22 replies to this topic

[TSR]

Here is another rather scarce one for you vintage freaks, courtesy of Dieter Jens from Germany . This is an interview of Bob Emott for the magazine Modellauto, recorded in 1969 days before his appearance and easy win over the dumbfounded Brits at Tottenham. The story there is well known and was accurately reported in Model Cars, a period British magazine.

Pictures of COMPLETE vintage pro-racing cars are rather rare. Morrissey only cared about chassis and rarely showed the bodies in his rag, and few actual painted bodies ever show in the old mags. So here we have a car built by Emott for Chris Vitucci of team Mini Wheels fitted with a Dynamic McLaren M8A, and a stock Champion car fitted with a Dynamic Lola body, both painted by Dave Bloom.

[dead links removed]

Hope your German is better than my Chinese... If a volunteer could send me the exact translation on a PM, I would be tickled pink... :mrgreen:

[Larry LS]

That last picture of Bob Emott looks just like Mr Peepers from the old TV shows. Nah couldn't be.

[Jens Scale Racing]

Hi everybody, here is the old kid on the block...

I will post the Emott interview translation in the next two days.

[TSR]

After lots of work, all the pictures are now fixed in "VINTAGE NEWS". You may now read the stories and enjoy the pictures.

Next, NEW stories will be posted.

Your Fierce Leader,

[dc-65x]

Thanks or reviving the vintage news section, Philippe.

 

I'm trying to find an article you did on the fabulous restoration of the Lee Gilbert "Super Team" car. I'd like to print it out for reference but I can't find it :? Could you point me in the right direction please .

[Jens Scale Racing]

Bob Emott interview at Modellauto magazine, Dusseldorf, November, 1969. (Translation by Dieter “DJ" Jens)

Foreword

All European slot racers are looking to the USA. Once invented in Europe as a hobby, slot racing is a big sport overseas: in the States the tracks are the largest and the fastest, within a couple of years slot racing grew up to a big industry and in America slot racing had to master his first big crisis, which seemed to be overcome today. America is still a model, in technical and sporting point of views: here the fastest and most hi-tech slot cars can be seen. Most slot car parts are from US companies and after a radical price-reduction more and more people will go slot racing. In the States you may not underestimate the Top-Drivers, after winning major races, the winning products will sell much better (Henry Ford: win on Sunday, sell on Monday). Bob Emott, one of the best known American Pros, met “Modellauto" in Dusseldorf.

Q: Mr. Emott, you are one of the leading Pros in the States. What does that mean?

A: We have two kinds of Pros, the independent ones and the Team-Professionals, who are racing for companies. At this time there are only two independents: Mike Steube and myself. We do races and are selling self built cars and accessories. In total there are 10 Pros in the States, who are driving for companies. They are called “Super Pros".

We have races, donated with money and others, donated with prices such as chassis, motors, etc. These are pure amateur races. Once won money you are not allowed to start in the amateur races again and you become a Pro. The best amateurs continue to race in amateur races not to lose their amateur status. We call them “Semi-Professionals" but the real meaning is more a question of capability.

Q: How much time do you invest?

A: Normally I race every three to four weeks. Practice needs one week. During that time I learn the track and prepare my cars. I'm building cars for friends, too. If you wanna win you have to use all the time.

Q: How much money do you spend for your cars and how many cars do you use?

A: Normally I spend little money, because most parts are test products. Many manufacturers are giving brand new parts to me and I take what I wanna take or better, what is best. Whenever I want to use another manufacturers part or product, I can do, because I'm independent.
I buy chassis parts, because I'm building my own chassis, and I spend a couple of dollars for motor parts. The biggest part of the costs are my travelling expenses, which I have to pay myself. I'm building minimum one new car per race, sometimes I build three cars.

Q: You've seen some German tracks. Where are the differences to American tracks?

A: Unfortunately I've only seen the Cologne track. Most American tracks are larger, at least the tracks where I'm racing. Approximately 90% of the US tracks use big batteries. We have about 300 amps for all 8 lanes. Our average track is about 150 feet long. Most national championship races were held on the 155 feet blue King.

Some words about power: First we believed, that thick wiring is the solution. But we had to realize that our motors burnt away. I think, to have a stable power it's enough to use two big batteries with a voltage of 12 volts. This is about 11.5-12v during the race.

Q: What's the tendency in the USA, what were the most interesting developments during the past six months?

A: Everybody is using tricks to lower the centre of gravity of his slot car. Smaller ball bearings and flat piano wire are very popular techniques. The Top Drivers are using 3/32" axles in the front and in the rear.

Motors will have 25 AWG and single wound arms are the choice. Kean is using 24 AWG, which is too hot in my opinion. They cannot use their power on standard powered tracks. The return to the single wound arm has two advantages: easier to wind and these arms are much more reliable.

By the way: aerodynamics is the thing. On our very fast tracks with long straightaways we have measured, that aerodynamically improved cars are faster. The reduction of resistance is not the point. The main task of aerodynamics for a slot car is to keep the car on the track. So we developed front spoilers to reduce the airflow under the car and avoid air lift on the car. Vertical rear spoiler should give the car enough pressure on the rear axle. And we saw some bodies running faster then others. The McLaren M8A is the favourite. It's faster then a Ferrari. The average lap time on a blue King is about 4.6-4.7 sec per lap. Most of the technical news are coming from amateurs and then will be picked up by Pros. As it happens with the first anglewinder: The first anglewinder was built in the Midwest by amateurs in 1/32 scale. Then the Pros picked it up and sold it as their innovation.

Q: What do you think of the technical standard in Europe?

A: England isn't far behind, but whether in England nor in the rest of Europe there are professional races and and there are no hi-tech cars. Here it's more a hobby then a business.

Q: Any plans to participate in European races, after having a successful debut in Tottenham?

A: I want to return to the Arco race, which will take place November 30. Then I will come back to Germany to race, but mainly to meet racers. Racing is number two, I will visit clubs and tracks. My England trip was more or less holiday, to relax and not to win a race.

Modellauto: Thanks a lot, safe trip back and hope to see you in December.

[endbelldrive]

Danke schön, Dieter!

[Jens Scale Racing]

Gerne - or - your welcome!

[TSR]

Thanks Dieter, that was quick!

Pablo, get hold of Dieter, he wants a replica Emott chassis. 8)

[idare2bdul]

Front spoilers? Would we call this a diaplane on our modern slot cars? Is that we he is referring to? Oops, checked the picture and it looks a little different from a diaplane. Anybody got a better picture?

[dc-65x]

Front spoilers? Would we call this a diaplane on our modern slot cars? Is that we he is referring to? Oops, checked the picture and it looks a little different from a diaplane. Anybody got a better picture?

Here you go MIke:

[Larry LS]

Still looks ugly no matter what you call it in that form.

I never used those, always made mine come from underneath and in clear Lexan then. Like the rear ones.

They were just flat crude, attached like that. IMHO. Sorry!

[TSR]

Emott Tottingham chassis

That's "Tottenham"

Bill, as in the London suburb...

[Pablo]

Somebody say my name? I'm on some beach far, far away without a minitorch. Not even a pair of pliers. :cry:

[Larry LS]

Geesh, Dokk, you are getting to sound like Zippity the English, Spelling, Sheep authority! Gotcha

[pbj59]

Somebody say my name? I'm on some beach far, far away without a minitorch. Not even a pair of pliers. :cry:

Hi Pablo!
Just keep thinking of all the slot car work waiting on you at home!

[tjsguns]

Pablo,

In a box with yer name and address on it in my shop:

1 complete unopened Champion brass rod and plate inline chassis kit
1 Tjs guns/ Dyna-Re-Wind 16D supermotor
1 Set glued and trued Arodyn Rear Wheels with Fresh Red Rubbatex
1 Set Arodyn Fronts with tires
... AND all the other stuff needed to complete the project!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

It's jest waitin' for your safe return!! 8) 8)