Summer 2011 Race Program

[Blake]

Hi all,

Here is the plan for summer racing this year:

Classes:

TC 17.5 Stock Non-Boosted and TC Novice
Touring Stock will run with the same rules as last year, with the exception of the ESC settings.  We will adhere to ROAR's current "non-boost" formula for Touring Stock.  This is the standard for both ROAR and all neighbouring BC and WA State clubs.  This allows anyone with an older brushless ESC (ex. Novak GTB) to be on the same horsepower level as anyone with a tricked out Tekin.

*** TC Novice will run as a separate class and is intended to help grow the club with new racers.  The hope is that a separate class will entice newcomers to join the club.  If we don't have enough racers for a dedicated Novice heat, then we will run them with the lower TC Stock heat but we will score them separately in the points standings.  IROCC is looking into the idea of keeping an RTR TC4 kit at the track for people that are interested in joining.  The Novice class has no specific motor rules but as racers "mature" in this class, they may be asked to move up to the TC Stock 17.5 class.

World GT 1s 13.5 Boosted/10.5 Non-Boosted
We are going to follow ROAR's standard on this one as well.  WGT has taken off in BC and WA State as we saw at all the carpet races this winter.  We will keep the WGT standard rules regarding chassis, bodies, batteries, and spec tires.  The standard WGT motor rule is 13.5 Boosted but we will allow 10.5 Non-Boosted motors as well.  However, after a few weeks of racing we may disallow the 10.5 depending on speeds.

TC Nitro
Usual rules: 0.12 engines and foam tires.


Schedule:
Sat March 12:  Indoor Racing
Sat March 19:  Last indoor race
Sat March 26:  No racing
Sun April 3    :  No racing
Sun April 10  :  Outdoor track cleanup day
Sun April 17  :  First outdoor practice raceday
Sun April 24  :  Second outdoor practice raceday
Sun May 1    :  First outdoor points raceday

Weekly Race Fees:
Same as the last several summers:  $5/class for IROCC members ($10/class for local non-members.  Free for non-Islanders.)

Summer Membership Fee:
Same as the last several summers:  $20 one-time summer membership fee.  You will receive a free day of racing on the day you pay this membership fee.

Two Points Series:
This summer will feature two points series:

Ironman Series:   The Ironman point series will count points for every Sunday with one throw-away for every four races.  This is the same system as we've run for the last few years.
Casual Series:   The Casual point series will count points only on certain Sundays over the summer (roughly every two weeks).  There will be a total of about 10 Sundays in the Casual series and there will be 3 throw-aways.  This shorter series will allow racers with limited racing availability to compete for points supremacy.  The schedule for the Casual series will be posted in the next week or so.


If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask here.


Blake

[haddow]

awesome format! I really like the novice class. It would be nice to see the electric touring become super competitive with big fields again as it once was.

World GT, as in no wide cars and GTP bodies?

Cant wait to race a few times this summer.

Jody

[Gorden]

We will keep the WGT standard rules regarding  spec tires.

what about starting the spec tire in June so we can use up old tires 1st

[Blake]

awesome format! I really like the novice class. It would be nice to see the electric touring become super competitive with big fields again as it once was.

World GT, as in no wide cars and GTP bodies?

Cant wait to race a few times this summer.

Jody

Hi Jody,

Yes, we are hoping to boost numbers in all classes but growth usually starts in Electric Touring and that's why we decided to use an actual "Novice" designation.  This way the newcomers are fighting for Top-5 positions in the class, rather than fighting for Top-Honours in the D-Main for example.  It's really just a semantic thing, but hopefully it will be enough to raise interest in the club.

World GT will follow the basic WGT rules:  200mm width, approved sports-car bodies, spec WGT tires, 1s battery, 13.5 Boosted (or 10.5 Non-Boosted depending on speed).  WGT has a "following" in these parts now and so we have changed our old Pro10 class to the new standard.  WGT will run at Speed Weekend this summer and I expect that we'll have a good mix of racers from Vic, Van, Kel, Kam, and WA.

Blake

[Blake]

We will keep the WGT standard rules regarding  spec tires.

what about starting the spec tire in June so we can use up old tires 1st

Hi Gord,

You can burn up your old tires on the first two practice racedays, on Tuesday nights, or during morning practice sessions.  Otherwise everyone should be on the same spec tires for the actual races.

***NOTE:  The Exec will be the first to admit that we don't have concrete proof that the Spec tire will work well on our track.  WGT with spec tires was run last summer in California at the pavement ROAR nats and the cars worked fine.  Obviously they have a treated surface down there but I would think that our surface would be comparable.  So, we are optimistic that the cars/tires will work well.  If it turns out to be a disaster, then we may have to adjust the rules.

Long story short: Don't put your old tires on eBay just yet... let's wait until we try the spec setup to see how things work.

Blake

[haddow]

I'm so in for novice! ;-)

GTP handled well but they are awful looking on 10th scale car, especially wide. WGT sounds like a good formula, I have yet to see one run.

[Blake]

WGT is pretty cool on carpet.  They're right inbetween a TC-sled and a nimble 12th Scale.  Easier to drive than a 12th but will still carve around the corners.  I hope our sugar spray will yield just as much fun on the asphalt.

Blake

[gotnitro]

With the little tire we run I wonder how much wear the pavement will have with the wgt. 

[Shawn68z]

Just acouple of comments.  I think a 13.5 Boosted will be much quicker then 10.5 Non-Boosted for WGT.  I have both motors so maybe I will give it shot as a comparision.

The novice class is also a good idea, and will be interesting to see how many people show up to run that class. It still doesnt address the cost of racing though. Figured a RTR 18R would make a good novice class.  Nice and cheap to run.


Shawn.

[weekend camper]

It still doesnt address the cost of racing though. Figured a RTR 18R would make a good novice class.  Nice and cheap to run.

If it improves membership, I'd be behind it.

[Blake]

The novice class is also a good idea, and will be interesting to see how many people show up to run that class. It still doesnt address the cost of racing though. Figured a RTR 18R would make a good novice class.  Nice and cheap to run.

Hi Shawn,

We considered making the Novice class based on the 18R.  But then we found this:
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_44_348/products_id/30217/n/Team-Associated-TC4-Touring-Car-4WD-RTR

An RTR Associated TC4 is a perfect way to get a summer of racing under your belt for $240.  Then, if you decide to keep racing, you are at least familiar with the 10th Scale Touring class so you can make a good decision on your next car.

Blake

[Blake]

I think a 13.5 Boosted will be much quicker then 10.5 Non-Boosted for WGT.  I have both motors so maybe I will give it shot as a comparision.

Initially we were going to restrict WGT to the ROAR rule of 13.5-Boosted.  But there are some members that have only a 10.5 from Pro10 last year, so we are allowing a Non-Boosted 10.5 for those individuals.  If this setup seems too fast (unlikely) then we will have to ban the 10.5 from the class.

Blake

[Blake]

With the little tire we run I wonder how much wear the pavement will have with the wgt.

Hey Gerry,

I think we'll want to run full-height tires for WGT on asphalt.  The extra sidewall flex will help gain some traction.  This is the setup I will be trying anyway.

Blake

[Danny]

Is it possible to hold the 'Keg' Nitro Cup again?

Also I heard Saanich days may not happen this year. true?

[Blake]

Is it possible to hold the 'Keg' Nitro Cup again?

Also I heard Saanich days may not happen this year. true?

Hi Danny,

Yes, in honour of Jody's summer vacation, we will likely run the Keg Nitro Cup again.  Details will be sorted out closer to the date.  Also, look for a new points system designed to get more Nitro racers in striking distance of the prizes.

As for Central Saanich Days, it looks like we are a "GO" again as usual.  The Lions Club is meeting next Thursday to start discussing the details.  I will pass along information as I get it.

Blake