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Slotcar Legends Racing Guidelines

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wixwacing
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Slotcar Legends Racing Guidelines

Post by wixwacing »

Guidelines for the Slotcar Legends series of 1/32 slot car racing events.
18/07/2009


Because of the vast array of models currently on the market it is a mammoth task to set a list of guidelines that will please everybody. The guidelines are aimed at an attempt at being equitable to those who have a limited disposable income as well as catering for those who have deeper pockets.

1/32 RTR slot racing has long stood in the shadow of the now less popular 1/24 scale racing and in doing so has inherited some of the poorer aspects of the genre. In the following guidelines I have endeavoured to break away from outmoded practices and to introduce more equity into the hobby. There is no qualifying, no scrutineering and no ‘Prima Donna’ mentality. This is, after all, 2009! Also, in doing so, I have avoided trying to emulate ‘real 1/1 racing’ regulations as it is a nonsense to think our hobby has that much in common with International motor sport. With the emphasis being on parity and cost; the venue, the model class and common sense will always dictate the guidelines.

As with the successful SEQSCC formula at Graceville, at this stage, there are no points or prizes at regular meetings. The racing will not be scrutineered unless there is a formal complaint and in the event of any ambiguity, model / class decisions will be discussed and a sound judgement will be reached. In the event that ‘Slotcar Legends’ meetings count towards the Q32 points system, models must still comply with Slotcar Legends guide lines.


Race Format


0.1
Racing days will consist of three events. The first will usually be ‘Invitation’ class (sometimes referred to as ‘Track owner’s choice, see guideline 13.1 below). The second event will usually be a ‘set class’ event as set out below in 0.2. This class will be chosen before race day. Event three will usually be the ‘Trophy’ event run under its own guidelines as discussed and determined in plenty of time before the event commences.

0.2
For ‘Set Classes’ the length of each event will be a regular number of laps based on a minimum accumulated time of approximately 12 minutes, i.e. on a four lane track it will be four heats of a set number of laps which will equate to approximately three minute heats and on a three lane track it will be three times the number of laps which closest equals four minute heats.

In simple terms, on a four lane track, if an average lap time is seven seconds, then a heat will be three minutes (180 seconds) divided by seven seconds which is 180 / 7 = 25 laps +. ALL racers will get the opportunity to complete the same amount of laps unless they personally choose otherwise. Once again, this race length has in the past proved popular with racers as it allows innocent deslot victims (those taken out by another racer) the opportunity, where able, to recover lost time or to generate a buffer against later ‘innocent’ deslotting in that heat.

0.3
The ‘Trophy’ event will be for models of a specific criteria (i.e. Porsche Cup, Subaru Challenge’ etc) and will consist of a series of races on a variety of tracks spread over the (six month) season. The series class choice will be influenced by popular request and points will be accrued. Contestants who race all rounds will be required to drop their worst round. The competitor with the highest points tally after corrections will be deemed the winner. This event will also will be run as twelve minute races where all racers will be cycled across all lanes.


Controllers

1.1
Hand controllers generally will be the standard controller supplied by the venue. With the advance and improvement in technology it will be allowed to race with advanced controllers such as Professor Motor, Slot.it etc where track wiring allows, BUT, at NO time must a controller be able to deliver voltage above that supplied by the track power supply. i.e. capacitor assisted etc.


Marshalling

2.1
At these events will be a diversity of ability in both racing and marshalling. The onus will be on each competitor to appreciate the contributions of others, young and old, without which, we would be sitting at home twiddling our thumbs or racing by ourselves, and exercise restraint and good manners in sometimes difficult situations. Repeated or extreme failure to comply may result in the offender’s name being removed from the race schedule. I sincerely hope it NEVER comes to that! Also remember, all senior racers are to marshall the next heat unless they are called to race again or the event has concluded.

2.2
The primary and most important task for marshalls is to ‘clear the track of debris’ to prevent following cars from being hindered in any way!’ This is achieved by lifting the errant model clear of the raceway in a positive and decisive action. All other tasks are secondary, including reslotting the offending vehicle(s). As already mentioned, it is good practice to lift the model well clear of the lanes when recovering it from an incident, noting its lane colour and replacing it smartly and accurately on the matching coloured lane. This will minimise the risk of dithering a model on the race surface and knocking a following model out of its slot. After this, marshalling is all straight forward and wherever possible, attention should be paid to the ‘reslot the offending car last’ principal in a multiple deslot, and in the event of a three car deslot incident on the first lap the heat will be restarted. Also, when a model has become deslotted, it must be reslotted at the point of its incident, not further up or down the track!

2.3
When marshalling, it may be required to reach over one part of the track to reach a less accessible part. Please bear in mind that on these occasions loose clothing can dangle across the track with dire consequences. Please keep all your bodily attire under control. Also, when reaching across to a difficult deslot it sometimes happens that the marshall needs to support themself to reach the incident. Suffice it to say that you must NOT put your hand (or any other part of you) on the racing surface. This is for the models exclusively!

Non Racing Guests


3.1
Although there has been no problem to date, it is advisable that all parents who are accompanied by NON RACING minors and competitors with non racing guests formally contact the track owner in advance to confirm the suitability of the venue for these people. Finally, as guests at another person’s home where other family members may be present, it almost goes without saying that you conduct yourself accordingly.


The Buck Stops Here!


4.1
There are a host of other general guidelines that could be considered but I would like to think I have covered the more important ones at this stage and haven’t encumbered the whole process by being too pedantic.

As Slotcar Legends ‘Racing Director’ I will endeavour to be fair and impartial. I will listen to all input in a dispute and along with the ‘Track Owner’ of the event, will make a decision based on the guide lines and majority sentiment. This decision will be final on the day and in the event of a homologation dispute it will be researched between meetings for future reference.

I have drawn up a set of class guidelines based on many years personal experience, peoples’ thoughts and many hours sifting through other clubs rules and guidelines on the internet, these are not set in concrete and they are open to modification as and where they obviously appear or prove to be flawed.



5.1
Provisional ‘Set Classes’ are as follows


A set class may be motor class A, motor class B or motor class C on the night. eg. Rally class A or DTM class B or Le Mans GT class C etc, etc...On another occasion it might be Rally class C etc, etc...
Class			Motor Class
	
Rally Modern			A		B		C
Rally Classic			A		B
Rally Historic			A

Touring car Modern		A		B
Touring car DTM			        	B		C
Touring car JGTC				B		C

Premier Sedans				        B

Trans Am Classic				B

Open Wheelers Modern			        B
Open Wheelers Classic			        B
Open wheelers Historic			        B

Le Mans GT1/2/3	        	A		B		C

LMP 1/2/3			 	        B		C
  
Classic Sports		        A



Definitions


6.1
Rally Car A model ly marked as a rally competitor (i.e. Monte Carlo, Catalunya etc) and having the model’s driver AND navigator!

Touring Car Modern A model carrying the markings of a recognised Touring Car series (i.e., BTCC, WTCC, STCC etc excluding all JGTC classes.). Scalextric touring cars from the nineties like Laguna, Mondeo, Alfa, Vectra etc. will be allowed ONE replacement magnet. The ‘fridge’ magnet will have to be removed if another magnet is fitted.

DTM A model carrying the markings of the German DTM and DEKRA series

JGTC The cars for JGTC will be the GT500 class from 2005 onwards.

Premier Sedans. A model carrying the markings of the Australian V8 or US modern NASCAR series.

Trans Am Classic (Sometimes referred to as ‘Muscle Cars’) these will be models that are clearly Trans Am Classic entries, (Mustang, Camaro, Cougar, Javelin etc.) marked or otherwise. Unless there is general consensus and to simplify validation, this class EXCLUDES cars from the 2.0 litre class. (Cortinas, Alfas etc.)

Open Wheeler This is for GP - F1, A1GP, Cart and Indy type models

Le Mans, GT1/2/3. This is very wide ranging and self explanatory. It is for any Le Mans model, historic, classic or modern, designated as such, EXCLUDING LMP type models. Please note! Le Mans models MUST have 3 dimensional headlights, working or otherwise! Decal type lights or no lights do not qualify. Scalextric 962’s, Sauber Mercs, Jags and SCX SRS2’s etc can have the traction magnet upgraded to a rare earth type. This class excludes models which appear in another class i.e. JGTC (touring cars)

LMP Any model resembling cars from the current LMP series or its predecessors or popular variants (ALMS LM P1, 2, etc.). Again with 3D headlights

Historic Sports For any model depicting a pre 1970 road or track sports car (2 seater or 2+2 configuration, hard or soft top).


6.2
The term Modern, Classic and Historic will be interpreted as follows unless otherwise stated in the individual event description.
Modern	        	Models based on  cars from 1990 onwards

Classic	         	Models based on  cars from 1970 to 1989

Historic		Models based on  cars up to 1969



Motor Classes
6.3
Motor class A	This is for NC 1 type motors and others rated up to 17,000 RPM @12 V 
                (i.e. SCX RX41,RX81, Cartrix TX1 	etc..)	

Motor class B	This is for motors rated at 18,000 rpm @ 12 v (21,000 rpm @ 14v) i.e. Scalextric 
                ‘S’ can. Fly P1, SCX RX42b / 82b  etc….

Motor class C	This is commonly referred to as ‘open’ motor class and includes anything you can 
                shoe horn into an otherwise qualifying model
Please note, a motor class includes all the classes below it, i.e. Class C includes A and B but non above it.

7.1
Models can only qualify for one event. Should the situation arise, an individual racer’s model can not be raced in two events at the same race day should they coincide. The driver must choose which event it qualifies to race.

Because of their poor adherence to scale, Scalextric / SCX SRS 1 models and models with vacuum formed or ‘Lexan’ bodies and/or models with minimal or excessive wheels do not qualify.




8.1
Homologation of models outside the ’Set Class’ guidelines.



For the purpose of the Set Classes, models will race with their spec. chassis, bodies, magnets and motors except for those allowed modifications under section 9.0 Motor upgrades. Models which come ‘out of the box’ with a qualifying motor must be raced with that motor with the exception of the models listed below. In initial race meetings, faster motors can be raced in set classes but will not feature in the results. This is to encourage newcomers and those with a limited choice to participate with minimum fuss, but! The guideline may well be withdrawn from regular competitors at a later date when it will be expected that they have made a reasonable effort to comply. Any decision to allow a non-homologated model to race applies to that race only! and DOES NOT automatically carry over to successive races or meetings. A fresh application will need to be made for each subsequent event unless the model becomes homologated. New model releases (not reliveries) which appear at Australian retailers during the current racing season will serve a period of probation until the model has been trialled and consensus allows homologation.

Traction Magnets

8.2
For the purpose of plastic track racing, all models competing in ‘set classes’ will run their traction magnets in their positions. Cars deemed to have ‘too much traction’ will be tested by inverting them on a test track. Any model found to be holding position whilst fully inverted will be deemed to have an illegal magnet/magnets and will not feature in the results.


Motor upgrades

9.1
All SCX cars will be allowed the Pro Turbo, Turbo plus and RX42/82b motors only for motor class B.

9.2
Models issued with Scalextric ‘13’ cans and Johnson 111’s will be allowed to
upgrade to a standard 18,000 rpm ‘S’ can (Various makes)

9.3
Any motor which appears suspicious and can not be readily identified will be DISALLOWED! E.g. Ninco motors without the foil wrappers etc.



Wheels and Tyres

10.1.
Models will be allowed to use alloy wheel replacements provided :

10.1.1. Where the model’s tyre has a tread width of 10.0 m.m. or greater, the replacement tyre fitted does not exceed the width of the tyre.

10.1.2. Where the model’s tyre has a tread width of 9.0 m.m. or less, the tyre used may be upgraded to 9.0 m.m.

10.1.3. Natural rubber, urethane or Silicone rubber tyres only will be allowed. Tyre makes can be swapped from car to car i.e. Ninco on an SCX etc.

10.2
Tyre cleaner or other adjuncts may be used in tyre preparation for the improvement of grip only. Tyres MUST NOT BE STICKY AT ALL! when the model is placed on the track for practice or racing.

10.3
Tyres and/or wheels may NOT extend outside the wheel arches with the exception of some SCX cars that do have protruding wheels.



Body Mounting



11.1
Body to chassis mounting will be as per ‘out of the box’. Mounting post shortening is not acceptable. Body screws may be loosened but every effort must be made to prevent loosened screws finding their way on to the track and into the slot. One solution is to fit longer screws.


Driver’s trays


11.2
For the purpose of plastic and board track racing, all models, with the exception of Australian V8’s, will have either a full interior or a half driver’s tray, visible through the model’s windows. Non trays will need to be constructed of plastic. Vacuum formed or Lexan driver’s trays are prohibited.
Models which come with a lexan or vacuum formed drivers tray will not feature in results until such time as a replacement plastic tray is fitted.


Non qualifying contestants.


12.1
As mentioned above, a prospective contestant may currently join in any of the races, ‘Invitation’, ‘Set class’ or ‘Trophy‘. Their model must fit the class description, Le Mans, F1, Rally etc.... even though it may not be homologated and not feature in the race results.

Please note! These drivers must keep clear of the qualifying competitors and not hinder their progress in any way! Causing a race contender to deslot may result in their removal from the race.


INVITATION CLASSES


13.1
The invitation class will usually be set by the track owner and run as the first event. There will generally be NO motor limits to the Invitation classes except where a motor is nominated as part of the class eg. NC1 Rally, Scalextric GP ‘S’ can etc. Then the motor guidelines will come into play.

As an example only, the invitation class can include such things as
1.	NC1 Classes
2.	Historic Sports cars
3.	Classic GP
4.	Historic Rally
5.	etc.etc.....
Or one make or model classes like
1.	Slot.it
2.	Carrera
3.	SCX Rally
4.	Fly Le Mans
5.	etc.etc.......
All other guidelines apply.


Scratchbuilds


14.1
There are several people who as keen hobbyists like to assemble their own models (scratchbuilds) including myself. With the correct guidelines, these models are no quicker than today’s ‘out of the box’ models but can contribute to the diversity of models on the track. In my view, they should be included in the classes.

In order to feature in ‘Set Class’ results, scratchbuild models should comply with the following guidelines.
1.	Scratchbuilt models will be allowed when –

i.	The body is hard plastic and true 1/32 scale

or

ii.	The body is resin and true 1/32 scale.
iii.	Gross trackside weight does not exceed 100 grammes
iv.	The motor complies with the class motor.
v.	The model has true scale wheels
vi.	The model has true scale tyres made of solid rubber, silicone rubber or urethane.
vii.	The model has one guide mounted at the front of the model.
viii.	The model has a one piece plastic or similar chassis supporting the rear axle, motor, 
        front axle and guide. (Sheet metal chassis are disallowed)
ix.	The model has a detailed drivers tray
x.	The model has only ONE traction magnet to be sourced from a current RTR manufacturer. 
        Or a homologated ‘generic’ magnet
xi.	The model has a convincing solid driver figure for all classes except rally.
xii.	The model has convincing solid driver and co driver figures for all rally classes.
xiii.	The use of Lexan and other vacuum formed parts i.e. drivers trays are prohibited from 
        use on any part of the model with the exception of windows.

The Catch-all clause


15.1

The Slot Car Legend Series is about driver ability and a level playing field. Emphasis will at all times be on transparency and equal models and not on ‘sly modifications’ and ‘deviousness’. If a particular issue or application regarding a model or race procedure which departs from the norm is not mentioned above then it is presumed to be NOT allowed until such time that, on enquiry, a decision is accepted and adopted


16.1
Thank you for reading this far. Some may feel there is an element of unwarranted complexity in the above, but getting unity amongst a dozen or more people who look for different needs from a common hobby is complex in itself. The above guidelines are a culmination of experience in organising race meetings and speaking to people over the years and listening to what they enjoy most about the hobby. They are also designed to generate a loose parity and remove the necessity for (1) a box full of models and (2) scrutinising a minefield of dubious models. NO ONE will be prevented from racing because they don’t have a complying model. Hopefully, there is enough diversity for all to race their ‘favourites’ as and when. As mentioned before, the guidelines are not set in concrete but they are the initial guidelines which we must have. If someone chooses to digress from them, fine! The worst that will happen is that they will not feature in the results.

17.1
Some groups around the world divide their competitors into groups for the purpose of creating competitive batches. i.e. Group A (experienced racers) Group B (Improvers etc, etc....) Slotcar Legends will recognise driver ability by placing them, with their consent, into one of two groups. From then on and at the conclusion of each seasons racing, drivers will be assessed and the lowest rated driver in group A will be relegated to group B and the highest rated driver from group B will be promoted to group A. All newcomers will automatically start racing in group B. Old returnees will be assessed and placed in their former or the other group

18.1
Finally, because the races are predominantly held at private domestic residences, attendance at all events will be by invitation only, via email or telephone contact. This is to avoid the potential problem of an excess of competitors turning up at otherwise unsuitable locations. No one is barred from attending Slot Car Legend events and potential racers who wish to be notified of up and coming events should approach me with either their email address or their telephone number. All registered interests will receive an invite. Other guests will need to contact the relevant track owner.

I look forward to you all racing with ‘Slot Car Legends’ and taking the hobby forward to its next level.



Wixwacing


These guidelines supersede ALL previous ‘Slotcar Legends’ guidelines.

paw180709
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When I'm not racing slotcars,
I'm out in the back yard, burning food!!

When I win, it's because of my talent, not my car or my controller!
bazza
Spectator
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:44 am

Re: Slotcar Legends Racing Guidelines

Post by bazza »

Hi Phil, are all the above rules and regulations still the same in 2015.
wixwacing
Marshal!!!
Posts: 1871
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:22 am

Re: Slotcar Legends Racing Guidelines

Post by wixwacing »

Hi Bazza,

These guidelines are mostly still correct for Slotcar Legends racing. Other race groups (Q32, LCR) run similar quidelines, but for clarification of other group guidelines / rules it is best that these racing bodies are contacted.
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When I'm not racing slotcars,
I'm out in the back yard, burning food!!

When I win, it's because of my talent, not my car or my controller!
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