NASTE for 2010 (Page 2 of 3)

Well, the idea is that it will be the same for everyone.  With the limit of two races per track even the 1/24 guys are going to have to branch out.  I imagine the HO guys might have an even tougher time finding enough HO events.  And maybe there's the possibility of running a 1/32 scale race on a larger type wood track.  We just have to pick the track(s) and work out the details with the track owner.

It's very possible for folks to get out and get enough events that it will come down to the final three days of IROC to decide the champ.  Consider that the PSSRA folks race EVERY Wednesday.  But once again, there's the track limit.  Max of 2 counting results per track.

And of course the more events you run at a variety of tracks, then the more chance you have of getting a group of good results to add to your score.

Bottom line, most of us will have to go outside our particular "field".

And what's wrong with that?

We haven't even addressed the drag racers...  Where's Jeff?

Some very good points and concerns Rico. That's why I'm glad to see some discussion going on, I hadn't considered some of your points. Let's give some of your points some names and numbers for example. Let's consider a PASER member, PASER currently races at Checkered Flag and Rapid Raceway, and this past season they raced once on the BullRing. That would give one of their racers 5 finish results. However many of the PASER racers also race with OSCAR, so they would be able to pick up their remaining race finishes at Tom's World in Bend, Electron Raceway or Spare Time Raceway in Roseburg, or Heidelberg Raceway or Pelican Park in Eugene. The PASER or OSCAR racers probably have one of the best scenarios in this format, second only to the NASTE racers because we race everywhere with all the different groups we know of. The draw back there is the races would not be IROC as we have done in the past. The Cape Horn racers are at a disadvantage. Their group races on one track, although I did read they have another track at a different location now. Also at a disadvantage is the group that races with Beaverton Slot Car Club, again one track. What it boils down to is how many races are available on how many different tracks where they race the same type of car? Or how many opportuniities are there for a racer to race HIS car on different tracks? So here's the beauty of this for track owners. It's NOT about getting all the groups and racers doing the same thing or racing the same cars. I hear track owners saying they're not getting enough use out of their tracks. So with this format you have the ability to have more races because it doesn't matter if your schedule interfeers with another group's. Here's an example, Rapid Raceway is open for a Hardbody PASER race on the 15th. On the 30th Rapid Raceway is open for a Flexi race Cape Horn style, different cars, different group of racers for the most part. If track owners truely wish to hold more races this would be an easy way to accomplish it. The 1/24 tracks around could hold races with the car types from Cape Horn, Pelican Park, Heidelberg etc. etc. in 1/24, as well as 1/32 magnet-less races. Nobody would have to have extra cars, or for that matter, even more than one! The rub maybe with the HO racers? I do not know how many different tracks they race on? HO GUYS, wade in here! However, I do know of two HO tracks that are on the NASTE circuit that don't get much use! And I am willing to use mine! I truly believe this format could accomplish a lot for the racing in our area, without changing the make-up or continuity of the existing clubs and groups. It's about racing opportunities!  -------------------Bill

The discussions regarding the NASTE 2010 season are still going on. At the NASTE Thursday at Howie's Terry Abbott told us about an idea he had for the upcoming season. Terry suggested we scratchbuild some 1/32 chassis for the Revell 1/32 Snap Tite series of model cars. The cars design needs to be such that they will perform well on the 1/32 sectional plastic tracks as non-magnetic cars, and perform equally as well on the 1/24 wood routed tracks throughout our area. I really like this idea! It would enable us to have an IROC season without having to maintain a large stable of cars. We would only need four cars plus a couple spares to race on all the 1/24th and 1/32nd tracks with all the various clubs. After testing at Howie's I'm convinced we can put together some 1/32 cars that will work on both types of tracks. In addition to the six or so 1/32 cars, we would only need approximately six HO cars to cover that scale. This plan would enable us to keep the NASTE IROC style series which seems to be so popular.

I have started researching parts costs for building the 1/32 cars. The model kits used for the bodies sell for $3.99 at Fred Meyers. I am leaning towards the use of the SCX 42B motors. They are fast enough, and the motors are srviceable and rebuildable. The SCX motors retail for $9.99. The SCX motors will also bolt into a standard 16D or Falcon type motor bracket. I am thinking of using a guide flag mount that will accept the Slot.It guide flags that secure by a screw. With this type of guide flag mount we could easily change Slot.It guide flags between the standard and wood track types (if needed) depending on where we are racing. The same could be true for the rear tire setups. We could alternate between silicones, rubber, or urethane depending on track surface.

My plan right now is to put together a prototype to test. I'll keep you all posted......  --------------------------Bill

Interesting.  I was going to ask how about using Womps, figured you mgiht have some.

Make sure you use .090 brass!  Yah, I know I'm a smart a$$!!

Rico

Tonight I started building the prototype of the NASTE IROC Camaros. I have started a photo gallery of the mule's buildup. You can follow the progress by clicking on the "Slot-Tech" tab on the home page.  -----------------------------Bill

Great question George. I figure either way would have worked, but here's my thinking; first off the wheelbase for the Camaro body is longer than that of the Womp chassis, so I have to build a new front axle mount anyway.  The other consideration I had was the side pans. If I had made the center section wider I would have ended up with narrower brass side pans. The narrower side pans would have worked, but I was thinking I wanted a little more weight to the side pans. Plus the wider pans make mounting the body a little easier.  --------------------Bill

Sorry guys, been busy doing other "summertime" things.........I'll be back to it soon!!!  --------------------Bill

The NASTE BBQ and 2010 Season Meeting will be held at Jeff Courtney's Hemi Heights Raceway Park on Sunday September 13th. This year we are making it a Potluck Affair. The hamburgers and hotdogs are lined up, so just bring a side dish or snack of your choice. The track will be up and running, doors open at 2:00pm. Hope to see you all there.  ----------------Bill

Here is what was decided by the NASTE members in attendance at the NASTE BBQ on Saturday Sept. 12th, 2009:

  Race Days will be Saturdays, Gates Open at 3:00 P.M. Races Start at 6:00 P.M.

  The Season Opener will be the Annual Halloween Race at Hemi Heights Raceway Park on Friday October 30th 2009. This is a NON Points Race, cars will be Judged for prizes and the race will be for bragging rights only. Cars will be Judged in three categories, Funny, Creative and Scary. Costumes optional but clothing is mandatory. The Annual Halloween Races will be the season openers for future NASTE Racing Seasons. The Halloween Openers will be held at Hemi Heights Raceway Park unless otherwise specified before the beginning of the new season.

  All NASTE races for the 2010 season will again be IROC style races. As scheduled for now 1/24 tracks will race the NASTE '55 Chevys. 1/32 tracks will race the NASTE Carrera Aston Martin Vanquish cars. HO tracks will race T-Jet cars. These types of cars for IROC races are subject to change.

  There will be an official NASTE Scrabble table set up at each race for Scrabble competition in conjunction with the racing.

  The following are the race dates for the NASTE 2010 Racing Season:

November 14th 2009
December 5th 2009
January 9th 2010
January 23rd 2010
February 20th 2010
March 6th 2010
March 27th 2010
April 17th 2010
May 1st 2010
May 22nd 2010

Tracks/Race locations are yet to be determined. Track owners; for those track owners interested in hosting a NASTE race for the 2010 season, please send me an email indicating your first three preferences for a race date from the list above. Thank you!   ---------------------------Bill

Racers, regarding the upcoming NASTE Halloween Race; Jeff's Hemi Heights Raceway Park has an overpass with a clearance of 3 1/2 inches. Be sure your Halloween themed racer is not over 3 1/2 inches tall at it's highest point!!!!  -----------------------------Bill