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!

SR3 Update: Elevations and Banking Set

Yep, the initial setup is done. Of course, all adjustable at any time but this is what we’ll open SR3 with. Pictures don’t really do it justice. You can see it in person at Round 3 of the 2022 Formula “e” Series, January 29.

Right-click and open in a new browser tab for full-size images. The entrance to Turn 1 (oval).

 

The road course.
Down-slope, off-camber exit from Turn 4. No slam-dunk getting to the finish line here.

Lower banking on entrance to Turn 1 (oval) and higher banking on Turn 2 exit. A little bump in the middle of the corner to make things more interesting for all types of cars.

No idea how this setup will work with the various cars we run, we’ll sort it out.

Plenty of work left to do, including completely securing each track piece to the table. This becomes more important in the summer season when the heat tends to expand the Sintra roadway material. I’ll likely end up securing each piece every 8″ or so.

Once I get all the pieces secured, it’s time to get going on the wiring, which is always a challenge when you use multiple RMS (timing system) setups. While I was leaning towards abandoning SlotTrak due to their recent crazy mandatory hardware upgrade, I decided to invest in that hardware upgrade for SR3 to try it out.

SR3 also has some new features that require a completely different track wiring design. I won’t go into the details here but the plan is to be able to change the voltage for each lane at the driver’s station (and computer). This supports drivers to test different cars at whatever voltage they like while also permitting the Race Director to reset the lane voltages at race time. It’s complicated but the hope is that it benefits driver/team track time by allowing practice sessions of virtually any type of car on the track at the same time. Yea, a bit sketchy but much more productive track/testing days.

Don’t forget! Round 3 of the Formula “e” Series is Saturday, January 29, 2022. Get registered now!

Okay, shut up and drive!

 

Jag Hobbies PR-5 and MG/MG+ F1/Indy Body G2

Round 2 of the Fe Series indicated that the AFX/RaceMasters injected-molded F1/Indy bodies may not be the hot setup, at least for oval track racing.

The Round 2, 400-lap, PR-5 “race-winning” body was a rather heavy 3d-printed 2021 F1 body. The only modification was some slight removal of underside material to get the body to sit at the proper attitude for racing, a very minor and quick mod, which is not required for the intended MG/MG+ 1.7 chassis.

Here are the weights of a few of the bodies campaigned in Round 2 of the 2022 Formula “e” Series. The Viper and Gary Fast bodies are shown for reference.

FX/RaceMasters latest version
MTS/Shapeways 2021 Formula 1
MTS/Shapeways 1992 FW14B F1
VSR Formula V Hardbody for VSPEC Chassis
Gary Fast (Fastbodies) 2010 Indy Dallara

No idea yet what is the best choice for both oval and road racing but hope this info helps. The current rules aren’t real specific so you can lighten any of these bodies. However, if you lose a rear or front wing, or otherwise break off a significant piece of the body while racing, you could be DQ’d.

“GP Designs” 1968 Camaro TFX Bodies

Right-click, open in a new tab for a larger image

Yea, George took my prize TFX IROC bodies to his studio and gave them a sweet makeover. Needless to say, I’m impressed by the detail and workmanship.

These bodies are beautiful and very functional in terms of handling. They come out of the package a little high for racing but can be easily lowered and the wheel-wells opened a bit to clear the front tires. Rear wheel-wells are fine for stock TFX rear assemblies but may need to be opened for Jag TR-3 applications.

George knows I like numbers with a seven in them and this livery didn’t disappoint. We raced these in Round 2 of the Formula ‘e” Series on the oval over completely stock OS3 TFX chassis’ and everyone felt like they worked very well.

Before GP Design’s wonderful work.

George easily won Round 2’s Concourse d` Elegance points with this set.  Great work, George!