U.S. patent application number 13/351544 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for method of conducting a racing series.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jim Cassidy, John Darby, Brian Z. France, III, Mike Helton, David Hoots, Steve Lowery, Kyle McKinney, Steve O'Donnell, Robin Pemberton, Tom Swindell, Mason Vincent. Invention is credited to Jim Cassidy, John Darby, Brian Z. France, III, Mike Helton, David Hoots, Steve Lowery, Kyle McKinney, Steve O'Donnell, Robin Pemberton, Tom Swindell, Mason Vincent.
Application Number | 20130181405 13/351544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48779438 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130181405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
France, III; Brian Z. ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
Method of Conducting a Racing Series
Abstract
A method of conducting a racing series for competitors and team
owners is disclosed. The racing series has a plurality of races
divided into a first and second set of races with competitors
racing in both sets of races. The competitors and team owners are
awarded points after each race, with those points being adjusted
between the two sets of races. The points of only a predetermined
number of competitors and/or team owners are adjusted between the
sets of races. Awards, including a championship, are awarded based
on the points accumulated during the racing series.
Inventors: |
France, III; Brian Z.;
(Daytona Beach, FL) ; Helton; Mike; (Ormond Beach,
FL) ; O'Donnell; Steve; (Sanford, FL) ;
Pemberton; Robin; (Cornelius, NC) ; Cassidy; Jim;
(Ormond Beach, FL) ; Darby; John; (Troutman,
NC) ; Hoots; David; (Winston-Salem, NC) ;
Vincent; Mason; (Charlotte, NC) ; Swindell; Tom;
(Edgewater, FL) ; Lowery; Steve; (Concord, NC)
; McKinney; Kyle; (Mooresville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
France, III; Brian Z.
Helton; Mike
O'Donnell; Steve
Pemberton; Robin
Cassidy; Jim
Darby; John
Hoots; David
Vincent; Mason
Swindell; Tom
Lowery; Steve
McKinney; Kyle |
Daytona Beach
Ormond Beach
Sanford
Cornelius
Ormond Beach
Troutman
Winston-Salem
Charlotte
Edgewater
Concord
Mooresville |
FL
FL
FL
NC
FL
NC
NC
NC
FL
NC
NC |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48779438 |
Appl. No.: |
13/351544 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63K 99/00 20130101;
A63F 3/00082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/445 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/00 20060101
A63B067/00 |
Claims
1. A method of conducting a racing series with a plurality of
competitors, the method comprising the steps of: conducting a
plurality of races for the plurality of competitors, the plurality
of races comprising a first plurality of races and a second
plurality of races, the first plurality of races occurring before
and being greater in number than the second plurality of races;
awarding points to each of the competitors based on results of each
of the first plurality of races, the points accumulating during the
racing series for each competitor; monitoring the number of wins in
the first plurality of races for each of the plurality of
competitors; adjusting the accumulated points after the last race
in the first plurality of races to a predetermined number of
championship points for each competitor, the accumulated points
being adjusted for only a predetermined number of competitors, the
predetermined number of competitors being based on the number of
points awarded and the number of wins in the first plurality of
races; awarding points to each of the competitors based on the
results of each of the second plurality of races, the points
awarded during the second plurality of races being added to the
predetermined number of championship points for each of the
plurality of competitors for a championship point total; and
awarding prizes to each of the plurality of competitors based on
the championship point totals for each competitor.
2. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined number of championship points for each
competitor is based upon a total number of points earned by the
competitor during the first plurality of races.
3. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 2,
wherein the predetermined number of championship points for each
competitor is based upon a total number of points earned by the
competitor during the first plurality of races and the number of
races won in the first plurality races.
4. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined number of championship points is larger
than the points accumulated by any competitor in the first
plurality of races.
5. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined number of competitors having accumulated
points adjusted is twelve.
6. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined number of competitors having accumulated
points adjusted is twelve, ten of the predetermined number of
competitors includes ten competitors having the most accumulated
points.
7. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 6,
wherein two of the twelve competitors have the most number of wins
among the remaining competitors in the plurality of
competitors.
8. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the first plurality of races comprises 26 races.
9. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the second plurality of races comprises 10 races.
10. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein points awarded to each of the competitors for each of the
plurality of races includes points awarded for at least one of
leading at least one lap of a race, leading the most laps in a
race, and finishing position in a race.
11. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the prizes includes a championship title.
12. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 1,
wherein the competitors have team owners and further comprising the
steps of: awarding team owner points to each of the team owners
based on results of a competitor entered in each of the first
plurality of races by the team owner, the team owner points
accumulating during the racing series for each of the team owners;
monitoring the number of wins in the first plurality of races for
each of the team owners; adjusting the accumulated team owner
points to each team owner after the last race in the first
plurality of races to a predetermined number of championship team
owner points for each team owner, the predetermined number of team
owners being based on the number of points awarded and the number
of wins in the first plurality of races; awarding team owner points
to each of the team owners based on the results of the second
plurality of races, the team owner points awarded during the second
plurality of races to each of the team owners being added to the
predetermined number of championship owner points for each of the
team owners for a championship team owner point total; and awarding
prizes to each of the team owners based on the championship owner
championship point totals for each of the team owners.
13. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 12,
wherein the predetermined number of championship team owner points
for each team owner is based upon a total number of points awarded
to the team owner during the first plurality of races and the
number of races won in the first plurality of races.
14. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 12,
wherein the predetermined number of championship team owner points
is larger than the team owner points accumulated by any team owner
in the first plurality of races.
15. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 12,
wherein the accumulated team owner points for a only predetermined
number of team owners is adjusted.
16. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 15,
wherein the predetermined number of team owners having accumulated
team owner points adjusted is twelve.
17. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 16,
wherein two of the twelve team owners have the most number of wins
among remaining team owners.
18. The method of conducting a racing series according to claim 12,
wherein team owner points awarded to each of the team owners for
each competitor entered in the plurality of races includes team
owner points awarded for at least one of passing an inspection,
qualifying position in the race, starting position in the race,
leading at least one lap of a race, leading the most laps in a
race, and finishing position in a race.
19. A method of conducting a racing series comprising the steps of:
conducting a plurality of races for a plurality of competitors, the
plurality of races comprising a first plurality of races and a
second plurality of races, the first plurality of races occurring
before and being greater in number than the second plurality of
races and each of the plurality of competitors having a team owner;
monitoring the number of wins in the first plurality of races for
each of the plurality of competitors; awarding team owner points to
each of the team owners based on results of a competitor entered in
each of the first plurality of races by the team owner, the team
owner points accumulating during the racing series for each of the
team owners; adjusting the accumulated team owner points to each
team owner after the last race in the first plurality of races to a
predetermined number of championship team owner points for each
team owner, the number of championship team owner points also
including a predetermined number of points awarded for each of the
number of wins by the team owner's competitor; awarding team owner
points to each of the team owners based on the results of the
second plurality of races, the team owner points awarded during the
second plurality of races to each of the team owners being added to
the predetermined number of championship owner points for each of
the team owners for a championship team owner point total; and
awarding prizes to each of the team owners based on the
championship owner point totals for each of the team owners.
20. A method of conducting a racing series with a single plurality
of competitors, the method comprising the steps of: conducting a
plurality of races for the single plurality of competitors, the
plurality of races consisting of a first plurality of races and a
second plurality of races for the single plurality of competitors,
the first plurality of races occurring before and being greater in
number than the second plurality of races; monitoring the number of
wins in the first plurality of races for each of the competitors in
the plurality of competitors; awarding points to each of the
competitors based on results of each of the first plurality of
races, the points accumulating during the racing series for each
competitor; adjusting the accumulated points awarded to each
competitor after the last race in the first plurality of races to a
predetermined number of championship points for each competitor,
the number of championship team owner points also including a
predetermined number of points awarded for each of the number of
wins by the team owner's competitor; allowing each of the
competitors in the single plurality of competitors to compete in
the second plurality of races regardless of the number of points
accumulated by the competitor; awarding points to each of the
competitors based on the results of each of the second plurality of
races, the points awarded during the second plurality of races
being added the predetermined number of championship points for
each of the plurality of competitors for a championship point
total; and awarding prizes to each competitor based on the
championship point totals for each competitor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method of conducting a
racing series for competitors and team owners, and more
particularly, a method of conducting a racing series wherein points
awarded to the competitors and team owners are adjusted during the
racing series.
[0003] 2. Technical Background
[0004] There are several prior methods for conducting a racing
series. One of which is the prior version of the current format in
top level series for the National Association of Stock Car Auto
Racing, NASCAR, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,568. However, some of those
methods prevent all of the teams in the racing series from
participating in all of the races through the championship or the
prior art methods require that complicated formulas and starting
positions be used. Other prior art methods are only directed at
determining a winner for a single race and not for a series of
racing events.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a new and
novel method for conducting a racing series without one or more of
the limitations of the prior art. Additional features and
advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description
that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or
may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and
other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by
the process particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims, as well as the appended drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of
conducting a racing series with a plurality of competitors, the
method includes conducting a plurality of races for the plurality
of competitors, the plurality of races comprising a first plurality
of races and a second plurality of races, the first plurality of
races occurring before and being greater in number than the second
plurality of races, awarding points to each of the competitors
based on results of each of the first plurality of races, the
points accumulating during the racing series for each competitor,
monitoring the number of wins in the first plurality of races for
each of the plurality of competitors, adjusting the accumulated
points after the last race in the first plurality of races to a
predetermined number of championship points for each competitor,
the accumulated points being adjusted for only a predetermined
number of competitors, the predetermined number of competitors
being based on the number of points awarded and the number of wins
in the first plurality of races, awarding points to each of the
competitors based on the results of each of the second plurality of
races, the points awarded during the second plurality of races
being added to the predetermined number of championship points for
each of the plurality of competitors for a championship point
total, and awarding prizes to each of the plurality of competitors
based on the championship point totals for each competitor.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of
conducting a racing series with a single plurality of competitors,
the method includes conducting a plurality of races for the single
plurality of competitors, the plurality of races consisting of a
first plurality of races and a second plurality of races for the
single plurality of competitors, the first plurality of races
occurring before and being greater in number than the second
plurality of races, monitoring the number of wins in the first
plurality of races for each of the competitors in the plurality of
competitors, awarding points to each of the competitors based on
results of each of the first plurality of races, the points
accumulating during the racing series for each competitor,
adjusting the accumulated points awarded to each competitor after
the last race in the first plurality of races to a predetermined
number of championship points for each competitor, the number of
championship team owner points also including a predetermined
number of points awarded for each of the number of wins by the team
owner's competitor, allowing each of the competitors in the single
plurality of competitors to compete in the second plurality of
races regardless of the number of points accumulated by the
competitor, awarding points to each of the competitors based on the
results of each of the second plurality of races, the points
awarded during the second plurality of races being added the
predetermined number of championship points for each of the
plurality of competitors for a championship point total, and
awarding prizes to each competitor based on the championship point
totals for each competitor.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to
a method of conducting a racing series that includes conducting a
plurality of races for a plurality of competitors, the plurality of
races comprising a first plurality of races and a second plurality
of races, the first plurality of races occurring before and being
greater in number than the second plurality of races and each of
the plurality of competitors having a team owner, awarding team
owner points to each of the team owners based on results of a
competitor entered in each of the first plurality of races by the
team owner, the team owner points accumulating during the racing
series for each of the team owners, adjusting the accumulated team
owner points to each team owner after the last race in the first
plurality of races to a predetermined number of championship team
owner points for each team owner, awarding team owner points to
each of the team owners based on the results of the second
plurality of races, the team owner points awarded during the second
plurality of races to each of the team owners being added to the
predetermined number of championship owner points for each of the
team owners for a championship team owner point total, and awarding
prizes to each of the team owners based on the championship owner
point totals for each of the team owners.
[0009] It is to be understood that the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification. The drawings illustrate
several embodiments of the invention and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of conducting
a racing series according to one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of conducting
a racing series according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of conducting a racing series
with a number of competitors. The racing series is preferably
divided into two sections, a first section with a first plurality
of races and a second section with a second plurality of races. In
one preferred embodiment, the racing series has thirty-six total
races, with twenty-six races in the first set of races and ten
races in the second set of races. However, any total number of
races and any number of races in the first and second set of races
may be run and still be within the scope of the present invention.
However, it is preferable that the second set of races have fewer
races than the first set of races, although it is not required. It
should also be noted that the races may be of any length and/or
duration and be within the scope of the present invention. There
may also be any number of competitors that race in the racing
series. Furthermore, the competitors may race in each of the races
in the racing series or the competitors may only race in a
specified number of races, including the races in the second set of
races.
[0014] The racing series and races are preferably conducted for
cars and/or trucks. However, the present invention is directed to a
racing series for any vehicle, animal, machine or other movable
object that may be used for racing. Thus, it is possible to conduct
a racing series according to the present invention for stock cars,
trucks, open wheel cars (i.e., Indy style cars), boats, riding lawn
mowers, animals, etc. As used herein, the term competitor means the
person or animal responsible for participating in the race. For
example, a driver would be the competitor for cars, trucks, boats
and the like. The competitor would be the animal itself when
animals are racing in the racing series. It is also preferable that
each of the competitors use the same movable object in the races
and that there be rules associated with the racing within the
races, particularly in the type, manner, size, and construction (if
applicable) of the movable objects racing in the racing series. It
is also contemplated that the racing series be conducted on a race
track (or tracks) or race course(s) of any type or construction.
Thus, the competitors will be racing to complete laps around such
race track(s) or race course(s). In the event the racing series is
run on an alternative surface or in an alternative format (i.e.,
from point A to point B along a path where A and B are different
locations, such as New York to Los Angeles), the races may be
divided into distances or segments rather than laps as in the track
races. The term lap used herein will mean either or both if the
racing series uses both formats.
[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1 at step S10, a first plurality of
races is conducted. The competitors earn points based on how well
the competitor performs during each race in the plurality of races.
In the preferred embodiment, the competitor earns points for the
position in which it finishes each race as shown in Table 1 below.
See step S12. However, other point values for each position and
point differences between the positions could also be used.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Points Awarded For Each Race Position Points
1 43 2 42 3 41 4 40 5 39 6 38 7 37 8 36 9 35 10 34 11 33 12 32 13
31 14 30 15 29 16 28 17 27 18 26 19 25 20 24 21 23 22 22 23 21 24
20 25 19 26 18 27 17 28 16 29 15 30 14 31 13 32 12 33 11 34 10 35 9
36 8 37 7 38 6 39 5 40 4 41 3 42 2 43 1
[0016] The competitors may also earn points for other events or
achievements. For example, a competitor could earn additional
points for winning the race, leading a lap, for leading the most
laps in a race in the racing series, winning the pole position in
qualifying, qualifying position, etc. For example, a competitor may
earn three points for winning the race, one point for leading at
least one lap and another point for leading the most laps during
the race. Therefore, according to Table 1, the most points a
competitor could earn during a race is 48 points (43 points for
first place, 3 points for winning the race, 1 point for leading a
lap, and 1 point for leading the most laps). The points are
accumulated during the racing series and points earned during a
particular race are totaled with the points earned in the previous
races. This continues for each of the races in the first set of
races.
[0017] Since it is possible for owners to have more than one
vehicle, animal, etc., in the racing series, the points are to
follow the competitor (driver of the vehicle or the entrant in the
case of animals). A method for awarding points to owners is
discussed in detail below. In the case of a vehicle racing series,
for example, if Driver1 fails to drive in a particular race,
Driver1 would not earn any points. If another driver (Driver2)
drives Driver1's car, then Driver2 would earn those points and they
would go to Driver2's point total. Similarly, if Driver1 drives a
different vehicle than in previous races, then Driver1 would still
earn points that would be added to the total points Driver1
previously accumulated. However, in one embodiment, a driver may
earn points in a race for only for the first vehicle in which the
driver competed. For example, if Driver1 becomes ill and Driver2
had a problem with his/her vehicle during the race that prevented
Driver2 from continuing in the original vehicle, Driver2 could
relieve Driver1 in Driver1's vehicle. While the team owner would
continue to earn points based on Driver2's performance, Driver2
would not earn any points in Driver1's vehicle. Driver2 would be
able to retain any points earned in Driver2's own vehicle. In an
alternative embodiment, Driver1 could receive any points that are
"earned" by Driver2 while Driver2 is driving Driver1's vehicle.
[0018] After all of the races in the first set of races has been
run, the points accumulated by all of the competitors
(drivers/entrants) are then adjusted for the second set of races.
See step S14. All competitors (drivers/entrants) are eligible to
participate in the second set of races, even if they have not
competed in the first set of races. However, in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, only a select number of
competitors (drivers/entrants) have their point totals adjusted to
a new championship point total. In that preferred embodiment, only
the top ten competitors (drivers/entrants) have their point totals
adjusted. One example of the adjustment of the points to the new
championship point total is illustrated below in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Adjusted Point Totals Position after
Adjusted Point 26 Races Total 1 2012 2 2012 3 2009 4 2006 5 2003 6
2003 7 2003 8 2003 9 2000 10 2000 11 2000 12 2000
[0019] In the embodiment illustrated in Table 2, the top ten
competitors (by total number of points accumulated during the first
set of races) will have their point totals adjusted. The points are
to be adjusted to 2000 championship points plus three points for
each win in the first set of races. So, as illustrated above, the
first and second place competitor won four races. The third place
competitor won three races, while the fourth place won two. Places
5-8 each won one race and places 9-10 did not win a race. It should
be noted that the adjusted point totals could be different in value
and in number of points separating each position. The last two
positions, 11 and 12, are competitors who had the most number of
wins among the remaining competitors. The last two may or may not
have the 11th and 12th highest point totals after the first 26
races. However, in a preferred embodiment, the 11th and 12th place
competitors will have a point total that puts them in the top
twenty places among all competitors. In the preferred embodiment,
the adjusted point total for the 11th and 12th place competitors do
not include the bonus points (three as noted above) for each of
their wins. Rather, the reward for the 11th and 12th place
competitors is that they have their total points adjusted. If there
are no other competitors who have won a race in the first set of
races, then the last two places may be filled by those with the
11th and 12th highest point totals instead.
[0020] The competitors that are not in the top ten and are not one
of the additional competitors (i.e., the other two spots) do not
have their point totals adjusted. However, the present invention
allows all competitors to continue to participate in the remaining
events that some other prior art systems do not.
[0021] Then, according to step S16, a second plurality of races is
conducted. The competitors continue to accumulate points in the
second set of races as they did in the first set of races. See step
S18. However, the points earned in the second set of races are then
added to the new adjusted point totals (or the accumulated point
totals for those whose points were not adjusted) and the point
totals from the first set of races is disregarded for those
competitors whose point totals were adjusted. After the conclusion
of the last race in the second set of races (and the racing series
itself), the competitor with the most championship points is
declared the racing series winner. See step S20. The other
competitors may also be awarded prizes on the basis of their final
championship point total as well. The prizes may include monetary
awards, trophies, merchandise, etc. and/or a combination of these
awards.
[0022] The present invention also contemplates having a
championship series among the team owners. Team owners may have
more than one competitor participating in the racing series. In
order to foster the spirit of competition and excitement, the team
owners will similarly acquire points during the racing series as
illustrated in FIG. 2. The team owners will acquire points for the
performance of a particular vehicle (independent of the driver) or
entrant. For example, if the team owner has two competitors, the
owner will receive points for each vehicle/entrant, respectively,
independent of the driver of the car, truck, etc. So, if the driver
of the vehicle changes at any time during the racing series, the
owners are not at a disadvantage.
[0023] Team owner points are awarded in a similar manner to the
competitor points described above. As more specifically illustrated
in FIG. 2 at step S22, a first plurality of races is conducted. The
team owners accumulate points during each of the set of races as
shown in step S24. The team owners will receive points for the
order of finish of the competitors as depicted in Table 1 above. In
addition, the team owners may be awarded other points, such as
points for those competitors/entrants that do not make the starting
field in a particular race. It is contemplated that there may be
more competitors that want to enter the starting field of a
particular race than there are positions in the race. (Many factors
dictate the size of a starting field in any particular race,
including the size and length of the race track, the number and
size of pits, the size of the infield and garage area, etc.) In
order to narrow the field, the competitors may have to qualify to
enter the race. For example, the starting field may, as indicated
in Table 1, be limited to forty-three competitors. While the
fastest forty-three competitors may be allowed to enter the race,
the present invention is not so limited. The competitors may be
allowed to enter the starting field under a number of scenarios.
For example, the competitors may have a number of exemptions from
qualifying during the racing series and may use the exemption to
enter the race rather than having to qualify. The manner in which
the competitors are entered into the field is beyond the scope of
the present invention. Additionally, the competitors and/or their
vehicles may have to pass inspection to ensure that the team meets
all of the rules and regulations required to enter the race. Again,
the details of such rules and regulations are beyond the scope of
the present invention. However, points may be awarded to the team
owners based upon the qualifying attempts and inspections. As a
result, there will be more opportunities for the team owners to be
awarded team owner points even if the competitor and/or the
vehicle/entrant does not qualify for a particular race.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the team owners
are awarded points based on passing inspection, but failing to
qualify to enter the race. In this circumstance, there are more
competitors attempting to qualify than there are positions in the
starting field. Points are awarded to the team owners based on
where competitors placed during qualifying (even if they do not
make the starting field), and the points awarded to the team owners
are the same as those in Table 1. If there are more than
forty-three competitors, then the points could be adjust such that
the first position is awarded the same number as there are
entrants/qualifying teams. Similarly, if the competitor passes
inspection, but for some reason cannot even attempt qualifying,
that team owner may receive team owner points corresponding to the
position behind those teams who do attempt to qualify.
[0025] If circumstances prevent all competitors from attempting to
qualify for a particular race event, then the team owners are
awarded points based on their qualifying position under the rules
for the race or the series, again assuming that the competitors
passed inspection. Again, the points would only be awarded to those
competitors not making the starting field since those team owners
making the starting field are awarded owner points at the end of
the race. In one preferred embodiment, if the competitors cannot
qualify, then they are deemed to have qualified based on the team
owner's point totals accumulated up to that event in the racing
series. The team owner points given for failing to qualify only
become an issue if there are more competitors than positions in the
starting field.
[0026] Then, as shown in step S26, the team owners also have their
point totals adjusted, in a manner similar to the competitors
above. That is, the top ten team owners will have their point
totals adjusted according the values shown in Table 2 to a new
championship point total. However, it is possible to adjust the
owner point totals to a different number or even with a different
point value separating each of the positions. Similarly, fewer or
more team owners could have their point totals adjusted and fall
within the scope of the present invention.
[0027] A second plurality of races is then conducted as shown in
step S28, where the team owners accumulate points as in the first
plurality of races. See step S30. At the conclusion of the second
plurality of races, a team owner champion is determined by the team
owner that has accumulated the most championship points. See step
S32. Prizes may also be available for a number of positions and not
just the winning team owner. As with the competitors, there may be
monetary awards, trophies, merchandise, etc. and/or a combination
of these prizes.
[0028] Finally, for both the competitor points and the team owner
points, the present invention also is directed to making awards in
the event that two competitors or team owners have the same number
of points, i.e., a tie. If, at the end of the first or the second
set of races, two races teams or team owners have the same number
of points, the competitors or team owners will be ranked (given a
unique place in the standings) based on the number of first place
finishes in the racing series. Therefore, the competitor or team
owner that has the most first place finishes will be placed above
the other competitors or team owners with fewer first place
finishes. If there are still ties among the competitors or the team
owners after comparing the first place finishes, the ties will be
broken by comparing the number of second place finishes, then third
place finishes, etc., until the tie is broken. If, after comparing
all finishes, there is still a tie, then the competitor or team
owner with the best finish first in the racing series will be
placed higher in the standings.
[0029] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the method of
conducting a racing series according to the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *