Racing this Thursday 10th July

[gordon]

Hi Guys,

FRC will be open for practice, testing and racing from 7:30 PM this Thursday (10th July) for our Group C classes: Mini Challenge IROC - 6 races @ 20 laps, Rally Car - 5 five-lap stages per car (1 car at a time). Remember that our events now start no later than 8:30PM sharp. Here's the schedule:

• Free practice and testing up to 8:30 PM
• 8:30 PM SHARP - Qualifying followed by racing. Drivers not ready when called to grid will be replaced by any standby drivers who are ready.
• Winning cars will be checked for compliance with the regulations after the last race for each class (excluding IROC classes)
• After racing - Packing up and liming/old talk (but not too late!).

You can see all the class regulations here and the general racing regulations here.

Here are the specific Rally Car class regs (blue text indicates any changes for 2014):

Rally Car (RC)

• Body: Must be modeled after a rally car and must comply with General item 2. Windows may be tinted so as not to reveal the cockpit.
• Chassis: Free.
• Interior: Free but if visible must have both driver and navigator figures (heads minimum).
• Digital Chip: Free.
• Motor: 21,500 RPM or lower, based on manufacturer's specifications. "Magnet-effect" motors are not allowed.
• Gearing: Free.
• Motor Pod (where applicable): Free.
• Magnets: No magnets allowed. Any car found to stick (i.e. does not roll/move) to a standard section of Scalextric Sport track when the track is elevated to 45 degrees will be deemed to have failed and not be eligible for use. This can be referred to as the "45º rule".
• Wheels: Free.
• Axles: Free.
• Tyres: Free.
• Guide Flag: Free.
  
  No-Magnet Racing Tips

Don't forget to bring along some refreshments.

Ice Brigade: Luke B.

Reality Checks

Mini Challenge:


Rally Car:


See you on the circuit...
Gordon

[steveaca]

Will be there for sure !

[Luke]

Video clips like this should help, with how to drive a Mini fast @ FRC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq743jZ6L0Y

Check out this big Mini Cooper race ...

Luke

[gordon]

Luke that's a great video. Classic Minis racing at a classic track and driven by some greats. I remember when Barrie "Whizzo" Willams came here to drive at Wallerfield back in the '70s. His first practice lap was in Simon Gillmore's roadgoing Escort Mexico in the wet. Everyone in the pits watched as he went into the back ess flat out in 4th gear. We were waiting for a big accident as the car slid wide onto the mossy, unused section of track just before they bottom corner hairpin. Somehow he held onto it and got control and slowed it enough to get round the hairpin on a perfect line. When he got back to the pits after this and a few more "exploratory" laps he had the biggest grin on his face. Great driver! Here's an interview with him done a couple of years ago (it's a bit long but quite interesting if you're into racing):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pTuGegtJVEI

Gordon

[Luke]

Likewise GG - A great and inspiring vid interview with Barrie Williams ... for that exciting Mini race with him too.

What made me post that racing vid was the 3 Minis (Brundle, Williams & Tuner) going flat out side by side for a corner. It reminded me (somewhat) some time ago when you talked about a 1:1 race you experienced (cant remember where) similar to that manoeuvre.

[gordon]

Luke, that would be at the last round of the 2002 Carib Stock Car Series which was run off at the November Guyana international race meeting that year. it was at the second corner on the first lap with Silbourne Clarke on the inside, Jimmy Fifi in the middle and me on the outside (unfortunately). I ended up being pushed off onto the sand which lines the track on the corner's exit and lost a number of places.