A different racing challenge?

Having read quite a few posts on this forum recently about handicap racing and Yardstick systems, and YellowWelly's thread about 'racing scratch' (you should see a doctor about that YW), got me thinking about, well, a different way of racing.

The following is a description of a race series that is based on pursuit racing using self declared personal handicaps. What i'd like to know from you all is:

a. Has this been tried before?
b. Could it/does it work?
c. Would you participate in such a series at your local club/do you think others at your club would?
d. What are the pitfalls/logistical challenges i've not thought of?

Here it is:

A series of races which run in addition to your regular club racing eg. normal club racing is on Sundays, this series runs on Sat morning. It is not in competition with or a replacement for any existing handicap racing.

There is no race officer or other race officials. This series is entirely self policed and is aimed at challenging yourself rather than focusing on finishing position. It is based on honesty/sportsmanship, anyone cheating is missing the point.

A start time and race length is declared, lets say 10.30am start, 1hr 30min race length for first starter. Before the race all participants sign on to a race entry sheet, declaring at what time they will start. Choosing a start time is entirely down to personal choice.

A course is set using existing buoys, by mutual agreement of the participants or a nominated individual. The start maybe a pre-set line or maybe just a single buoy.

The participant declaring the last start time sets the race going with a preparatory sound signal/flag hoist at lets say 5mins before the declared start time. A stop clock may be started should you wish to reference it for timing your start. Race participants start racing from the start line/buoy at their declared time, timed by themselves and un-policed by any race official. The next signal is at the end of the race (eg. 1hr 35mins later, i've not worked out how this would work yet, i guess it would have to be automated somehow). At the end of the race the finishing positions are the positions on the water, just like a pursuit race, you can see where you are and how you performed in relation to your rivals.

Initial start times for the first race/new participants could be based on PY.

The whole point is that you can start when you want (probably at 1 minute intervals), declaring beforehand what time you will be starting. Goals are set at a personal level - Finish near the front, beat specific rivals etc. Those finishing towards the front of the fleet could (voluntarily) start 1 minute later in the next race of the series, therefore increasing the challenge of finishing near the front.

If your not doing so well then start a minute earlier, it's entirely up to you.

There is no series winner. Maybe a periodic 'best improver' prize, voted for by series participants.

Dinghy park/bar banter would likely be along the lines of 'so what time you starting on today?', rather than 'where did you finish?'. It's about the challenge, not the result.

Speaking of different formats, I was idly wondering whether there might be a place for a time trial type format, where boat for boat racing was de-emphasised and it was much more against the clock. Maybe boats start, fastest first, at one minute intervals and finish after n laps or whatever. Obviously very vulnerable to weather changes, but isn't all racing? Maybe series results could be done on aggregate time, rather than places?

Originally posted by JimC Speaking of different formats, I was idly wondering whether there might be a place for a time trial type format, where boat for boat racing was de-emphasised and it was much more against the clock. Maybe boats start, fastest first, at one minute intervals and finish after n laps or whatever. Obviously very vulnerable to weather changes, but isn't all racing? Maybe series results could be done on aggregate time, rather than places?

I think it's a good idea, anything that gets folks on the water larking about is good news, problem we have is the timing we have enough trouble getting a stock 541 sequence out onto the water if it's choppy, worse still if we're half a mile out and the winds offshore.

You inland clubs don't realise how lucky you are.

Would be a fine idea for second race of the day at a champs, say first day you do two usual races, results from the second then determine the starting sequence for the second days second race.  Would work similar way in mixed fleets and be a nice alternative to PY based pursuit racing