17 replies to this topic

[TuscoTodd]

My local commercial track runs a class called "Spec Womp" and I haven't had a chance to ask if this is just a local class or if this is a regional class - so I thought I would throw the question out here.  Here are are the requirements / restrictions noted in the rules for the class:

 

Parma Womp Chassis

Plafit Rabbit motor with 9T pinion (spur gear count not restricted)

1/8" axles

o-ring fronts

spec rear tire #699 13/16"

stock guide flag #645

maximum width of car 2 1/2"

.050" min clearance front and rear at all times during race

weight can be added to improve handling

 

The races are run the King track at the local speedway and the racing is typically really close and pretty entertaining as it is kind of like a box stock class. 

 

Will be curious to hear if this is a "formal" class and if so, what others think of it. 

 

 

[Paul Jurczyszyn]

I think you should stick with a parma D motor and gear. All others ok you might wish bracing in pan.
Paul

[Hworth08]

At one time the Womps were raced at the Nationals. You MIGHT find the rules of the day or more likely someone here may remember them.

[TuscoTodd]

Guys - thank you for the initial feedback - but maybe I didn't pose the question correctly.  The local commercial track has been running this "spec womp" class for a couple years from what I gather and I was kind of curious if it was just a local "special" class - or if it might be run at other tracks here in the Ohio area and if so, what the participation might be.  The races here are run every other Wednesday and typically have 10 - 14 racers from what I have seen. 

(Hope that makes more sense)

Thanks!

[James Wendel]

What kind of bodies are they running?

[TuscoTodd]

Bodies seem to be everything under the sun, but they are all 2.5" wide types.  (the rules don't call out any restriction that I have seen)  Some of the bodies I have seen were the fairly standard fair like camaros, corvettes and beetles, to retro/legend types like '33 coupes to more aero based bodies like Porsche 917 / Ferrari 512 types.

The lower slung aero bodies seem to have a minor handling advantage in the non-banked corners, but with the lower speeds associated with the Plafit motor, I think the difference isn't necessarily aero related, but rather due to the lower center of gravity they offer.  (driver style and keeping the car in the slot seem to be the largest influence on lap times / lap counts)

[Hworth08]

Champion make two bodies that resemble the Northeast modifieds that actually make pretty nice looking cars(to be Womps).

We fiddled with them a bit but cut off the motor mount and turned them into anglewinders. Then cut off the body mounts and remounted them with floppy mounts. Modified so they were about .75 sec. slower than a stock car Flexi and could have been closer with more downforce.

[TuscoTodd]

Sounds like an interesting class!  The local class doesn't allow for that radical of modifications, but I may have to see if they have any of those bodies available the track to see what it will look like on a Womp using the o-ring front tires as I haven't seen one of those being used yet. 

[Phil Irvin]

Useta run a womp class in MO. years ago. A Parma, Champion chassis,  sealed 501 with 9 tooth, weight only added and soldered in bushings and C clips on lead wires. No wing bodies and stock tires with a full ,060 clearance in back and .020 in front. The racing was close and fun. Track was a 120 ft  hillclimb with a kink and not a full donut. After enough of us complained about having to straighten out the rear ends. We could run 2 wires off the rear axle uprights up to the motor brace and no more.

 

                    OLHRT

                    PHIL I.

[TG Racing]

Have you thought about running FCR's?  They are Womps on steroids.  There is a National Series and rules for the series.

[TuscoTodd]

Phil - that is kind of what this class accomplishes - a lot of REALLY close racing, and a lot of fun.  I competed in it last night with a car that I put together based on the rules and had a blast!  Racing was extremely tight with only one car/driver having a real break away compared to the rest of the field.  If you throw out the first place driver's performance and the last place driver's performance, I think that there was only about a 12 lap range covering the rest of the field with a three way tie being decided on track position for fourth place, an at least one or two ties further down the field as well. 

Definitely looking forward to continuing to participate in this class! 

 

TG Racing - the local track actually has a couple different FCR classes that they run (Stock, Model body, etc) - those run on differnet evenings compared to when I typically have an opportunity to get to the track - but I do have a used FCR chassis I picked up as part of lot that I bought off Craig's list, so I intend to check out what the rules are associated with those classes as well - as that might be another good diversion - especially come this winter. 

[smithspeedway]

The Legends cars and modifieds look great on the Womp.

[TuscoTodd]

Steve - Thanks for the photos and associate link to your site - there is a LOT of cool bodies on there! 

I definitely concur about the Legend style bodies looking good on the Womp Chassis!  I am currently running a '33 Ford body on mine. 

I will have to look at your '60's and 70's vintage bodies for my next Womp build - LOTS of cool stuff there!

Thanks again!

[smithspeedway]

No probemo, and thanks for the kind words.  We don't use 16D motors.  Most guys run the Slick 7 Mini Brute, and we have others using a mix of Falcon 2, Falcon 4, and one division that specs a 21,000 rpm motor.  The lighter, somewhat slower slower motor makes the Womps much more user friendly.  They handle great on our flat track.

[TuscoTodd]

The class that you are running with the 21,000 motors is probably very similar to the class we run since the Plafit Rabbit motors are rated at 21,800.  I have run my "spec womp" car on the road course at Mark's and have to agree that with the slower motor, it is a lot of fun to drive on a flat track! 

I have started building my second "spec womp" car to act as a test mule to try different weight quantity/placement, tire widths (the class allows narrowing the rears if desired), etc.  - plus this gives me an additional car to loan out to friends, that may want to try their hand at the class as well. 

[smithspeedway]

We had one guy win an open race withg the 21k motor.  He had crazy sticky silicone rear tires.  Slot cars spend so much time spinning the tires, that  a solid hookup really brings ghe lesser motors alive.

[TuscoTodd]

Tires can make a big difference that is for sure!  I am still working on putting together that "second" spec car, but I did try narrowing the tires on my current '33 Coupe bodied one and it helped it get through the flat corners of the King track we run on and while I think I went a bit narrower than I should have, it did seem to help and allowed me to pull a fourth place finish this week - which is my best finish thus far. 

 

I spent some time doing a slow 6v break in on the new Plafit rabbit motor for the "second" spec car and have been working on prepping the re-purposed chassis to get it back flat/true and ready for new bushings, etc (it is the older single front axle hole style just like my current car)

Hopefully it will be ready to start running test laps next Wednesday!  

[CruzinBob]

Todd,

 

I have been using the Plafit Rabbit for quite a few years in my rental cars.  Maybe 10+.  I used the Plafit Cheetah in rentals before the falcon was born

 

I am a very hearty supporter of what your race program director is trying to achieve.  Using a motor that delivers low, beginner power and for those that appreciate just driving a slot car no matter the speed, these motors are it.

 

BUT it depends on the track you're using.  These motors would not last long on a big commercial track with spray glue and 14v.