http://miatavsmiata.ca/event-results/ (http://miatavsmiata.ca/event-results/)
(http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/p/1090574/20720770/1441050388660/fb_img_1441049649917.jpg?token=7JX8PFwrMpEuNbg5t8oT%2F6ce3PA%3D)
The Spec Miata Championship uses the Formula 1 points system for race finishes:
1st = 25 points,,2nd = 18 points,3rd - 15 points,4th = 12 points,5th = 10 points, and so on
The difference is that as an amateur racing series, drivers have day jobs and family commitments to attend to on various weekends throughout the season. The Spec Miata Championship has been structured as a "Best Of" series, effectively allowing a racer to miss one weekend's equivalent of racing during the season, without being heavily penalized.This year, there was a 5 race weekend so out of a total of 20 possible races, only 15 will count. As of today, the number of races for the final race weekend have been set. Three races remain to determine the final standings in the 2015 Spec Miata Championship.
The battles to watch:
First and Second places are a lock between Chris S. in the #44 and Gerard T. in the #98. If each finish with 3 DNF's on the final weekend, Chris will win the Championship. However, to win the Championship, Gerard needs to win only one of the three races whereas Chris will need to win all three races. The odds appear to be in Gerard's favor but significant challenges remain, so its far from a foregone conclusion.
Third place is a lock as Bob V. in the #35 has 225 points headed into the weekend, but even with three first place finishes can only get to 264 points, just shy of Gerard's current total of 279. If Bob DNF's all three races and stays at 225 points, the racer with the only chance to catch him, Matt B in the #16, would still fall short at 204 points.
There is a very tight race between 4th 5th and 6th. Bob V will be sure it make it difficult for them, doing his best to shut them out of podium finishes. Current standings put rookie Stuart T in the #26 in 4th overall, then Doug C in the #91 in 5th followed by Matt B in the #16. Both Doug and Matt missed a full weekend so points will accumulate more quickly to these two drives, faster than to Stuart T. who has attended all races this season. If for example, each of them were to finish with a third place finish for the final three races, Matt B has the best opportunity to move higher in the standings, jumping from 6th to 4th place overall, Stuart would drop one place as would Doug. Again using 3rd place finishes for all three races, each would end the season with 174, 173 and 171 points respectively for Matt, Stuart and Doug. Wild cards are Chris Saunders and Mark Burrough. Chris has finished on the podium several times this year so he can get in the way of a tight 3-way battle. Mark Burrough runs consistently in the same pack and should any of Stuart, Doug or Matt bobble, both Mark and Chris can displace them for a 4th place overall finish in the standings.
All tallied, the top 8 cars will be laying it all on the line to try to make a Top 5 finish in the standings. This is going to be one momentous weekend of racing!
Link to results to date based on Best of 15 format.
http://miatavsmiata.ca/event-results/2015smChampAug30.pdf (http://miatavsmiata.ca/event-results/2015smChampAug30.pdf)