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RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 4:51 pm
by gordon
RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Lots of prep work went into setting up both the software and actual track area at yesterday's inaugural Time Bracket Racing of the now magless FRC era. Somewhat disappointedly, I was joined by only three other drivers, Steve, O'Brie and Keith. Thanks for the support guys. I know that you are amongst the relatively few that share this passion with me and always appreciate your support.

We had an initial issue with the second laptop I'd planned to use, a Windows PC running the SSDC software which for some reason would not communicate with the powerbase, so we fell back on my old faithful Mac which can run both the Mac operating system (macOS) simultaneously with Windows for the SSDC application. In fact I currently have three macOS and two Windows versions installed on this Mac and they can all run simultaneously. I put aside the Windows laptop and have to give kudos to Apple for making things like this possible and a big thumbs down to Microsoft for their complicated and less-logical, less-capable Windows environment.

Soon after getting things going, the powerbase indicated an electrical track short which took us at least an hour to find and fix. One of the under-track connectors we had added for power continuity had started to fray and had caused the short. I have to thank O'Brie for his logical approach to determining exactly where this had occurred and we were finally able to get things working so that we could make a start to the program.

We started with a 30 minute open practice session where we hustled to try each of the many cars we brought along, then moved on to the official qualifying. After running five 3-minute quali sessions of four drivers each and despite having many more cars available to qualify, we decided to start the racing as time was rushing on. In total, we qualified 20 cars and this resulted in three race grids, the first two for four cars each, the third for two cars. We ended up running just the first two races and because of the early delays, this worked out fine as the sun had already set by the end of the second race.

Unfortunately for one driver, his race time was less than his qualifying time by over the allowed 0.5 sec, demoting him to last place and causing a disqualification from the points in that race. As a testament to how close the racing was, in the second race all four cars finished on the same lap, despite each car coming from a different FRC saloon car class - Clubman, Modified Prod, BTCC and Historic Saloon. These cars would normally never see each other on the same grid.

I'll close by repeating the last introduction paragraph from our previous event's race report:

Despite these issues, slot car racing is always a lot of fun, and we did have that. It would really be nice to see a larger attendance of drivers though. Oh well... maybe next time.



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The results

All qualifying times, from fastest to slowest:

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The computer-generated grids:

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TBR D - Saloon nm

TBR D - Saloon race 1 grid - Steve/Renault Megane, Gordon/Zakspeed Capri, O'Brie/BMW 320i, Keith/BMW 330i:

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Computer TBR D - Saloon race 1 results:

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TBR D - Saloon race 2 grid - Gordon/NSU TT, Keith/Zakspeed Escort, Steve/BMW 125i, O'Brie/Capri:

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Computer TBR D - Saloon race 2 results:

Unfortunately, Keith ("Driver 4" in the SSDC results below) was disqualified by doing a race lap time that was more than 0.5 sec lower than his qualifying time.

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(How this is computed: https://www.frcforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=393)

Congratulations to the winners.

Next event's classes: To be determined.

Don't forget to see the updated overall fastest times and the fastest no-magnet times by driver and class to know what the benchmarks are for your cars. Older stats can be found in the Archive area of the forum.

See you on the circuit...
Gordon

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:41 pm
by obrie
First off sorry to be late yesterday up yu got to do what yu have to do! Pity we started late but the races were great! The times after 20 laps showed how close it was! I would love to try this again in the not too distant future when we get the software sorted. Thanks guys!👌

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:21 pm
by steveaca
Enjoyable afternoon/evening of racing as usual at FRC......after sorting out several track issues. This new form of racing is really interesting and makes for really close competition. Qualifying does take some time though and we need to be able to devote a fair amount to it. Hopefully the close racing that results from this new format will encourage additional drivers when next we run it.
Congrats to Gordon on winning the two races run and taking the event's top honours. Congrats also to O'Brie on taking the Index Of Performance accolades. Sorry about Keith having Zakspeed Escort race time disallowed.
Looking forward to the next event.

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:00 am
by Luke
Gordon,

I have never missed out reading any of your 307 FRC Race Reports & yes one can tell lots of prep work ... and since Jan. 29th. 2022 / RD295 (KB, CM, VSGT/PR) to this March 18th. 2023 / RD307 (TBR-D) New Event.

Clearly there has been some trying up & down times with the SSD Track & Computer Software. Yes, lots of positive things has been done (in same time period) to sort out situations & in between those 295 to 307 (13) events - I have been present at a few racing days and have seen firsthand, the amount of elaborate work you guys go through - getting things going for digital racing.

At the same time, how I don't have Digital Ready Slot Cars ... I still get the chance to race sponsored cars (from you guys) in some of the regular FRC classes. However, with this new event and even though I missed out on ... March 18th. 2023.

The TBR Charts you provided are very informative & looks like it will make for some thrilling racing with more drivers and their digital cars.

Now that said, don't want to sound discouraging here but ever since the 2020 Pandemic and ... from the outside looking in ... other than you regular (4 to 5 maybe 6) FRC guys, there aren't much more persons (other than a few South & Central guys) which you already know with Digital Ready Slot Cars.

Also, since the re-introduction of IROC racing May 14th. 2022 ... RD297 did generate some digital racing interest but unfortunately, it didn't last for very long.

I will end off here with a line from singer Jon Bon Jovi / Living on a Prayer - we've got to hold on to what we've got ;)

My 2193 Post for FRC307

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 10:18 am
by gordon
Luke wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:00 am Gordon,

I have never missed out reading any of your 307 FRC Race Reports & yes one can tell lots of prep work ... and since Jan. 29th. 2022 / RD295 (KB, CM, VSGT/PR) to this March 18th. 2023 / RD307 (TBR-D) New Event.

Clearly there has been some trying up & down times with the SSD Track & Computer Software. Yes, lots of positive things has been done (in same time period) to sort out situations & in between those 295 to 307 (13) events - I have been present at a few racing days and have seen firsthand, the amount of elaborate work you guys go through - getting things going for digital racing.

At the same time, how I don't have Digital Ready Slot Cars ... I still get the chance to race sponsored cars (from you guys) in some of the regular FRC classes. However, with this new event and even though I missed out on ... March 18th. 2023.

The TBR Charts you provided are very informative & looks like it will make for some thrilling racing with more drivers and their digital cars.

Now that said, don't want to sound discouraging here but ever since the 2020 Pandemic and ... from the outside looking in ... other than you regular (4 to 5 maybe 6) FRC guys, there aren't much more persons (other than a few South & Central guys) which you already know with Digital Ready Slot Cars.

Also, since the re-introduction of IROC racing May 14th. 2022 ... RD297 did generate some digital racing interest but unfortunately, it didn't last for very long.

I will end off here with a line from singer Jon Bon Jovi / Living on a Prayer - we've got to hold on to what we've got ;)

My 2193 Post for FRC307
Thanks for the feedback Luke. I guess the situation with attendance is what it is. Everyone is always welcome to attend whenever we have racing and whatever the attendance at a given event, we always have some fun.

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 6:00 pm
by Luke
Gordon,

Here's a plan I will try and work on ... with my complete & present list of 1:32 Slot-Cars ...

27 SCALEXTRIC Models:
  • 1+1 Subaru Impreza No.3 vs Toyota Corolla No.5 ... This was from my Son's (Christmas 1999 Gift) RALLY RACING Set C1033T 8-)
    1 C2588 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO7 WRC No.105
    1 C2114 F1 Renault Benetton No.7
    2 C2115 F1 Ferrari 643 No.6
    1 C2161 F1 Williams FW20 No.1
    2 C2264 F1 Williams BMW FW22 No.9 / Ralf Schumacher
    1 C2265 F1 Williams BMW FW22 No.10 / Jenson Button
    1 C2401A Ford Boss 302 Mustang No.15 ... This was a 2001 Gift from Scalextric 8-)
    1 C2298 Opel Astra V8 Coupe No.4 Sport Bild
    1 C2297 Opel Astra V8 Coupe No.7 Opel Service
    1 C2410 Opel Astra V8 Coupe No.11 OASE
    1 C2409 Opel Astra V8 Coupe No.16 SAT 1
    1 C2810 Lamborghini Gallardo - Yellow ... This was my very first model to be raced Digital back in April 2009 at FRC 8-)
    1 C3069 Lamborghini Gallardo - Orange & Black - Top Gear
    1 C3071 Porsche 997 GT3 RS - Black & Yellow - Top Gear
    1 C2873 Ferrari F430 - Yellow
    2 C2874 Ferrari F430 - Grey
    1 C3840 Team GT Lightning No.17 Gulf
    1 C4091 Team GT Lightning No.18 Gulf
    1 C3476 Team GT Lightning No.20 White
    1 C3475 Team GT Lightning No.21 Purple
    1 C3740 Ford Sierra RS500 No.17 - This was my 59th Birthday 2022 Gift 8-)
    1 C3830A Aston Martin DBR9 No.00 - This is my 60th Birthday 2023 Gift & Scalextric 60th. Anniversary 2000's Collection 8-)
———————————————————————————————————

04 NINCO Models:
  • 1 50270 BMW M3 GTR No.42
    1 50279 BMW M3 GTR No.99
    1 50515 Acura LMP No.15
    1 50612 Audi R18 LMP No.2
:arrow: Highlighted in green ... are 2 models I will try to Chip and Setup for Non-Mag ... Time Bracket Racing ;)

It shouldn't be too time consuming because other than a Digital Chip, Silicone Tyres, some Lead Weight and from what I've learnt through the years - it won't be too difficult :)

Post No. 2194

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 12:49 am
by steveaca
Glad to hear Luke. Looking forward to seeing your prepared cars !

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:22 am
by Luke
steveaca wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 12:49 am Glad to hear Luke. Looking forward to seeing your prepared cars !
8-) AOK Steve but they won't be anything special other than (some minor OTB tuning) digital working / running cars.

On another note - thought you maybe wondering (to ask) where are all my other slot-cars :D

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:01 am
by gordon
Luke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:22 am 8-) AOK Steve but they won't be anything special other than (some minor OTB tuning) digital working / running cars.
Time Bracket Racing will always have a place to run competitively for any car you have Luke, so go for it!

Re: RACE REPORT #307 - Mar 18th 2023 (TBRDnm)

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:11 pm
by Luke
gordon wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:01 am
Luke wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:22 am 8-) AOK Steve but they won't be anything special other than (some minor OTB tuning) digital working / running cars.
Time Bracket Racing will always have a place to run competitively for any car you have Luke, so go for it!
Cool but Question ... going forward, should I go with the Scalextric C8515 plug in or Slot.It SP15C module Digital Chip ... US-$30 & $35 respectively :?: