Some people have questioned the Shootout as an appropriate way to finish the National Series. Whilst I do not want to go over the whole Nat Points vs Nat Series debate again, but I did find this quote in a book I'm currently re-reading:

Quote:

Some sports undergo transformations in response to media demands. NASCAR historically had underperforming tv ratings for most of the second half of the racing season because the champion had usually already been decided. To generate interest for the entire season and determine a champion closer to the end of the season, NASCAR implemented new rules to the competition. It created a championship cup series that qualified 10 competitors to compete the final 10 races for the championship. Although NASCAR received criticism from it's traditional market, it was welcomed by those in the media who saw rhe change as more entertaining, meaningful and attractive to television viewers. The NASCAR success encouraged the PGA Tour and Ladies Professional Golf Association to introduce similar play-off formats to stimulate media viewing

The Elusive Fan - Rein, Kotler & Shields.

Whilst this focused on the media, it could well apply to fans as well, expecially bearing in mind the potential influx of new fans who may be encouraged to attend meetings in 2010 off the back of the BBC series. These new fans may well find the Shootout has the drama and escapism that people look for in sporting events.

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I would never join a club that would have me as a member

What the shootout will do is have 10 drivers all with a realistic chance of being champion, and as such will provide interest right up to the season end, with potentially the best 10 meetings of the season, and at a time when many dwindle away from the tracks, ie after the w/f.
Hopefully it will give good crowds at the season end.
For it to work to it's maximum will depend on one question -
Would you rather be World Champion or National Series Champion?
I honestly do believe there will be a new name as N/S champion, and launch younger drivers like 16, 4, 84, 55 etc etc, into stardom.
It also does potentially give any sponser / media coverage on a 10 meeting only series, far more realistic than a season long championship.

Tim, what you have succinctly written in your last post is the critique that everyone involved in revamping this series believed and had the conviction to press forward with it.
There has been distratcions in the National Points and various other facets - however, with the die cast we have to see it through and then analyse the overall effect on the sport across the season, not meeting by meeting, to judge it;s success.

What it as done so far is what it was always going to do and made the NS meetings in the first half of the season less important imo.
ie you can easily predict 7 of the eventual top 10 before the season starts. A comment on Allstox summed it up for me with the Smith and Wainman banter.
One was bragging that thier man had won another final and a swift reply read ..'what does it really matter? they will both be in the shootout at the end of the season anyway'.
Not travelled at all this season, 1 Buxton the furthest,,looking forward to Scunthorpe and BV British, if the Shootout gets interesting towards the last few meetings i may venture out then.
In a nutshell its saved me quite a few bob so far but may prompt me to make the extra effort towards the end of the season.

But the thing is Lofty, in the old format of national points championship we knew who the 3 drivers would be 1st 2nd 3rd at the season end before the season even started, namely 515 ( because he does all meetings ) 391 and 2 with possibly 390 in 4th. Who will win the shootout? one of 10 drivers, that's the point, even if we all know who 7 of them will be maybe.
Sure 515, 391, 390 will be in it, but it's not certain they will be the 1-2-3, the uncertainty is there just like a world final.
One problem with the early season is there are probably too many N/S rounds, one per week is enough, why meetings are N/S rounds AND qualifiers baffles me.
But I'm sure come the last round with 5 drivers all in contention, you'll want to be there, so I'll see you there.

Tim i agree with you,The benefit of this should come about at the latter stages of the season.
It is quite an exciting prospect unfortunately its not a points title,but prestigious and rewarding in its own right,i sincerely hope it goes well.
Still think you'll be looking at the usual suspects come the end of it tho,but does give a surprise a better chance of happening.
I have followed the sport avidly for years ,too avidly the wife would say and to be honest this has done me a favour in the first half of the season
with working weekends on and off...i think ive overcome the stox addiction... or for now anyway..lol

More info on how the top 10 and final 10 rounds of the Shoot will run should be announced later this month - some very good ideas compliment this!