We had a good turn out for yesterday's open track Monday. 10 racers, two of which came up from Eugene, put down some rubber on the track. There were quite a few good on track battles with many different types of cars throughout the day.
I would like to have some short sprint type races mixed in with practice sessions. At this point we are still developing the details for accomplishing this. I consider Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway to be the PASER Club home track. PASER's car classes have been developed over a long period of time and are well detailed in their rules. My plan is to also promote and hold Northwest True Scale races as well as NASTE races. Like PASER, Northwest True Scale has well developed classes with rules that are well detailed.
Which NASTE car classes are well suited to the Checkered Flag track has been an ongoing area of discussion. Since NASTE is heavily weighted towards 1/32 hardbody cars and running them on tighter tracks at lower voltages, some changes to those cars is required for them to run well at ICFR. Things like additional weight bias, a deep "wood track" style guide flag, dropping the flag lower in some cases, and the newer natural rubber style rear tires, are all modifications that will improve handling.
With that said, discussions late Monday about specific NASTE classes to run/race at ICFR (in addition to the usual PASER and NWTS classes) ended with a Stock Womp Class and the modification of the OVER 50 Class. These rules are in the development stage and the rules are subject to change as we progress through further development. Once we decide on the final rules I will update the NASTE Official Rules for these two classes. But for now here's what we will start with:
Stock Womp Class:
Class Goal: Keep this a budget class, limiting it to primarily STOCK 1/32 Parma Womp chassis, keeping the cars as close to OEM components as practical. Final motor spec will be determined with the goal of keeping the cars quick, with low cost motors. Some speed may be sacrificed to gain better handling and closer competition.
Must use a STOCK 1/32 Parma Womp STEEL chassis. - NO modifications. That means NO bracing, NO bending, etc.
Must use the stock 1/8" front axle, stock front wheels, and stock front "O" ring tires. Front wheels may be set up to rotate individually.
Minimum ground clearance of .055" at lowest point.
A final motor spec has not yet been determined. We are currently considering the Piranha 21.5K FC-130 S-Can (available through Professor Motor $7.99), and the Predator FC-130 25K S-Can (available through Slot Car Corner $7.99). I would personally rather use FK type motors, so I will check to see what is available at a low cost. It appears the Professor Motor FK 25K motor is no longer available. Until a final decision is made on a spec motor, we will allow any motor rated at 25K or less. This will also give us an opportunity to evaluate other motors. Please use motors that are READILY available to everyone!
OVER 50 Class:
Class Goal: To provide racers the opportunity to run and race their old '60's type slot cars. Rules limiting the modifications to the cars to retain the classic feel and tradition. Minor modifications will be allowed to enhance the cars performance, durability, and "fun factor".
Body: Clear type bodies or injection plastic molded bodies are permitted. Clear type bodies can be no less that .010" thick.
Bodies must be representative of cars raced or produced before 1970.
Chassis: Any production chassis manufactured in the 1960's may be used (i.e. Classic, Gar-Vic, Cox, Strombecker, Russkit, AMT,
etc.).
Motor: Motors must be of the type the chassis was originally designed for (i.e. 36D, 26D, early 16D, 13D, Pitman open motors,
KTM style "padlock" motors). Late model 16D type motors are NOT legal for this class.
Tires: Rear tires may be newer style "natural rubber", with a minimum diameter of 1 inch, and with a maximum width TBD.
Minimum ground clearance: .055" at lowest point (includes spur or crown gear).
Car weight: Maximum car weight shall not exceed 205 grams.
Allowable modifications: Motor = NONE.
OK to replace original threaded REAR axle with drill blank type to allow use of set screw type wheels.
OK to replace original spur, crown, or pinion gears.
OK to replace original guide flag.
OK to replace original type guide flag braid.
OK to add weight in the form of lead or brass for ballast. Added weight must be well secured to chassis.
These rules are preliminary and will be refined as testing and competition develops. Because of the broadness of the 60's chassis designs as well as motor developments, there will be some disparity between different car types and brands. But the real goal of this class is to get the old cars back on the track and have fun with them! Keeping this in mind these basic rules will get us started!
