I don't think the PAX times are being calculated correctly, but there's nothing in the CACC rule book (at least I couldn't find anything) that says how they should be figured.
Current practice is to take the best total time, including penalties, and multiply by the PAX index for the class, using the formula: (Time + Penalty) x Index = PAX Time
The problem with that method is that penalties are discounted, depending on the index value of the class. One cone penalty costs Joe 2 sec in AM, but one cone only costs Bernie 1.66 sec (2 x .830) in SS and Leslie 1.562 sec (2 x .781) in HS. That's not consistent with the intent of PAX, which is to compare times on an equal footing.
The formula used elsewhere, including NWR/SCCA, is (Time x Index) + Penalty = PAX Time.
Using my time at event #3 as an example, the current method yields:
(58.647 + 2) x .804 = 60.647 x .804 = 48.760
More correct (I believe) would be:
(58.647 x .804) + 2 = 47.152 + 2 = 49.152
While I'd rather have the lower total, I don't think it's correct. (I'd really rather I hadn't tipped over the first cone in the slalom, or had stopped for the displaced cone on my 3rd run.
)
I think this should be brought to the CACC Board for clarification, and I think the formula should be included in the rule book, probably in section 5.8.AA. Probably can't be changed for this year, even if the other formula is adopted.
--Mike
Current practice is to take the best total time, including penalties, and multiply by the PAX index for the class, using the formula: (Time + Penalty) x Index = PAX Time
The problem with that method is that penalties are discounted, depending on the index value of the class. One cone penalty costs Joe 2 sec in AM, but one cone only costs Bernie 1.66 sec (2 x .830) in SS and Leslie 1.562 sec (2 x .781) in HS. That's not consistent with the intent of PAX, which is to compare times on an equal footing.
The formula used elsewhere, including NWR/SCCA, is (Time x Index) + Penalty = PAX Time.
Using my time at event #3 as an example, the current method yields:
(58.647 + 2) x .804 = 60.647 x .804 = 48.760
More correct (I believe) would be:
(58.647 x .804) + 2 = 47.152 + 2 = 49.152
While I'd rather have the lower total, I don't think it's correct. (I'd really rather I hadn't tipped over the first cone in the slalom, or had stopped for the displaced cone on my 3rd run.

I think this should be brought to the CACC Board for clarification, and I think the formula should be included in the rule book, probably in section 5.8.AA. Probably can't be changed for this year, even if the other formula is adopted.
--Mike
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