1,151 (edited by reek455 January 12, 2019 11:07 am)

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Why are we frequently trying to change the rules and classes?  I agree it might be daunting to a newcomer as it was to me when I started a dozen years ago but they are never forced to buy/own a car for a certain class as there are ALWAYS loaners available and I have never seen anyone turned away if they don't have the correct car for a class. They may not collect points and I'm not sure this rule has actually ever been enforced but they are free to enjoy racing their cars right along with us regulars.

Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

I agree with the comments both Chris and Rico posted up. Part of having so many classes is being able to provide a venue for new comers to race WHATEVER car or cars they already have! And to enforce Chris' comment, we have ALWAYS been accommodating to new racers by loaning them cars when they do not have an appropriate car for any class.

If you look at NASTE's history over the years, we have engaged new racers on a yearly basis, and recruited more new racers than probably any other slot car club in the state. I give our IROC racing program most of the credit for that success. So although entering into the Odd Thursday Night program maybe somewhat daunting and confusing for new comers, I'd say the same can be said for starting up in any new group activity! I know for me DANCING is WAY more daunting than slot car racing with the NASTE group!

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

In an effort to clean up and clarify the GT Class rules that were updated and agreed upon, I performed some editing. The rules were updated at the September 14th 2018 race to better organize the entries by car type. Basically Class 2 - GT was subcategorized with three car types, pre-ground effect era 1968 thru 1980, ground effect era 1980 thru 1993, and LMP era 1994 thru current. I relabelled each of the types with class number designations (classes 15 thru 17) in the list of rules. Other than grouping the car types for a more realistic race grid, there were no other changes to the class.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

After Inslot's Checkered Flag Raceway is set up and ready for racing here in Vancouver, I will be enforcing a rule requiring the body screws on 1/32 production cars to be secured into the chassis. This is easily done by placing a piece of electrical tape over the mounting screw holes on the bottom side of the chassis. We have all experienced someone losing a body screw on the track. They get into the guide slot where they are difficult to remove and can cause damage to cars. The other common scenario is for them to get picked up by a car's motor magnets which can also cause damage to the car.

I'm bringing this up one more time, and also in the Odd Thursday Night Racing forum topic, because I think this would be a good rule to adopt, and because I WILL be enforcing this rule when I have Inslot's Checkered Flag track up and running.

If there are no objections I will add this rule to the official rules listed here.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

No issues here.

"Big Smooth"

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

NEW RULE added to Official Rules under General Rules:

7. All screws that pass through the bottom of a car's chassis will have their heads taped over. This is to prevent them from falling out onto the track surface should they become loose. This includes the heads of body mounting screws, as well as chassis motor pod mounting screws, or any other screws accessible or visible from the underside of the chassis.

Electrical tape works very well for this application. I will see that there is tape on hand at Al's Rippin' Ridin' Raceway for those that do not have any. Same will be true for InSlot's Checkered Flag when it is up and running.

This rule will be enforced at future races on InSlot's Checkered Flag.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Sounds like NASTE should offer up a roll of tape at each of our tracks.  Then compliance would be a simple task.

We should remember to check prior to each heat just like cleaning tires.

"Big Smooth"

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Good suggestions Monte.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

We had eleven racers at last night's Odd Thursday race. The first race of the evening was the GT3 Class. Although Al won the race by almost a two lap margine, the rest of the field was pretty close. Second place was a tie for lap count with Jake beating out Monte with a quicker fastest lap time. This class will be one of the point series classes starting with the next race. Here are last night's results for GT3:

GT3:
1 Al   71.4 Laps
2 Jake   69.1
3 Monte  69.1
4 Rico  66.1
5 Mitch  65.2
6 Chris  65.0
7 Bill  63.2
8 Zack 62.5
9 Daniel  61.9
10 Jeff  61.4
11 Kevin Lagassa  53.6

After the GT3 race the Le Mans Class cars were lined up for the point series race of the evening. This week Rico showed everyone he was on his game by taking the win. Al finished second just one tenth of a lap behind Rico, and Monte finished third just another seven tenths of a lap behind Al. This class provides some very close racing!

Le Mans Class - NASTE 2019 Point Series Championship Race No.8:
1 Rico 72.7 Laps
2 Al   72.6
3 Monte   71.3
4 Daniel  70.5
5 Chris  69.9
6 Bill  68.9
7 Jeff  68.3
8 Zack   66.7
9 Mitch  64.6
10 Kevin Lagassa  59.8
11 Jake  55.8

It had been quite sometime since we last raced the BRM 1/24 Group C cars, but last night they returned to the track, and in full furry! We had a blast thrashing these old beasts! It's been too long!

1/24 BRM Group C Class Results:
1 Rico 75.0 Laps
2 Chris   73.9
3 Al   73.0
4 Daniel  71.6
5 Mitch  68.9
6 Bill  63.3
7 Zack  59.3
8 Kevin Lagassa  58.2

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

A few of the racers at last night's race. Left to right: Al, Kevin, and Jake.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7463.jpg

The view from the driver's perspective at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7464.jpg

Daniel on the left side of the back straight, Rico on the right.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7466.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Daniel "Doc" Fritz turn marshalling the back straight.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7467.jpg

Jeff "The Kid" Fields turn marshalling the banked curve.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7469.jpg

Chris Kouba on the left. Jake "The Snake" on the right. Keven Lagassa and Monte "Smooth" Saager in the background.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7471.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Around the room at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway. Starting at left Doc, Rico "Chet" Locati, Kevin, Monte, Chris, and Jake.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7472.jpg

Left to right: Kevin, Monte, and Chris.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7473.jpg

Around the room from the left: Jeff, Rico, Kevin, Monte, Al, and Jake.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7474.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

It was great to have the BRM 1/24 Group C cars back on the track.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7477.jpg

Racing these cars is just way too much fun!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7479.jpg

Would you buy a used slot car from this guy?
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7465.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

A couple of videos from the racing on January 17th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da5q5MnCtDA&t=3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeGXGKJIlRY&t=9s

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

To quote "Used Cars":

"Fifty dollars never killed anyone"!

"Big Smooth"

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Thanks for hosting Al and as usual I had a blast racing last night. Also, thanks to our intrepid NASTE reporter for his exemplary coverage of last nights action.

Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

OK, so this Thursday is the first race for the GT3 Class cars. As I'm sure everyone remembers, I did all that work to try to improve my crappy GT3 Bentley and then went and left it on the bench in the shop on race night. Yup, totally forgot it and didn't get to test it at the last race.....Well not this time. I have already put it in my box so I wouldn't forget it again!......I sure hope I got the lead wires installed correctly.......

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Another Odd Thursday Night race at Rippin' Ridin' Raceway and the first round for the GT3 Class in the point series. The night started with a Classic Sports Car Div.II race. Zack Morgan is one of NASTE's newer members but it would appear Zack already has some tuning skills down! Zack loaned me his Slot.it GT40 to race and I'll tell you, it is the best handling Div.II cars I have ever raced! Div.II is the class for the next point series race and everyone needs to watch out for Zack, he is coming!

Classic Sports Car Div.II
1 Bill 77.4 Laps
2 Daniel   76.1
3 Zack   72.0
4 Rico  71.8
5 Al  71.2
6 Mitch  69.1
7 Monta 65.3
8 Stan   64.1
9 Jeff  62.4

Next the GT3 cars were sent to the grid. *Update: I didn't forget my car...but I kinda wish I had! Did I mention I HATE these cars?...However, these cars do provide for some pretty close racing....IF you happen to buy a good one! Ok, enough from the soapbox....Rico got his second straight win in the point series with a 70.7 lap total. Al came in second just 3/10 of a lap behind. Doc captured the last podium spot completing 67.5 laps.

GT3 Class - NASTE 2019 Point Series Championship Race No.9:
1 Rico   70.7 Laps
2 Al   70.4
3 Daniel  67.5
4 Monte  67.4
5 Jeff  66.7
6 Bill  65.0
7 Zack  64.4
8 Mitch 63.6
9 Stan  57.3

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Photos from last night's racing:

Mitch at the bench making adjustments before the race.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7580.jpg

Jeff (L) and Doc (R) during practice.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7581.jpg

Doc tweakin'....
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7582.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Left to right: Jeff, Mitch and Doc during practice.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7583.jpg

Scalextric GT3 cars.....I HATE 'em!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7586.jpg

GT3 Class on the grid.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7588.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Zack turn marshalling in the GT3 point series race.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7589.jpg

Al (L) preparing for his next heat race, while Jeff (R) monitors the hairpin turn.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7591.jpg

Al just let the smoke out of his controller while Mitch complains about the smell!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7592.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Mitch and Doc going at it on the track.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7584.jpg

GT3 starting grid with Rico's winning car in the middle.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7594.jpg

Mitch and Doc still going at it.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7585.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

This is Zack's Classic Sports Car Div.II winning Slot.it Ford GT40. This car is totally awesome!...Oh yeah, paint by Chris Kouba!
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7587.jpg

Scalextric GT3 Corvette.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7596.jpg

Scalextric GT3 Porsche.
http://www.naste.org/members/bill/IMG_7597.jpg

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

Was a very fun night of racing, although I have to say Al and I had even more fun after everyone decided to go home! We were playing with REAL GT cars and we got his GT40 dialed for next week! Easily keeping pace with my car with some tweaks....

I have to say I agree with Bill, Scalextric GT3 is by far my least favorite class and car to run,but its the same for everyone!

Zack

1,175 (edited by reek455 February 1, 2019 7:02 pm)

Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread

I’ve got to say,  I rather enjoy them.

Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.