4,651 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

Good question Dorothy. Using the scores as an indicator would depend on whether you raced with the expert class or not. The digital enduro races were a team event so I don't think those races should affect a racers standing as amatuer or expert. Finishing in the top three in an amatuer race would not force you to move to expert. Only finishing in the top three of a race AGAINST experts would affect your standing.  We score the finish positions in order for each division (amatuer & expert) seperately. The points assessed for the Championship are the racer's OVERALL finish position (amatuer & expert together. i.e. you could finish 2nd in amatuer, but be 5th overall). You scored your 19 points in the second race (using the point system + laps completed method of scoring the race) for second place in a race with experts. You BEAT ALL BUT ONE OF THE EXPERTS! .......NICE JOB! Sunday's race was scored using the Full Monte System where you get your best finish in EITHER race (the Full Monte System is essentially 2 individual races on the same race day)...............clear as mud???

So, the interprtation I seek is; are you an expert as of that race (now), or do you finish out this season as an amatuer and start next season as an expert?

I would think you would finish this season out in the amatuer ranks? To me that would be the fair course, because I think you should still be elligible for the NASTE Challenge Championship for 2014.

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4,652 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

OK...........

So she was second overall, right?

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4,653 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

OK, now I'm confused.........

How were the points awarded for this race?

Typically only overall finish position points are awarded, correct?

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4,654 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

Terry, You are much closer than I on the actual rule! Here it is per the meeting 2013 BBQ Meeting at Monte & Victoria's:

"Expert Racer - Any person who has placed first, second or third in an expert race with other expert racers. Expert status is forever. Experts may not move down to race in amateur only races. Any racer can, at any time, self declare as an expert. Such declarations are irrevocable."

I see 19 points added to Dorothy's Point Series total. That would indicate a second place finish in an expert race. Looks like she now has "Expert" driver rating.

So my question would be; does she have to race Expert for the rest of the season?
Or does her "Expert" status start with the beginning of next season?

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4,655 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

No issue on my end as far as the race results......That's racing!

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4,656 Reply by wb0s

(29 replies, posted in NASTE)

Hi Dorothy, Thanks again for taking photos and video, and of course for bringing your fabulous treats!!!
Monte & Victoria, thanks for an excellent race day!!!

As far as the moving up to expert rule, I believe what we decided in regards to amateur status was; if an amateur wins the NASTE CHAMPIONSHIP they have to move up to expert status.

It's the Odd Thursday Racing where; if you win you are required to race magnet-less, which is basically joining the expert ranks.

Dennis or Victoria, please correct me if I'm wrong. I know we have it written down somewhere...........

P.S. Yup, no longer on Facebook........

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4,657 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

Hey Terry, good to see you here!!!

Junior slot racer my _ _ _  .....NICE avatar!!!  Something you drew I assume???

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4,658 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

EXCELLENT advice Smooth!!!

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4,659 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

Well put Howie, thanks for your input!

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4,660 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

Dorothy, I would NEVER ask YOU to leave!

The beach was great! We stayed in Newport. Yesterday (Wednesday) the weather was even nice and sunny most of the day. We drove up to Lincoln City and I found a 1/32 Mustang model (new in the box) at an antique store for $3.00!!! Also won $240 at Chinook Winds Casino (on a 40 cent bet!!!).

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4,661 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

Dorothy, I'm sure you're not the only one with questions. I think some people just don't ask.

I've raced with quite a few different clubs and groups through the years, and one thing I can tell you for sure is; more rules = more problems. Keeping it simple works best. Once you put rules in writing they have to be enforced. Enforcing the rules is NO FUN! Racers break rules, enforcing rules pisses racers off!  I know that doesn't seem right or fair, but it is a fact. As  the saying goes; "been there, done that"! We are all adults (granted playing with toy cars). Written rules for code of conduct should not be necessary. Excessive abuse is dealt with on a "as needed" basis. I have "asked" people to leave before. Thankfully it rarely happens. Other people that seem to be outside the appropriate "code of conduct" just go away.........  No matter where you race or what club you race with, regardless of the rules they have and the format they use, you will experience the same types of "things" you experience with the NASTE group. It's called RACING.....

At the beginning of this season a committee was formed to get the NASTE mission statement in writing, and to get some basic rules down on paper. I guess we should see about getting that finished up!........Victoria, do we have anything together yet?   ---------------Bill

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4,662 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

Cool Smooth!  Lookin' forward to it!

The potential for bad luck is evenly distributed between all the racers before the flag drops. After the flag drops it would appear some choose not to take advantage of the opportunity.

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4,663 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

"It's too bad some people....", our motto right???!!!! LOL.....

So, the race format in Salem. Traditionally NASTE has always let the track owner set the race format however they choose. NASTE has never had a set, specific race format we have used at each and every track. Sometimes format can depend on the type of lap counting system they use, or it can depend on how their track is laid out. If you recall my TooBad track was not marked off for tenths for quite sometime. We don't use tenths at Rapid Raceway track either. Keeping lap totals to the tenths is more accurate than some other methods. But then again keeping track of 100ths of a lap would be even better (in the early 80s a local HO club had a track marked in 100ths). On my old 3 lane 1/24 track, which we originally started NASTE with, we did not count tenths. We only counted full laps. We held time trials at the beginning of the race, and a racer's fast time was used to break any ties. There are many different race formats and ways to score races. One aspect of Northwest Association of Slot Track Enthusiasts is to bring track owners and racers together by facilitating more racing for a larger more diverse group of people. Part of this diversity includes racing styles, types of cars, types of tracks, and the systems and formats used to conduct the races. By having this wide diverse racing program, NASTE racers have a chance to experience different types of racing as well as getting to know new people in other clubs and groups. I think this has helped keep NASTE around for so many years. I see NASTE as a guest at a host track. We race how they race, under their rules and format, with the exception of IROC style cars and controllers. We are not there to take over their racing, we are there to experience their style of racing. My philosophy has always been, a win is a win whatever the particular format or scoring system a club or group uses, as long as all the drivers are racing under the same rules and system.

I'm glad you asked the question Dorothy! We have many newer racers in our group, and I think everyone needs to understand where NASTE came from. Of course all of this rambling is MY vision. With that said, NASTE is not EXACTLY what it was when it started out, and it may not be next year what it is this year.....................
--------------------------------Bill

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4,664 Reply by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

You are absolutely right in every respect Dorothy! Everything you mentioned has to do with being able to adapt to and overcome adversity. Everything you mentioned happens to EVERY racer at some point during a season. NO one gets through an entire season without getting screwed (I think it's a rule)!

There are three factors in slot car racing; 1. Driver skill - 2. Equipment - 3. Luck.

In normal slot car racing the biggest variable outside your control is luck, and there is ONLY BAD LUCK in racing! Because if anyone does experience what would be considered good luck, it is always far outweighed by someone elses bad luck! Just ask them! In NASTE racing the ONLY factor you have control over is driver skill. Luck AND equipment are beyond your control. Random driver placement by computer in any particular race falls under luck. Driver placement by first round finish position is based on driver skill. One of the reasons NASTE racing can be very frustrating is because luck is such a big factor. The equipment is out of your control, so luck can be a big factor there. How you deal with the luck of the hand you've been dealt, well that IS the key!

I don't think that resulted in any change?...........

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4,665 Reply by wb0s

(2 replies, posted in Penguin Point Raceway)

Great job on the pictures Dorothy!!! ....And the treats on race night too!!!!

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4,666 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

Great job on the pictures Dorothy!!! ....And the treats on race night too!!!!

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4,667 Topic by wb0s

(20 replies, posted in NASTE)

First off NASTE Championship racing is not for everyone. In NASTE IROC racing you do not have the luxury of getting a "competitive edge" with superior equipment. In NASTE IROC racing everyone races with the same equipment, cars and controllers. Because of that there is another difficult element to deal with, changing conditions. Many times the cars set out for the practice session are not the cars you will actually be racing. You may be starting the race with cars you have never completed a lap with. Performance can, and usually does vary, not only from round to round but from heat to heat. Wear and tear on the cars, as well as crash damage, can and does change the performance of the cars. The racers that do the best in NASTE Championship racing are those that adapt well to the changing conditions, and can best deal with the adversities during the race. It is rare that any racer gets through a race without some kind of negative impact outside of their immediate control. Whether it be a car that has developed an issue during the race, another driver's error, or turn marshal error. Any and all of these conditions can and will happen. To win you must deal with the issues and continue to push for your best possible finish. Take advantage of the practice sessions. Practice on each lane and find where the difficult sections of the track are. If the practice session cars are different than the race cars, use the first couple laps in the actual race to get a feel for the different cars before you try to push them for maximum performance. Keep in mind, ANY de-slot is worse than a slightly slower lap time. NASTE Championship racing is not easy! You win the series by being consistant over the entire season!

Just my 2 cents worth.  -------------------Bill

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4,668 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

We'd like to thank Art the owner of Edgewater Raceway for making the track available to us!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5162.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5165.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5166.jpg

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4,669 Reply by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

Left to right; Chris Kouba, Thomas Flood, Todd Flood, and current series leader Terry Abbott.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5160.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5165.jpg

The cars were assembled and tuned by Dave Smith. The chassis are 4 /14 inch Parma FCRs.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5163.jpg

Edgewater Raceway in Salem is one fun track! It is very fast and very smooth!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5161.jpg

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4,670 Topic by wb0s

(2 replies, posted in Track)

Saturday February 8th I made a trip over to Bob Nakamaru's in Troutdale for his open house and unveilling his new Scalextric track. Bob's track and facility is just beautiful! The four lane Scalextric track is layed out in a fast well flowing design. There are fast sweeping curves as well as a couple tricky tight corners to keep you paying attention! He has also worked a nice long front straight into his design. The track is very nicely and realistically decorated. The track is equipped with a computerized lap counting and timing system which worked perfectly. Bob plans to hold some Trans Am races, for stock out of the box Scalextric Trans Am cars. These cars even with the stock rubber rear tires work very well on Bob's track! We race quite a few laps and had some excellent dicing!

Thanks for letting me come over and run some laps Bob! I fully expect to enjoy some great racing at The Gorge Raceway!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5156.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5153.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5151.jpg

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5155.jpg

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4,671 Topic by wb0s

(6 replies, posted in NASTE)

OH WOW!!

Is that SNOW?

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5157.jpg

Practice time.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5158.jpg

The cars as prepared by Dave Smith.

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5164.jpg

Edgewater Raceway in Salem. That is one long straight!

http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_5159.jpg

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4,672 Reply by wb0s

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

My original plans for Saturday's race were foiled by circumstances beyond my control. Fortunately the ever dependable NASTE '55 Chevys stood in and saved the day. So just what makes these cars so damn much fun? Is it because they are so big? So slow? Or could it be the fact they provide great fender to fender racing with a little bumper thrown in? Whatever the reason they provided some very close racing along with some great crashing and bashing! Oh, and did I mention durability? We've been racing these SAME four cars since 2006. Yes, we've been IROC racing these exact four cars for over 7 years. In those seven years we have replaced one crown gear and three guide flags. All three guide flags were broken at TooBad last Saturday night! After seven years we are still running the same tires on all four cars, not to mention the same $1.99 Radioshack motors!

But back to my original plan for Saturday's race. The circumstances that altered my original plan have been corrected. So, be ready for something different for the next NASTE race at TooBad
Motorplex!

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

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4,673 Reply by wb0s

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

You're welcome Dorothy!

Thanks for the photos!!!

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4,674 Reply by wb0s

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

You guys are very welcome! It's always nice to have a good turn-out!

As far as the '55s go Rico, you ran an excellent race! Maybe you were just trying too hard to go fast before?

Bryan - I'll get my two ready as well. I'll replace the guide flag on the second car (only one not broken yet), and I'll true up some more tires. Let's true the up to the point where they're flat at that sharp shoulder line. That's where we took them down to before I belive. That leaves some room for wear, so we should be able to run them for another 5 or 6 years! Sound OK?

  -----------Bill

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4,675 Topic by wb0s

(7 replies, posted in NASTE)

Thank you to all that made it out to TooBad last night!  I had a blast!   -----------------Bill

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