We now believe the scoring is now correct and up to date including round 5 at Wiscombe on April 27th. If you have any queries please contact Peter Hubbard who will be please to investigate.

As a result of difficulties and shortcomings evident in the previous method of scoring a number of revisions have been introduced for 2008 with the intention of making it fairer, more attractive to competitors, and easier to mark accurately.

Previousl, in order to implement the rule that “All” cars competing in an event should be taken into account in the marking process, it should have been necessary for an “Expert” from the HSA attend each event. They should have technically reviewed each competing car and allocated it to the correct HSA class. Considering the huge variety of cars competing this was a very difficult task, very time consuming and, if one car was incorrectly allocated, all subsequent results became invalid.

Present and previous Co-ordinator decisions to arbitrarily exclude onemake class’s, other Championship class’s, or only take a certain percentage of cars into account, lead to the points allocation being questioned by effected competitors.

Every HSA Competitor enters the Championship for a different reason, some to win at all costs – some to beat friends with a similar car – some to prove to themselves that they are not “Over the Hill” – some just to experience the unique camaraderie of Speed Hill Climbing. Whatever the case, it’s to go up the Hill as quickly as they are able and enjoy themselves.

Therefore we have produced an alternative scoring/marking system that would judge and reward their efforts, and that is to utilise both a Class position and a time based marking system.

Currently points are to be awarded at each event for each HSA Class based on the competitor’s placing among all the event runners eligible for each HSA Class and a bonus point added for setting a new class record.

For 2008 it is proposed to award points based on each competitors placing amongst only the HSA Championship competitors at each event in each class and extend the bonus points awarded to reflect each competitor’s best time when compared to the Championship record time for that Class/Venue.

Competitors will receive place points as follows:

Note: If there are only two competitors in a Class, the place points will be reduced by one point and if there is only one competitor the place points will be reduced by two points.

Competitors will receive additional time points as follows:

Note: Percentage times are used to cover all Championship events from 24 seconds at Shelsley to over 70 seconds at some Sprint circuits.

The HSA web site will show for each class and venue the Class record and the 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% times so that competitors will be aware in advance of what times they need to achieve in order to be awarded time points. Scoring will be carried out by entering the best competition time achieved by each HSA competitor at the event and the computer will calculate the place and time points accordingly.

Clearly this method has significantly altered the balance of scoring so that small class numbers are no longer at a disadvantage. Indeed, where there is only one competitor in a class either in the championship or at an event they will automatically receive 3 points for coming first. However, in order to get a good points score from an event they will also need to perform against the clock. In a well-supported class those competitors coming 4^th or 5^th will receive low place points but can add to their score if their times are competitive.

If an event is wet for both timed runs then, of course the time points will be harder to achieve but that is something we have to accept.

If a new venue is added to the calendar or a Class record does not exist for a venue, then the HSA Class records will be retrospectively set as the winning time in each class and then scored as usual. This means that all class winners will get 10 points, if sufficient entries, which should encourage attendance at new venues.

BENEFITS

• The method is simple and easy to understand
• Accuracy and confidence in the marking will be greatly improved
• All competitors will have an equal chance in the Championship
• Each competitor can work out his score at the end of his last run
• The scoring is not dependent on any other non HSA Championship competitors entered
• The marking can be almost fully automated

The Committee is also looking at the other wording of the Rules and will apply some reality to other misnomers: what is a “Competitor” or a “Starter” and will issue a full “In Depth” resume of interpretations prior to the start of the season.

The HSA has listened to all competitors comments during 2007, so please give the resultant changes a chance of improvement during 2008, if problems arise, please contact the Championship Co-ordinators to resolve any issues.