Stewart Raceway Current Driver Classification

Unleash the Driver WithinThe following table shows the current driver classifications at Stewart Raceway. The Average Placings figure represents historical data where 2020 to 2022 data is not available. If a driver has an Expert classification but does not have a commensurate Average Placing, it is because they have established themselves as recognized Experts in the sport/hobby at other venues and historically.

Driver Average Placing Classification
Kevin Webster 5.6 Sportsman
George Peters 4.5 Sportsman
Greg Kondrek 3.1 Expert
Ted Essy 2.9 Expert
Jordan Walker 6.2 Sportsman
Brad Sandahl 3.1 Expert
Ian Douglass 2.1 Expert
Russ Toy 4.7 Sportsman
Ken Stephens 3.3 Expert
Rick Voegelin 4.7 Expert
Randy Tragni 4.6 Sportsman
Dan Jiminez 3.1 Expert
Paul Leuty 5.1 Sportsman
Bruce Douglas 5.3 Sportsman
Mark Owyang 5.2 Expert
Don Riemersma 3.8 Expert
Steve Testerman 8 Expert
Randy Cook 2 Expert
Dave Mcconaughey 4.7 Sportsman
Jerry Pearson 4.2 Sportsman
Mike Andrews 4 Expert
Jeff Hurley 5.6 Expert
Mitch Valder 5.8 Expert
Jared Johnson 5 Sportsman
Ron Coaxum 3.2 Expert

Keep in mind, you can request to upgrade to Expert at any time, no restrictions. You can also request a downgrade (reclassification) to Sportsman if your current Average Placing is higher than 4.0. You cannot reclassify during a race day event or during an in-progress racing series.

The only anomaly I see is George Peters being ranked a Sportsman. He’s definitely an Expert when you consider his experience. However, in the last two seasons at Stewart Raceway, he’s reporting a 4.5 placings average. And, since we don’t have any Experts running in the current series, which George is leading, I’m okay with him remaining a Sportsman driver. If he wins it, he’ll definitely be reclassified as an Expert.

Okay, shut up and drive!

Introducing Driver Classifications

We’ve discussed this issue a number of times over the last couple of seasons. Starting with our next series, Stewart Raceway is implementing a two-tiered driver classification as follows:

    • Expert
    • Sportsman

Of course, until we have participant numbers to justify it, the two different classifications of drivers will race together but scored and stats tracked separately. This means that there will be an Expert class winner and a Sportsman class winner in every race and at the end of every series at Stewart Raceway. This means more work for Race Directors, but it is much needed to increase interest and participation in our hobby/sport.

Today, we have entry-level and skilled drivers entering the scene after over 30 years or more of not driving a slot car. We also have several new drivers who have never raced slot cars until very recently. It is clearly not a level playing field to score or measure these drivers against established and much more experienced, active drivers.

The method I’ve decided on to determine a driver’s classification is to evaluate their average placings at Stewart Raceway. If a driver’s average placing at Stewart Raceway is over four (4) or lower, he or she will be considered an Expert. Any driver with average placings higher than four (4) will be considered a Sportsman level driver. This metric is taken from event statistics at Stewart Raceway since 2018.

Of course, any driver may upgrade or downgrade their classification, at any time. Upgrading (reclassification) from Sportsman to Expert has no restrictions. Downgrading (reclassification) from Expert to Sportsman can only be done if the driver currently has a higher than four (4) average placing score. Reclassifications will not be granted during a race day event or ongoing racing series.

Obviously, there are Experts out there that have not raced at Stewart Raceway for a long time. If and when such drivers return to racing at Stewart Raceway, the Race Director will determine what classification they will resume competition in. Generally, if a racer was previously classified as an Expert and has not requested a reclassification, they will resume racing as an Expert.

Why no Pro class? Well, we don’t run any “Pro-level” cars. On the national level, pretty much all of the cars and rules we’ve been running are Amateur level. Yes, the SPEC-JET, SPEC-STOCK, and SPEC-RACER are more advanced than the BOX-STOCK classes, but they are not intended as exclusive Pro-level classes.

I’m all in on higher-level platforms but we just don’t have the interest in our current group right now. Hopefully, as we grow, interest and participation increases, and we’ll introduce a SUPER STOCK or MODIFIED class at some point. We actually have the TFX “Modified” class now but only a few have built cars for that class.

Anyway, I’ll follow this post with a listing of Stewart Raceway drivers and their current classification levels based on SR2 and SR3 results since January 2020.

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

 

 

 

 

2022 Summer Kid’s Race & Pool Party

Yea, I know, nobody in our club has any kids that qualify for this event.

Our neighbor’s kids and our grandsons will fill the field, and hopefully, a few more neighborhood kids also.

Just 20-lap segments, one rotation, on the SR3 straight road course. All participants receive a medal and valuable track time on SR3. Oh, and they get to swim all afternoon and enjoy a BBQ.

Now I need to find a bomb-proof IROC set to pull this off with…

Should be fun!

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

Round 3 Cancelled! (Postponed)

Sorry folks!

We lost Brad, George, Randy, Jared, and even Kevin could not commit by the 8:00 pm deadline.  Sorry to Jerry, who was all-in on at least a few races. I’ll work on having an open track day soon.

Normally, I would have held the race with just three of us but my roofing tear-off uncovered a bunch of issues that need tending to. So I thought I’d better cancel this Saturday’s race and focus on that stuff. Hopefully done with the roof project by the next shot at Round 3.

Okay, shut-up and drive!

SR3 Road Course Open Track Day, June 4, 2022

Many thanks to those of you who attended the event Saturday. We ran a bunch of practice laps on the SR3 straight road course and then one  IROC fuel race using a house set of 440-X2 “Narrow” Lexan Hammerhead cars.

We also introduced another new driver into the mix. Our most recent new driver, Jerry Pearson, brought along a friend, Randy Cook, who raced 1/24-scale cars years ago as well as 1/1-scale Formula 1000 racing cars.

Seem like Randy and Jerry enjoyed the racing action since both made the podium in the 150-lap IROC race. Nice!

2021 Rookie of the Year, Brad Sandahl, took the top podium spot after battling with Jerry and Randy the whole race.

Both Brad and another new driver, Jared Johnson, brought along their amazing daughters, Carrie and Madeline, who actually did very well driving at lower voltages but amazingly attentive at both driving and marshaling.

While we’re definitely planning a Kid’s Race Day very soon, next Saturday is Round 2 of the NASCAR MADness Series on the SR3 road course. Hoping to see all our new and old drivers battling each other on the road course with NASCAR-style cars next Saturday. Stay tuned for details.

Okay, shut up and drive!