3,926

(46 replies, posted in Ebay)

OK, I'll start this out. Just posted a bid on this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-ORIGINAL-1 … 1330954135

------------out bid, I'm done...

3,927

(46 replies, posted in Ebay)

This topic came up at Monte's last First Sunday Race. Most all of us use Ebay to obtain at least some of our cars and parts for racing. We all talk about some of the deals we have gotten on Ebay, and even some of the things we are watching. I can't help but wonder how many times we end up bidding against each other? It seems like evrytime we start racing a new class of car, or try a new type of chassis the cost of those items seems to go up on Ebay. Is it our own group of racers driving the costs up?

So here's a thought. If there is an Ebay item you are bidding on, post it here. A link to it would be great, or at least the item/auction number. I would ask other members to please respect member's bids. There may be a time when someone is bidding on something you would really like to have. If this were the case I would hope maybe some dialog regarding the item might result in a friendly solution, financially benefitial to both sides?

Great fun at the race today! Thank you Monte & Victoria!!  Monte, your Slot.it cars were awesome!!!

Victoria, congrats on kicking Monte's butt today!!!!  Terrific racing!!!!

3,929

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Temptation is the first step to slot car ownership!!!!!

3,930

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Very true Mr. Kouba!

3,931

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Ebay must be the favorite show in the "ward".....

Womp bare chassis are on only $8.00!

3,932

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

Just checked on PCH's site. You can get BRAND NEW Womps with bodies for $31.50!!!!!

3,933

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

WHAT???!!!!  $50 to $60 for a WHOMP????!!!!   ARE THEY NUTS????!!!!

I might have to sell mine now????!!!!!!

3,934

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

I now have 2 VW Womps together, VWomps we'll call 'em. Ran some laps to test different gear ratios. With a 7 tooth pinion and 31 tooth crown I ran a best lap of 9.711 seconds. With a 7 tooth and  28 crown I ran a best lap of 9.076.  No surprises here, just simple math. Each car was easy to run with either gear set. Looking forward to testing on Monte's track on Sunday!

==============Bill

3,935

(37 replies, posted in Slot Talk)

John, Very nice work, thanks for posting! It is great reading and viewing!!! Looking forward to seeing & hearing more!!!

P.S. what did you end up using for a windshield in your GT40 roadster?

==========Bill

OR..."BIG" "Smooth Data".......................sounds kind of nasty.........er...NASTE

Would it be "Big Smooth Data" or "Big Data Smooth" ????

Who are you referring too???

MY comment was in referrence to Monte finding a Womp car.

I personally KNOW he already has 1/24 Carrera cars - multiple examples of such!!!

3,939

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Dorothy your influence on the social aspect of NASTE has resulted in nothing but improvements within the group. We have the best photo records of races that we have ever had, not to mention great movie footage! In the area of refreshments and food NASTE is second to none, and attribute a great deal of that success to you and your influence.

One thing to remember about the final race for next season and the Shoot Out for the Championship. Shoot Out day will be an all day event. There will be races held for ALL NASTE racers, not just the top seven in points. My plan for the Shoot Out Race Day includes; trophy dash races for the Novice Division, Intermediate Division, and the Point Series competitors that did not make the top seven.

As far as apologizing to me for your influence in the club's direction as opposed to my vision, I'm sorry but you can't take total responsibility for that one. I did not mean anything negative by my comment, the direction the club has taken is fine. What I meant was if the club truly was MY club, I am quite sure it would be focussed more seriously on the racing aspect of the club activities versus any social activities. The social aspect of the club is something that makes NASTE truly unique and even more fun. I can't and don't take credit for that, that is something the members have accomplished! And YES, it is a GOOD THING!

I wouldn't worry about locating a car just yet.............I may know of a source..............

I needed to revise this post as there are actually two new classes up for consideration and comment.

The first is actually Carrera 1/24 cars as proposed by Chris Kouba. Here's what Chris has to say:  I would propose running non-mag with all stock parts on Paul Gage tires, but "home tuning" allowed- slop taken out of bushes, a little float allowed on the bodies, wheels trued, tires trued, the usual tips.  The only thing I would say we can get creative with is the guide- they suck and we should find a better way.  Braids would be allowed to be modified as well seeing as they're fairly dependent on the guide.

We would probably need to bump up the voltage as they might be a little boring at 10v, but I can wait to figure that out.

Cars that would qualify?  Anything which ran post-1960 and pre-1971:
250 GTO's
330 P3's
512
906
917
Cheetahs
Corvettes
E types
GT40's   ----------Chris

The second proposal:
Some of you probably saw, or even got a chance to run the VW Womp I put together as a test car in preparation for the next NASTE IROC race here at TooBad. This car seems to have stimulated some interest in these little beasts. My question is; would any of you be interested in adding Womp cars to the list of classes we race here at TooBad Motorplex on Odd Thursdays?

I understand we already have quite a few classes, but alternating the classes seems to be working out pretty well. On the plus side these Womp cars are realitively inexpensive to buy used, readily available, and the parts are inexpensive. In addition the cars are generic in terms of available bodies that can be used to change the appearance of the class. Pattos Place has many body styles available that fit the Womp chassis. If there is any interest I could be persuaded to purchase a group of bodies to better distribute the shipping cost.

Feedback?

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_9266.jpg

==========Bill

3,942

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Here's my last 2 bits on this.......maybe.......
Consider the series as it is now. Many times with even two or three races left, it is obvious who the winner is going to be, and sometimes the outcome is already mathmatically decided. It is also possible for a racer to win the championship without ever winning a single race. With this new system the outcome will not be decided until the final race, and there will be seven top racers with a shot. In the new system a racer WILL have to win at least one race to become champion.  In contrast to NASCAR's system, NASTE's new system will make it easier for more people to stay in the hunt. Also in contrast, racers aren't eliminated by a single race's performance leading up to the final race. Will it be more difficult to win the championship? I would say yes. Your performance at that last race will have to be spot on. But isn't that a characteristic of a true champion?

Monte, Bryan, Terry, Rico, Dorothy, and Howie, thank you all for taking part in this discussion. If nothing else, next season should at least be controversial!

3,943

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

This is a good discussion. Rico's point is also very good. If you look at the example of this race format scenario using last years finish results, it would be a moot point as to whether the races for the track host were counted towrds their score or not. Ultimately those points would likely amount to less than five in regards to their overall total anyway. Especially when you figure 5 of the top seven were race hosts to start with. The race host's wins may have more affect on the racers lower in the points standings, but there is a pretty sharp cut off in points standings at or below the seventh place racer. Whether or not we count race host's points at their own race seems to be irrelevant. It is just like the example of a racer who only shows up for one race during a season and wins. Some would say it is unfair to the regular racers because he has taken points away from them. In reality it only amounts to one point, and he didn't take it away, he earned it. No one would have gotten an extra 20 points if they would not have showed up!

3,944

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Thanks Terry. Your idea of the track owner racing his host race but points not being tallied for them is a good suggestion. The host's race could be one of the races thrown out, not counting towards their 5 race total. I think that would be do-able good alternative.

3,945

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Thanks Bryan. As far as next season, there will not be points championships for each division. There will only be one, and racers must elect to participate and pay the $5.00 fee to be included in that series. Prizes or awards are encouraged for the individual novice races, but not mandatory. That will be left up to each track owner to decide.

Right now at this point in time I do not forsee the NASTE Point Series Championship going back to just everyone racing together. That format does not seem to suit everyone.

============Bill

P.S. Sorry about the aneurysm. I can sometimes get wordie!!!

3,946

(6 replies, posted in Rapid Raceway)

TA2 at Rapid Raceway!

From left to right: Marty, Bob, Ted and John lining up for the start of the Feb. 24th 2015 race.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/TA2RapidRaceway.jpg

3,947

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Dorothy, I am disappointed you feel the need to assign ownership to our "club". Although I respect and value your opinion, I disagree with you. Based on my history with other slot car groups, it is obvious that NASTE would have much more of a racing oriented focus were it truly MY club. However what I will take ownership of is the NASTE Point Series Championship. I started the series in 1996, and have promoted an organized it for the past 19 years. This racing series is the corner stone of NASTE. It is what NASTE came from. Since its inception NASTE has evolved into more of a social event than an actual slot car racing event. This is not a bad thing, just not what I originally had in mind. Not a direction in which I would have lead a slot car club. The evolution came about through the participants interests and input. The same can be said for rule revisions and changes I have made to MY series. I do my best to make the series appealing to all interested parties. It has come to my attention that not all NASTE members, participants, or whtever you would like to call them are interested in the racing series, let alone the actual race itself. The rule changes I have decided upon for next season (2016) reflect the feedback I have received. With these changes NASTE participants at all levels of interest should find a niche' that fits their interest. As I see it, NASTE is at a crossroads where participants are divided  in areas of primary interest. NASTE has been on its evolutionary journey with course changes influenced by its participants. I will admit I carry some influence in how and what NASTE does and becomes. But I am not the only influence. I would have to say NASTE is as much YOUR club Dorothy as it is mine. Your influence has changed the social aspect of NASTE in a positive way. You have also had more influence on rule revisions and changes in the racing aspect than any other members. I do not want to sound rude or dictorial, but I have tried to hold meetings where participants can provide feedback and take part in the administration responsibilities for NASTE with dismal results. I do what I feel is necessary to keep the NASTE Point Series Championship running.
==========Bill

3,948

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Monte, I like the idea of the track owner/host not racing. I would be good with that. It would give me more time to actually run the race and make it more efficient. However if we race the Shoot Out at Rapid Raceway or The Gorge, and Howie and Bob do not race the minimum 5 series races, the home track advantage is totally eliminated. As much as I would love it if Howie and Bob raced with us more, I know they are both much more committed to their 1/24 racing, and everyone has only so much time to devote to hobbies.

A couple other points; my current plan is for 10 point races next season. That is not counting the Halloween race and digital enduros. That would mean only half the races count towards a racer's final point total. This increases a racer's chance of making the Shoot Out. Reducing the number of our races will also allow racers more time to attend other slot car events with other clubs if they choose to.

3,949

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

Thanks Monte for your support. Through the years NASTE has raced under varying race formats. We have tried different things with some working and some not. Systems that have not worked well have been either modified or dropped all together. The changes have come in part to better accommodate the competitors. Things like budget concerns and interest level are major determining factors as to race format. These changing conditions are one reason NASTE has evolved into an IROC style racing series. Slot car clubs come and go, NASTE has been around for over 19 years and our racing and attendance is better than ever. We are doing something right. We have a friendly atmosphere where new racers feel comfortable. We have a relaxed attitude regarding good close competition. We have a point series championship for those that take their racing more serious. We are an excellent venue for all types of slot car enthusiasts! There are other clubs that take the racing much more seriously, and there is nothing wrong with that. I race with other clubs because I also like to race at a more serious level sometimes. Just because someone takes their racing more seriously or shows a higher level of racing skill, does not mean they are doing it wrong, and they should not be ridiculed for it. This new format, whether you like it or not, WILL better serve our wide variety of racers, from casual racer to hard competitor. The bottom line is; if you look around at our races we are ALL there for the fun of it. Our interpretations of fun are as diverse as our racers.

3,950

(46 replies, posted in Race Rules)

ckouba wrote:

I don't know...  All I see in that so-called "data" Monte showed is that Bill can't win a race.  Even at his own track.

(Come on, you know you were ALL thinking it!)

Sad...........but true.............