1441 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

We are talking about "O-ring" type fronts, correct?

If so, why not just use a thinner or thicker O-ring to make the size perfect?

[Cheater]

Pablo,

Ron mentioned this approach is his post above.

What really needs to happen is for the manufacturers to accurately describe their products on the labels...

[The Number of]

I guess maybe I'm just too nice of a guy.

Not according to Rick B. who you sent back at least six times!

[Rick]

The real problem is an anal approach to the rules. Almost nothing in the world, except slot cars, has a zero tolerance. Go get a bid on any project and specify zero tolerance, plus or minus zero, then get the bid on the same project with a reasonable plus or minus. 5/8" is a nominal figure.

I wrote into USSCA rules years ago, 5/8" front, 0.600" minimum because I watched racers getting bumped because their O-rings were worn a little bit. Try to find a larger cross section O-ring while in tech line. Retro is supposed to be KISS and fun. ...

PS: Just to set the record straight, Butch did a great job. Larry made tech with both cars first try (except for spoiler height); the other four needed some minor adjustments to make tech. LOL, must be a PA thang?

You would have been proud of me, Lou!!!

[911GT3]

I guess maybe I'm just too nice of a guy.

Pappy, that's one reason I prefer to label you as the "Friendly Neighborhood Tech Inspector".

[Pappy]

Pappy, that's one reason I prefer to label you as the "Friendly Neighborhood Tech Inspector".

Please don't! I've got a bad reputation that I'm trying to uphold.

[Noose]

Rick, you have officially passed Lou C. He only failed five times.

Butch is a great student!

[Pappy]

Thank you, oh great Tech Nazi Master.

[gascarnut]

Almost nothing in the world, except slot cars, has a zero tolerance.

Rules-making bodies like IRRA and others are not supposed to deal in tolerances, they are not manufacturing anything.

What the rules-making bodies do is establish LIMITS.

There's a difference.

[Bill from NH]

Now that IRRA™ is trademarked and its use in race titles is not allowable, how does it pertain to parts makers and sellers or resellers? That is, can somebody advertise their cars, chassis, bodies, tires, etc., as being "IRRA™..."? Or can they state "...legal for IRRA™ use"?

Also, in fifty-words-or-less, can someone state the reasoning behind obtaining a trademark in the first place?

[Cheater]

Bill,

The main reason for IRRA™ wanting to control its trademark is so that it actually means something when it is used.

The only parts of a slot car that the IRRA™ approves are bodies and motors. Everything else is defined by materials, dimensions, and weights. At this point in time, IRRA has not approved its trademark for use on any packaging, but I doubt it would object if a bodymaker labeled an approved body as being approved for use in IRRA™ racing or if a motor manufacturer labeled an approved motor similarly.

What we do not want to see IRRA used as part of a race's advertised title, as that implies an IRRA sanction for that event, and as has been stated, IRRA does not sanction races.

[tonyp]

Otherwise I could say Trinity's IRRA Zip Grip tire traction is the only IRRA traction compound to use with IRRA Chassis by tonyp.

[Noose]

Cheater used more than 50 Bill words but that about sums it up.

[Don Weaver]

1. The rules say that the motor can be screwed to the motor bracket and can also be soldered in. Does this mean that the motor does not have to screwed to the bracket as in other classes?

2. Floating pin tubes are not allowed. I assume this only applies to body mounts and not hinges?

Don Weaver

[MantaRay]

2. Floating pin tubes are not allowed. I assume this only applies to body mounts and not hinges?

Don Weaver

How does a floating pin tube apply to hinges?

I know the blog has has been sparce lately BuTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.???????????

I realize you are the First Place Loser in the JK contest............but are we going to looking foward to 'Floating Hinges"?

[Roger Schmitt]

I thought Don won the contest.

JK contest winners

[MantaRay]

He did... but he called himself a First Place Loser...

[Roger Schmitt]

No Ray,

Don did not call himself the first place loser.
You can apologize to Don through PM if you wish but you are wrong.
Russ Toy called himself that, he got second place

Here is his sig line:

Russ Toy (not Troy)
1st Place Loser in the JK Products
International D3 Builders Competition
russ's slotblog member page

[MantaRay]

Rog, You are correct..........A pm is on it's way..........I did congratulate Don for his win.................

[Don Weaver]

How does a floating pin tube apply to hinges?

I know the blog has has been sparce lately BuTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.???????????

I realize you are the First Place Loser in the JK contest............but are we going to looking foward to 'Floating Hinges"?

Ray,

The reason for the pin tube question was that the rules say : The motor "can" be screwed to the bracket....., rather than "must be" as the F1 and Can-Am classes require so I questioned if the rule was stated correctly. So then I wondered if the pin tube rule may have meant to have been a restriction on on .055 wire inside a .094 tube for a hinge. Since I'm building a Stockcar for the SERRA series and right at the point of making the plumber hinge I simply wanted to be sure of what is allowed before I soldered everything together and then had to take it back apart and re-do.

Don Weaver

[Noose]

The reasoning for the soldered and screwed wording is that in some classes where one has used a motor a lot, the screw holes on the cans just flat out stripped out. Thus, the only way to mount the motor in the car is to solder it.

Floating pin tubes are not allowed in several classes and the rules spell that out. As for movement in hinges, unless the rule says it's not allowed then it is.

[MantaRay]

Thanks, Don and Noose for the explanation. I got it
Ray

[Chris Barnes]

I have a question on the bracket of a JK Spec Chassis. What does "minimal trimming or notching to facilitate chassis assembly" actually allow? I have a standard bracket and cannot decide how to use it. Can you attach the motor and then trim the bottom of the bracket at the motor area to let the motor drop on the endbell end, so as to lower the CG, but maintain the gear mesh? The trimming would be the side of the bracket that the motor is attached, and the sides near the motor. The motor will not be perpendicular to the track, just slightly angled. The motor would remain in the unchanged mounting holes.

If this is not legal, can the brack be trimmed to drop the motor to the location is a hypoid bracket was used?

I hope this explanation is clear enough for a response.

Thank you in advance.

Chris

[slotbaker]

Just a curiosity question about the IRRA Rules 8.3.08 for the Can-Am class - Chassis.

"2 Chassis Materials: Brass: sheet, rod, and tube; steel: wire, pin tubing, and commercial guide tongues are allowed. Steel tongues cut from center sections of Flexi chassis, such as Parma Flexi 2 or 3, JK Cheetahs, etc., may be used until January 1, 2009, but cannot be cut off any farther back than 3/8” (9.53mm) behind the front axle and are limited to a maximum 1” (25.4mm) width."

Now that we are past Jan 1, is there going to be an update to clarify the use of Steel tongues?

I am asking this because we are following the IRRA regs for our local Aussie Retro racing, and now feel that the regs need to be updated.

Maybe it could be spelled out, something like;
"Steel tongues cut from center sections of Flexi chassis, and the like, are not allowed."

Following on this train of thought, is a brass tongue cut from a commercial chassis (Parma Brass Kar, Brass Womp, etc) allowed? Limits to size of piece that can be used, etc??

This may be applicable to other classes as well, but we are only running Can-Am at this stage, so we are only commenting on those regs.

[Noose]

Steve,
An answer has been posted in the Q&A thread by the BOD

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