RACE4Sport Fair Chance Debuts on RaceSpot.TV

RACE4Sport Fair Chance is a new league in 2018S2, running a novel format they call "Pursuit Racing with BOP Time".  Similar to the Predator Racing format used by the Majors in 2017, and that used in sailboat racing, the format breaks the field into three groups based on an "adjusted" iRating. Group 1 starts normally on the grid. Group 2 (iRating above 1800 but less than 3200) starts from the pits with a 10-15 second delay. Group 3 (above 3200 iRating) also starts from the pits--7-10 seconds after Group 2.  According to the League's Founder, Donald Strout, the format is designed to give all drivers a "fair chance" to reach the Podium.

Strout is known as the Founder of the popular 60+ Racing Adventurees League for drivers over 60 years of age. The 60+ league runs the Pro Mazda. The new RACE4Sport league runs the Ferrari 488GTE and the Ford GT GTE cars--on the same schedule as the iRacing IMSA Sportscar Championship. The league has 45 members. 

The RACE4Sport Fair Chance League has a generous Prize Pool, paying $20 to the Winner, $10 to 2nd, and $5 to 3rd--for each of the 12 races.  Prize money is provided by Strout, personally in support and recognition of Team RFC. http://teamrfc.org/ (Strout is a Christian Chaplain with Team RFC)

Race start--Group 2 and 3 starting from Pits.

The first broadcast for the League was for their race on Thursday, April 19, at Silverstone. It was broadcast by RaceSport.TV and can be seem at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb3Vsf_Y6J0&

Jack Turner earned the Pole for the Grid and led 2 laps before spinning in T7 "Stowe"

Michael Knoll took lead after Turner's spin but was overtaken by Marcos Calvo in lap 5

A result of the Pursuit format is close racing--Tibor Wittmann leads a pack out of T15 "Luffield" in Lap 9

Race winner, Flavio Saturnino takes the lead from Marcos Calvo on Lap 13--halfway thru race. Flavio took to the grass to pass in T7 "Stowe".  Flavio would not be challenged for the rest of the race.

Fastest Qualifier, Julien Auffret, Group 3, passes Marcos Calvo on Lap 19.  Race podium would be Saturnino, Auffret, and Calvo--All three groups represented.

Fuel was limited to 55% for the 45 minute (27 lap) race, requiring a stop for fuel. Here Victor Suarez Rivero leaves the box in a hurry on Lap 23.

As mentioned, the format promotes close racing, here they go three wide into exiting T14 on Lap 24.  Jose Arcones is meat in the sandwich.

Three wide seldom ends well.  Bruce Poole goes airborne in a complete roll after making contact with Jose Arcones. Race Steward deemed the incident as "Avoidable but not reckless".

According to Strout, "As the Race Admin and Racing Steward, I do not participate as a racer--just in practices. I love driving these Ferrari GTE cars, but by not competing, I have no conflict of interest and can hopefully enforce our rules impartially. One of the things I learned in the 60+ League is guys show up ready and wllling to 'battle' and rules that restrict competition too much spoils the fun. Close racing can often result in unintentional contact.  We have strictly enforced rules against dive bombing, but side by side, close but hard racing is what most guys are looking for---as long as all remain friends, then it is fun."

An engineer and real life racer, Strout builds "safe but fast" setups for the Ferrari and Ford and shares hot lap videos for the benefit of Group 1 drivers.

After 6 races in 2018S2