Why are Opens random pairings?

[rboyle]

I don't understand why National Opens where there is no AHFS are random pairing first round with no heads up match ups possible. I mean it's contradictory. You can consider it one of the only races where performance can run free and wild but for what benefit? Aside from setting records

[Jack Matyas]

Years ago our Division Director didn't want his crew working hard so he made first round random .Also because it was random he didn't want guys ( or gals) chasing people around to get them heads-up. With a ladder this would become harder to do but it probably won't ever change .

[Brett C]

We ran the D2 National Open in Reynolds, GA yesterday and all classes except .90 classes were qualified and then laddered.

[The Hawk]

Must be what Division you're in. Laddered here in D5.

[Mike Fuller]

In division three there are no heads-up races in the first round at opens. One the tech official stands just before you leave the staging area to make sure that will not happen. The ladder is set after that based on how far under the index you go.

[Lyn Smith]

I have noticed at our Fall Classic National open here in Div. 3 that many cars are entered for the grading point and leave after entering. Especially if the weather is a little sketchy for Sunday. It also is so much faster for the tech guys to do the random paring. I have never heard any racers complain about it.

[Model T]

Originally Posted by Brett C

We ran the D2 National Open in Reynolds, GA yesterday and all classes except .90 classes were qualified and then laddered.

Last time we ran at Reynolds, yep, they were on a ladder. However, when we got to Rockingham, with about 80 Stock entries, drum roll, no ladder. Just random pairs with no heads up. Laziness?

[rboyle]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Years ago our Division Director didn't want his crew working hard so he made first round random .Also because it was random he didn't want guys ( or gals) chasing people around to get them heads-up. With a ladder this would become harder to do but it probably won't ever change .

Thanks Jack. But it seems like a laziness excuse for DD from back then. Since when is what we do easy? I'm now insulted that this was the reason. We work hard spend tons of time and money to go fast then hit the TnT day at an open and run hard in Q1 & Q2 just to have first round be run like Wednesday night street race at your local track?

[Dave Casey]

In D1 there would be tons of bye runs, we have a lot of cars and many come to see how fast they can go or to set a record or to get a grade point. Often after that they skip the eliminator. Personally I like it, gives the crew a break which they deserve and gets the eliminator done earlier.

[BZenzen]

I could see this as a time saver only, in D5 our national opens get about 80 - 100 S/SS cars and will pull ladders A - D into the lanes, that requires time to pair etc.

Random pairing saves a lot of time, but does kind of draw back from the basis of the S/SS class, qualify, ladder and have the potential of a heads-up run.

I do see the point of the track however, lots of time and manpower saved by not pairing cars.