Florida Jan Nationals...

Jay Griffin

Jay Griffin

Well-known member
Or Rationals in this particular case.

I just noticed an email I received from the Florida Region last night regarding their now finalized January double. They have moved it back to the weekend after the Sebring event, Jan. 11,12,13 but it will not be at Homestead. It will be held at Palm Beach International Raceway (some remember it as Moroso).

It will still be a rational however, as it was originally scheduled at Homestead. For those that have never been there, or haven't been since they rebuilt it, paddock space is VERY limited. Most of it is now outside the registration area in the grass.
 
Jay is correct. Florida Region could not work out a date at Homestead. The obvious benefit to any one traveling from the north is now it is not necessary to drive through the super congestion of the Miami area to reach the second race. PBIR is not quite as nice a facility as Homestead but neither is 90% of the tracks in the country. It is almost exactly 100 miles from the front gate of Sebring to the front gate of PBIR so that saves some $$ in fuel plus no tolls.

For those who have not been there, go to goggle earth and look it over. The big fields to the west of the track is also used for paddock. Lot's of room out there. There is a smaller paved area to the southwest of track. I'm fairly certain the track will allow you to drop your rigs off right after Sebring. If not, I think the Region will work out a place for you. And you can leave your rig at Sebring if you want to take the family up to Orlando and Mickey Mouse World for a few days. I highly suggest this since I have Disney stock!

The track is closest to Jupiter, Fl. This is a great winter vacation area. Last year, the weather was in the 70's and Toni and I spent several days on the beach at Jupiter Inlet. The hotel prices are a little less than in Palm Beach. Lot's of great places to eat.

The race is a double Rational with the regional portion being a double SARRC. Drivers can get points for both National and SARRC so it's a good chance to pick up points in both series.

The Prod car group is always one of the biggest at this race especially since we changed it to a rational. Lots' of good racing in all three classes. Need a few more GTL entries this year.
 
A rational is a regional race and a national race run concurrently. In the case of PBIR, it will be a SEDiv Regional Championship series, SARRC, points race and a National points race. Both regional and national drivers are on the track at the same time, but not racing each other for points. It is a three day event with qualifying for the Sat & Sun races on Friday. Then, on each race day, there is another qualifying and the races. Florida Region also conducts one of the best post race socials of any region. They have a sit down supper with a live music. And the liquid refreshments are nore than adequate.

Last year was a Rational for the Homestead race. The comparison in attendance was 173 National entries compared to 136 in 2011 and and additional 62 SARRC entries vs none in 2011. As you can see, the concept certainly makes it financially better for the Region. It also makes it a lot more fun with bigger fields. Atlanta Region tried the first rational back in 2011. They had 80 entries at their May 2010 National. For their May 2011 Rational, they again had 80 National entries. The big difference was that they had 88 SARRC entries vs none in 2010.

For the most part, there is very few problems with regional vs national. Occasionally, a national driver is offended that a regional driver didn't get out of the way, but there's no rule that says just because you are a national driver, you have right of way.

The entry fees are structured so you can enter either the SARRC for just SARRC points, the National for just National points or both. Post race impound is also for both series.

In my book, the Rational is a win win. It gives drivers a chance to run in bigger fields and it helps keep entry fees lower.
 
I'm in for Sebring, along with a few others potentially. I'd love to stay for the rational at PBIR, and Disney World cause I've never been, but I can't afford the cost of the time off from work. :/ But looking forward to my winter vacation none the less!
 
sydxracer said:
I'm in for Sebring, along with a few others potentially. I'd love to stay for the rational at PBIR, and Disney World cause I've never been, but I can't afford the cost of the time off from work. :/ But looking forward to my winter vacation none the less!
Click to expand...

I'll confirm she has to beg for time off work. :hand:

James -R
 
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