What's the definition of a chassis?

[gordon]

Guys,

Our Class Regulations list a car's chassis separate from its motor pod (where one exists) and our Endurance Regulations define a car as a "body/chassis combination" in the context of components which cannot be changed during an endurance race. We need to be clear about what is meant by "chassis" so that there is no misinterpretation that can create problems with our upcoming FRC 2-Hours race.

For cars that have motor pods, is the motor pod to be considered part of the chassis or not?

Gordon

[arden100]

Gordon,

I believe chassis and motor pods should be one. The NSR and Slot it would have an unfair advantage if we look at repairs.

If you have a damaged chassis the motor pod should also be changed. It should be fine if you have a another motor in a chassis as back up, however all other parts axle, tires, chips, body etc. should come from the car being raced. The front wheels could also be on the chassis.

My little more than 2 cents.

Arden

[gordon]

Thanks for the feedback Arden. Its important for everyone to remember that the Endurance Regulations stipulate the following:

• Car Substitutions:
  Cars may not be substituted once a race begins. "Car" is defined as body/chassis combination. Other components may be changed during the races. Cars may only be substituted for different races.

Therefore a chassis or body change is not permitted during an endurance race.

Gordon

[gordon]

I was just looking at the NSR Catalog and realise that some cars also have a guide flag drop arm that, like the motor pod, connects to the chassis. In cases like this, should these drop arms also be considered part of the chassis like the motor pods? If so, the chassis, motor pod and drop arm have to be considered a unit and called the "chassis".

Incidentally, both Slot.It and NSR do not refer to these parts as the chassis. If you look at their catalogs the chassis is identified as a specific part separate from the motor pod (and drop arm in the case of NSR), which are listed as separate parts. Following is the Slot.It GT40 parts diagram with the chassis and motor pod identified as individual parts (circled in yellow):

[arden100]

Gordon,

With regards to the NSR it does not matter since the vintage cars do not come in anglewinder or inline.
All the NSR vintage cars are sidewinder motor pods.

The sidewinder does not come in hard or soft motor mounts, however they have two colours red and black. The standard chassis in all the vintage cars are black. They have other chassis types soft and hard, but those are optional.

Are you allowing motor pods changes if it is damaged?

Arden

[steveaca]

To me, the chassis is the bottom part of the car that supports the body and on which the mechanical/electrical bits are mounted on. In cars that have a motor pod, my opinion is that this pod pod is a part separate from the chassis and should not be considered as part of it.

[gordon]

Thinking about this more deeply after reading all the comments, I believe that, for the purpose of our endurance races, we should define chassis as "The part of the car to which the body and mechanical/electrical components are mounted, which may comprise a single unit or multiple modules including the main chassis, motor pod and drop arm".

The reason I'm including the motor pod and drop arm is twofold:

1. I feel that all chassis should be drivable without the body being attached. This is only possible if all parts required to mount the drivetrain are installed.
2. If the guide flag mount, axle mount or motor mount gets damaged on a car where these are part of a single chassis component, this car will be at a disadvantage when compared to something similar happening to a car with a motor pod and drop arm were these components not considered part of the chassis.

Gordon

[Luke]

Gordon,

I agree with you totally & not that Arden & Steve didnt have points too but... how much can you think about with all these parts & still enjoy one's self at this event.

Very nice how you came across with your wording... and how you got rid of information overload

I kind of had the same train of thought and couldnt have said it any better. To me this is keeping it simple & very user friendly for all Endurance Teams to understand.

Luke

[Luke]

BTW - All the years I'm racing @ FRC ~ Never saw a motor pod damaged yet and I am sure its not going to happen now

[arden100]

Luke,

"I believe chassis and motor pods should be one. The NSR and Slot it would have an unfair advantage if we look at repairs".

This is the very first thing I said when Gordon asked for comments. I think you should "I read, reread & read over again" LOL

Arden