Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I agree – It would be good to identify some specific practice dates for folks.
David, Randy and myself opened up the track on Thursday and ran some laps. We tried a couple different NSR Porsches and I ran my Alfa 33/3. Cars seem to run well. Kind-of starting from scratch on figuring out personal voltage, gearing and such, but the initial tests are very positive.
Now that we’ve had some in-practice experience with this process, and in judging from some of the heady discussions during events related to this process, it seems that some examination is warranted regarding this rule. The idea of a “Break Fix” as mentioned in the initial rule appears to be too broad to define and leaves the term open for interpretation – as discussions at events have shown.
I spent some time zipping around the web reading the racing rules posted by other clubs and I found that trying to identify what is allowed to be done to cars between the start and end of the event is rarely attempted, probably because these clubs have also found it impossible to create a consistent list of rules regarding what is and is not allowable.
The bulk of rules specify that once the car enters tech, it remains in control of the scrutineer and will reside in parc rotisserie (in our case!) until the beginning of the racer’s heat. Once the racer begins their heat, they may make any changes they like to the car during their heat period within the rules for car preparation, including during the lane change period. Immediately after completing their final heat, the car must be placed back into parc rotisserie where the scrutineer may choose to re-tech any car at their discretion. Racers regain control of their cars once the scrutineer has announced that post-race tech is closed. I would also suggest that the scrutineer is tasked to be available after the event to hear tech requests from any member against any car in the event. I’d rather these requests be on a gentleman’s agreement rather than requiring payment as many clubs require…but that would be something to discuss.
In our races, because we only have 3 lanes, there are cases where racers begin the event, then sit out for a number of rounds before returning to complete their race. For these racers, they must return their car to parc rotisserie immediately at the end of their session prior to their break, and can begin work on their cars during the lane-change period immediately prior to their return to the track.
This design keeps us from having to come up with a handful of “allowable” things people can do to their cars during the races or during the lane change periods. I believe that trying to maintain any such handful of allowable items will only end up in hurt feelings due to a lack of consistency in applying the rules. Requiring cars to go immediately to parc rotisserie after their final heat keeps any “undoing” of changes to be performed. Green flag work on a car, regardless of the result of that work, is its own penalty. If someone can legally tweak their car in the lane change periods, more power to them with the knowledge that they may have a scrutineer have a look-around at the end of the event. I would suggest that we be a bit more on-point with completing the lane change periods in the allotted amount of time.
If someone is genuinely afraid that racers will be making performance mods to their cars during the first lane change period, then removing those during the second lane change period, I challenge you to come up with a race plan where 2 poor heats and 1 good heat comes out a positive, given how competitive our racing is. And mainly, I would like any rules we put in-force to have the ability to keep us all friends – which would be a challenge when a rule is open to different interpretations.
That’s my $1.25 (because 2 cents just doesn’t cut it anymore). Written here so that we’ll have something specific to discuss and vote upon in a future meeting, or to kick-off discussion here that will eventually make it to a vote.
This all looks like fun…I’d love to experiment with creating tire compounds – but wanted to be sure you realize the rules for ThunderSlot say this:
- Rear: OEM Treaded Tires (TYC002R) or Upgrade slick 19X10mm (TYR004R standard) allowed.
Therefore, home-made tires would not be allowed without a rule change (which may be warranted due to the lack of tire availability). 🙁
That’s a great idea as a back-fill to the track repair.
I had the relay croak that turns the power on/off to the track, but have a new one in a box…so I need to rewire that but that’s about all that’s waiting before I can toss it into the Saab and drag it down to King’s. It is still a work in progress, but it is fun, nonetheless.
To all – I wanted to make one clarification to the Group C rules related to this item:
> Traction compounds prohibited <
Nail polish on the front tires will be allowed. Stephen tells me that this is commonly allowed with the club. And anyway – it is an ANTI-traction compound…but semantics-wise, it IS a traction compound so I wanted to make this clear. 🙂
Looking forward to this event next weekend, though I am woefully prepared…
Hi Datto,
Just come on out! I believe that if you happen to have a car that has the same livery/number as someone who is already running, we’ll make you change the number – but that’s about it. If you don’t have numbers to slap on it, I’m sure someone will have something you can use.
Question…rule says:
“Traction compounds are prohibited.”
Does that include putting nail polish on front tires (anti-traction compound!)? I’ve had to cut down my zero grips to get them somewhere between minimum legal and hilariously too tall, and that makes them a bit grippier than before.
Good! Seems I got a bad motor in my car, so I’ll need to swap it anyway…
Finally done with the paint job! Here is the entry from Surströmming racing!
I’m really open this week – having taken the whole week off. If there’s a good day this week for folks, I can’t imagine I wouldn’t be able to be part of the test. I am heading up to Kings today(Monday) and will be there most, if not all, of the day.
I also just grabbed the Ferrari 312BP off eBay on a lowball bid because it is so pretty (and it was my favorite AFX HO car as a kid, too). I got my Alfa the same way – not sure why these cars don’t go for full price. I ran the Alfa previously, only changing the rear tires to some used rubber and added the wood guide, and it was fantastic with no other tuning.
[quote=13320]Slot It Ferrari 312PB, Slot It Alfa T33, Sloter Lola T280 and the Fly Chevron B19/21.[/quote]
YES! Let’s do some testing and see what we think. I can imagine the technical nature of the rally track would make for multiple chassis to have a chance against each other – it is a different beast than setting up something on the fast course. Of course, because I own the slot.it Alfa 33/3, I have a vested interest, and I’m dying to run that car. 🙂
If this rule change flies, then I claim the #34 Sebring 1971 Alfa 33/3. I plan on doing some testing in general this Turkey-day-week to make up for all the bid-ness travel I’ve had the last few weeks that has kept me away (either Mon or Wed since they may be rainy-ish…not sure which day yet – depending on King’s hours. If anyone else wants to try some stuff on the rally track, I’d be available.)
Cool – I have time to re-color the car. I have been building a livery of cars in my personal colors (for Surströmming Racing), so this one will follow! 🙂
Picked up this critter for a song…does anyone have this livery, or can I claim it. 🙂
Do chime in if you have it…I have lots of time to make it into a custom livery…
[quote=13253]Will the super stiff green chassis be allowed for this series? [/quote]
And I think a better question…will there be any limitation on chassis, since there is quite a collection of chassis options… 🙂
