Fairways Racing Complex Forum

Hi Guys,

I took advantage of a free afternoon and evening yesterday to work on several cars in preparation for upcoming events. The main focus was to chip some new cars and to replace "crazy" chips which had some cars taking off flat out without help of the throttle.

I'm an idiot

It was when I went to change the mad Greg Myers chip in my rally Subaru that I realised that I'm an idiot. I had already pulled the old chip out and bagged and labelled it and had cut the yellow and green wires on a brand new F1 chip in preparation for installation that it suddenly struck me. I took one look at the motor in the Subaru and realised, wait a minute, where's the ferrite man? Not on the guide flag end and more importantly, not on the motor. No ferrite man. And I was blaming the chip all along. One look at my new MRRC Cobra and I got confirmation. Both cars' erratic behaviour on the track were the result of there being no ferrite man on either. The end result is that all I had to do was add ferrite men to these two cars to solve their problems.

I also worked on my little Triumph TR4A for our upcoming Historic Saloon event. Its problem was the inability to change lanes. I removed the chip and examined it closely but could not find a break in the chip's LED wires, but it was pointed at a slight angle (not straight down) to clear the motor's driveshaft, so I carefully reinstalled it and I hope that the problem is now solved. I also took the opportunity to replace the blown chip in my Modified Production Ninco Mini. Finally, I chipped my MRRC Ford Mk IV (boy... that was a task!) and started work on my Slot.It Chaparral 2E.

Here are some pics (all courtesy my iPhone 4S):


Work going on with re-chipping my Mini. Other cars being worked on are to its right.


Lots of tools spread out on the workbench...


... and cars waiting to be dealt with. Note the almost empty beer mug and the iPad for online reference.


In honour of the life of the great Carroll Shelby, my new MRRC Cobra gets a ferrite man - visible just ahead of the gear stick through the hole I had to make to clear it.


My latest Vintage Sports cars - Ford Mk IV and Cobra - ready to go.


The Chaparral 2E getting ready for chipping. Still not done but will be for the next FRC session.

Gordon

Gordon ~ I just figure out why you always topping the championship drivers' list...

You have such competitive looking slot cars and of course not leaving out the fearless competitor I know you to be at FRC.

You really do a great job with all your cars/classes and keeping the guys and myself at bay, guess for your hard work you are rewarded with all those points.

BTW - all now so last year, I remembered you would have been travelling to see the 24hrs. Le Mans

I saw it advertised today on the Speed Chanel for next weekend ~ the TOYOTA looking real nice too

All you have talked about, with photos & stories how great was your trip... Its a must see for me this year.

Luke

looks like you had a very productive time. I particularly like the Cobra.

Hi Gordon!
Funny thing- shortly before reading this thread, I'd sent off a PM to GM, asking if he happened to have any extra ferrite men for sale! I like to fit one at both the pickups and motor when there's room. I hope this does sort your problems with the modded chips!
The cars look really good! But what bothers me is that still unchipped JC Lotus 49 sitting on the workbench! Chipping it is a pain on par or surpassing Mini Coopers (I've still got the 3 Italian Job and one police Mini to chip to round out my class of 6, but I keep putting it off 'cos the first 2 were no fun!). I really wish I thought to bring down my Lotus and Eagle Westlake. It will be fantastic when you get a class of the 60's F1 cars cruising around your track. FRC has the perfect look for these cars; I think I saw you post somewhere that the track has a "country road" look. I think it's a perfect setting for them. They are a hoot to drive and it's almost blasphemy to magnet mod them rather than enjoy the tail-out, skinny-tire drifts they fall into, just like their 1:1 counterparts.

Off topic: Last night Carlene gave me permission to go to the US Grand Prix in November!!!! My problem now is figuring out what ticket to buy, stands or general admission, and where on the track. When I went to Sepang in 2003, I had one of each: I used hillside seating for Qualifying and the grandstand for the race. I ended up wishing I'd gone back to the hillside, where I could see at least 3 turns, rather than the one-way traffic on the front straight. Any of you fellas coming up???!!!
Best,
Ray

Gordon,what was the problem with chipping the Ford Mk. IV ?

Ray, why do you prefer running two ferrite men ? (Can anyone say why these things are called ferrite 'men' ?) I agree with you about the fun it should be to race a bunch of vintage single seaters, not spoilt by excessive (or any) magnets.
Re. US GP, I'd love to attend but not sure at this point if it would be possible. I'm sure you'll have a great time whichever tickets you get. Are you going with a lime ?
Steve

Well, if you unwrap a fresh F1 chip and stretch out the yellow and green leads (arms) to either side, the pickups are like feet, the orange capacitor is the head, and the ferrite bead is the torso or pants (depending on where you slide it!). Ferrite Man. I've found that cars with 2 men have little or no problems from electronic noise. When there's only room for one, I favor the motor end.

Right now the USGP lime is just me and one friend. Another guy is very interested, but doesn't want to close his business to go. Kinda hard to find F1 fans around here. Remember, the southeastern US is the home of NASCAR! I've been wonderin' when you FRC boys are gonna git wit the program, drop a sheet of quarter-inch ply on some supports over that hoity-toity road course, set up an nice counter-clockwise tri-oval with banking, and start tradin' paint wit a NASCAR class......

Yes GG. You looking good as usual. Lol, luv d Cobra. Yes doze Ferrit men are needed, had those problems in d. Past. Well I will see you on Thurs. nite. As Luke said you keep us on the chase all the time, trying to keep up with you is definitely A challenge but we are trying lol.

Yes & I like how you tuning beer. &. Pad. Daz d. Way,

ixwa wrote:Hi Gordon!
Funny thing- shortly before reading this thread, I'd sent off a PM to GM, asking if he happened to have any extra ferrite men for sale! I like to fit one at both the pickups and motor when there's room. I hope this does sort your problems with the modded chips!
The cars look really good! But what bothers me is that still unchipped JC Lotus 49 sitting on the workbench! Chipping it is a pain on par or surpassing Mini Coopers (I've still got the 3 Italian Job and one police Mini to chip to round out my class of 6, but I keep putting it off 'cos the first 2 were no fun!). I really wish I thought to bring down my Lotus and Eagle Westlake. It will be fantastic when you get a class of the 60's F1 cars cruising around your track. FRC has the perfect look for these cars; I think I saw you post somewhere that the track has a "country road" look. I think it's a perfect setting for them. They are a hoot to drive and it's almost blasphemy to magnet mod them rather than enjoy the tail-out, skinny-tire drifts they fall into, just like their 1:1 counterparts.

Off topic: Last night Carlene gave me permission to go to the US Grand Prix in November!!!! My problem now is figuring out what ticket to buy, stands or general admission, and where on the track. When I went to Sepang in 2003, I had one of each: I used hillside seating for Qualifying and the grandstand for the race. I ended up wishing I'd gone back to the hillside, where I could see at least 3 turns, rather than the one-way traffic on the front straight. Any of you fellas coming up???!!!
Best,
Ray

Hi Ray,

Its probably a good idea to fit a ferrite man to both motor and guide flag, but of course the motor end is most important. I'll see how the cars go this Thursday (tomorrow).

I really could use some tips on how you chipped the Lotus. I know you mentioned it at the last event but when I'm faced with doing it, the details would help! I guess I'm putting it off while mentally preparing to do it. O'Brie and I have discussed doing a class for '60s F1 cars so I know you'll be one to support us there. They will really be fun to drive on FRC's "country roads" which as you say are reminiscent of that era. For sure we'll run them with standard magnets, motors and tyres. O'Brie has already got the SCX BRM P261, JC Lotus and Eagle and we would love some manufacturer to produce the Ferrari, Brabham, Cooper and other cars of the era so that we could have a full class of '60s cars.

Peter (Edghill) is organising an Austin F1 lime with Desmond (Wing Quan) and his sons who all were with us at Le Mans. Also, there's a group of ten guys from here who are going, but I can't make it this year unfortunately. Sorry I'll miss it but I know you'll have a great time.

Gordon