Category: Information

Introducing Driver Classifications

We’ve discussed this issue a number of times over the last couple of seasons. Starting with our next series, Stewart Raceway is implementing a two-tiered driver classification as follows:

    • Expert
    • Sportsman

Of course, until we have participant numbers to justify it, the two different classifications of drivers will race together but scored and stats tracked separately. This means that there will be an Expert class winner and a Sportsman class winner in every race and at the end of every series at Stewart Raceway. This means more work for Race Directors, but it is much needed to increase interest and participation in our hobby/sport.

Today, we have entry-level and skilled drivers entering the scene after over 30 years or more of not driving a slot car. We also have several new drivers who have never raced slot cars until very recently. It is clearly not a level playing field to score or measure these drivers against established and much more experienced, active drivers.

The method I’ve decided on to determine a driver’s classification is to evaluate their average placings at Stewart Raceway. If a driver’s average placing at Stewart Raceway is over four (4) or lower, he or she will be considered an Expert. Any driver with average placings higher than four (4) will be considered a Sportsman level driver. This metric is taken from event statistics at Stewart Raceway since 2018.

Of course, any driver may upgrade or downgrade their classification, at any time. Upgrading (reclassification) from Sportsman to Expert has no restrictions. Downgrading (reclassification) from Expert to Sportsman can only be done if the driver currently has a higher than four (4) average placing score. Reclassifications will not be granted during a race day event or ongoing racing series.

Obviously, there are Experts out there that have not raced at Stewart Raceway for a long time. If and when such drivers return to racing at Stewart Raceway, the Race Director will determine what classification they will resume competition in. Generally, if a racer was previously classified as an Expert and has not requested a reclassification, they will resume racing as an Expert.

Why no Pro class? Well, we don’t run any “Pro-level” cars. On the national level, pretty much all of the cars and rules we’ve been running are Amateur level. Yes, the SPEC-JET, SPEC-STOCK, and SPEC-RACER are more advanced than the BOX-STOCK classes, but they are not intended as exclusive Pro-level classes.

I’m all in on higher-level platforms but we just don’t have the interest in our current group right now. Hopefully, as we grow, interest and participation increases, and we’ll introduce a SUPER STOCK or MODIFIED class at some point. We actually have the TFX “Modified” class now but only a few have built cars for that class.

Anyway, I’ll follow this post with a listing of Stewart Raceway drivers and their current classification levels based on SR2 and SR3 results since January 2020.

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

 

 

 

 

TFX “Modified” Testing Yielding Interesting Results

OS3 TFX with a Wizzard E-Jet front-end, Black Dragon magnets, Titanium axles, and a Tornado 16.5-ohm arm.

Yea, I know, we haven’t raced this class…yet.

We’ve raced the TFX “Lite” platform, which is virtually a stock OS3 TFX platform with Black Dragon magnets instead of the factory-installed Grey Dragon magnets. The extra downforce makes the car much easier to drive and increases lap times considerably.

The TFX “Modified” is the next logical step for those who enjoy T-Jet-style racing but want to go a bit faster.  Our rules allow quite a few mods but do not allow any stronger magnets than the OS3 Black Dragons.  We also do not allow Dual-Compound tires.

Best lap on SR2. Top-level Fray cars have clicked-off 5.7-sec laps on the same layout but with Dual-Compound tires and Dash Killer Bee magnets.

In spite of those restrictions, my initial testing with a “Modified” TFX, produced lap times fairly close to a top-level Fray T-Jet on SR2. This is very encouraging since the cost of a competitive “Modified” TFX platform is roughly $100 compared to a comparable Fray T-Jet at ~$250 or much, much more. Yes, my testing was without a Lexan body.

I suspect one could get the TFX “Modified” platform into the 5.7-sec/lap range (w/Body) with only a bit more development and tuning. I haven’t tried a Dynamic balanced/trued arm yet but I suspect there will be diminishing returns there due to the limitations of the Black Dragon motor magnets.

My current “Modified” parts list:

    • Black Dragon Motor Magnets
    • Wizzard “E-Jet” Brass Front-end
    • OS3 Tornado 16.5-ohm Armature
    • Wizzard Titanium axles
    • SlotTech Comm Brushes
    • Viper Teflon Armature Spacer
    • RT-170 Crown Gear

“Modified” rules allow a Lexan body using OS3 “stick-on” body mounts, which helps keep costs down but detailing possibilities limitless.

Okay, we’re not racing this class in Round 1 but I’d really like to get this platform added to the mix at Stewart Raceway at some point. It’ll take some testing and tuning so let me know if you’d like some extra track time to get a car developed and ready to race.

This class is for the more hardcore Slothead and fits into the HOPRA “Super Stock” level of racing.

Okay, shut up and drive!

SR3 Oval Ready To Go

The oval layout is operational and ready for Saturday’s test session.

I ran a few magnet and gravity cars and it feels pretty fluid and fast. It’s not as fluid around the banks as I expected but it’s a lot better than SR2 in that regard.

The cars still straighten out between the banked corners but not as pronounced as SR2. Turns 1 & 4 are sharper than 2 & 3, which makes this oval more challenging than the SR2 oval layout. Some of you have experienced the last corner before the start/finish line, it’s tight and alluring, with a decreasing radius entry that makes getting to the finish line a bit more difficult than SR2.

Anyway, it’s all set for some fast laps this Saturday. Again, we’ll just do a bunch of laps and a race or two to make sure all is good with the timing and fuel management setup.  Bring some loose cars as well as your fastest magnet cars, and any six-lane IROC sets you may have.

The difference in lap lengths between each lane is about .78-feet. We’ll have to determine what lane is the fastest and make that the pole position. Yes, there will be staggered starts for all oval races.  We’ll also do individual qualifying for the Feature races in the upcoming NASCAR MADness Series, which starts the following Saturday, May 28.

Hope to see you this Saturday.

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

2022 Racing Rules Finally Published

I’ve finally completed the 2022 general and platform racing rules for Stewart Raceway and any participating venues that choose to participate.

In order to simplify, streamline, and otherwise make the whole process easier and more manageable, I’ve decided to adopt 2022 HOPRA rules and have applied them to the various classes we run.

HOPRA’s rules are actually very similar to what we have now and also provide for additional popular classes down the road, should we desire to further expand our racing platforms portfolio.

Previously, class rules were listed on each Active Club Cars page. You can still get to the rules from those pages (under the Additional Information tab). However, all platform racing rules are now also accessible from a single page called “Racing Platform Rules” accessible from the site’s main menu.

I’ve also updated our General and House racing rules to include applicable HOPRA rules and guidelines.

I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion with rules we’ve recently seen with the TFX classes.  I don’t think anybody is going to be in violation of the new rules but I strongly urge you to review them and make sure all your cars fully comply with current .

Our vintage platforms (Mega-G, Lambo, Tomahawk, and Tyco-Jet) do not exactly fit into the current HOPRA rules. The “U-Build” rules currently posted will continue to apply to those classes.

Of course, these rules can be “tweaked” but I’d like to stay as close as we can to the national HOPRA rules.

Please feel free to comment on this post below or, preferably, in our Rules forum.

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

 

New F1/Indy Class?

HCSlots “Sportsman” chassis (short wheelbase position)

Well, not really new, just a little different twist on a theme we’re already supporting.  The short story is that we’re proposing putting an F1/Indy hardbody on a Viper-Jet platform.

Please check out the details in the Stewart Raceway Forums here. And, please comment there also. Obviously, we need to discuss and sort out the related rules, though it’s pretty much “U-Build Viper-Jet” rules with just a body, wheelbase, and front-end change. The pics here are just two different V-Spec models but you’ll get the idea.

V-Spec with MegaG+ front hubs and tires (short-wheelbase position)

Yea, I agree, we don’t really need to introduce a new class right now. However, this one is a slam-dunk and should be a great addition to our racing program going forward.

In fact, if enough interest, we’ll debut this class of car at the next Formula “e” Oval race. One more oval layout event in this series, just need to decide when.

Okay, let the discussion begin!