For the purpose of these remarks, our IROC, Open and Rally classes do not apply, so please ignore them. I'd like all of you to carefully read and think about what's written below and try to see the big picture rather than keep a closed mind on the points raised.
The way all our other classes are structured, magnet strength is a factor. As previously mentioned in my post "Notes on magnet downforce and the USD rule - Part 1", downforce has a bigger influence on lap times than any other component in our cars (assuming motors are of relatively equal specification in the class). So with two otherwise identally set-up cars but with different magnetic downforce, the one with greater downforce will lap quicker than the one with less downforce.
Now if the same components that make up these two cars are available to each owner, the only reasons why one will continually be quicker than the other would be:
- The tuning ability of one owner over the other.
- The driving ability of one driver over the other.
On the other hand, if there is a component that can significantly affect performance which is no longer available to all car owners because it is no longer manufactured, then those who have the discontinued part will have an advantage over those who don't. The playing field is no longer level. For those without access to this component, there would be little reason to run a car in said class as there would be virtually no chance of being competitive enough to win.
This is not a good thing.
So what can be done to level out the playing field again? Well the class rules must be changed in one of two ways:
A. Ban the discontinued component
or
B. Remove the advantage gained by the use of this component
There are a number of FRC classes that require standard magnets. Focusing on a particular one of these, tests and experience (mine and others) have determined that the original standard magnet that used to be shipped with a certain manufacturer's cars is significantly stronger than the new version that now ships with them. The stronger version has been out of production for some time now and is no longer available. Lucky are those few who have some of the older magnets and a pity for everyone else, including potential newcomers who need all the encouragement they can get. This is a perfect example of the point behind these notes. If we continue to allow these discontinued stronger magnets, we will eventually have a very small number of persons willing to take part in what is supposed to be a stock class with equal opportunity to all competitors.
To fix this I believe that we should either:
A. Ban the old-style magnet from the class
or
B. Change the class to incorporate the USD rule.
I would suggest we choose option B since it would not then matter what magnet is used, eliminating the supply problem. This is just a single example and I can point out others where a change in magnet to a weaker version by the manufacturer on their newer cars renders these newer models less competitive, simply because the classes require that standard magnets be used. Besides, we know that otherwise identical magnets can and often do have different strengths.
I would like to see ALL our non-IROC and non-Open magnet classes run with variations of the USD rule as this would allow for a wider range of cars being competitive. Look at what's happening of late: Historic Saloon is fast becoming a second American Muscle class as far as body types go; Vintage Sports can now be renamed "Formula Ford GT40"; most drivers look at our Group 5 Sports Car class as an Alfa 33/3 class.
In the interest of winning, we have lost focus on the historical aspect of what cars actually raced in these classes and we are unnecessarily eliminating a whole lot of potentially competitive slot car manufacturers and models. By using the USD rule, we will open our classes to more variety and with that, more interest in the races and the hobby.
And you know what? No specialised equipment is required - anyone can set up their cars to comply with this rule using a single piece of Scalextric Sport track at home. For the new drivers, we can explain the simple aspects of doing this.
I know that there will be arguments that many of these are stock classes. For these I have two questions and one comment: How many stock out-the-box slot cars can fail the USD rule? Which serious racer races a completely stock out-the-box car without some form of tuning? Our IROC cars are our "stock" cars for people to arrive and drive without having to tune them, all other classes require tuning to be competitive.
I have another two regulation suggestions, but those I'll leave for another post.
