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IROC-style racing - who's game?


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#1 Mark Wampler

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 03:32 PM

The one and only IROC race I attended was at least five years ago at Buena Park. It was totally fun, friendly and yet very competitive! 

 

The format is simple, the cars are lane assigned. You, the driver show up, plug in, and race. 

 

What are the obstacles that can be overcome to enjoy this laid-back, fun race format?


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#2 Cheater

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 03:46 PM

I have a dim memory that Parma sponsored a race of this nature for a few years back in the early-mid '90s. The first couple of Parma Challenge Cups maybe? I never attended one and don't have a clear recollection. 

 

The attraction was that all a racer needed was his entry fee and his controller. IIRC it was a pretty big hit and I'm not sure why they stopped holding them. May have been some slot racing politics involved... just don't remember.

 

Pretty sure Ray Gardner won one of these well-attended races, may the first one. Let me see if I can get Ray over here to tell us what he remembers.


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#3 Tim Neja

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 03:51 PM

I think we just need to come up with enough cars, Mark. I'd build a couple for the flat track to use. I'm sure Bryan has a couple that could be used.  

 

It would be fun!! I'd do it!! Pick a class – Can-Am is the most popular – but there's lots of coupes, too. F1 would be interesting. The cars really don't have to be matched because they are all being driven by all the drivers! It's a great concept to show the "true" drivers out there!! :)

 

This is a format we've used a lot at our home tracks! Dennis Samson has a great track and we run IROC a lot!! 


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#4 Mark Wampler

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 03:57 PM

Jeff Bell and Jeff Eastery AKA "Team Zombie" put on the Crazy 8s NASCAR race. Must have been six or seven years ago. 

 

I'd be game to pitch in a Can-Am car or two.


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#5 Mark Wampler

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 04:07 PM

Thinking this through a little bit. 

 

There's bound to be some injuries for which the racer should not be responsible for, i.e., stripped gear, busted pan, guide.  If there are serious issues, the car should be pulled and a replacement ready to go. The back-up car would be a neutral color and the lane sticker (or two) attached. 

 

I'd be okay for an extended break between lane changes to be sure all cars are running properly before the next heat begins. 

 

I'm thinking of at least two extra people not racing to monitor the race action and assist with mechanical issues.


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#6 Samiam

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 04:39 PM

 

There's bound to be some injuries

 20 lap penalty for a wall shot on last lap of heat.


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#7 Cap Henry

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 04:59 PM

We use to do them with a house fleet, wired to go backwards lol We it where when the heat ended you started off wherever the other driver finished. So I use to stop just past the lap counter lol

#8 Mark Wampler

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 06:22 PM

I was thinking as a variant type race to go into destructive mode.  Run staggered opposite directions.  Great for head on nerfing.  Maybe a Halloween race.


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#9 Dominator

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 06:50 PM

I know Parma ran these at the 95 nat's at Lugnut. Can't remember if we ran flexi 1 or 2 cars but I'm pretty sure there were over 50 entries.

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#10 Tom Eatherly

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 07:52 PM

I'm In. I've got my old, but, trust worthy Crutchfield Can-Am. This is for the flat track, correct?


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#11 Tim Wilkins

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 08:21 PM

We did a destruction derby once on the flat track at BPR.  Jim Watterson put some cars together and about a dozen of us went at it.  I don't think it was much of a money maker for the track so we haven't repeated the race.  For those willing to put their own cars on the track, I'm sure BPR would sanction the race.  I'd go with one of those Trinity Spyder chassis with the nickle plated guide protector. 

 

:aggressive:


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#12 Tom Eatherly

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 08:35 PM

Hmm, words of wisdom. Perhaps a snow plow on my Crutchfield delight. That might keep 'em honest. :shok:


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#13 Mark Wampler

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 08:59 PM

I'm In. I've got my old, but, trust worthy Crutchfield Can-Am. This is for the flat track, correct?

 

I think it would be offensive to do this on the King Track :crazy:


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#14 Mike Patterson

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Posted 03 February 2017 - 09:59 PM

I attended 4 of the Parma Challenge Cup Nats held in Cleveland. Parma supplied ALL the cars and ALL the controllers. The cars were supposedly all set up by Paul Ciccarello, and there were a BUNCH of cars. We raced Group 10, GTP and NASCAR, IIRC. Parma switched cars at every lane change. For example, if you were racing on blue, your blue car was picked up, and a purple car placed in the same spot on purple. The controllers stayed at the lane, no changing. The racer didn't have to do anything except drive, and change positions at the driver's panel.

 

It was my first hotel race experience, and I liked it! Especially at the Ramada, where the bar was right beside the conference room. :D


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#15 Ramcatlarry

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Posted 04 February 2017 - 02:30 AM

The TOA RACES were done properly so that everyone had equal cars at all times.  Each car was repaired while its clone was racing.  Was there in 2000 and maybe 2001 or 02.

 

Maybe the worst learning experience was a local race where the entry fee was a new flexi - 1.  The cars did stay on the same lanes and only the driver moved ahead to continue racing. The new lane car position was adjusted or everyone started at the start line - I do not recall.  Bottom line is that all of the racers did damage the car they drove at the end of each heat and repairs only occurred by chance - and the winner got first pick of the cars to take home - in finishing order.  All needed new front axles and bodies for rebuilding the cars....good for business?  NO it was not at JK's raceway.


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#16 airhead

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Posted 04 February 2017 - 07:33 AM

 We raced an IROC typr race here at the Dungeon for several years, the cars were Parma flexi 2 with 16-d motors, the controners were Parma 4 ohm and they stayed hooked up, the cars were colored to the lane and  stayed on the  lane, at the end of the heat your spot was marked with a lane marker, all cars were taken to a table then you picked up the next car you would be driving and placed it at your lame marker.

 One month we might race with  a GTP body and the next race it might be a Jupter Thingy, or Manta Ray, Lotus 40 to name a few.

The problem was up keep on the cars, plus most racers wanted to race there own cars and controllers , so we stopped this class.


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#17 gc4895

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Posted 04 February 2017 - 11:50 AM

The new JK chassis would lend itself well to an IROC format. Our experience is these cars will take all the abuse anyone can dish out without needing repairs. Using a motor like a Hawk 7 or other sealed and slower kind of motor would limit even the potential of any significant damage. 8 bodies painted in lane colors would be simple enough. Tires would be the challenge. Perhaps competitors would each purchase a set of tires (same) and contribute these to the starting race prep. On a flat track a set could last several races while on a banked track the tires will need replacing every couple of races. I just like the new JK A chassis for this task since it will require little maintenance and not be susceptible to random acts of violence, either intentional or through driver error. Just a thought.
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