226 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

docdoom wrote:

So I was reading on the other forum and one of our new drivers brought up a good point on the number of classes we run. maybe we need to rethink how we are running our race program. for new guy coming to the club it a little of a surprise and sticker shock to see all the different classes we run. I for one though the same when I 1st started racing with you all. .


So, just now catching up on this thread so pardon me if I'm late to the party.

Yes, we have a lot of classes, but there is a reason.  We now have three different flavors of the class formerly known as GT because people (not random people on the internet, but US racers who are actually showing up and racing) wanted to have era-compatible cars running on the track at the same time.  We have the unlimited or open class because T-slots can outrun just about anything out of the box and we like T-70's and bought a couple.  We have the Le Mans class because we all have a bunch of slow and crappy Fly and Scaley cars which we could never teach to compete with Slot.It's or T-slots but wanted a class in which to run them...  There is a specific reason for just about each and every one of the classes we have, and I think that the group consensus which concocted them should probably be respected.

Instead of cutting back the number of classes or worrying about making sure a new participant has a car for each class, I think it'd make more sense to offer them some guidance as to which classes are truly in the regular rotation and which cars they should be serious about acquiring.  Then we help get them set up for success, and meanwhile, let them run whatever it is that they do bring if they've already bought something. 

And when we run a class where they don't have a car for at all, someone else reaches in their box and pulls out one to loan them. 

Like this group always has...

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227 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

HOLY CRAP!!!!  Almost 80 laps??!?!  Way to go Bill!

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228 Reply by ckouba

(63 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Don't care where you put the track but make sure there is enough space under it to store some of the Scuderia's gravity car fleet!

Looking good...  It's about time!!!!

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229 Reply by ckouba

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

The official 2018 derby video is up. Check it out, you should recognize a few of the characters:

https://youtu.be/OsFSP3UGcP8

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230 Reply by ckouba

(51 replies, posted in NASTE)

I say the reward should go to the people who show up.  Odds are that dropping x round(s) from the tabulations won't make things all that much different. 

On the flip side, I can honestly say that if it meant someone who showed up and raced every time got beaten by someone who didn't based on the drop(s), I'd be disappointed.

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231 Reply by ckouba

(51 replies, posted in NASTE)

wb0s wrote:

Some may question that...

The only thing I'd question is Bill's math skills, but we can have Caitlin check the numbers.

But seriously, I am good with how we currently score the championship as well.  My opinion is that it's not broke.  At one point I was also in favor of also throwing out a bad night or two per season, but it was more a selfish thing as I knew there were few nights I wouldn't make it and didn't want to lose ground on those nights. 

I can see that changing it to the top 8 might prevent someone from falling too far behind if they miss a night where 18 people show up, but the members who put together the effort to show up consistently should also be rewarded for it. 

CK

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232 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

Yes indeed, thanks Al for my quarterly fix of racing slot cars!  It was a fun night back in the basement.  It was good to see everyone who was there and even better to see Bill getting back on the horse with his reporter coverage.

I've been very busy as of late, but I do miss the racing immensely and will even get my cars legalized for the new class changes sometime soon.  It was fun to get to stretch the legs of that 908 and keep Monte in the mirror.  The group has upped its collective game!

Until next time, thanks again!

Chris

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233 Reply by ckouba

(63 replies, posted in InSlot's Checkered Flag Raceway)

Excellent!!  Too Bad II will finally be coming together.

I've got a van and also know where Aurora is....

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234 Reply by ckouba

(8 replies, posted in Cars)

Upon further review, they do all fall into the same era class:

LMP Era (LMP) - Full fendered sportscars from 1994 through current  which ran in FIA, IMSA, or SCCA sanctioned events.  Any motors (22k limit), tires, driveline configuration, or chassis material may be used.  Bodies must be injection molded or resin cast and not vacuum molded.  Thunderslot brand RTR cars are NOT eligible for this class, but their driveline components (wheels, axles, gears, tires) and guide assembly may be used for tuning.

So yes, even though the class name has LMP in its title, lots of other cars are welcome to the party.

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235 Reply by ckouba

(8 replies, posted in Cars)

No need to create a new class for these.  They would probably all fall into the same Sportscar Era class.  The Marcos might run in a different era (technically) but I wouldn't object to having them all on the track together.

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236 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

docdoom wrote:

Fy short notice but Parkside will be racing on 11/21/18 wed. 6ish til around 9 longer if needed most will have turkey day off

Doc,

Who/where is Parkside?

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237 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

Big Smooth and Rico knock the Champ down a peg or two!?!!??  Nice work gentlemen!

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238 Reply by ckouba

(27 replies, posted in NASTE)

wb0s wrote:

I'm a BUILDIN' !



That's great that you've chosen a costume, Bill.  Will you have a car to run as well?


...Tip your waitresses......

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239 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

Well that's how out of touch I have been lately.  I will just excuse myself from the rest of this discussion.

Chris

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240 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

Whoops, missed the slim can part.  Maybe we need to see how it runs.  If it's anything like the motor they put in the Mk IV's, it might not be competitive even if it is 26-27k.

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241 Reply by ckouba

(2,208 replies, posted in NASTE)

I'd say let it play but with a motor swap.  It shouldn't be too hard for any one of us to come up with an extra 18k Scaley motor.

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242 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

LMP is actuallly a subset of the GT class, basically from 1994 onward, with the roof requirement removed (which applies to all sportscar classes: PGE, GFX, & LMP).  Basically, if it has fenders and raced post-1993, it's in.

As Doc said, there are excellent offerings from Slot.It, NSR, Scaleauto, Avant Slot, Ninco, and MR Slotcar, and even some mediocre performers from Scalextric and Carrera if you're looking to challenge yourself or build your own chassis with a nice looking body on top.

As an aside, our current GT3 cars qualify in this class, but would likely be knives at the proverbial gunfight knowing what level of performance the other brands are capable of.

In addition, despite the name of the class being "LMP", any style cars are eligible- LMP, GT, etc...  For example, Al's NSR Corvette would be a good runner here, even though it's not an LMP car.  Just that it is fendered and ran after 1993.

I think most of us have BRM's, it's just that not everyone sticks around after class to run them for fun.

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243 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

docdoom wrote:

Looks like we might have to have tie breaker vote on Thursday for the 4th class


Or stick with just 3 classes for the championship.

Or you can have another vote of do we have 3 classes or 4, and then vote on the 4th class if needed.

Just thinking out loud here...

Looking at the leading classes so far, we have 3 very well established classes where everyone has a fairly well developed car.  Then there are the 4th place tie classes.

In the LMP class, we don't have a lot of people running these- same with the BRM.  As much as I'd like to see the big cars included in the championship, if we pick a class where people don't have developed cars (and where some nameless people **do**), there might possibly be a perceived advantage there, and it might not be a good class to include. 

Same argument could be made regarding the LMP class.  We haven't had people develop cars and we haven't vetted the class rules, so it might be a little risky to have it as a class this year.  Maybe we can start the proposal for next year's championship classes with BRM and/or LMP and let this year be the other three?

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244 Reply by ckouba

(26 replies, posted in NASTE)

All,

On Sat 9/29, the Scuderia will have an open shop day for the sponsors and team members who helped us get up and down the hill this year.  If you're free, please feel free to stop by between 11 and 2.  Burgers, dogs, and beverages will be available and if the weather is nice, we'll have the cars available for incredibly mellow runs down the hill in front of the house.

Please let me know if you're coming.

Thanks,
Chris

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245 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

reek455 wrote:

Oops I used the number of votes I meant class 8 LeMans Classics


...and now that I am about to count your votes, I need to know which Class 1 Division you would like.  I should have just given them separate numbers.

Div I or Div II?

CK

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246 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

reek455 wrote:

Classes 3,5,4,1 for me

Rico - Class 5 is not eligible so please choose another, and please specify which class 1 you would prefer.

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247 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

Goose wrote:

What happened to "F-1" class(s)? I would still like to run them.

From the initial post in this thread: "F1 has too broad of a spectrum to include as part of the championship."

The thought was there was such a diversity of sub-classes and a disparity of performance between them that it would be tough to run it equitably as a championship class.  The class(es) will still be run as part of Odd Thursdays but they won't be part of the championship.

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248 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

Going back through this, I should have split Classics Div I and Div II into separate voting options.  If you have voted for one of them, please specify your preference.  If you truly have no preference, your vote will be applied to the "leading" division.

Monte/Stan - Please edit your vote options if you have a preference.

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249 Reply by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

Sorry- forgot to mention that I clearly couldn't get the poll option to support all the classes.  Please do what Doc did and post up here or email to me and Al.

CK

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250 Topic by ckouba

(42 replies, posted in NASTE)

The calendar is saying we're already about halfway through September, so it would be in our best interests to get the 2019 Point Series Championship underway.  We would like to get it started with the first Odd Thurs in October, which would make the kick off date Thurs, Oct 11.  The question is, what are the classes we will run?

We will decide democratically this year- pick the four classes you would like to have run and either post them here or send them to Al or me and we will count them up.  We would like the voting to be complete prior to next Odd Thurs, so get your input put in by Weds, 9/26.

Remember, our classes have been restructured and some have been modified starting this year.  Below is a brief summary of the eligible classes:

Class 1 Div I  - Classic Sports Car through 1967, Div I (14k, flat chassis)
Class 1 Div II - Classic Sports Car through 1967, Div II (18k & pods allowed)
Class 3 - BRM 1/24 Group C - Box stock with the allowance of alternate gears.
Class 4 - Trans Am - Scaley motors, some parts swap/mods allowed.
Class 6 - Over 50 - not everyone has one but it's still a class we have on the books.
Class 7 - Can Am - RTR stock to scratch built, hard bodies, 23k max motor
Class 8 - Le Mans Classics - restricted brands, stock motor; gears, axles, wheels, tires can change, some mods allowed.
Class 9 - GT3 - Scaley GT3 cars only, minor tuning allowed
Class 10 - BRM Classics - Box stock
Class 11 - BRM GT - Box stock
Class 12 - Carrera DTM - no-mag, BOSA rear tires, and lead for tuning
Class 13 - BRM Trans Am - Box stock
Class 14 - USRRC - see Can Am but 21k max

and then the evolution of the GT class, now known as Sportscar Era classes:
Pre-Ground Effect (PGE) Era - Full-fendered sportscars from 1968 through 1980, 22k motor limit
Ground Effect Era (GFX) - Full fendered sportscars from 1981 through 1993, 22k motor limit
LMP Era (LMP) - Full fendered sportscars from 1994 through current, 22k motor limit

And last but not least, the Open class (otherwise known as "Thunderslot" class).

The above is a quick cut and paste summary and may be wildly inaccurate.  The full rules are here:

http://naste.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=630

Visit them to ensure you are voting for the class you really want.  As an aside, F1 has too broad of a spectrum to include as part of the championship.

There are a handful of classes on here where not everyone has a car, but in the interest of full inclusion, they are included in the voting.

I believe I set the poll up to support selecting 4 options but that may not be the case.  If it's not, please either post your votes for all to see or email them to me or Al.

We can review the direction we're pointed at on 9/27 and ratify the decisions, and then it's game on for the series!

Look forward to your input.

Chris


Vote count as of post #24 (current class 1 votes applied to leading Class 1 category until specified):

# of votes    Class
2    Class 1 Div I
7    Class 1 Div II
3    Class 3 - BRM Group C
1    Class 4 - Trans Am -
1    Class 6 - Over 50 -
5    Class 7 - Can Am -
8    Class 8 - Le Mans Classics -
1    Class 9 - GT3 -
1    Class 10 - BRM Classics -
0    Class 11 - BRM GT -
1    Class 12 - Carrera DTM -
0    Class 13 - BRM Trans Am -
0    Class 14 - USRRC -
0    Pre-Ground Effect (PGE) Era -
0    Ground Effect Era (GFX) -
3    LMP Era (LMP) -

Current Championship would be:

  • Le Mans Classics - 8 votes (EVERYONE so far!!!)

  • Classics Div II - 7

  • Can Am - 5

  • BRM Gp C/Sportscars LMP - tie with 3

Would be interesting!!

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