FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides answers to some of the more common questions. If you can't
find the answers you are looking for, please contact us.
We are always interested in feedback, questions, and suggestions.
- Adjustment Factors
- Driver Ranking
- Event Results
- Data Issues
1. Adjustment Factors
SNAP stands for Statistically Normalized Autocross Performance. It is a set of adjustment
factors to put autocross run times from different classes on an equal footing. For
SCCA national classes we calculate these factors based on the fastest runs in each
class at National Tours and the National Championships. For local classes we use
the same approach based on local events.
SNAP reflects the previous seasons performance of various classes. There are no
adjustments for the performance potential, cars switching classes or anything else
that is not reflected in the historical run data.
SNAP works best for classes with strong participation and a sufficient number of
fully prepped cars. Thinly attended classes and classes where you don't have
to bring a fully prepped car to win a National Tour will have less reliable SNAP
factors.
PAX, like SNAP, is a set of adjustment factors to put run times from different classes
on the same footing. PAX is based in part on results from the previous season and
in part on adjustments to reflect the unrealized performance potential of various
classes. More information is available
here..
PAX attempts to gauge the performance potential of classes using the prevous season's
results and other information. SNAP is an unambiguous statistical measure based
on the previous season's results without any discretionary adjustments. PAX
tends to work better for thinly attended, SNAP is less ambiguous and more representative
of reality in classes with many good drivers and well prepped cars. SNAP is not
intended to replace PAS. It just provides a different, somewhat more rigorous way
to look at the performance differences between classes.
This column compares the SNAP adjustment to the PAX adjustment for open national
classes. A higher percentage indicates that SNAP is tougher compared to PAX for
that class. Conversely, a negative percentage means that SNAP is softer than PAX.
We use appoximately the top 1/3 of clean runs from all National SCCA events.
We only use events where a given class had sufficient participation to suggest that
the fastest runs were made by nationally competitive drivers. Some classes don't
have SNAPs because there were an insufficient number of runs, drivers, or events
to do our statistical analysis with any level of reliability.
SNAP is designed to objectively capture actual performance in all classes. Consequently
we calculate adjustment factors for ladies classes and open classes separately to
account for whatever performance differential there may be. However, we provide
event results ranked both by the full SNAP with different factors for ladies and
open classes and by the Base SNAP for which we use the open class adjustment factors
for both ladies and open class runs.
2. Driver Ranking
Our driver ranking rewards drivers who are consistently fast. Autocross events are
decided on the fastest run, and point standings are decided on who can put down
a single blazingly fast run at more events than the competition. This information
is readily available from the results sheets.
OOur ranking is intended to offer a different perspective by ranking drivers who
can run consistently at or near that top. Not surprisingly, the people who consistently
win National Championships tend to rank well by this measure while people who have
too many off days fare worse.
We calculate ranks separately for National, Divisional, Regional, and Club seasons.
A driver must compete on at least three courses to be ranked. All runs with a valid
time count towards the rank. The rank is based on how much faster (or slower) a
driver's runs were compared to expectations based on SNAP.
The event results and season's standings already provide this information. Ranking
on fastest runs would not provide any new information. In addition, the sample sizes
get very small so only a small number of drivers could be ranked with any level
or reliability. This is especially true for National competition where most drivers
compete in only two events per year.
The Hotshoes group drivers into five classes. The fastest fifth of drivers have
five Hotshoes.
You have to get a time on at least three courses to be ranked. If you think you
have run that many courses, you may be in our database under different names. If
that is the case, please contact us so we can merge the records.
3. Event Results
We want your results! Please contact us so we can set
up your organization.
SNAP ranks use different adjustment factors for open and ladies classes. Base SNAP
rankings use the same open class adjustment factors for both ladies and open classes.
The class results show how the actual run times for a given event compare to expected
run times based on SNAP. A positive percentage means that the class ran faster than
expected, and a negative percentage means the class ran slower. This may be a reflection
of weather conditions, average driver skill, the course design favoring certain
types of cars, and any number of other factors.
4. Data Issues
Please contact us so we can merge the records. Please
make sure to include an email address of phone number in case we need additional
information.
We identify drivers by first and last name on the results sheets. The import will
work more consistently if you use exactly the same spelling of your name every time.
Please contact us and let us know. While we do our
best to ensure accuracy, occasional errors will happen. We appreciate your help
cleaning them up.
Currently we identify drivers by their first and last name. If another driver has
the same name as you, the two of you will be treated as one in our database. Please
contact us with a detailed explanation of which runs
are yours and which runs belong to someone else. We will have to assigne you or
the other person a different name to distinguish the two of you. Please be sure
to include a way for us to contact you to facilitate this process.