Rule Changes for 2019 Racing Season (Page 1 of 2)

And I will create a new tab on the main site for rules.  In time...

These discussions are still open for further consideration:

F1

GT

Thunderslot & NSR

I think I now have all the NSR references eliminated. Let me know if I missed any.

=======Bill

One thing to consider when making up rules, is to be sure new people coming into the group can get started without a lot of extra expense and work. As we know many times new people don't have the skills developed to make changes to their cars. It is also discouraging for them to find out they not only have to buy a certain car, but they have to replace the motor it came with before they can even race it. We have seen people get discouraged and not come back for these reasons. It is one thing for the experienced racers in the group to establish rules they like, but on the other hand if you don't take into consideration what's required for new people to get into your racing program you will see a decline in membership. I've seen this happen with other clubs, and more than once. The most difficult part of maintaining a slot car racing club is acquiring new members! Acquiring new members should always be a top priority if you want the club to succeed.

Good point there bill. I did not even think about that.

Using a "Spec" voltage versus specific motors may be a good alternative. It would take some testing. Lowering the voltage may even close the performance gap between some of the different motors. My experience in testing motors has never shown a linear performance change with varying voltages applied. For example, just because a motor is rated at 18,000 RPM at 14 volts doesn't necessarily mean it is going to deliver 9,000 RPM at 7 volts. From my observations anyway.

That is the same type of results I saw from rewinding motor armatures years ago. Performance of motors was not linear in regards to applied voltage. An armature wound with X feet of #Y wire at Z number of turns per pole may have resulted in 20k RPM at 12 volts. Another armature wound with a heavier or lighter wire at different feet and turns may delivery the same RPM or very close to the same RPM at the same voltage. However when you lower or raise the voltage, each of the two different armature wind's RPM may vary greatly. Available current (amps) also contributes to the final RPM output and can also vary greatly depending on the wind. Some motor brands may run close to their maximum RPM at slightly lower voltages, some may drop off more.

Other things I have been thinking about for the championship series next year...

limit the # of classes - keeps everyone from having to work over their entire fleet.  I thought that having every class would discourage building a championship car for every class and we would compete with the cars we had.  This has clearly not happened- people have been upping the game continuously and that has made it more challenging across the board.  Being competitive across the full catalog of our classes requires a bit of investment of $'s and time.  At this point, last year's set up where we rotated between only 3 classes feels better to me.

run only classes which have replacement parts and tuning options - Pick classes which permit parts swaps and allow wallet-friendly replacement parts.  No more $6 axles + $9 shipping purchases because we need the stock axle to be class legal for the championship.  Allow a spec motor swap if the OEM craps out.  Guide system sucks (Scaley)?  Replace it!  We all like to tinker, and I think a limited spectrum of tuning options allows us to have more "fun" than purely stock.

I know the current season isn't over yet so let's just say I am getting the ball rolling earlier for this part of the discussion.

Thoughts?

Orange end bell or something else?

These is my take on the current rules.I think we need classes that the new racer cam show up and race and not have to spend extra cash to run. We also need classes were the tuners can do there thing. Need to find a happy middle.

These are my vote for the three point classes.and few others for vote
1. Can am
2.trans am
3.le mans
4. sports 1 but with a twist podded chassis or brass with a spec 14k motor.  IPS rules maybe
5 open gt3 podded or brass chassis and a spec motor

I agree with Mitch.  If I have a least favorite class it's probably Trans Am.

I'd be happy with:

1.  Can Am
2.  GT or Classic Spo's Ca's
3.  LeMans

But with only three classes I'd be happy with most anything.