National GT3 Championship 2022

Main Series Information Thread
The championship clubs have voted to keep the series rules as they were set in 2020 and the abandoned 2021 series, although we have introduced a newcomer and an old codger trophy and dropped the club championship.

2022 Race Calendar
Round 1: Wolverhampton SCC, Sunday 20th February
Round 2: South Manchester SRC, Sunday 24th April
Round 3: Rockingham SCC, Sunday 19th June
Round 4: Molesey SC, Sunday 17th July
Round 5: Pendle Slot Racing, Sunday 11th September
Round 6: North Staffs SRC, Sunday 23rd October


Participation
No more than 44 drivers may register.
Drivers must register by round 3 which is planned to be Rockingham.
2020 registrations will be carried forward to 2022

Registration fee = £8.00 per driver for the series.
Registration fees are used to cover series costs such as championship trophies and to fund the end-of-season prize draw.

Race fee = £7.00 per round.
Race fees are kept by the hosting club.

Guest drivers are welcome. They pay the same £7 race fee but will not score championship points.

Races
Event Format:
These events are held on a Sunday, however the hosting club can arrange a Saturday practice session. Any participants who partake in practice on Saturday are not permitted to practice on the Sunday.

Sunday practice session is to be allocated to non-host club participants, with the final 2 practice times are for local use to ensure their cars are working.

The series encourages clubs to hold pre-race qualifying as this will give the best heat groups based on real lap times.

If qualification is not used, hosting clubs must use the overall championship table to decide heat groups.

Each club may choose to host one of the following race formats.

1) Distance only
Heats may be of 3, 4 or 5 minutes duration.
All heat lap totals to count.
Greatest lap total wins.

2) Heats and finals
Heats of 3 or 4 minutes duration, followed by step-up finals.
All heat lap totals to count.
One driver will step-up on four lane tracks.
One or two drivers may step up on six lane tracks (host club's preference).
Finals to be raced be over a fixed lap total.
Guest drivers will have their own final(s).
Event Trophies:
Each club will provide four trophies for their event. These to be paid for from the race fees received on the event day. The trophies are awarded to the winner of each class, and best placed newcomer and old codger (over 50 yr old (as at 1st Jan 2022))

Breakdown Etiquette:
The same car must be used throughout a race. No spare cars are allowed on track. In the event of a breakdown during racing drivers must follow one of the following two options.
1) The driver may call a 'pit assistant' to retrieve the car, take it to the pits and attempt to repair it. If the car is repaired it must be replaced on the track at the spot it was taken from.
2) If no pit assistant is available then the driver may, discretely and with due respect for his fellow racers, leave the rostrum and attempt a repair at the pits himself. If the car is repaired it must be replaced at the place it was taken from and the driver may return, discretly, to the rostrom.
The normal end-of-race 'test track and, if fault found, driver has a right to re-run' is not affected by this ruling.

Championships
NSR Championship:
Each driver's four best scores when driving an NSR car will count to their NSR Championship score.
The NSR Cup will be presented to the top scoring driver.
Trophies will also be awarded to the second and third highest scoring NSR drivers.

Scaleauto Championship:
Each driver's four best scores when driving a Scaleauto car will count to their Scaleauto Championship score.
The Scaleauto Challenge Trophy will be presented to the top scoring driver.
Trophies will also be awarded to the second and third highest scoring Scaleauto drivers.

Driver's Championship:
Trophies will be awarded to the three highest scoring drivers alongside the best placed newcomer and old codger (>50 yr old (as at 1st Jan 2022)) in the championship irrespective of the model(s) driven. Each driver's five best scores from the six rounds will count. All drivers compete together with results based on finishing order, regardless of which brand of car they are driving.

The NSR, Scaleauto and Driver's Championships will be scored:
Winner: 50 points
2nd place: 47 points
3rd place: 45 points
4th place: 42 points
5th place: 40 points
6th place: 39 points
then reducing by one point per place.

Tie breaking is a three tier system.
1st Tie break: If scores are level after the four best are counted, the driver with the highest 5th score takes precedence. If still level the highest 6th score counts.
2nd Tie break: If scores are still level after the first tie break, then 'count back highest score' will apply. Most wins, second place, etc.
3rd Tie break: If scores still level after tie break two, then the driver with the highest overall championship position will prevail.

Prize Draw
The series will provide prizes for the championship. These will be allocated in a simple prize draw open to registered drivers who have competed in at least two rounds of the series.
The draw will take place at the last round of the season    

Apologies here as I am a complete newbie to the world of digital.  I am currently completely redesigning my home layout and, as you do, I got thinking.

I already have my fully analog layout planned for the space I have and I'm happy with it.  Power is supplied by a Fusion 200W adjustable power supply (something I like as I can easily vary the voltage depending on what series of cars I'm running, or drop it right down if my kids want to play) and I use the same Truspeed controller wired to a small 3 pin plug that I use for club racing.  The club I race at is analog as is every one of my cars.  But...

I also like the idea of having a few digital touring cars and being able to run digital at the occasional family BBQ/friends round for beers time etc.  

So my (very hypothetical) question is this.  Is it possible to run two systems (1 analog/1 digital) on the same track as long as one is powered off at all times? I want to build the track as planned with my fusion power supply and club spec controller stations as this is how I would use it 99% of the time.  But given that the standard digital system allows an analog mode, is it safe to assume that the digital lane changers could (hypothetically) be left in on an analog track running a standard power supply?  (I'd only plan on using straight lane changers and not the curves)?  Then, to run digital, could I leave the fusion supply off and instead use a separate Scalextric digital power base and controllers.

At the same time I created the control tower, there was also interest in a grandstand so I looked to see what could be created and how it could be printed.

Some research and design time later came up with the design below.

   

   

   

This 1/32 design is approximately 230mm long by 230mm high and 210mm deep in modular sections, such that using just one end piece and the skeleton frame two or more could be joined together. The design runs to 3 levels but could be chopped to 2 of even just one, similarly the overall length could be reduced to suit the printer used.

The design needs more work, I.e. a series of pegs and undercuts to support floors and frames but the major work is done. Included in the files is a seat run which will need to be edited to suit the figures used.

It is possible the floors and some walls, could be either left out or made from card (plastic of paper) to save on the print time.

Like the control tower this is offered freely in the files below.

General DWG which can be edited and a STL of the assy split out into individual parts. (Note the STL file can have individual parts blanked out as required for printing).

   

Would be keen to see this printed, and what modifications, permutations etc. could be done to the design.

GS 6.stl Size: 4.26 MB  Downloads: 18

Cheers
               JMay.

1976 White body; #11 in pink; pink top; air scoop; clear or yellow windshield (1733-001) Actually it's a green windshield, anyway anybody know what florescent pink Aurora/AFX used for this car? Or something super close?

   

Pioneer P128 1968 Trans-Am Camaro, Blue #23 'Duane Winkel'. Available now

Of all the liveries on the excellent Scalextric 1969 Camaro Z28 moulding, the Al's Body Shop sponsored car is probably my favourite. Although Duane Winkel only started racing his Camaro in Trans-Am during the 1970 season, it was an early-production 1968 Camaro he'd been taking to local SCCA events - so the Scalextric model isn't quite right. Yes, the 1969 updates weren't huge, but there were differences - the most obvious being the front grille. Not that the Scalextric model doesn't look great, but purists can now relax because Pioneer have released the livery on the correct car...

       

Like the Scalextric model, Pioneer will have used the restored historic racer to research the livery. The car is owned by Californian Bill Godwin...

       

The headlamp covers on the Pioneer Z28 could be a smidgeon bigger, but otherwise it's a damn fine model of a great-looking car...

       

Turn the sound up, because here's the restored car in action at Laguna Seca, back in 2016...



Although Godwin's restoration is well known on the Historic Trans-Am scene, the car wasn't much photographed back when Duane Winkel was driving it. Based just south west of Chicago, Winkel focused on his local Mid-West Trans-Am races at Road America and Mid Ohio - although in 1973 he ventured east Watkins Glen and a 900-mile adventure to Sanair, near Quebec. In eight Trans-Am starts, his best finish was 11th at Sanair - so worth the trip.

Duane Winkel caught the racing bug in 1968, seeing Mark Donohue, George Follmer, Sam Posey and Peter Revson take part in the Trans Am race at Meadowdale Raceway, near Chicago. With race partner Al Wilson of Wilson Chevrolet, Winkel added a stout roll cage and the necessary safety equipment to the '68 Camaro and began racing in his local SCCA region. The team made their Trans-Am debut at Road America in 1970, but the Camaro lasted only two laps before retiring. Despite this shaky start Duane Winkel continued his grass-roots efforts with his beautiful and well-built car. However, Duane and Al's dreams of beating the top dogs never materialized.

   

The Duane Winkel Camaro Z28 is one of four new models just released by Pioneer and available from Pendles, Inaslot and other Pioneer stockists. For anyone new to Pioneer Trans-Am cars... they have the same sidewinder set-up as the Scalextric Trans-Ams and are Digital Plug Ready, so a mixed fleet make a stupendously good Trans-Am grid - analogue or digital.

   

Race Sideways SWCAR04K McLaren 720S GT3 White Kit. RRP £62.95. Available early November 2021

The McLaren 720S GT3 is a great addition to the Sideways GT3 fleet. Most importantly, it's a car that's still widely used in GT3 championships around the world. The car made its debut in the autumn of 2018 and was available for customers from the beginning of the 2019 season. Carrera already have a 720S GT3 in their range, but the arrival of the Sideways model heralds the entry of a 1:32 720S into serious slot car GT competition.

       

As much as we can see from the white kit, the moulding looks great. It's a pretty low and sleek machine in real life, so no liberties of scale need to be taken. Underneath is the usual Sideways GT layout, with the anglewinder Baby Raptor long-can motor...

       

To introduce the new model, Sideways have launched an "International Painting Competition 2022 - 720S GT3". These are the rules...

Quote:- Real or fantasy decoration.
- 3 photos (max 1 Mo = 1024 Ko per photo).
- Possibility of choosing the angle of the photo. (example of photo valid* - check attached pictures)
- White or black background.
- Put the car on original base "SIDEWAYS"
- Rims with inserts (original design from white kit) .
- Inserts you can choose the color
- Tires (possible to put logos Pirelli...) (original from white kit)

Send your pictures to : sideways.ipc@yahoo.com
End date for valid your car(s): 31 January 2022
Vote : February 2022 (Facebook vote = 50% + Sideways distributors vote 50%)
SWCAR04K available now or very soon to all best shops
Result : March 2022
1st Win new car + trophy award
2nd Win new car+ trophy award
3rd Win new car + trophy award
+
draw of a lottery (a chance to win for all contest participants except for the first 3 of the competition)

And these are a couple of re-liveries on pre-production samples to get your creative juices flowing...

       

There are a couple of dozen superb real-life liveries to choose from, including those of Jenson Button's GT team...



The McLaren 720S white  kit is available now in Europe and expected in the UK very soon. It is available for pre-order at Pendles here.

   

Apologies... this thread is later than planned. We are less than two weeks away from fourth event of our 2021-2 series. This one is an NHRA-themed event on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 November. All the dates, regulations and format are in the 'UK HO Drag Proxy Series 2021-22 Preview' thread here.

The Track: The Rock County Eighth Mile is a seven-foot timed strip (1/8 mile in true HO scale) made from the new 2019 Micro Scalextric sectional track. Cars must be fitted with braids to run on this track. Power is set at 12 volts and 8 amps across the two lanes. Power to both lanes is triggered by a single switch firing a relay board. Timing is currently Trackmate Drag Basic, with Drag RC being prepared for introduction in 2022. After the finish line, there is a two-foot shutdown with dynamic braking and a well-padded catch box.

Sending cars: Aim for your cars to arrive in Brighton at least 72 hours before the first day of the event,  so they can be quarantined (if necessary) and then registered for qualifying. Please also pack in a small box (max height 7.5cm if possible) and pay for your postage online so no-one needs to go near a post office. These races are designed to be Covid-safe events that are accessible to everyone and can continue whatever restrictions might be in place. You may - of course - send cars for several races or the full duration of the series  - just let me know.

How to enter: Send me a private message or add a reply below. One car per class may be entered per person. Family members and friends are very welcome to enter too. I will message you with the address to send cars to. You will need to pay for return postage. Otherwise there is no race fee.

Overseas entrants must talk to me about customs forms on their parcels! The recipient (me) will normally be charged 20% of the stated value of the parcel, plus an £8 handling fee. As cars sent to these races are not commercial goods, I need to explain how to alert UK customs to this fact and avoid the fees.

Entries Race #14 - 9-10 November 2021

Micro Scalextric Street Stock: Jane, Jeremy, Rebecca, Andy, Bill, Kev, Clive, Iain (8)

Micro Scalextric Super Stock 6.0: Jane, Jeremy, Rebecca, Andy Pla, Bill, Andy Phi, Kev, Clive, Iain (9)

NHRA 4-Gear Funny Car & Pro Stock: Rebecca, Andy, Clive, Iain, Bill (5)

NHRA Top Fuel: Rebecca, Andy, Clive (3)

Nostalgia Micro Scalextric 2019 match-racing: Rebecca, Clive, Iain, Bill (4)

Even the best of my newly acquired GT3 cars have a tendency to “dance” or chatter on acceleration out of corners. chrisguyw has been a big advocate of bracing the axle holder uprights on SW and AW cars, recommending the Slotting Plus combi bushing/brace or aiding a wire U brace. So, the Slotting Plus product is $10 and currently out of stock at my usual supplier. My chances of accurately bending wire so that it fits snug but not so tight it distorts the uprights are nil. So I looked around the workbench and came up with some 3/32” square brass tubing that even I could cut and file to fit. Secured in place with some IC2000 adhesive it works great. The chatter is significantly decreased.
   

If building a car from parts or for a Proxy, the Slotting Plus setup is worth tracking down. But for a quick, easy and cheap solution I am happy with this.

   

In addition to the in-depth news items and update threads here on the forum, SlotRacer publishes a weekly bite-sized round-up of news every Monday. There's a quick run-through of slot car racing, new slot cars and accessories, slot car publications, slot car history, plus motorsport news and updates from this site. We also like to include a tasty feature that could be about anything with four wheels.

The Digest sits of the SlotRacer Online homepage, with its own 'The Digest' menu so you can browse previous editions.

The Digest is shared on the SlotRacer Facebook page and Facebook group each Monday and is a way to connect our social media followers with the site. However, if you're not a Facebook follower and don't visit SlotRacer via the homepage, you'll be missing out on The Digest. From this week, we'll be making sure a reminder is posted here when it's ready to read. And if there's anything you want to add - or suggest for the follow week - just add a reply...

All the "Prototype Parade" plans are now live on the CSCRA site. These were originally published in Model Maker, Model Maker and Model Cars, and Model Cars magazines from 1951 to 1972, and more recently were hosted on the unfortunately now defunct Vintage Slot Racing Newsletter website VSRN Online.  They have proved a useful source for modellers trying to construct accurate scale models of older racing cars, and so I am trying to reestablish the resource. I say all the plans....that's all I have been able to source so far - about 300 in total, plus some un-numbered plans. There are about 40  numbers I don't have plans for, but whether they were ever published, I don't know. Anyway, that's Phase One of the Prototype Parade project complete. Similar plans from other magazines will be uploaded in the future, together with an alphabetical index by manufacturer.