Method and system for controlling auto races

Abstract

A method of conducting a racing competition among a plurality of race cars including conducting qualifying trials among the plurality race cars, arranging the race cars in qualifying order arrangement for the start of the race, altering at least one of time, distance or speed parameters of one or more of the plurality of race cars during the race, and determining the winner and order of race finish at the completion of the race based on the parameters

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method of conducting a racing competition among a plurality race cars, comprising the steps of:
 conducting qualifying trials among a plurality race cars;   arranging the race cars in qualifying order arrangement for the start of the race;   at a time after the start of the race, changing the direction of travel for the plurality of race cars during the race;   determining the winner and order of race finish at the completion of the race based upon finish position.   
     
     
         9 . The racing method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of qualifying trials for the plurality race cars are conducted in both directions of travel on the track. 
     
     
         10 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The racing method of  claim 8  including providing the race track in a form of a closed track, and upon which the plurality of race cars are driven. 
     
     
         21 . The racing method of  claim 20  including providing a start/finish line on the race track. 
     
     
         22 . The racing method of  claim 21  including providing a pit area disposed adjacent to the race track where the race cars are each periodically serviced and including individual pit stalls each for the service of a respective race car. 
     
     
         23 . The racing method of  claim 22  providing the pit area as having opposite ends with the entry lane for the race cars, at one end thereof for entry to the pit area from the track. 
     
     
         24 . The racing method of  claim 23  including providing an exit lane at an opposed end of the pit area for the race cars for exit from the pit area to the track. 
     
     
         25 . The racing method of  claim 24  including providing caution lights associated with the race track. 
     
     
         26 . The racing method of  claim 25  including providing a safety car that is used to re-form the race cars. 
     
     
         27 . The racing method of  claim 26  wherein at the start of the race the plurality of race cars are traveling in a first direction “A”, and later the plurality of race cars have their direction of travel changed to a second direction “B”. 
     
     
         28 . The racing method of  claim 27  wherein, for the change of direction, the safety car leads the plurality of race cars through the pit area and then turns in an opposite direction upon entering the race track. 
     
     
         29 . The racing method of  claim 28  wherein the exit lane is a bifurcated lane arrangement. 
     
     
         30 . The racing method of  claim 29  wherein the bifurcated lane arrangement includes a first exit ramp from the pit area to allow the plurality of race cars to leave the pit area in traveling in direction “A”. 
     
     
         31 . The racing method of  claim 30  wherein the bifurcated lane arrangement further includes a second exit ramp from the pit area to allow the plurality of race cars to reverse direction upon leaving the pit area in traveling in direction “B”. 
     
     
         32 . The racing method of  claim 31  wherein the entry lane to the pit area functions as an entry to the pit area when the race cars are traveling in direction “A”. 
     
     
         33 . The racing method of  claim 32  wherein the entry lane to the pit area functions as an exit from the pit area when the race cars are traveling in direction “B”. 
     
     
         34 . The racing method of  claim 33  wherein the second exit ramp is only for use by the plurality of race cars to allow the plurality of race cars to reverse direction upon leaving the pit area in traveling in direction “B”. 
     
     
         35 . The racing method of  claim 34  wherein the first exit ramp from the pit area functions as an exit from the pit area when the race cars are traveling in direction “A”. 
     
     
         36 . The racing method of  claim 35  wherein the first exit ramp from the pit area functions as an entry to the pit area when the race cars are traveling in direction “B”. 
     
     
         37 . The racing method of  claim 24  wherein the exit lane is a bifurcated lane arrangement.