[4:15:11] NCRC Chrono Series

The Chrono Series is NCRC's Time Trial series, providing a separate run group for a more exciting driving series much closer to a race format, and a "framework" for marque-specific time trial/challenge groups. Drivers race against the clock to set their best lap time (Chrono being Greek for "time") for the day, within the boundaries of key safety rules..

Season winners will be determined by selecting the best four Chrono finishes for each driver for the season. Drivers who participate in more than four Chrono events will have an opportunity to improve their scores, drivers who participate in fewer than four events will have fewer opportunities for season points.

2013 Season

Unfortunately we weren't able to get the season entries required to do the full Chrono Series format this year. Thanks to those who did make a deposit, but we'll be shredding the checks and refunding the PayPals over the next day or so.

Instead, we'll run the Chrono Series timed laps mixed in with the Open and Point-By groups (since we allow both Open and Point-By drivers to participate in Chrono), and let the entrants start at the front of the grid at the beginning of the session. This will allow you to get a couple clean laps in before getting caught up with all the regular open trackers. Rules in these groups will remain *open track* though - they won't become race groups, or groups where aggressive driving is tolerated. The first two sessions of the day will be practice, and the last three sessions will be used for timing results.

We may be implementing some changes to the scoring system, so please keep your eyes on this site for updates.

So that's what we'll be doing for the 2013 season - Chrono Series, but imbedded within the two open track groups. You'll see the registrations are open for Chrono on the NCRC site "...on any Sunday."

2013 Schedule

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The 2013 season will be run at the Thunderhill, Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca racetracks. The schedule is:

Logistics

Chrono Series events take place on a single track day, some on weekends and some on weekdays, at tracks in California. The Chrono Series has its own run group exclusive to entrants in the series, and will not be combined with other Open Track or Race drivers. It is open to any Point-By, Open or Race qualified driver, as defined by NCRC rungroup guidelines, and will be run in an open passing format.

Chrono drivers will have a separate driver's meeting from the open track drivers, and do not need to attend the regular driver's meeting.

Registration for the Chrono series is through the NCRC web site registration process. Note that we expect high attendance for Chrono events, and it is your responsibility to be registered and paid early enough to guarantee a spot in the event.

Chrono Event Format

The Chrono daily format will consist of five track sessions including:

A Practice Session to warm up and get your car set up for the track conditions.

A Qualifying Session in which all drivers will drive for their best lap time, to determine the grid order for the first Chrono heat.

Chrono Heat 1 in which all cars will be gridded in order of the qualifying session, with fast car being at pole position and released first from the pits. The grid will be marked with car numbers so drivers can find their position. Cars will be released approximately one second apart from the pits. Each driver's best lap time from any of the three heats will count as his best time of the day, and used for the series score.

Chrono Heat 2 where all cars are again gridded, this time in the order of best lap times from Heat 1. Again cars are released one per second, looking to set their best lap time.

Chrono Heat 3 where all cars are again gridded, this time in the order of best current lap times of the day (i.e. Heat 1 or Heat 2). Again cars are released one per second, and this is the last chance for each driver to set their best lap time of the day.

A typical Chrono schedule will be 15-minute sessions for practice and qualifying, followed by three 20-minute heats, all in one day.

Scoring

Points are earned at each series event and are accumulated for the year-end championship. Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers for each class as follows:
1st = 10 pts, 2nd = 8 pts, 3rd = 6 pts, 4th = 5 pts, 5th = 4 pts, 6th = 3 pts, 7th = 2 pts, 8th = 1 pt

Penalty points are subtracted from the day's score for each spin or major "off" (2/4 wheels on turn exit). Two wheels off at an apex is not a penalty. NCRC Management will reserve the right to assign a penalty for dangerous or overly aggressive driving. For one penalty, one point; two penalties = 3 points; 3 penalties= 6 points; four penalties and you're out of the event for the day.