Slot car races
Slot car racing (also slot car racing , slot car racing or slot racing is) a competitive hobby for race car driven models (so-called slot cars ) to model racetracks .
history
Slot car racing was a popular pastime in the 1960s. Sales at that time reached USD 500 million per year. In the USA alone there were 3,000 public racetracks at the time. At the beginning of the 1970s, the scene then experienced a decline again, as amateur racing drivers were increasingly denied access and they preferred to stay at home.
Slot car races range from meeting friends at the home circuit, using the host-provided models, to very serious competitions where participants meticulously build or modify their own vehicles for maximum performance. These races can be held over multiple events as part of national championships. Some hobbyists even create comprehensive race tracks that are modeled on real race tracks, similar to railroad model construction. This then also includes models of buildings, trees and people. The more competitive racing drivers, on the other hand, prefer a racetrack without landscape elements.
Models
Slotcars are models of real automobiles, with individual models also having bodies specially designed for model building races. Most slot car drivers use off-the-shelf slot cars (which are often modified for better performance), while others install motors in non-motorized models. Some fans also use self-made models.
regulate
In the racing sector, three slot car scales are generally used:
- 1:24 or 1/24 scale cars are usually the largest slot cars in racing. A typical 1:24 scale car is about 18–20 cm long. 1:24 scale cars require a relatively long distance, so this size is rather rare for home use. Serious races on a scale of 1:24 are usually only run on commercial racetracks or club racetracks.
- Cars on a scale of 1:32 or 1/32 are smaller and more suitable for home racetracks. But they are also used extensively on commercial racetracks, in hobby shops or in clubs. A 1:32 scale car is about 13-15 cm long.
- The H0 scale is a generalized size that was originally based on a 1: 76–1: 87 scale, but is now based more on the 1:64 scale. The cars vary in size and range from 1:87 (generally older cars) to 1:64. However, they all drive on a route of roughly the same width and are collectively referred to as H0 slot cars. A typical car is 5.5–8 cm long. H0 races are occasionally run on commercial tracks and store tracks, but the majority of H0 races are likely to take place on the home circuits.
In addition to the important scales, 1:43 slot car sets are also marketed as children's toys. So far there have been only a few organized competitions on a scale of 1:43, but this scale is showing increasing acceptance among adult hobby drivers, as this scale is available at a low price and only requires little space. An average car on this scale is 10.9 cm in length.
Slot car tracks for races
Many home racetracks are made from push-together injection-molded plastic parts that come with the racing sets. These routes are known as "plastic routes". Shop and club tracks that are used for competitions (especially 1:32 and 1:24 scales) are usually handcrafted "milled tracks" in which the guide slots for the entire racetrack are made in one plate or a combination of a few Panels (e.g. chipboard or MDF panels) are milled to ensure a smooth and continuous surface.
Race tracks for competition are designed as road tracks with many curves. On a street course or oval circuit, every car and every lane is generally marked with a "lane tape" in a certain color so that the so-called "corner marshals" (referees) can correct the vehicles that have strayed off the track Be able to set track. Official competition tracks can have banked turns, and it is possible for one track to cross another track using a bridge. However, other “trick configurations” are usually not available. Domestic racetracks include special configurations to add excitement and / or challenge to racing. Sections of the track that roll the car or narrow the track, use bumps, jumps or uneven surfaces are normally considered "toy tracks" and are not used in racing.
Another segment in this area is slot car drag racing on a long straight track. In size HO, these drag racing routes are often a true-to-scale representation of a quarter mile route.
1:24 scale routes for racing are generally 6 to 8-lane milling routes with retaining walls made of wood or flexible plastic. The tracks are located in commercial or appropriately constructed racing centers. Most of the tracks used for USRA regional and national events are either original American Raceways (AMF) commercial circuits or modified versions of these track designs based on the original engineering drawings. The courses in other countries, including the courses for the ISRA World Championships, often have a current design. Tracks that are used for regional or national competitions have a surface coated with epoxy resin or a polymer with embedded braided electrical conductors. In the USRA Division 1 it is also possible for the racing drivers to apply traction-improving substances to the racing surface (“glue” or “goop”).
One type for commercial routes on a 1:24 scale is the “Blue King” (lap length 155 feet / 47.2 m). This route is also recognized for world record runs on a scale of 1:24. The world record for the qualifying lap from 2007 is held by Paul Pedersen and is 1.404 seconds, which corresponds to 121 km / h. The route segments of the "King" route are given names. The naming starts on the main straight and runs counter-clockwise: Bank, Chute, Deadman (curve), Finger, Back Straight, 90 (curve), Donut (curve), Lead-On and Top-Turn. The "King" courses are generally used for wing car racing, in which "flat" courses with different designs and without banked turns are used. An example of a "flat" championship track is the track designed by Gary Gerding and installed in July 2007 at Mid-America Raceway and Hobbies near Aurora, Illinois (the venue for the 2009 USRA Division 2 National Championships and 2010 ISRA World Championships).
Another example of a 1:24 scale track is the “Engleman Grandstand”. This is an 8-lane route that is 220 feet (67 m) long. Because of the long straights and a high banked curve, it is popular with fast cars. One of these tracks is still in operation in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at The Slot Car Cave. 1:32 scale competitions, at least in the US, are run on the same milled tracks as the 1:24 races.
HO-scale competition tracks are typically 60 to 100 feet (18-30 m) long and have 4 to 6 lanes. Plastic tracks, which are often modified for better performance, as well as large tracks for home use, find more use in the HO racing area than the larger scales.
"Dirt tracks" are mainly used for rally and raid races.
Power supply for races
The 1:24 scale uses 14 volts for qualifying and 12 volts for the race. At the 1:32 scale, the voltages are between 12 and 16 volts, depending on the type of car. The HO regulations require routes with a voltage between 18.5 and 19.0 volts and with at least 5 amps per lane. Some European 1:24 formats use 18.2 to 19.0 volts DC. Many routes use several lead-acid batteries in order to be able to provide sufficient amperage. In recent years, however, high quality, electronically controlled power supplies for a continuous and clean supply have also become increasingly popular.
Race formats
Several race formats are used for the competition. The fastest race format is the "round robin" and can be driven in two different ways: The first method starts with a driver on one lane of the track. A segment of normally 2 minutes is driven in which the driver tries to complete as many laps as possible. In the second method of round robin, four drivers (or as many drivers as there are lanes) start at the same time and switch through all lanes before being replaced by the next group of drivers. This is known as a "heat" or "consi". If there is an odd number of drivers, so that they cannot be divided exactly into the number of lanes, there are two options: either a heat is run with one or more empty positions, or a heat is run with additional drivers, with not all drivers drive at the same time ("sit-out" position). When all drivers have completed their heat, the placement will be determined based on the number of laps.
Round robins are often also modified by adding a "main heat" or sometimes a "last chance" heat. In the main heat, the round robin is driven as normal, but in the end the best drivers (depending on the number of lanes available) drive an additional heat. This heat is usually longer (3 to 5 minutes per segment, 1.5 minutes to build and 1 minute to warm up before the heat). In the end, the placement of the drivers will be determined based on the new total number of laps. Last chance heats are similar to main heats. The best drivers (number of lanes minus one) from the round robin go directly to the main heat, and the following drivers (according to the number of lanes) go to the last-chance heat. The last chance heat is run before the main heat and under the same conditions as the other heats. In the end, the best drivers from the last-chance heat will be ranked based on their new total number of laps (but never under a driver who did not make it into the last-chance heat), and the winner of that heat may then go to the last start remaining position in the main heat.
Multi-stage race formats are normally only used at national events and consist of qualifying, Consi elimination rounds, semi-finals and a main race.
When the time for a segment is up, drivers are given a short time (usually one minute) to change lanes, perform maintenance on the car, and place the car on hold (on a different lane). At the same time, the next driver in the sequence changes to the first lane and places his car on the starting position. When a driver has completed all of the lanes, his total number of laps and the final position are noted. This continues until all drivers have driven on all lanes. Final placement will then be determined based on the total number of laps.
Most racing organizations grant a "track call" (this interrupts the power supply) if a racing car is on the wrong track. This is also known as a “rider” and is considered a dangerous and unsporting situation. Track calls are also sometimes used when a car leaves the track and cannot be found again by a “corner marshal”.
Slot racing organizations
Racing organizations 1:24
There are local, regional, national and international organizations for slot cars on a scale of 1:24. 1:24 scale races are primarily conducted on commercial slot car racetracks. The USRA (United Slot Racers Association) is the largest organization in the USA. This also organizes two races every year. The International Slot Racing Association (ISRA) hosts a World Slot Car Racing Championship, which takes place in a different country every year. USRA is the organizer of the USRA National Championship for Division 1 and Division 2 races. USRA also organizes Wing Car Worlds when held in the United States. The 2012 USRA Division 1 National Championship will be held August 4-11 at the Buena Park Raceway, Buena Park, California. The 2012 USRA Division 2 National Championship will be held from March 28th to 31st at the Slot Car Raceway and Hobbies in Rohnert Park, California. The 2012 Wing Car Worlds will be held May 16-20 at the Red Fox Raceway, São Paulo, Brazil.
National Slot Car Scale Racing Association (NSCSRA)
The NSCSRA was founded in 1989 to promote the motto “Fair and equal races for all” for all amateur slot car drivers. The rules were laid down in 1989 in order to ensure a fair and equal racing concept for everyone involved. Up to four times a year, the NSCSRA holds a championship for different classes, including Vintage Scale Racing, Flexi and Unlimited Racing. In the well-known "Top Gunner" Championship a new champion was recently chosen - Jim "Mr. B “Bronson. Jim Bronson becomes multiple champion in the series of Top Gunner Champions Bryan "Captain Snoozy" Proctor (3 championships, 1 × NON PRO, 2 × PRO), Casey Kennedy (6 championships as PRO), Kaitlyn White (2 championships as NON PRO). At the last championship in early 2009, Bronson won as Pro and Don Sims as Non Pro at the Tuff Traxx Hobbies and Slot Car Raceway in Mesa (Arizona).
Racing organizations 1:32
The International Slot Racing Association (ISRA) hosts a World Slot Car Racing Championship, which takes place in a different country every year. In 2004 the True Scale Racing Federation (TSRF) was founded by the former 1:24 professional racing driver Phillipe de Lespinay in order to establish a "true to scale" racing series in 1:24 and 1:32 in North America. The concept of the TSRF is very similar to the "Spec" races where only TSRF approved equipment may be used for competition. National organizations also exist in many other countries. For example, the British Slot Car Racing Association (BSCRA) has held national championships in Great Britain since 1964.
HO organizations
There are two major HO racing organizations in the USA: HOPRA (the HO Professional Racing Association) and UFHORA (the United Federation of HO Racers Association). Each organization has its own national championship, usually in July. There are also numerous state organizations that race under the terms of HOPRA and / or UFHORA.
The world's largest slot car race is held at "The Fray In Ferndale" in California. The race with a very strong field of participants is held every year in February and more than 100 racers and 16 teams take part in 8 tables. This race determines which way this hobby and also the venerable Aurora Thunderjet will go in the future. The race has been running since 1997.
In contrast to the 1:24 scale racetracks, the HO racetracks are sufficiently small to be able to be set up in basements. As a result, most state organizations run their racing series on the home tracks as opposed to the hobby store tracks. The home tracks are also often used for national competitions. Oval HO-scale racetracks are very popular in the northeastern United States. The cars are designed in such a way that they resemble Dirt Modifieds and Sprint Cars. The Sprint Cars and Dirt Modifieds are driven on oval racetracks with 4 to 8 lanes.
Racing classes in the USA
Racing classes 1:24
Most 1:24 scale racing series use some variations of the USRA Division 1 or Division 2 rules. The USRA rules are based on the NCC rules of the early 1970s. These were written at the time to establish some sub-classes in slot car racing and thus enable more diverse competition.
USRA Division 1
- Spec-15: amateurs only
- GP-12: amateurs and experts
- International 15 (15A): amateurs and experts
- Cobalt 12/15: amateurs and experts
- Group 27: amateurs and experts
- Group 27 Light: restricted single class of Group 27
- Group 7 (open): semi-professionals and professionals
A class called “One Motor Open” is also being founded, which is similar to Group 7, but with the difference that subsequent engine changes are not permitted.
USRA Division 2
- Group 10 Stock Car
- JRL
- GTP
- GT-1
- GT-12
- C-12e
- 1/32 F-1 Eurosport
- 1/32 Eurosport
- 1/24 Eurosport
USRA Division 3
Division 3 rules for vintage or retro slot cars differ slightly. The point is that the driven cars are easy to recognize and expensive high-tech components are not used.
- Nostalgia Can-Am
- Vintage NASCAR
- Nostalgia F1
- Nostalgia LeMans Coupe
- Can-Am Pro (Anglewinder)
Formula 2000
F-2000 is mainly driven in the American Midwest. It is a variant of the USRA rules for Division 1, the main difference being that participants are not allowed to apply traction / braking “glue” to the surfaces. Engine changes are no longer allowed after the start of the race. There are also other restrictions to reduce the cost of participation.
Racing classes 1:32
There are numerous types of racing for the 1:32 racing classes.
- speed
- Rally - World Rally Cars, Production, Super 1600 ...
- Raid - T1, T2, T3, T4, T5
In the rally and raid races, "dirty" tracks, e.g. B. snow or mud used.
Racing classes HO
HOPRA and UFHORA operate similar classes and use similar rules for these classes. Below is a brief explanation of some of these classes. General rules determine the size of the car and all other regulations that apply to all classes.
- Superstock (HOPRA and UFHORA): Cars can be equipped with a maximum of four magnets (two to drive the engine and two "traction magnets" for additional traction). All magnets must be ceramic. Motors must correspond to the series and can be tuned and / or directional (referred to as “hot stock”).
- Modified (HOPRA): Also called "Ceramic Modified" and corresponds to the superstock above, although the engine is not restricted and the chassis can be ground.
- Modified (UFHORA): Cars can be equipped with a maximum of four magnets (two to drive the engine and two "traction magnets" for additional traction). The motor magnets must be ceramic. Traction magnets can also consist of a polymer. The motor must have a resistance of at least 3.0 Ω at each pole.
- Polymer Modified (HOPRA) / Restricted Open (UFHORA): Cars can be equipped with a maximum of four magnets (two to drive the engine and two "traction magnets" for additional traction). All magnets can be made of a polymer. The engine is unlimited. The chassis can be ground. Shunt wires can be used.
- Unlimited (UFHORA and HOPRA): no restrictions. Own chassis are allowed. Six neodymium magnets are typically used.
- T-Jet Super Stock (also known as Fray-style): Aurora Thunderjet chassis without traction magnets, modified by engine magnets, changing the axles, front and rear wheels and tires and the body. Limited modifications are permitted.
Slot racing in the UK
The main organization in the UK is the BSCRA which is also responsible for running most of the UK slot racing events. The current chairman, who has been elected for a year, is former world champion James Cleave. The organization holds 3 national championships. These are the championships on a scale of 1/32 and 1/24, as well as a club team championship with a production challenge. The organization also hosts the British Open Championships for both scales. There are also a number of local competitions and newcomer events to bring them closer to the club. Ninco, HO and Scalex are represented by their own council and are not affiliated with the BSCRA. Millstream Raceway (seat of the British Slot Car Club) in Ringwood is probably the largest slot racing center in the UK and has 2 Ogilvie tracks with 8 lanes each. Here is only driven on a scale of 1:24. The British Wing Car Championships are also held on the Millstream route in collaboration with Pinewood Raceway, Wokingham.
World championships
The 25th World Slot Car Championship (also known as "The Worlds") was held from May 17th to 21st, 2006 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at Top Slot Raceways. This championship was hosted by NPRA, a South American slot racing association.
