241 replies to this topic

[Mike Steube]

Hi, everybody.

It's been awhile. Bryan invited me over to his shop today so I could pirate parts to build a Can-Am car. He cut some pans and nosepieces, bent some rails, and made me a bracket. What a great guy, thanks Bryan.

Tore and Gil Gundersen dropped by and we had a chance to catch up on things. I talked at length with Bryan and Dokk about how things were at BPR. Seems that the Retro racers at BPR have basically split into two racing groups. I heard something about this awhile back but didn't pay much attention to it, busy with the bow and arrow. I checked out the races from Japan this week and it brought back a flood of memories of the good times I had racing Retro cars five years ago.

It sure does seem like D3 needs to enter into its next generation. I propose D3 adopt some simple changes that will increase interest in D3 Can-Am and F1 racing. Personally I believe we should work with John Cukras and his group of racers and grow Retro racing at BPR.

I propose the following changes, many of which seem to be working fine at John's and the IRRA™ races, with hopes of growing the race entries and putting some bucks in BPR's pocket.

F1 chassis width limit to increase to 1-5/8 inch.
Allow Falcon 7 motor in Can-Am.
Anyone running a tampered motor or banned tires will be expelled permanently.
No more stopping the race for a car to be repaired.
Enforce the rules.
Add to the body lists the bodies already approved by our friends at IRRA™.

In a nutshell I would like to see the blending of the existing Retro racing rules here in the states.
I'm not in favor of adding the Pro Slot motor or having a minimum weight limit.
We need to pull together with the Cukras organization instead of trying to battle for BPR Retro turf. I think we need to put self-serving pride aside and look back at the fun, not JUST WIN BABY!

Let's look into the future, not at the past.

[MantaRay]

Welcome back, Mike! Great post. Better yet, great proposals. It's a step in the right direction.

[Pablo]

Bingo. I agree 100%.

I don't race D3, but I wish IRRA™ and D3 could be the same. That way I could race anywhere in the USA under the same rules.

[Tex]

It's good to hear from you again, Mike. One organization would probably be better than three. You've made some proposals to move D3 closer to IRRA™ and vice versa. One organization can be realized with compromise on both sides but both sides need to agree there's benefit to be had in such compromise.

I wish you all good luck. Fingers crossed!

[Old pink can guy]

Mike, great post and welcome back. Sure had a great time talking with you. Hope you can make John's race tomorrow.

When I first heard about D3 it has been my dream to be in the same race with you, John, and Terry - win, lose, or draw.

You were all my childhood heros. And still are.

Hope to see ya soon. I also told Bling to give you your jigs back!

Ken.

[Ramcatlarry]

As one of 'the slow guys' at the Sano, keeping the motor wars away will help maintain the fun. Using the F7 OR the D3 motor should work well. I am sure PdL will not make the D3 motor vanish, but I would hope that a more standard timing could be built in to them closer to 10-15 degrees (+ & -) for both. Do you have (low timing) lap counting issues out West?

The Puppy Dog is not the only Pro Slot 4000 series motor and I would like to see a tagged and verifiable arm used like the European version already in use to level the field.

[The Bugman]

Great to see Mike back... and Steube, the ideas and thoughts you've put here would be most excellent... especially the part of getting the two racing groups as one again at BPR.

I do like the ideas of IRRA™ 1-5/8" F1 chassis and the use of "other Retro Can-Am bodies" by different manufacturers, and through the later years, too (to a point).

But the best news is hearing you're getting enthused about racing slots again... even if just part time...

Good to see you back, Steube!

[MSwiss]

Mike,

Good to see you posting.

Retro racing is always better when you have some involvement.

[Mark Wampler]

Variety is good and I wish D3 well, but SCRRA has a growing attendance that D3 should model after. Fun, being the major factor.

Co-existence can work.

[usadar]

Using the F7 OR the D3 motor should work well. I am sure PdL will not make the D3 motor vanish, but I would hope that a more standard timing could be built in to them closer to 10-15 degrees (+ & -) for both. Do you have (low timing) lap counting issues out West?

Hi Rally,

Timing of motors have some influence on SRT lap counting? Some time our SRT does not count laps of cars.

Haruki

[MSwiss]

I have SRT on my flat track and there is seldom any lap counting issues with any motors. Occasionally an extremely low motor home set motor.

My King has BSRT Lanemaster and a few of the TSR D3's struggled to count consistently this year. Using the higher-timed Falcon 7s the past four Sanos, I never had a problem.

My guess is the lower timed TSR D3s don't create as much back EMF to trigger the dead strip.

I've also had problems with Slick 7 motors in the past and quite a few low-power 1/32 homeset motors.

[Mike Steube]

Thanks for the kind words. I was just day dreaming about the SCRRA and D3 in friendly competition to put on the best race each month where BPR and the racers were the big winners. Each group on the same page with the rules and in friendly battle to put on the best show in town.

Not trying to undermine each other and reaching out to each other with a helping hand would be very cool. I'm not on any board nor do I have anything to gain by all of this. I just really got stoked checking out the Japan races. (I'm known to be a dreamer.)

[Mike K]

Welcome back, Mike!

I agree with everything you suggested as changes except the F1 width. I like what IRRA™ is doing with rules and regs but personally do not like the look of the wider F1 cars.

We need to unify the forces. IRRA™ rules are on track and consistent. Just need Noose there at BP to act as "scrutineer"!

Hope you'll be back to race and not just build that Can-Am!

[usadar]

Hello Mike,

Sorry to disturb your very important proposal by my question about lap counting.

On the other coast of the Pacific Ocean, we, Tokyo D3 racers, really hope SoCal D3 will overcome this turning point in its great history.

Good racing,

Haruki

[idare2bdul]

How can we have Slotblog controversy with such reasonable rules like the ones Steube is proposing? Seems like aligning our rules with IRRA™ in F1 will allow the raceway to stock painted Redfox bodies for those that don't feel like painting.

[Noose]

Mike,

My good bud, Boogie, as in Boogie Bodies, offers almost all the approved bodies painted and they are available to raceways from Eagle I believe. Very reasonably priced, too.

[Howie Ursaner]

Mike,

Everything you said should be done now.

[MSwiss]

Unless something changes, Red Fox painted F1 bodies are history other than existing stock on raceway shelves.

[idare2bdul]

The real problem with D3 was D3 the Dictatorship, real or imagined. IRRA'a board gave it a legitimacy D3 never seemed to gain. The problem with Mike Steube's proposal is that it starts doing what we always seem to do in slot racing which is to take a set of rules and and pick and chose which one of the National, or more widely accepted rules we want to change and change it.

You don't see racers in IRRA seeking to get rid of the 100 gram chassis rule, yet D3 feels that it makes things better. It may be only a difference of opinion but for the guy that only has one chassis it likely makes him uncompetitve on one or more tracks. IRRA found a way to accommodate those of us that prefer to be able to see our motor brushes before guessing if we can run our motor another time and the convenience of being able to run a motor as much as 4 races before a rebuild. A bonus on the ProSlot motors is that we were helping to support an American slot racing company.

The reality at Buena Park is that a large number of racers lost faith in D3's rules and practices. Something new has emerged, I hope that Retro racing will prosper there whatever the form that the organization takes because the people are what makes the racing there special.

[Mark Wampler]

The real problem with D3 was D3 the Dictatorship, real or imagined.

Slot racing in of itself is totally in your face and the faithful return for more punishment. D3 has lost many racers since '07 when I first got involved. The most friendly, easy going racers are not attending anymore. Some have found a different venue in home track racing. That doesn't necessarily reflect on D3. That happens as a matter of personality and preferences. Cliques are part of slot racing culture. There is no way around that, but at the same time, when newbies show up, I'm anxious about their 1st impressions and if they will return. Most may buy a car, run a few laps and never come back.

We had a small group of high school guys show up. We have a B flexi group now and hopefully a future Retro B group as well. I've built a couple cars free gratis and I'm doing all I can to keep the pull on these guys to keep them coming back. They are on the email list and get weekly race reports and track schedule. This kind of personal care makes all the difference in a small community. Free pizza is served and no one has a better deal for the wallet than running 3 classes for $15.

The bottom line is the track owner has THE MOST impact on the success of any group or franchise.

-m

[MantaRay]

Hey, Mark...

What in God's green apples does your post have to do with Mike's original post? You seem to have your own agenda... Free pizza = great, teenagers coming back = great... You not getting along with some guys in D3 at BP??? People wanting to be competitive? What's wrong with that?

[Mark Wampler]

It has a whole lot to do with its success as well as SCRRA or any other program. From what I see the owners at BP are very supportive and as long as everyone is behaving and not running others off, then more power to whoever is racing. Many times the track owners are passed over and left out of the loop.

So, teens not part of D3? Maybe a couple I can think of. Wonder why teens aren't racing D3? You tell me. Pizza works, why not? So what if you have all the rules down and real proud of everyone walking the straight and narrow, but few show up. Maybe few are having fun.

Did we forget the FUN factor?

[MantaRay]

There is a difference in coming into a slot track and having fun... and coming in to race... do not get me wrong, you can have FUN while racing but there does need to be rules. Sometimes folks get a little over zealous trying to win, but folks trying to win are a little more serious about what they are doing. I hope you can keep your teenagers coming to the track. Once they get a car and a girlfriend the slot car tires start drying out... LOL.

BTW... I'm done...

I think Mike Steube's original proposals have a great deal of merit.

[Mike Steube]

Great blogging, guys. I'm making these proposals to the D3 board. I'm not a member of the board and I've been very wishy-washy with Retro racing for some time.

I hope I haven't overstepped the boundaries of good behavior with jumping in with these ideas. I just came back from visiting today's SCRRA race at BPR and everybody was having a good time. Most everybody racing at BPR are too mature to let these differences break up a lot of friendships.

The race cars didn't look any different. The racers didn't look any different. The program didn't look any different. So what's the big deal I ask myself?

[Pablo]

Sir, it IS a big deal for those of us who travel long distance and plan months ahead. Your ideas are "right on the money".

For racing to prosper, the rules must be clear, concise, posted, understood, enforced, and followed. Without that, it becomes a "soup sandwich".

There MUST be a "Captain of the Ship". Normally, this would be the owner of the establishment.