31 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Store Hours

March 8 - 10:00 AM to 6:00 AM (Track will be cleaned and spray-glued for the final time at closing.)
March 9 - 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
March 10 - 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

A NOTE ON PRACTICE

March 9 and 10 all practice will be "semi-controlled", meaning that the track will shut off every 15 minutes and you are asked to change lanes if someone else wants your lane. This will be on the "Honor" system.

On race days (March 11-13) ALL practice will be CONTROLLED. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the track power will be on from 8:00am till 10:00am. The power will shut off every 5 minutes for 30 seconds. When the power shuts off you must move one lane to the right ( if on the RED side) or leave the track -OR- one lane to the left (if on the BLACK side)or leave the track. Drivers will form 2 lines, one starting at Red and the other at Black. The "Red Line" rotation will be Red / White / Green / Orange. After Orange you can go to the the rear of either line or quit practice. The "Black Line" rotation will be Black / Purple / Yellow / Blue. After Blue you can go to the back of either line or quit practice.

Our hope is that this allows more equal practice time for everyone and helps stop complaints of "lane squatters".

DAILY ALL DAY TRACK PASS - $10.00

Friday, March 11 - GT Coupe (Hand-out TSR Motors)
$5 Track Pass (You will receive a wrist band that will also be your free meal ticket)
Open - 8:00 AM
Tech - 9:30 AM
Race - 10:30 AM

Immediately after GT Coupe we will begin the Retro Stock Car program. If possible we will try to start tech BEFORE GT Coupe is finished. Entry Fee $5.

Saturday, March 12 - Retro F1
$5 Track Pass (You will receive a wrist band that will also be your free meal ticket)
Open - 8:00 AM
Tech - 9:30 AM
Race - 10:30 AM

We will try our best to give everyone 2 hours of practice after the conclusion of F1 racing
From 9-ish until midnight the "Second Annual R4 Bench Racing Session" will take place at the "R4 Headquarters Hotel - Holiday Inn" Open to EVERYONE!

Sunday, March 13 - Retro Can-Am
$5. Track Pass (You will receive a wrist band that will also be your free meal ticket)
Open - 8:00 AM
Tech - 9:30 AM
Race - 10:30 AM

[Ron Hershman]

Our hope is that this allows more equal practice time for everyone and helps stop complaints of "lane squatters".

Another "Hershman" rule.

Honestly... a great format and way to insure everyone gets practice.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Actually I'm working on a whole "Hershman Rulebook" Coming soon to a bookstore near you...

[Ron Hershman]

Will that come before or after your "How to Move Old Office Furniture" bestseller???

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Touché, my friend. Touché.

[Dan Myers]

Will there be a chapter about "Spotters" in that book?

[Mike Patterson]

I don't mind the spotters. When they tell their driver to watch it under the bridge, you should do so, too. I find them extremely helpful, especially since I can't afford to hire my own!

Now if they were using radios...

[One_Track_Mind]

The power will shut off every 5 minutes for 30 seconds. Everyone must move one lane to the right (or quit practice) until they reach black lane at which time they go to the back of the waiting line.

So, don't start on black for the first time when the power comes on at 8?
You may not get back to red to run all 8 eight lanes with all the people.

[John Streisguth]

If I can make a suggestion, have marshaling the corners be part of the "rotation", i.e. start in the deadman and work your way around the track to the lead-on, then to actually be on the track on red lane. We used to do that in our HO club, that way people don/t have to waste their precious track time chasing cars and will hopefully prevent any cars from getting damaged in practice.

Of course, if there are enough nice volunteers, it's not necessary.

[MantaRay]

The practice rules sound excellent.

[Chris Radisich]

Just a suggestion on the controlled practice to consider.

Instead of taking one racer and moving from red all the way to black with 8 heats at a time, what about making two lines (1 line by red, other line by black) and taking two racers each time, 1 on red the other on black with red moving to white, white to green, green to orange then out, and black to purple, purple to yellow, yellow to blue then out.

That would make the lines move faster, and you can pick which end of the track you want to run on. Running 8 lanes at a time in controlled practice makes it difficult to change things during practice.

[MantaRay]

Chris's plan sounds great.

[Captain]

What is your best guess as to when the Stock Car program will start on Friday? I'm just trying to coordinate what time I will have to leave in order to make it on time....

Thanks!

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

What is your best guess as to when the Stock Car program will start on Friday? I'm just trying to coordinate what time I will have to leave in order to make it on time....

Thanks!

My hope is that we will start no later than 6:00pm. Obviously that could change with the number of entries. We need to be done as quickly as we can so the F-1 guys can get some practice for Saturday.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Just a suggestion on the controlled practice to consider.

Instead of taking one racer and moving from red all the way to black with 8 heats at a time, what about making two lines (1 line by red, other line by black) and taking two racers each time, 1 on red the other on black with red moving to white, white to green, green to orange then out, and black to purple, purple to yellow, yellow to blue then out.

That would make the lines move faster, and you can pick which end of the track you want to run on. Running 8 lanes at a time in controlled practice makes it difficult to change things during practice.

Not a bad idea. Let me give it some thought.

[Matt Bruce]

I like Chris`s idea but I liked the ISRA Worlds system of open controlled practice as well where there are 100 guys a class racing. It works like this. You could pick any lane to practice on, stand behind the driver @ the panel who is currently practicing, timer shuts off @ a set time, you have a set amount of time to plug in before the power turns on again, and the drivers who just practiced must marshal. Each lane is given a specific turn on the track you must marshal. And the system repeats and polices itself. If you practiced, you marshal, then work on the car after. The driver entering the lane after you knows you need to marshal after practicing. I would imagine that most guys don`t wanna have to run 4 heats of practice if they know they need to change something after 1 heat. The system was very smooth. When the amount of rounds specified was done, qualifying started. It kept everything on time and every racer knew what time frame they were operating within. The language barrier @ a international race like that is a big reason for this type of format, but is extremely effective when time is a factor. There is room @ Tom Thumb for a driver on deck to stand behind a driver @ the panel. The guys behind them in the hole can stand @ the lead on turn and so on and the whole system revolves. Never short of marshals, everyone practices, you can pick your lane, have time to make changes, no lane squatting, and my wife doesn`t have to spend the majority of the time volunteering to marshal, and most important it runs @ a set time limit.

[The Number of]

Now Matt,you have been to these retro races before. There will be 50 guys lined up between orange and blue lanes and the 6 other marshalling positions will go begging.

[Ron Hershman]

You guys trying to put Gina out of a job? LOL

[Mike Patterson]

I think practice time should be allotted based on the racer's age, i.e., the older you are, the more practice time you get. I know that would work for me!

[Rick]

BAck of the line Mike, me and Larry are coming.

[Howie Ursaner]

the nice thing about the isra worlds controlled practice is that every time the power goes off there are 8 new drivers.This really moves a lot of people through.After your run you marshall your designated turn for one heat and then you can get back in line if you want.There are usually enough extra people to help marshall.It is also good if you want to work on your car and just try out changes.You don't have to wait to get on an 8 lane round robin thing.It makes more sense for dialing in cars.

[Hipsticker]

I read that that the track pass for each day is only 5.00 that includes lunch ,,man what a deal ! how much is it to "enter" each race? l m sure we will pay 10.-15.00 for the tsr motors in coupes ...plus ? F1 will be? can -ams will be? 10.00-12.00 a class? anyone know? seen a 5.00 for stock car fun race there ..

[One_Track_Mind]

Pit pass for Tuesday - Thursday are $10.00 per day. Pit pass for Friday - Sunday are $5.00 per day and will include lunch.

Entry fees are $15.00 each class except Stock Car ($5.00) and GT Coupe ($25.00) which includes one handout motor. At least one additional motor can be purchased for $10.00.

[Hipsticker]

thank you OTM ... last day at work ..im useless ...ready to get in the van and head WEST!

[tonyp]

Have a safe trip everyone!