918 replies to this topic

[Gator Bob]

So how was the Melbourne show run?
3 mains, 3 min. heats, driver stays with the lane ???
All speculation....

[stevefzr]

Hi Guys,

Here's some more details on how the Melbourne round was run.

The race was run on a 5 lane track. This track uses a friction paint called ferrodor. It is rougher than blackboard paint and provides good traction for natural rubber, urethane and foam tyres. We don't run glue at all. The only traction aid allowed is cleaning the foam tyres with shellite, which was done to all the proxy cars. This also ensured that they didn't lay down any residual glue left over from the last round.

The drivers comprised a small number of vintage 1/24 drivers selected for their driving skills. They were complemented buy a similar number of drivers drawn from the 1/32 ranks. 1/32 races runs far more frequently and allow modern cars with urethane tyres. These cars do similar lap times to the proxy cars, so the 1/32 drivers are actually more familar with cars of their calibre than the general 1/24 guys.

The race control program randomly assign cars to lanes. Each car runs once on each lane. Brackets were 3 minutes each. We also rotated drivers around the lanes so that each person alternated between driving and marshaling. While this meant that cars may have had an advantage based on which drivers they got, this didn't appear to be the case in practice. All drivers were of a similar standard, having been selected as the best of the regular drivers who frequent the track. We also saw consistent performance of cars across heats. When a driver was assigned a car, those who'd already driven it would make comments like "You'll like that one, it's really fast" or "you can't settle into a pace with that one, it just isn't smooth". Invariably the new driver would agree. If car A beat car B in one heat, then it typically beat it in the the others. There was certainly a lot more difference in the car's performance than the drivers.

As stated in an earlier report, some cars suffered from lack of traction, which meant they were not only slower, but spent a fair amount of time with their back wheels occupying an adjoining lane. The biggest influence on a car's performance in one bracket compared to another bracket was what was running in the lanes next to it. In any racing, having a slow car next to you means having to wait for a safe opportunity to pass. In most races where cars are of similar performance, a fast car may only be baulked a couple of times in a bracket. In the proxy there was a huge difference in the perforance of cars at either end of the field, so a fast car that had a bracket with slow cars on either side may have had to wait for an opportunity to safely pass 20 times in a single bracket, potentially costing it several laps.

The drivers were all suitably impressed by the quality of the field. I had several unsolicited emails after the event thanking me for the opportunity to participate. A big plus for me is that several of the 1/32 drivers have gotten all interested in the 1/24 program. New blood is always a good thing. A few cars aquired nick names throughout the event. John Havlicek's car was named "the door stop". Mike and Dominic's cars were badged "yabbies", which are small Australian freshwater crustaceans. Blacklight was rechristined "the ti-fighter". The blue light made this the favourite, winning the informal concours vote. Votes for the other cars were divided, with Dyna Rigg second favourite and scorpion and aculeus tieing for third in a straw poll.

What's planned for next year? Is it time for a challenge based around open frame motors?

Regards,

Steve C

[Jairus]

Steve,
All depends on who steps up to take charge I suppose.
I am too busy to do it again.

A few things to consider for the next proxy though.

Fewer tracks mean less postal costs to move the pack.
A fully scratch-built class only limits the number of entries.
The motors, if they remain vintage, should be cheap and easy to find and Open frame Pittmans/36D's fit that criteria.

One reason for the success of the Dynamic Challenge is the fact that there are sooooo many Dynamic pieces spread all over the planet! Nearly everyone who has ever played with slots has some parts and bits, so we were all invested to some extent.
I have even had two other guys email me saying that for other reasons... they didn't enter, even after building a car themselves!

So who among this bunch wants to take the director hat for the Proxy 2012?

[Pitt Man]

Open frame Pittmans?

Let's ROCK!!

Hmmmm, which one to pick?

So many choices, torque, rpm, weight, I love it!

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Pittman HOG! Congrats on your finish Bob!

Hey we may be coming to the All 4 Fun in 2012 so maybe we can get together again for some racing!

[Pitt Man]

Snort, snort, snort!

Thanks, Barney! I was quite surprised with Roadkill's podium finish.

I'm looking forward to seeing you next summer and of course we'll have to chow down on mexican food again.

By the way, being a Pittman hog DOES have it's price!

I'm currently healing up from hernia surgury a week and a half ago. (doing great)
Started the hernia lifting my Pittman collection out of the back of my car last spring!

Ahhh, a small price to pay for so much fun..........

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Take care Bob and stop buying all the padlocks off ebay!

[chief32s]

Hey Steve, thanks for the race report.

I love the way the cars all got tagged with nicknames. That Blacklight became 'tie-fighter' is no suprise to me. hehe. I think when I first started to work up the design for the body it was a cross between a stealth bomber, a tie-fighter and one of those snow speeders from 'The Empire Strikes Back'. Oh, and thanks for mentioning the 'blue' light. I think it is the first time it has been mentioned in a race report and I was beginning to think it wasn't working. I'm pleased it entertained people. Its just a little UV LED I got off ebay, hence Blacklight, but of course it shines blue though the windows. Maybe I should use the rest of them to create some chavvy downlighters on my next creation lol.

ATB
Al

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Hey Steve send me a PM with your PayPal address so I can get even with you for shipping please.
Thanks'

Barn

[Edo]

YES gentlemen they're here !

Man what a big box!



Thanks god Steve declared a 60$ value!



Oh, look it here, a notice for customs:





What a good idea just in case they thought all those toys were MINE!



Couldn't resist and grabbed Rob's Cuc and took a few laps:



Not bad, not bad at all Rob!

Ciao for now

E

[Mopar Rob]

Not bad, not bad at all Rob!

Hopefully that translates into a good finish?


BTW:

Is that a crack in the front fender, and if so has it been taped up on the inside? I wouldn't want it to get worse and loose what looks to be Tore Anderson's signature

[Jairus]

YES gentlemen they're here !

Whoopeeeee!!!

Edo, you might give them all a few laps and post your opinions if you get the chance. Will avoid possible problems and we have been weeks without anything being posted. Might be a good segway to the actual event.

[Edo]

Hopefully that translates into a good finish?

We'll see on September 24/25

Is that a crack in the front fender, and if so has it been taped up on the inside? I wouldn't want it to get worse and loose what looks to be Tore Anderson's signature

It is taped but it does not promises to hold the damage for long.







E

[Mopar Rob]

Where's Ray Fellows when you need him? Looks like I should be thinking of painting a replacement body?

[HarV Wallbanger III]

I got my car yesterday so I will ship out today to Edo. PMed Jairus for address. Thanks Steve!

[Pablo]

May I please have my MabuchiRacha autographed by the famous Sir Edo ?
THANKS !!!!

[Edo]

Ok Pablo, I'll do it with pleasure 'cause it's you.
Then you'll have to wait for me to die and your car will be worth millions!
What am I saying? Trillions!
Ciao Pablo

[The Bugman]

May I please have my MabuchiRacha autographed by the famous Sir Edo ?
THANKS !!!!

me too please !!

[Edo]

You guys gonna get rich!


Rob
I can tape the booboo on the outside if you want. Not pretty but ok (maybe) for the time being.
E
PS Good idea Jairus: time permitting I will take pics and tell you guys about your toys!

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Hey Edo that was the page I put in to try to keep'em moving. I'll be sending my car off to you as soon I do a little fix'in.

[The Bugman]

You guys gonna get rich!


Rob
I can tape the booboo on the outside if you want. Not pretty but ok (maybe) for the time being.
E

rich with memories Your Hineyness,,,
when my car finally gets home next year,i plan on having all 8 drivers who drove my car @ BPR sign it,then to the SHOWCASE for ever more.

[Mopar Rob]

Rob
I can tape the booboo on the outside if you want. Not pretty but ok (maybe) for the time being.

Thanks, a small piece on top would be great. I don't want the body to get worse and loose the signatures.

[32Deuce]

What you need Rob, is one of these:

[One27ray]

Where's Ray Fellows when you need him? Looks like I should be thinking of painting a replacement body?

Hey Rob- Congrad's on your last finish! you need a replacement body?? and/or Noda's secret body repair method?? you need only ask I could pass that info onto Edo- if he signs the nondisclosure release forums



PS tape never works??

[slotbaker]

PS tape never works??

Yeah, but if ya got nuthin else...

How about sharing 'Noda's secret body repair method??'