Why do Champ Car races have time limits?

Question

I have watched a couple of Champ Car races this season (specifically Toronto and Edmonton), and I have noticed the races have a time limit (today's race has one of 1 hour, 45 minutes) instead of a distance or set number of laps. Why is that?

Answer 1

It's a new rule that was implemented this season. Basically, it ensures that we'll finish the race within a 2-hour TV window without having to cut laps off the announced race distance, which tends to irritate the fans. So, rather than running a particular distance, we just go for a prescribed amount of time, similar to sports car racing.

It is also a common practice in a lot of European road racing series to run timed races, and Champ Car has trended towards European-style rules and officiating in the last few years. Another example of this trend is the elimination of the white flag as a "1 lap to go" indicator -- the white flag now simply means that a safety vehicle or off-pace racing car is present on the circuit, and the "1 lap to go" signal has been changed to the starter waving 1 finger at the lead driver as he begins the final lap of the race.

Answer 2

It is much easier to sell the race to a tv production company as a timed event. With a set number of laps, you don't ever know how long an event may take, but no matter what, once 2 hours (or whatever) is up, the time is up and the race is over.

Answer 3

Because Champ Car has done extensive research that if someone can't pass "Sea Bass" in two hours, basically all anyone else is trying to do is keep the car out of the wall and finish in one piece.

Answer 4

So the race will fit in a 2 hour block and make it television friendly.

Answer 5

it surely relies upon on the song. needless to say, the line courses are slower, yet on the better tracks like michigan they could open them up, and not could desire to slow as lots for the corners. All in all, Champ automobiles and Indy automobiles are particularly close.