Potential Classes for NASTE Racing (Page 2 of 3)

The bottom of the heap. This one was a disappointment, as I had high hopes for the Cheetah.

EJ's:

Again the problem seems to be with a lot of power and a light chassis. What adds to the poor handling characteristics of this car is the short wheelbase. As it is, assembled right out of the box it is a major handful! The rear tires had no grip. The car was unpredictable and extremely loose. A switch to Jel Claws on the rear took the car to the other extreme, way too tight and just as unpredictable. The lap times were better than the Carrera car, but only because the Cheetah was so much faster on the straights. I could not put together a string of more than 3 or 4 consistent laps. I plan to try some gearing changes to see if that helps, but my real feeling is this car needs less motor. This car definitely needs some work! Best lap = 6.116

Bill, great job testing all the cars!! I cant wait to try them this weekend to see how they handle..

Looks like the econo car and the parma FCR chassis are in the lead.........atleast the parma would be cheap to get....at $32...ready to run...all you need is a body.....as for the econo cars.....if that is the way we are going....I would be willing to set up some sort of assembly line to put a bunch of them together....

If we went with a ready to run chassis like the parma ,pro-trac or ej's....atleast everyone would be all in the same boat running the same cars...

The econo cars are pretty bullet proof.

Ditto on the testing.  Ditto on Monte's question.  Is that a 4.0 or 4.5 inch wheelbase on the Parma?  What type of body, hardbody or lexan?

Rico

I did some research on the Carrera 1/24 cars.  Availability seems somewhat limited as do the types of cars.  The prices are all over the place, as some of them appear to be quite collectable.  I found two vendors and neither one had the vintage Corvette like the one in the test, only newer ones (C5,6), various Ferraris,  an assortment of hot rods and a few LMP's.  Food for thought.  Several of the other chassis could be raced in different classes with just a body swap, that appeals to me.

Rico

So that's the real challenge, finding a class of car that EVERYONE is interested in racing. That has always been one of the challenges, but something NASTE has always been good at finding solutions to. Since NASTE started we have always promoted racing with the emphasis on new racers. We have always tried to make it easy for new people to get up to speed and feel comfortable. I feel that is a goal worth keeping. My feeling is a new class such as the vintage chassis or whatever, would stimulate the racers in our group who are ready for more of a challenge.

I would say the majority of the racers that race with NASTE right now are primarily 1/32 scale enthusiasts. My tentative plan is to come up with a 1/32 car class that can be raced non-magnetic on 1/24 scale tracks as well as 1/32. In additon to that class I would like to have an HO class (probably Aurora T-Jet style cars) to compete on our circuit of HO tracks. Lastly a class of 1/24 scale cars that would be raced on the 1/24 tracks (of course). I would propose the races on the 1/24 tracks would be one round with the 1/32 cars, and the second round with the 1/24 cars. With this format racers would need only 2 cars to participate in ALL the NASTE races, with the option of having a third 1/24 car if they desire. I would also venture to guess there would be "loaner" cars available for new racers, which has always been part of the NASTE program.

So as far as a 1/24 class goes, we have plenty of time to do some testing and decide what we like, and what works best for the group as a whole. Everybody likes something different, everybody has their own ideas, coming to concensus is what NASTE is all about.

--------------------------------------Bill

I am the one that started the discussion on alternative classes to the NASTE IROC series for next year. Bryan, that's a good idea, lets start a poll to see where everyone's interests lie. Monte, can we set up a poll on this topic? Something along the lines of; What type of racing would you like to do as a NASTE racer next season? NASTE IROC as it has been? Racer owned cars for each scale HO, 1/32 & 1/24? Racer owned cars HO & 1/32 (1/32 cars on 1/24 tracks also)? None of the above?

One more issue I'd like to discuss. If we end up with another IROC series, I would propose that some of the regular NASTE racers donate one complete RTR car to be used for the IROC series. The cars would be used for the entire season, and be maintained by their owner. This would mean we would need a minimum of six complete HO cars, six 1/32 cars, and eight 1/24 cars. Those numbers would provide for spares/backup cars also. The NASTE treasury would be used as a source of funds for replacement and repair parts for the cars.

---------------------------Bill

THANKS MONTE!!!!!

-----------------Bill

A lot of good points have been made here. Since NASTE was established we have always tried to have a slot car racing experience that is just a little different than the norm. We have accomplished that goal in the creative formats we have raced under, and with the cars we have raced. I feel NASTE has been very successful through the years, and one of the reasons is we have always put FUN ahead of competition. Since 1996 NASTE has had more than 100 participants. Many of those people had not raced before, and may never of had the experience had it not been for our group.

As much work as the IROC series is in regards to keeping cars up and running, it is a proven and successful formula. Take for example the last race at Hemi Heights. There were quite a few people in attendance who do not own 1/24 cars, and some people who do not even own ANY slot cars. But from my point of view it was a great race and a lot of fun! Getting people together and racing is what it's all about. With NASTE people get to try a little bit of everything.

So where do we go from here? I started this dialog because I was feeling like I would like to race my own cars, and I think there are others that would also like to race some of there own cars. One thing I'm hearing loud and clear is the IROC format is well liked. So what about this; NASTE maintains the IROC format for the first and primary race at each event. One round of racing just as it was at Hemi Heights on Saturday night. After the IROC race we could race one round of a particular class where interested racers race their own cars.

I already have a set of 1/24 scale flexi cars that could support races on six lane tracks with spares. Bryan and I together have 4 NASTE Radioshack cars for 1/24 four lane tracks. I have plenty of T-Jet based cars for HO. I will soon have 5 1/32 Carrera cars completed for the race coming up in Eugene. If we maintain an IROC series what I would ask is for a committee or team to be established to repair and maintain the stable of cars.

Food for thought?.................Comments????   -----------------------------Bill

Rico - If we add the second class, such as the 1/24 vintage cars, why not add a class we could run on the 1/32 tracks also? We could pick a class of car that we all have already. For example a Slot.It class, or maybe just a 1/32 production chassis non-magnetic class? Something along the lines of what you, Monte, and I have been experimenting with. We could also run that class on 1/24 tracks for a change of pace.

As far as the point series, There are four choices. The NASTE Championship could be determined by; 1) points accumulated from the IROC races only, 2) points accumulated from the non-IROC races only, 3) the total points from both races, 4) Or the points from both races could be tallied and separate winners in both types of races could be named.

  We have grouped racers together by experience or skill level before, and maybe that is something we should go back to. The ability to "throw out" a couple of bad races each season also helps with the "bad race" scenario.

------------------------Bill

I agree, the NASTE IROC is a driver's series! Being able to deal with a changing environment and equipment conditions is just as important as going really fast! Anytime you have races with the drivers building and racing their own cars, the equipment becomes a major factor.

I like the "max off" rule (assuming you mean maximum number of times you can de-slot?). My concern would be how hard that would be to enforce or keep track of (especially on my 6 lane track).

Personally, I would just as soon leave the IROC races as the points championship races and have the other races just for fun.

--------------------Bill

No problem Larry.  My size 11 mouth has swallowed both my feet more than once.

We're friends, always will be............................................But that doesn't mean I can't nerf you right????!!!!!!!

-----------------------------Bill