Racing resuming at FRC

[gordon]

Guys,

I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that racing will soon be resuming at FRC. At a meeting of six FRC veteran regulars last Thursday night, suggested class rule changes were discussed and the following have been implemented:

USD Rule definition:
Where a class stipulates the USD rule, the car must not be able to magnetically adhere to a standard Scalextric Sport track piece in an upside-down position. Magnet stacking is allowed. Any weight added to the chassis must be positioned rearward of the front axle.

Vintage Sports '60-'75
The original Vintage Sports and Group 5 Sports Cars classes have been combined into this single class. You can see the full requirements here.

Slot.It Challenge
Magnets: A single currently-available standard Slot.It "non-race" magnet (the one with the grooves) which must be positioned in any of the standard locations on the Slot.It motor pod.

Restricted GT
Chassis: Free.
Magnets: USD rule. Magnets may be positioned anywhere on the chassis.

Modified Production
Motor: 23,500 RPM or lower, based on manufacturer's specifications. 20,000 RPM or lower if any installed magnet is positioned rearward of the front of rear tyres (see "Magnets" below).
Magnets: USD rule. If motor is 20,000 RPM or less, magnets may be positioned anywhere. If motor is greater than 20,000 RPM, magnets must be positioned ahead of the rear tyres when viewed from the bottom or top of the chassis.

You can see the full class regulations here.

We also have new class groupings with a 5-event cycle before a class comes round again. This is one event less than last year's 6-event cycle:

1. Mini Challenge IROC / Nissan GT-R Super Series IROC (alternating) - 6 races @ 20 laps, Rally Car - 3 five-lap stages per car, 1 car at a time (90 laps for 6 cars) (210 laps total)
2. Historic Saloon - 3 races @ 25 laps, Vintage Sports '60-'75 - 3 races @ 25 laps, Slot.It Challenge - 3 races @ 25 laps (225 laps total)
3. Mixed GT IROC / Scalextric GT Challenge IROC (alternating) - 6 races @ 20 laps, Restricted GT - 3 races @ 30 laps (210 laps total)
4. Modified Production - 3 races @ 30 laps, F1 - 5 races @ 30 laps (240 laps total)
5. American Muscle - 3 races @ 30 laps, GT - 3 races @ 30 laps, LMP - 3 races @ 30 laps (270 laps total)

Finally, the date of our first event for 2016 is Thursday March 3rd and we'll be running our Group A classes.

See you on the circuit...
Gordon

[steveaca]

Looking forward very much to the start of the FRC 2016 racing year !
Steve

[Luke]

Hello Gordon,

All looks very constructive (here again) for the racing to begin but just had to find out, how is it with these thoughts/points I have listed below ...

Although - I agreed at the meeting with the class rule changes across the board and very neatly done - how class groupings went from 6 to 5 in 2016.

Not making an issue about - but just had to ask ...

How come:

• • No Opening Event (like years gone by) or not even to continue with this grouping AM - GT - LMP (now Group E) in 2016
  • The original and entertaining group A. MGT IROC / SGTC IROC (alternating) & RGT is changed to group C

I did mention these points at the meeting but I cant remember if they were clarified/made clear.

Luke

[gordon]

How come:

• • No Opening Event (like years gone by) or not even to continue with this grouping AM - GT - LMP (now Group E) in 2016

We're already into a late start, so I feel that we should start with Group A. There is very little work needed to get a rally car ready as opposed to three fully-modified ones.

• The original and entertaining group A. MGT IROC / SGTC IROC (alternating) & RGT is changed to group C
[/list]

As Ramesh mentioned that night, let's start with a class for which there's little preparation work. Because of the rule changes, RGT requires some prep work, so the new grouping sequence will allow us some time to get cars ready.

[Luke]

Thanks for the reply Gordon and very understandable (also not taking away from yours or Ramesh's idea) but I really find there was no need to change the groupings around in this way, all because of starting racing at this time period - March 2016.

After all - you already posted (propose) how these same groupings (A to E) will happen here:

• viewtopic.php?f=6&t=990

Again - not making an issue with but (sure you and others) must admit how the original Group A. (MGT / SGTC - RGT) and Group E. (AM - GT - LMP) classes was well structured. These class groupings both Hit it Big for the start and finish of the FRC racing cycle.

Anyway - it seems I missed out (some how) that this change with the groupings was going to be made/happen because of the 2 months gone without any racing and seeing now, would have suggested then ...

Why not just start off the racing from the original Group C. (MC / NSS - RC) and leave things how they were proposed ..?

Luke

[gordon]

Luke, something I was also looking at with the new class grouping sequence is to start with the slower classes and build up to the faster ones as we move forward. At the end of the cycle we move back to the slower classes and start again. The actual groupings are not changed from my first proposal, just the sequence (the same classes are grouped together).

[Luke]

Gordon,

I reckon it will be well enough with such an overall outlook.

Luke

[Luke]

Hello Gordon,

I know you have lots of things going on the whole week (and lots more on the weekend) but just had to bring this post/topic back up ~ sooner than later and yet I am not sure why (after all this time) but I'm still thinking/feeling with your suggested sequence of Group A to E racing ~ that group A should be changed with C and (big hit) group C to A

Your most valued (FRC) forum member

Luke

[Luke]

Gordon,

Its either you are very busy or this (group C to A racing) request isnt pulling any sort of interest ..?

Luke

[gordon]

Luke, I have been busy. Besides work, I spent the whole of Saturday and Sunday at Wallerfield (didn't open shop on Saturday).

Coming to the topic at hand, are you suggesting that we race group C again at the end of the current cycle? If so I'd like to hear the other drivers' thoughts.