475 replies to this topic

[Gator Bob]

I'm with Tony...no matter what he says.

[Jairus]

I'm for another cup of coffee...

[Gator Bob]

I know how Tony likes his coffee,
How do you take it ?

[Jairus]

Black.

[Gator Bob]

I'm still the new guy, I'll go...

Ok, one black, one light and bitter, one light and sweet.
Ray you want a coffee? my treat.
Anyone else?

[MantaRay]

Chai Tea for me please....

My favorite Brand

[slotbaker]

Short black thanks.

[HarV Wallbanger III]

I want to see rules as well before I commit..... Let the current one end and give people time to digest the rules then when the rules are locked and the tracks are locked expect entries to follow. I do think (without reading all this thread) we should have at least 4-6 races..... maybe?

[Gator Bob]

Short black thanks.

Ok..but, It'll get cold

[Gator Bob]

I want to see rules as well before I commit..... Let the current one end and give people time to digest the rules then when the rules are locked and the tracks are locked expect entries to follow. I do think (without reading all this thread) we should have at least 4-6 races..... maybe?

Barney, we bean talking bout 2.

[Gator Bob]

Chai Tea for me please....

My favorite Brand

Stash Premium? Do they have any ...ah ... never mind, I forgot what I was going to say

[draggon]

I havent even started soldering yet, but I have a question about no body movement. This is supposed to be pre-1970 as I read it. The first floppy pans I saw were in 1967 on a McLaren MK6. I googled and the MK8 didnt come out till 1968. I was a turn marshall, and I thought the body was coming off, like, a 1/4 inch slop. Within two weeks we got it. There was a specific night for open comp, anything goes, and we immediately adopted the floppies. So if we used them circa '67, why cant we use them? The U-GO chassis is really cool and all that, but my home track was really rough, and no body movement and no drop arm was a recipie for out of control. I havent built a chassis in 40 years, and no movement is obviously quicker and easier, but I am thinking back to what we ( Maybe just me?? ) ran in the East bay 1967-69. Never spoke enough with Mura or Lenz to know what they were up to. Funny story, they crowded around their cars during tech!

[havlicek]

I'll be in this for sure and like Tony (happy birthday!), I think no body movement is the way to go. In my view, it's not because floppies didn't exist, more because of the "type" chassis associated with the cars:
-a bit of wire
-a motor bracket
-some wire-axled front wheels (maybe some movement on those?)
-a lotta horsepower.

Heck, I've already got two motors I've tested and set aside...a Champion/Mabuchi and a Mura setup for inline (no bussbars). I can't see running more than 2 or 3 races though as these kinds of motors weren't designed to be run in a series. Even with the much lower powered cars in the current proxy, I'm surprised they've held up as well as they have...and there have been a lot of "fixes" along the way to keep many of the cars running.

-john

[Jairus]

Glenn, So far I have not written into the rules the fact that no body movement is allowed. It's only been two or three voices stating the wish that it be so. Frankly, I don't feel like the need is there to make a bunch of rules saying what can and what cannot be utilized to make these things legal. It's all for fun and like John says, should be done in the spirit of the era.
Ugo was just one version. I have seen lots of scratchbuilt chassis using every trick under the sun including floppy pans.

Frankly, I don't think we will need them since the track(s) will be very smooth and with modern rubber, bet the speeds will be fantastic. But that said, you will not be restricted if you choose to build your chassis with body movement and a drop arm. So I say, go for it.
I won't be parsing the rules any further than they already are.

So go ahead and build what you want to build and test test test! Because... with ASA hobbies opening up a track 30 minutes from me, you can bet your Russkit 23's that I will be doing the same thing!

[Gator Bob]

Let Glenn write the rules, he was there.

[draggon]

Let Glenn write the rules, he was there.

Geez, Bob, thats a whole lot of responsibility on my shoulders! Seriously, I could give you the rules as we ran them if you want. Rather than bore you guys, just let me know, I would be extremely honored to write the rules. Might be more liberal than you think!

[draggon]

I havent seen any responses in awhile, so I am gonna post the rules as I remember them. When I build my car this is what I am gonna follow. Tho the rules are quite liberal, there was ablolutely no fudging on them. Ive been know to buy a new set of spongies because my track clearance wasnt up to the rules.

Track 3" as viewed from above, period
track clearance 1/16th period, end of story
Guide lead unlimited but cannot be viewed from above
Front tires open
Rear tires minimum 3/4 dia. width open, very striclty enforced
ALL 4 tires MUST touch the track, striclty enfoced
Chassis, anything goes, floppy, plummer, angle, run whatcha brung
Motor open of course
Body anything goes, MUST be painted
Aero devices anything goes, one winger, 2 winger, tunnel winger, yadyada
Qualifying 2 minutes timed, laps and sections. In case of a tie, a two minute run off, lane choice by draw.

These rules could favor an inline thingie, or a good angle winder. That was the idea, to make everyone competitive. On my home track, thingies had a slight edge in speed. There were many a great race, seeing Choti's and McLarens together on the track. By 69 the anglewinders had a big edge, then I got real retro, did up an inline thingie, floppies, drop arm, plummer, sliding pans, and was 5/10ths faster. Whoot Whoot. I still do not understand how, today, movement is not a big deal. In 69, those whom had the most movement had the fastest cars. And Phillipe and I have had conversations about the whole drop arm thing. All I know for sure is what the setup was in the East bay 67-69.

[Gus Kelley]

Hey Glen! I ran into Jim and Russ at the nationals in Rohnert Park a week ago, they also had along with them Mike Fong. If anyone knows about our thingies , it would be those two brothers, as they were in the thick of things back then. Gus in Sacto

[Jairus]

Glenn,
Are you wanting to take on the running of this proxy then? Because after running the Dynamic Proxy, I am willing to pass the reigns on to someone else. But there are no reposts since most of us are waiting for the current proxy to get over before starting something new.

Till then, the rules are not quite what you posted....

I believe they are/were last we discussed this.

Width 3 1/8" but that may be changed to open.
Inline motors only.
Minimum clearance .055"
Chassis open.
No limit to wheel diameter or width.
Motors open as long as the technology and motor were available prior to 1970.

Premise was that only parts and construction be what was known and available late 1970. (In the spirit of the thingie)
Tracks being two runs about a month apart. Tracks will be two Kings on the west coast. Car dies or breaks and it is out. Last car running with the most laps wins.

But If you want to take charge... please let me know.

[draggon]

Thanks, Jairus, but my plate is pretty full right now and I cant take this on. I was just trying to help, and flattered by Bob's comment on having me write the rules. Logically it would make sense because I'm an hour or two from Eddies, but I havent yet even started to solder. I'll follow the rules as posted, Im glad the chassis is open!

[MantaRay]

Does Chassis "open" mean "movement".......

[Jairus]

As in bowel Ray?

I was reading through the early posts and found one where Edo suggested No rules and over and over the veteran Proxy builders have said that the fewer rules the better. So.... yes, if you want movement, go for it. No chassis restrictions as long as the results fit the remaining rules and spirit of the Thingie.

I believe however, that the very nature of the tracks and number of races will dictate the end result regarding bodies and chassis.

[draggon]

Whoot whoot. Rough tracks, a killer bank, major launching problems equals body movment. Tho more than a few times launching off he bank could cause other movements! I hated it when Ed ( proprietor of San Leandro Model Car Raceway ) decieded it was so hot he had to open the back door. More than a few cars went out of the building. I still remember all these years later searching for my car under Fred Hood's purple VW bug. And then there was the time that a car went though the front window. Those that raced there remember "the hole" a treacherous, almost 360 degree hairpin.....qualifying-schmalifying, gotta be first!

[MantaRay]

Your the boss...........Now where did I hide the Bridgeport?

[The Bugman]

As in bowel Ray?

I was reading through the early posts and found one where Edo suggested No rules and over and over the veteran Proxy builders have said that the fewer rules the better. So.... yes, if you want movement, go for it. No chassis restrictions as long as the results fit the remaining rules and spirit of the Thingie.

I believe however, that the very nature of the tracks and number of races will dictate the end result regarding bodies and chassis.

so could someone use,a RETRO PRO CHASSIS (cause its period correct) with a pre 70's type motor,
and a THINGIE BODY of some type, to race this series
(again just pre-planning,cause im part of the current Dynamic races),,
but i might be gettin a new Havicek screamer "real soon"
and this sounds cool too.