2,501 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

Hey y'all,

I just received an email from the PASD organizers. Registration for volunteers will be open to the public in a week or so. Registration for volunteers who are volunteering for TEAMS is open now. Folks that volunteer for a team have the advantage of signing up for the more popular volunteer positions. If volunteers wait too long they get stuck with the less desirable positions! Our past experience in acquiring volunteers for our teams has been somewhat dismal. We have a few team members that step right up but I hate to burden the same folks every year. It would be nice to establish a bigger pool to draw from.  We need 1 volunteer for each car/team. In all Scuderia Kouba needs 3 volunteers again this year. We have had previous discussions regarding volunteers for this year's race, but I would like to get our volunteer registration completed and have responsible and dependable folks in place. Once we get this step officially completed I can worry about other things! If we come up short I can volunteer for the tow back crew again this year. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering so I can keep track of how many people are interested and or how many people have actually signed up. I can not sign people up they must complete the registration themselves. Also please keep in mind if you are volunteering, in addition to your position or duties on race day, volunteers must attend one of the volunteer meetings held before the day of the race.

Here is a portion of the email i received from the PASD organizers including the link to the website for volunteers to sign up:

So, that being said…volunteers.  The volunteer registration will be open to the public in a week or so.  We give the teams the first crack at sign-ups because some of the more desirable positions go quickly.  There are very few volunteer positions that are not on race day or during the actual race.  We need all the hands we can get on the mountain on race day.  I get numerous requests every year to find a team volunteer a position that is not during the actual race.  It would be awesome if we could do that but alas, the race must go on.  Below you will find the link to register your volunteer for their position.  Again, the sooner you register the more choices you have for your volunteer position.

https://fs19.formsite.com/mttaborsoapbo … index.html

Thank you all!

==========Bill

Go to forum: NASTE

2,502 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

The weather situation looked shakey! It was pretty cloudy most of the day but there were some nice sun breaks. It never did rain on us!

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2,503 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

Here's Dick Gehrke our soapbox derby veteran from the 1946 race manning the Scuderia Kouba booth at Parkrose Hardware's annual BBQ held at Rossi Farms. We had a great time talking with folks about our team and the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. Youngsters had an opportunity to try out the driver's seats, and the more senior youngsters had the opportunity to talk shop with Dick. A big thanks goes out to Mitch Brooks, Greg Dunbar, Jeff Jenny Lee Burns, and of course Dick Gehrke for all their help in making this event come together!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/SK62318a.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/SK62318b.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/SK62318c.jpg

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2,504 Reply by wb0s

(2,202 replies, posted in NASTE)

Spoken like a true racer Doc!

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2,505 Reply by wb0s

(2,202 replies, posted in NASTE)

Race results from June 21st race at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway:

GT
1 Mitch   78.1 Laps
2 Daniel    76.3
3 Al    72.6
4 Rico    71.2
5 Jeff  65.6
6 Fernando    64.7
7 Amy  62.7
8 Stan  61.5
9 Chris Hammet   61.1
10 Nicki  54.1

Trans Am
1 Daniel    69.9 Laps
2 Mitch    66.5
3 Rico  66.4
4 Al  65.5
5 Jeff  65.4
6 Fernando  64.0
7 Stan  58.9
8 Chris Hammet  56.6 
9 Nicki  49.4

Go to forum: NASTE

2,506 Topic by wb0s

(0 replies, posted in Race Rules)

2018 NASTE IROC Driver’s Championship

Purpose
The NASTE IROC race series welcomes newcomers and encourages new slot car enthusiasts to get involved. These entry level races help beginners learn about slot car racing, with minimal investment.

It is also a forum for those who just enjoy driving slot cars and hanging out with friends around a common hobby. NASTE IROC races are family friendly. Kids who can race, get to race.

The NASTE IROC Driver’s Championship also provides an opportunity for experienced slot car drivers to demonstrate their driving expertise on a level playing field. Drivers compete using host-provided cars and controllers. The winning Division 1 driver receives the NASTE Driver’s Cup at the annual Halloween race.

Those interested in owning, building, tuning, racing and competing with their own cars will also enjoy the NASTE Odd Thursday Night Race Series which includes the NASTE Point Series Championship.

Schedule
Second Saturday
December through October
Doors open at 5 p.m., racing starts at 6 p.m.
Entry fee - $3 ($2 host, $1 series awards)


Format
IROC – two races, host-provided cars and controllers
All racers, random order (no qualifying)

Series
Two divisions – Division 1 and Division 2 (self-declared)
Race points by division – 10 points for 1st, 9 for 2nd, 8 for 3rd, etc., 1 point minimum
Total points – total of all races
Awards at Halloween race – 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each division
1st in Division 1 receives NASTE Driver’s Cup

Online Presence
Website - http://www.naste.org/ (official calendar and race results)
Forum - http://naste.org/forum/viewforum.php?id=18 (discussion)
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/northwestslotcarracing/
Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NASTESLOTCARS/

Outreach
Goals:
•    Increase number of regular attendees (20 per event)
•    Increase number of host tracks (10 tracks)
Strategies:
•    Publish series schedule on website
•    Publish timely results and race stories
•    Promote upcoming races with weekly emails and Facebook posts
•    Post flyer at local hobby stores
•    Encourage regular attendees to “invite a friend”
•    First-timers get free first race
•    ?

Go to forum: Race Rules

2,507 Reply by wb0s

(13 replies, posted in NASTE)

Well......obviously I am confused...............

Go to forum: NASTE

2,508 Reply by wb0s

(13 replies, posted in NASTE)

I'm glad your open track day went well and everyone had a good time, but Terry you send mixed messages. When you talk about the "grown men whine and pout and act childish when their car doesn't work well or they get nerfed or the corner marshall isn't fast enough" we can only assume you are talking about something you witness when racing at the venues you declare you no longer race at because you don't like it. At the same time you comment about "racers" that take it too serious but now you say "IROC is "serious" and real competition". I really don't understand exactly what you're trying to say. I've seen you during a race and I can see you are trying hard to win and you take it just as serious as anybody else on the track. When you say the only races where the cars are truly equal is in the IROC races I must say you are wrong. The cars are not equal there, the only difference is all the drivers use the same cars. For some racers trying to make their cars better for the next race is part of the fun. It's true that some cars are better in some races, but if you look at the results of the races at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway and at Rapid Raceway you would see that the margins of victory are just as close or even closer than those of the NASTE IROC races. For me it would just be nice to see you quit beatin' your drum about fairness, who's cheating, and what your version of slot car racing fun is. We all have our own version and our own ways of having fun in this hobby. You race and play with slot cars however you want but you should let other racers do the same. And don't kid yourself Terry, the best drivers emerge at ALL the races.

Go to forum: NASTE

2,509 Reply by wb0s

(13 replies, posted in NASTE)

OK enough is enough! I'm not trying to cause trouble here, but I have heard enough of this. I race at the Odd Thursday Night races and I resent the inference that the Thursday night races are not fun and it's just "grown men whine and pout and act childish when their car doesn't work well or they get nerfed or the corner marshall isn't fast enough". That statement is not fair and does not reflect the activities of the Thursday Night races. There are approximately 20 racers involved with the racing going on Thursday Nights and I am sure everyone of them would disagree with that opinion. A higher level of competition and car construction IS fun for many slot car enthusiasts and NASTE has always promoted and encouraged all types of involvement in the hobby. I myself might lose interest in one type of activity in the hobby for awhile and move to another type but I always have fun, and I surely do not berate other groups or individuals for how they enjoy the hobby. Some racers do take it more seriously than others but like you said if that bothers you just don't race at those venues. Just because they enjoy building and tinkering with their cars and enjoy a little more serious competition doesn't mean they are doing anything wrong. Actual RACING is like that whether it is toy cars or real cars! The other side of that coin is some people just really don't care at all, or at least say they don't, which if you think about that it's fine but; why even have a "race"? If that is seriously your interest just put cars on the track and run them around without a lap counter or timer. And if that is truly the desired format, why score points and have a champion at all? If you are in a "race" where half the field doesn't care and isn't even trying, what the hell are you winning anyway? When I first started promoting and holding races, at the end of the session I would mail out questionnaires to gauge interest and see how people felt about how the season was run. I would use that feedback to plan for the next season. Up until a few years ago I would do the same with NASTE but in an open verbal format at the year's end meetings. It got to the point where people did not even have enough interest to participate in any discussions concerning the next season. It might be interesting to use a questionnaire before planning next season's IROC series just to see where everyone stands. One thing I can tell you for sure is the Odd Thursday Night group has already provided me with plenty of feedback which includes some rules updates and the introduction of some new classes. Sure sounds like they're having fun to me?

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2,510 Reply by wb0s

(13 replies, posted in NASTE)

But seriously....Good call Monte, I agree!

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2,511 Reply by wb0s

(13 replies, posted in NASTE)

Hey wait a minute....NOBODY is going to castrate me!

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2,512 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

That would be great Mitch! I know I will need some help getting the cars off of the trailer!

Thank you very much! See you at 8:30am!

======Bill

Go to forum: NASTE

2,513 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

Just got the timeline for the BBQ on Saturday. We need to have the cars unloaded and set up by 9:30am. I am planning to arrive at the event at 8:30am. Our sponsor is setting up a canopy for our use. The event runs from 10:00am until 4:00pm. I could still use some help unloading and reloading the cars on the trailer. Any help would be appreciated even if you can only make it for a little while in the morning for set up or a little while around 4:00pm to reload the cars. ======Bill Bostic

Go to forum: NASTE

2,514 Reply by wb0s

(45 replies, posted in NASTE)

Hello All,

The date for this year's PDX Adult Soapbox Derby is rapidly approaching. Chris has been hard at work on the NEW MKV while I have been doing absolutely nothing to help. That aside, one of our sponsors (Parkrose Hardware) has asked if we could possibly have one of our cars at their annual BBQ. I just found out today that their BBQ is this Saturday June 23rd. I know it is really short notice, but I could use some help delivering our cars to their site in NE Portland. After talking with Chris the plan is for me to head out to Chris' tomorrow morning and get the cars re-assembled to a point they are somewhat "show" worthy as far as representing a functional gravity car. Chris and I can load two of the cars on my trailer, but I will definitely need help unloading and re-loading the cars at Saturday's event. Any help any of you could provide would be greatly appreciated! I'm hopin' we might even be able to ingest a little BBQ for our trouble? Please let me know if you are interested in helping out!

Thanks in advance!

========Bill

Go to forum: NASTE

2,515 Reply by wb0s

(11 replies, posted in NASTE)

Testing before hand is a good idea. I have seen on my old track how varying weather conditions (temp & humidity) can affect available grip on a track, especially when using hard rubber or urethane tires. Using the natural rubber tires and some traction compound on the track surface as is the routine at Rapid Raceway, the effects of those variables would be lessened.

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2,516 Reply by wb0s

(11 replies, posted in NASTE)

We had a problem with racing the '55 Chevy's when the track was "tacked up" with traction compound. The front tires on the '55's would pick up the traction compound once the tires got hot. This caused the cars to bounce and vibrate and actually de-slot even on the straights. After that race we started the process of cleaning the track off completely before a NASTE race where the '55's were going to be raced. This was not a perfect solution because the hard rubber tires on the '55's provided very little traction on the bare track. I think the best solution would be to build up a set of IROC cars just for racing at Howie's. I would build the cars using Flexi type chassis powered by H&R motors. I would use Team Bluegroove bodies because of their durability, and run the natural rubber tires typical of what the Rapid Raceway racers use. The only down side is the tires would have to be replaced at each race as they will probably not last between races. The tire's shelf life is somewhat short, but can be extended by storage in a freezer, which is something that could be experimented with. With this setup the condition of the track could be commensurate to the normal races held at Rapid Raceway for the True Scale racers. No additional track preparation would be required.

Go to forum: NASTE

2,517 Reply by wb0s

(127 replies, posted in NASTE)

Congrats to Al for winning the 2018 NASTE Point Series Championship!

Chris, I'll be needin' to pick up that trophy plaque for engraving!

Go to forum: NASTE

2,518 Reply by wb0s

(127 replies, posted in NASTE)

Official Results - NASTE 2018 Point Series Championship Race No.16 @ Rippin' Ridin' Raceway - FINAL RACE of 2018 Season

Le Mans Class :
1 Monte    70.6 Laps - 10 points
2 Rico    70.1 - 9 pts.
3 Al    69.9 - 8 pts.
4 Gary    69.2 - 7 pts.
5 Jeff  68.5 - 6 pts.
6 Mitch    67.7 - 5 pts.
7 Greg    65.7 - 4 pts.
8 Victoria    58.1 - 3 pts. 
9 Terry Redeau   55.7 - 2 pts.
10 Jake  53.6 - 1 pt.

FINAL Standings for the 2018 NASTE Point Series Championship After 16 Races

1st Al 120 pts.
2nd Daniel 103 Points
3rd Mitch 87 pts.
4th Rico 80 pts.
5th Chris K. 73 pts.
6th Jeff Fields 57 pts.
7th Gary 55 pts.
8th Greg 47 pts.
9th Fernando 36 pts.
10th Monte 34 pts.
11th Stan 32 pts.
12th Terry Redeau 19 pts.
13th Jeff Burns 17 pts.
14th Jake 15 pts.
15th Chris Hammett 14 pts.
16th Victoria 7 pts. - Best Finish = 7th
17th Amy 7 pts.
18th Bill 6 pts. - Best Finish = 8th
19th David 6 pts.
20th - tie Vinny 1 pt. - Best Finish = 9th
20th - tie Jimmy  1 pt. - Best Finish = 9th
22nd Nicki 1 pt.

Go to forum: NASTE

2,519 Reply by wb0s

(2,202 replies, posted in NASTE)

Race results from June 7th at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway:

F1
1 Gary   68.3 Laps
2 Al    67.9
3 Jeff    66.8
4 Amy    66.6 - Best Lap 7.268 sec.
5 Mitch   66.6
6 Rico    64.0
7 Monte  63.2
8 Terry Redeau  62.9
9 Greg   59.6
10 Victoria  53.9
11 Jake   48.2

Le Mans - Official NASTE 2018 Point Series Championship Race No.16 - Final Point Race for 2018 Season
1 Monte    70.6 Laps - 10 points
2 Rico    70.1 - 9 pts.
3 Al    69.9 - 8 pts.
4 Gary    69.2 - 7 pts.
5 Jeff  68.5 - 6 pts.
6 Mitch    67.7 - 5 pts.
7 Greg    65.7 - 4 pts.
8 Victoria    58.1 - 3 pts. 
9 Terry Redeau   55.7 - 2 pts.
10 Jake  53.6 - 1 pt.

Go to forum: NASTE

2,520 Reply by wb0s

(36 replies, posted in NASTE)

This issue was brought to my attention and I thought I would post it for comment.

In classic sports car divison 1, you have a motor spec of "H&R" 14k which is a fc130 style motor. Some of the cars you specified for this class is the MRRC cars, they use a "ff050" style motor, i do not know of motor adapter to go from ff050 to fc130 motor, nor do i believe a fc130 will fit under a MRRC body designed to use the ff050 motor/chassis layout. The only ff050 18k motor i have found for replacement is the "M/T-SL-1 13,465k motor.

Any comments, concerns, or ideas?

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2,521 Reply by wb0s

(2,202 replies, posted in NASTE)

Sorry for the delay in getting the race results posted. Diane and I just got back from our Georgia trip.

Results will be up soon.

====Bill

Go to forum: NASTE

2,522 Reply by wb0s

(240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Thanks Doc, but there isn't room for more than one person to even move around in there yet. They only way more people would help would be if they took stuff home with them, and I'm not quite frustrated enough to start giving stuff away.......

Go to forum: Slot Talk

2,523 Reply by wb0s

(240 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

I can't believe it has been almost 9 months since I last posted here. To bring everyone up to speed we finally got the shop built. The trim painting still needs to be completed, but other than that I have everything moved into the shop and have started building some benches and cabinets. It is so packed with all my crap I've decided to pack all the slot car stuff upstairs for storage for now. My original plan was to go through all the boxes, sort stuff and put it away as I went. I scrapped that idea when I realized I had no room to work or build anything! So if the box is marked slot car stuff and it's not too heavy to carry upstairs I don't even open it. I just carry it upstairs and stack it with the others. Some of the really heavy boxes I sort into a couple smaller boxes. It's like Bill Murray's Ground Hog Day, only moving style! At this point in time I am pretty sure if someone showed up with a U-Haul truck (a BIG one of course) and $5K in cash I'd help him load it all up and just say adios!

This is downstairs. I know it doesn't look like it, but this IS an improvement.................I think.........
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6496.jpg

This is the new "Room" upstairs..........it may look like this until the day I die......................
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6497.jpg

Some of this stuff actually looks kinda familiar......
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6500.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_6501.jpg

So there you have it. The reason I am not around the racing scene. I miss everyone but right now my slot car enthusiasm is at an all time low. See ya all down the road.........

Go to forum: Slot Talk

2,524 Reply by wb0s

(2,202 replies, posted in NASTE)

Thanks Doc, it was nice to visit with everyone.

Go to forum: NASTE

2,525 Reply by wb0s

(127 replies, posted in NASTE)

Official Results - NASTE 2018 Point Series Championship Race No.15 @ Rippin' Ridin' Raceway

Classic Sports Car Div.II

1 Al    75.4 Laps - 12 points
2 Daniel    74.1 - 11 pts.
3 Chris    73.6 - 10 pts.
4 Rico    71.6 - 9 pts.
5 Gary  66.1 - 8 pts.
6 Mitch    64.7 - 7 pts.
7 Terry Redeau    62.2 - 6 pts.
8 Greg    60.5 - 5 pts. 
9 Fernando   59.9 - 4 pts.
10 Bill  58.4 - 3 pts.
11 Jake  57.7 - 2 pts.
12 Jeff  43.7 - 1 pt.

Standings After 15 Races

1st Al 112 pts.
2nd Daniel 103 Points
3rd Mitch 82 pts.
4th Chris K. 73 pts.
5th Rico 71 pts.
6th Jeff Fields 51 pts.
7th Gary 48 pts.
8th Greg 43 pts.
9th Fernando 36 pts.
10th Stan 32 pts.
11th Monte 24 pts.
12th - tie- Jeff Burns 17 pts.
12th - tie- Terry Redeau 17 pts.
14th - tie- Chris Hammett 14 pts.
14th - tie- Jake 14 pts.
16th Amy 7 pts.
17th - tie- David 6 pts.
17th - tie- Bill 6 pts.
19th Victoria 4 pt.
20th - tie Nicki 1 pt.
20th - tie Vinny 1 pt.
20th - tie Jimmy  1 pt.

Go to forum: NASTE