Pro indexing, what? How?
 

How does pro indexing work in autocross? I understand that it simply multiplies your time by the PAX index for your class, but why would anyone not do this then? Is there something required to be able to run in, say, XCSP versus CSP?

Any clarity on this subject would be nice as I just can't grasp it on my own. Thanks guys.

Redwood
#37 CSP

Pax is typically used in small series where there are not enough competitors to fill a given class. In this instancea small club with 30-50 entrants in 20 different classes can create more meaningful results. The problem is that like any classing system, it assumes that the car is prepared to the fullest extent the class allows, and since it is based on historical data, it is easily skued by classes which attract the fastest drivers at the national level where the pax info is collected(typically some of the prepared, and modified classes(and Stock)). In other words, your expected performance would need to be roughly on par with drivers competing at the national level in order for it(the pax system) to treat you fairly. By example, there is a guy in our club who runs A-Mod, his car is BARELY A-Mod, and he is a good, but not great driver. He is often TTOD, but when you pax the group he is near the bottom of the results. This is because a fully prepared A-Mod car, with a national level driver would lay waste to his times. Make sense? Anyway, it is a nice tool for equalizing the field, it is the best we have, but it is very far from perfect. Carl Byck

So I may as well run with the PAX index is what I'm gathering here. That'll be nice since there is only one other car in my class for this weekend, and I know he's quite a competitor :)

Thanks a lot for the great explation Carl.