Racing this Thursday 16th April

[gordon]

Hi Guys,

FRC will be open for practice, testing and racing from 7:30 PM this Thursday (16th April) for our Group C classes, Mini Challenge IROC - 6 races @ 20 laps, Rally Car - 3 five-lap stages per car, 1 car at a time (90 laps for 6 cars). Remember that our events start no later than 8:30PM sharp. Here's the usual schedule:

• Free practice and testing up to 8:30 PM
• 8:30 PM SHARP - Technical Inspection (excluding IROC classes).
• Qualifying followed by racing. Drivers not ready when called to grid will be replaced by any standby drivers who are ready.
• Post-race Technical Inspection (if required)
• After racing - Packing up and liming/old talk (but not too late!).

You can see the 2015 class regulations here and the general racing regulations here.

Here are the specific Rally Car class regulations (blue text indicates any changes for 2015). This will be used by the Tech Inspectors for checking each car:

• 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.

Reality Checks

Rally Car:


Mini Challenge:


See you on the circuit...
Gordon

[arden100]

Gordon,

If a motor has NO Magnet written on it and there are no magnet on the car, but it does not pass the 45 Deg test how will this be viewed.
PS All rule are adhered too.

Arden

[gordon]

Hi Arden,

Good timing with that question, as I've been thinking about it myself. The fact is, its really a roundabout way to check that a car has no highly-magnetic motor since there are other factors involved in the methodology which could affect the outcome of the test, specifically gears. I would like to suggest that we implement a more direct way of determining that the motor does not produce excessive downforce. One obvious way is to read the label which identifies the motor. It is a requirement of FRC regulations that the motor be identifiable:

General Item 15 states "For classes where any form of motor restriction applies, motor make and model must be identifiable so as to ascertain its eligibility for the class. (Eg: Leave original label/markings on motor)"

Perhaps this will be enough, failing which we can always do something like run a Magnet Marshal check or something similar.

Gordon

[Luke]

Fellas,

My goodness - look how fast time flying by nah ..

Remember this event/grouping was going to take longer (12-14 weeks) to come back around ... all because of the new FRC & TSCC (2 weeks) racing rotation of events ...

Well, it did exactly the 12 weeks - last event No.184 (22/1/15) to the next event No.190 (16/4/15) and it feels just like yesterday

We must also remember the 6 Mini Challenge cars were fitted with new Scaley Silicone tyres for this event.

A Mini with silicone tyres was doing (tested) lap times of 7.5 seconds compared to the 8.5's with (stock) rubber tyres.

One could just imagine how the MC IROC racing will intensify this time around ..!

BTW - I pictured I will have my own new car set-up for the next Rally Car class ...

Well, I did sort of because atm its only the car - NINCO Renault Megane Trophy No.12 HDI Gerling

I will try and see what I can do for Thursday night racing

So much for my car-preparation mojo in RC class - ent GG but with MC cars, I am going to make all racers work for their supper - ent Ram

Bye for now,

Luke

[arden100]

Luke.,

Glad to hear you have a new machine for RC.
Ninco makes a good car, but you will have a little bit of work to get it up to speed.

Arden

[steveaca]

Gordon, it's great to know you are feeling well enough to host an FRC event this week after your recent bout of illness.
I'll be there for sure !

[steveaca]

Luke, I'm looking forward very much to seeing that new Ninco Renault Megane.

[Luke]

That's a-okay Arden and its really a snazzy looking slot car from NINCO ... but the work with getting it up to speed - maybe I can now appoint you as my mechanic