2006 Grand Prix

Street course qualifying procedure

By Times Staff
Published March 31, 2006

Unlike the 11 oval events, each practice will play a key role in determining the starting field. It works like this:

All cars will participate in the initial practice session today.

Times from the first session will determine the two groups that will be used in the remaining pre-qualifying sessions.

Today's times also will determine the qualifying order, with the driver posting the fastest combined time today having the option of driving first or last in single-lap qualifying.

After single-lap qualifying, the fastest six cars will participate in a 10-minute European style session where a driver who beats a competitor's qualifying time can move up.

Unlike an oval race where fans can see most or all of the track, street courses are spread out so it's more difficult to follow the action. Here are some tips:

1. PICKING YOUR SEAT: At the track, higher is usually better because you can see more of the track. General admission ticket holders are not guaranteed seats on Sunday, but there is standing room throughout the course.

2. WATCH THE VISION BOARDS: The boards show live feeds of the race and driver standings. Three video displays are set up along the airport straightaway between Turns 14 and 1. Another display is on the water side between Turns 10 and 11. The boards are in view of most of the seats, which are concentrated between Turns 10 and 1.

3. WATCH THE PITS: Passing isn't easy on a street course, so many lead changes may occur in the pits. Most seats are along pit road where the action can be fast and furious. Sometimes cars will pit in groups and other times they may pit by themselves.

[Last modified March 28, 2006, 12:11:28]