In the world of sports car racing there are two competing strategies. One involves fill the field with as many competitors as possible in the hopes that at the end of the day the best team will win. The second and often contrary philosophy is to feature the world’s most exotic and technically complex cars and hope that the fast yet durable car will cross the finish line first. The fact that in spite of their differences, both forms of sports car racing can survive is a testament to the strength of both.

The problem is that neither system is without drawbacks, and this became no more apparent than in mid July when the Grand American Road Racing Association announced that it would split the field, and the length of the race, at the season ending 12-hour event at Virginia International Raceway. Grand Am claims they are doing this because of large numbers of entrants at each event. They point to the record breaking 88-car field for the 24 Hours of Daytona and the typical 50 cars at following events.

My problem is not that Grand Am wants to split the event into two equally challenging six hour events. Sports car racing has always been a flexible and dynamic sport that attempts to put on the best show possible while remaining as safe as possible. Track and pit space being limited, the organizers have no choice but to limit the number of cars on the track. However, you have to ask yourself one question regarding the large numbers: Does it really make the racing any better?

Sure it's nice to know that 80+ teams want to compete at an event, but does every single team really deserve to be there? The Rolex 24 is a bit of a one-off event for many teams as it's usually held before other racing seasons begin. Though the numbers are great for other events, one has to consider the impact the Grand Am formula has on competition. Above all else Grand Am seeks to make racing affordable for teams. Cost constraints and performance balancing are all in place to help make the field as competitive as possible. The problem that too many teams show up isn't necessarily Grand Am's problem; it's more of a concern for the track promoters.

Though you couldn't tell now, the Indianapolis 500 used to draw a large number of cars each year. Thus track promoters put in place a series of time trials in which teams could try to race in. The overall field size was set and if you were too slow you went home. If Grand Am tracks can't accommodate all of the cars that show up then they need to institute time trials to eliminate the slowest cars. Not only would it up the ante for any team trying to make it in, it would also increase the quality of the show for the fans.

I need not go on about how different a 6 hour event is than a 12 hour event. Folks that show up annually at VIR know what it's all about and frankly should be mad as hell that a world class endurance event is being neutered all in the name of not hurting any competitor’s feelings.