holding on as reserves will now be able to race.
More entries desired to really make the most of this opportunity…. more cars in Moto to make that an exclusive Moto grid?… more FF1600s and FF2000s to race with Classic?… More F3s or Renaults to race with 2000?
Entry forms etc here….
MSV are running a open pit lane test day at Snetterton on the 18th March for single seaters only. Cost is £ 149 for the entire day.
Link: http://www.snetterton.co.uk/testing/2015/march/150318-sn.aspx
Formula Renaults (FRs) in Monoposto Racing Club (MRC)
For clarity:
MRC have not added a new class for FRs or planned any FR only races, or changed our rules/regulations/procedures IN ANY WAY.
FRs complying with MRC regs on ride height and restrictors etc have been eligible for Mono 2000 for several years. The 2015 regs are unchanged in these respects.
Therefore any FR owner/driver is entitled to submit a full championship registration plus entries for as many MRC events as they wish – just like any other MRC member. Since none of our 2015 events are as yet oversubscribed and, with our ‘1st come 1st served’ policy (see policy at www.monoposto.co.uk/forms ), any such entries received would guarantee acceptance into the event.
Cadwell Park
Prior to the news about FR from the BARC, we were forecasting 2 full grids between our classes.
Seeing the predicament of FR owners, MSVR & MRC have offered that, if sufficient FRs choose to enter, a 3rdgrid might be added. In keeping with our normal practice, complete classes would be allocated to individual grids with the additional grid being used for the complete Mono 2000 class.
This arrangement with MSVR is not MRC buying a 3rd grid and will not impose a financial burden on MRC. The 3rd grid will only be run at the discretion of MSVR and MRC
Our existing 2 grid contract remains in force and if it proves that there isn’t sufficient interest from FRs , the meeting will proceed exactly as normal.
Photo: Tim Wood / Norwich Photo
Mono Moto Chassis Clarification
PR3 Chassis (www.pr3racing.co.uk )
The Monoposto Racing Club has approved the addition of the above chassis to the Appendix 6.2 (List of Chassis Permitted for Mono Moto) with immediate effect:
MRC January 23rd 2015
Mono 2000 and Mono 2000 Classic Engine Clarification : Piedrafita Toyota 3S-GE Spanish F3 Engine
The Monoposto Racing Club has approved the use of the above engine with immediate effect, subject to the following conditions:
1. There must be a 25mm air restrictor fitted to the induction system at all times the car is competing in an MRC event.
2. The engine must comply with the current F3Cup regulations on induction vacuum, notably:
“The material for the air box is free providing that it is not porous. The total air box system must be capable of sustaining a vacuum of ‘3 inches’ of mercury when using a pump drawing a maximum of 0.9 cubic feet per minute of free air. In the event of a failure of the vacuum pump test the following secondary test will be offered to the competitor concerned. With the engine at tick over, when putting a plug on the air restrictor of the intake system, the engine shall be stopped in less than 2 seconds. Declining the secondary test will be considered as a failure to comply. Any device or construction that is designed to adjust or alter the size, shape or length of the inlet tract/trumpets, or improve airflow, operated by any manner (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic) whilst the car and engine are in use, is prohibited under all circumstances. The engine shall have no mechanism which is capable of adjusting the valve timing following a mechanical, hydraulic pneumatic or electrical input whilst the engine is in operation.”
MRC January 23rd 2015
Please find attached the agenda for the Club’s AGM being held on the 14th Feb at Staverton Park, Daventry together with a copy of the Club’s 2014 accounts.
As in previous years, the AGM will be followed by a forum to discuss Monoposto ideas. If anyone has any topics for discussion could they please contact me so that I can list them in advance.
In the evening we have the annual awards ceremony and dinner at the same venue…. Some tickets still available.
To keep up to date with the latest Monoposto news, please ‘like’ us on facebook, or follow on twitter or here… or all three!
I am pleased to say 2015 registrations and race entries have been coming in at a good pace. Tiedeman Trophy and Spa entry forms to be released shortly.
Hope to see plenty of you on the 14th…
Regards
Steven Connor
Sporting Services Manager
Monoposto Racing Club
(07956) 591513
The 2015 Tiedeman Trophy Mono Championship dates have been announced and for 2015 will expand to a 6 race format held over three meetings.
2015 Tiedeman Trophy Mono Championship
- Races 1 & 2 – Castle Combe (CCRC) on 31st August 2015 (Bank Holiday Monday)Races 3 & 4 – Mallory Park (BRSCC) on 26th September October 2015Races 5 & 6 – Donington Park (BRSCC) on 14th November 2015.
- 2015 Tiedeman Trophy Mono Championship Sporting & Technical Regulations Draft 2
Attached is the 2015 Monoposto Championship Yearbook.
It contains useful information for both newcomers to Monoposto and experienced competitors alike.
Monoposto Championship 2015_Yearbook (Hi-Res) – 5.1Mb download (updated 13.01.15)
Monoposto Championship 2015_Yearbook (Lo-Res) – 0.7Mb download
These are the draft regulations as submitted to the MSA for approval.
2015 Monoposto Championship Sporting & Technical Regulations draft 2
2015 Tiedeman Trophy Mono Championship Sporting & Technical Regulations Draft 2