1441 replies to this topic

[John Miller]

I have not burned a Retro Hawk, yet... Although, I have been told those don't meet the defined spec either. I will report back my findings.

[Gator Bob]

What is the official control process within IRRA™for submitting individual components for approval?
 
What constitutes approval, is a majority vote required?
I understand there is a 'window' for submitting motors, what are the dates?
Is the opportunity for submitting bodies and individual mechanical components always open?
 
Example:
Were the Mike Swiss FK and PD motor connectors required to get approval from the BoD?

[Greg VanPeenen]

Yup, you can. You can use any allowed motor in the class.

Thanks, Noose.

[Samiam]

I understand there is a 'window' for submitting motors, what are the dates?

Bob,

That window opened briefly to let in some needed air and is now shut. Pretty sure it's been bricked up.

[Noose]

Bob, the only thing that has to be submitted for approval is a new body. The motors were open for a brief period with defined parameters. Nothing else has to be submitted.

If a body is approved, it can then be used in competition 30 days after approval.

[Gator Bob]

Thanks, Joe.
 
Got it... now I understand there is no submission process or BoD vote required for hard parts like chassis kits, gears, guide flags, tongues, brackets... etc.
 
Two more procedural questions:

• Do the new body and motor submittals have to pass a majority vote?
• What would the criteria be for the next call for motor submissions for the BoD to test and review?

[Noose]

Yes, a majority vote is needed.

The only reason the motors would open up would be supply as was the case for the F7.

[Gator Bob]

Thanks again, Joe!

[Rick]

I am not sure what Bob is phishing for here. But I have a question.

If I found a kool gear in a VCR, for example, that worked well for my Retro car. Would I be permitted to use it or not? Private stock, nobody else knows even where to source it. I didn't think anything but bodies were on the approval list?...

[John Streisguth]

Although approval is not needed, I think that would fall under the "commercially available" rule.

[Noose]

If it worked trust me Rick would make it commercially available here, on his website, raceways, distributors, eBay, etc. LOL.

[John Streisguth]

Nothing wrong with that....

[Pappy]

Noose, you might want to check Rick's cars real close at the R4.  

[Noose]

I'll have a special "loop" to do that.

[Gator Bob]

That would have been the next step but not allowed.

 
 Wait a minute... what tools ARE we allowed to use on the pink ones?...

[DOCinCanton]

For you, Bob, only an allen wrench.  Looks like we are going to have to hold your car up to more scruntiny at the race at Melbourne.

[Dennis David]

Any tool prior to the race and ball-peen hammers after.

[John Miller]

I have not burned a Retro Hawk, yet...  Although, I have been told those don't meet the defined spec either. I will report back my findings.

 
I burned a Retro Hawk and de-wound it today. I found one pole at 63 turns and two poles at 65 turns. I then measured the length of each wire and found the 63 turn pole to have 4 inches less wire. Two less turns does not translate into 4 inches of wire, but that's what the tape measurement came out to. So, this particular motor was out of specification per the rules. Another racer is going to send me several more motors and I will burn them to see if this a consistent problem with the Retro Hawk motor. It will be interesting to see if there are any motors with 63 turns per pole creating a much faster motor due to inconsistent manufacturing processes. As a side note, this motor was incredibly fast, but it fell off a cliff and slowed down after a 100 laps or so. I am not sure if it was insanely fast due to having 4 inches less wire on one of the poles, but it couldn't have hurt. More to come...
 
PS: I measured the wire diameter and it's .011" on the nose. The Rule/spec is 30 awg and that is .010002" diameter. So, the wire is larger and out of specification according to the rules. This could also explain why these motors are faster. Bigger diameter wire means much more speed.

[JohnnySlotcar]

Mine did the same thing in the coupe race - super fast  for 3.5 heats, then bingo, ZERO brakes and super hot.

[The Groove]

Kinda figured something was up for them to be so much faster even if wound correct the wire is going to make the difference I think someone else had this happen on there arms and they where deamed illegal.

[John Miller]

I am confident that BoD will evaluate this. I will measure a few more next week and report back.

[Cap Henry]

Rut-ro, Raggie.

[Cheater]

John, are you aware that the BoD dewound a JK Retro Hawk motor before the R4 and found it in compliance in regards to turns and coil resistance?

See this LINK.
 
Also, regarding your wire diameter measurement... what method was utilized to remove the wire's insulation before measuring the diameter?

[Tim Neja]

Interesting that the new motor does NOT meet the specifications for which it was intended for. Quality control in China is definitely a problem!!

[Cheater]

Yeah, Tim, if it is posted on the interent it has to be true, right?