WFRCCC 2007 Rules

[PeterV]

WFRCCC RULES
1. Wheel-driven vehicles only. Vehicles powered by thrust (jet, rocket, propeller, etc.) are not allowed. Turbine power is allowed only if the turbine is used to drive the wheels, not for thrust.

2. Vehicles may be powered by engine(s) or motor(s) of any number and configuration.

3. Vehicles may be any weight, with any chassis configuration and any number of wheels—but the completed vehicle may not exceed 40 inches (1016mm) in length.

4. All vehicles must use commercially available radio gear with a functioning fail-safe system set to apply full brake in the event of signal loss or interference.

5. Vehicles are not required to look like any type of "real" car or truck, but all entries must have some type of 3-dimensional "cockpit area" with windows (clear or painted). It's OK if your car looks like a space ship as long as it appears to have a place for a guy to sit.

6. No sacrificial power systems. Motors or power systems that, by design, are inoperable after a single run are not permitted.

7. Drivers must operate their vehicles from a fixed position. Chase cars are not permitted.

8. Drivers or teams may enter as many cars as they like.

9. For a speed record to count, the vehicle must make a second run and achieve a speed that is within 2% of the record speed. The second run can be made at any point during the event, the runs do not have to be back-to-back.

ENTRANTS
Entrants will be divided into three classes: Manufacturer Team, Independent Team and Individual.

MANUFACTURER TEAM: entries fielded by RC companies will run in the Manufacturer Team class.

INDEPENDANT TEAM: if the entered vehicle is the collaboration of three or more individuals operating without the support of a manufacturer, it will run in the Independent Team class. High school shop teams, university engineering departments, RC clubs ... this is your class!

INDIVIDUAL: any vehicle entered by a single person will run in the Individual class.

THE WINNER
Each vehicle will be given three attempts to make its fastest run. The vehicle with the absolute highest peak speed will be declared the overall winner, and separate awards will be given to the fastest vehicles in the Manufacturer, Independent and Individual classes.

[PeterV]

Some questions I've received:

What is the length of the track? It's a full-scale 1/4 mile drag strip. Use as much of the track as you like.

What’s the run up and slow down length See above. You'll have the same shut-down area as a full-size drag car.

Do we need to do 2 runs in either direction? Covered in rules posted above.

Are they one after the other or do you get a period to prepare the car for the 2nd run? Once you're up, you can make more than one run if you want, but once you take the car off the track, it will be the next driver's turn

What happens if you can’t make the 2nd run? Skip your turn, then go in the next opening. If the event runs like it did last year, we'll be following a simple "go when you're ready" system. If you're not ready to go, the next person who IS ready will go. If you're ready after him, you can take the track. It's pretty laid back, we want everyone to get all the track time they can and have a good time.

What constitutes a manufactures team? See post above.

What frequencies can we use for radio equipment? (We don’t have the same ones in Europe and don’t want to get there and have to buy new equipment) Anything you bring should be fine. All radios will be off except for the driver's on the track. I'll bring a spare radio and receiver just in case any driver has an issue.

Are we allowed to modify radio equipment? The rules state "All vehicles must use commercially available radio gear with a functioning fail-safe system set to apply full brake in the event of signal loss or interference." Personal comfort mods (aftermarket wheel or grip, that sort of thing) are ok, but electronic mods are not allowed. I changed my mind, after seeing a few of the radio-mod posts. As long as your "base" radio is an available hobby item, then it's all good.

Are we allowed to boost the output of the transmitter (2.4 ghz is no licensed up to 100 mw but you can get a license for more and boost the signal to 5 watts and get 5 miles range. Can I use this equipment in the USA?) Sorry, need to use out-of-the-box gear.

Can you use other digital frequencies? 900 mhz, 1.2 ghz, 1.4 ghz….. up to 5.8 ghz. These are not available commercially but people are looking at these systems (Me!)
I'll allow this as long as there's no performance advantage.

[ajlovering12345]

Hi

Thanks for posting the rules. I see one rule says the the 2nd run must be within 2% of the first run. Why is that? Why cant it be 2 runs and an average of the 2 or even better 3 runs and and average of the best 2 of the 3?

If I run 150 then I have to do 147 to 153 to count. If its 155 does it count?

Cheers

[PeterV]

We just don't want to have a one-run record, like we did last year (the record was declared "unofficial"). In your specific example, I'd give you the 155--it's not unreasonable for your car to go that fast after going 150.

[ajlovering12345]

What if i messed up the first run and 1 engine cut and I made 110 and then everything went ok and did 155?

Then you should make a third run. If your car was inoperable andcould not run again, and the 155 run looked legit, I'd give it to you as "unofficial." But if there was any doubt as to its veracity, I would not average it with your first run and give you 22.5mph for nothing.

I think your talking about Nics car right? If he did 134.4 and then 160 the record should have been 147.2.

Nic ran one car that made multiple passes, each getting faster until it peaked at 134.4. He ran a SECOND car for just one full run that posted a speed of 160. I wanted to see a second run near that speed to make it official, but the car was inoperable. If Nic could have run it a second time and gone 150, I would have said, "good enough, I buy the 160." I really don't want to lower top speeds by averaging, or raise lower speeds, for that matter. I think it's lame when you know a car actually reached a peak speed of 150mph, but it's official speed is something lower because of averaging. This is a peak speed challenge, not an average speed challenge. --Pete

The speed trap should rule out bad radar gun readings

[NotWalkinBlind]

Peter, will these guys need to rent a scissor lift on their own, or will RCCA be providing one?

Sorry, we're not renting a scissor lift. You can stand anywhere you like. Most drivers stood on the track wall. --Pete

[Patrick M]

For those who haven't made motel reservations yet, the Comfort Inn near the speedway (909-463-5900) is offering a racers discount. Just mention Auto Club Dragway when making reservations and the rate drops to $89 from $110. The $69 rate offered on the Auto Club Dragway website is no longer valid.

[Patrick M]

If I run 150 then I have to do 147 to 153 to count. If its 155 does it count?

The way the R/C drag racers address this type of situation, the 155 would back up the 150 mph run, so the new record would be 150. Not saying that that will be the way it's done at WFRCCC, but the precedent has been set.

Pete?

I'm giving you the 155 :)

[ajlovering12345]

How much to rent a scissor lift? If there are 10 people coming i'm sure we can spread the cost. If not can I rent one and charge people 2 bucks to use it??.... LOL

Mat. try to find out and let me know

Cheers

[Patrick M]

I'm giving you the 155 :)
Why do you have a 2% rule if you are not going to enforce it?

May as well change it to 5 or 10%.... or make every back-up run a judgement call... :roll2:


It's much easier to grant leeway on a very specific rule than it is to precisely enforce a very open-ended rule. The rule is there to prevent one-run records. If the math doesn't work out to 2%, it's my call. I think the spirit of the rule is very clear.

I gotta ask...when the cops pull you over for going 65 in a 45, but they write you up for 55 instead to cut you a break, do you say, "Why have the rule if you are not going to enforce it?" --Pete

[ajlovering12345]

The rule was ther coz one car did one run at 160 and it couldnt be verified. If the car did another run then surely the fastes run will count. Just change it so that for a car to hold the record they must complete 2 runs

[Patrick M]

When the rules in FE boat racing are not strictly enforced, the boat racing community (tongue in cheek) then refers to them as "guidelines"... :D

"Let's check the Guideline Book...." LOL

[George Gonzalez]

Renting a scissor lift is a liability. We want to keep the event a safe as possible. Most of the racers did not have issues with standing on the tack wall, and the visability to the track was fine. If you want to bring a sturdy ladder that will be fine, actually a few drivers brought ladders at the first event.

[George Gonzalez]

Here are some items that you should consider bringing:
>Pit table and canopy
>Extension cord and power strip
>plenty of water or sodas
>Food & snacks
>Electric fan
>Warm weather clothes (it will more than likely be hot)
>Sun block

[ajlovering12345]

Here are some items that you should consider bringing:
>Pit table and canopy
>Extension cord and power strip
>plenty of water or sodas
>Food & snacks
>Electric fan
>Warm weather clothes (it will more than likely be hot)
>Sun block

The car ? we need the cars right?

:D:D:D:D:D:D

[George Gonzalez]

Yup, don't forget your cars, tools and support equipment. Unless you'd like to run down the track. We could have a side competition to see who's the fastest driver on foot, though. :)

[PeterV]

Game on for the foot race!

[ajlovering12345]

1/4 mile? I'll never make it

[Patrick M]

Unless you'd like to run down the track. We could have a side competition to see who's the fastest driver on foot, though. :)

Interesting that you would suggest that, George. In the mid '60's, the OLD Fontana dragstrip held footraces from the finish to the start line. All racers and spectators were allowed to participate and the winner was presented with a check for $50 by Mickey Thompson. One of last years WFRCCC record setters won that $50 check over 40 years ago.
The dragstrip at California Speedway was known as Fontana Raceway prior to being repaved and resurrected as Auto Club Dragway. Just a bit of history..... :cool:

[rainmantoo]

Bet you would never have guessed it was me.........that was about 150# ago!
Jim Schauer

[andreasturb]

Hi everyone!

George, we are coming from Greece for the race and I need to ask about the electric supply: How many Volts is the supply in California? How many Hz? How do the plugs look like?
In Europe we use 220V and 50Hz. Could we find some sort of adaptor there, so that we can readily use our equipment? (chargers, tools, soldering iron etc.). Could you post any relative links or pics?

Thanks,
Andreas (member of the R630 Team)

[ajlovering12345]

Yo! More guys from Europe! What car are you going to run? IC or Electric?

[Hard Case]

Hi everyone!

George, we are coming from Greece for the race and I need to ask about the electric supply: How many Volts is the supply in California? How many Hz? How do the plugs look like?
In Europe we use 220V and 50Hz. Could we find some sort of adaptor there, so that we can readily use our equipment? (chargers, tools, soldering iron etc.). Could you post any relative links or pics?

Thanks,
Andreas (member of the R630 Team)

Glad you guy's are comming!
It would be a good idea to get the adapters before you get here.
Here is some voltage info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Map_of_the_world_coloured_by_voltage_and_fre quency.png

And wall sockets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Map_of_the_world_coloured_by_type_of_plug_us ed.png


One way or another,we'll get it to work.
Good Luck
See ya there........

Nic

[George Gonzalez]

Hi Andreas. We're excited about having you attend the WFRCCC. In the US our electrical plugs are 110V 60HZ. You can buy a International Electricity Dual Converter Travel Set from Brookstone.com, or I'm sure you can find one where you live at a large electronics store, or major department store. You might also try radioshack.com; they have power converters as well. If you go to brookstone.com, type the words "dual converter travel set" in the search box and the converter should pop up. I have one and if I can remember, I'll bring it along just in case. I only have one adaptor for the US, though. You'll probably need more than one to be able to hook up multiple electronic devises. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[andreasturb]

Hi George,

I just checked Radio Shack, they do have some converters, I'll go to a store and see what I can find. The Brookstone stuff is only an adaptor that has to do with plug shape, we need something to give us 220V, 50 Hz as output:roll2:
Will there be any 12V supply at the race? It would be much more convenient than having to carry a 12V car battery...

see you soon!
Andreas

[ajlovering12345]

I wouldnt worry about the frequency. Your equipment will run at 22V 60htz OK

Cheers

[George Gonzalez]

We'll have a generator at the event to provide limited power. Last year several racers brought generators as well. You should be able to have some power, but you might have to use your rental car's battery if all the lines are being used. There really wasn't a problem last year - very few people hooked up to our generator. Radio Shack also sells a 110v power converter that hooks up to any car's 12V cigarette lighter.

[fasterthanspeed]

Ive got a converter that plugs into a cigarette lighter that i believe converts to 110 and 220, but its only good for low draw items. Like laptops AND PORTABLE DVD player.

[andreasturb]

We'll have a generator at the event to provide limited power. Last year several racers brought generators as well. You should be able to have some power, but you might have to use your rental car's battery if all the lines are being used. There really wasn't a problem last year - very few people hooked up to our generator. Radio Shack also sells a 110v power converter that hooks up to any car's 12V cigarette lighter.

Hi George!

Since we've already arranged for a rental car, it would be fine to use its 12V battery to supply our charger. My question is, will we be able to park it at the pits, so that we don't have to travel from the pits to the car and vice versa when charging our packs?

Thanks,
Andreas

[fasterthanspeed]

andrea, everyone parks right next to the track, literally 5 feet away, and we setup right there to.

[George Gonzalez]

fasterthanspeed is right. You can park and pit next to the track.

[andreasturb]

Hi guys,

parking at the track is great, no carrying of heavy equipment required!:)

- a question at Nick and other people who have worked on brushless motors:
we will be needing to buy a spare Lehner brushless motor in LA, most likely a 1950, because it's not possible to have another order delivered to Greece now. Do you know of a dealer in the proximity of the track (or in the L.A. area) who has such motors in stock (or equivalents from Neu or Hacker)? Could they provide any technical support concerning these motors?

- how is everyone going to arrange their pit space? Are there going to be any tables, chairs, tents available? It would be vary hard for us to carry such stuff from Greece so we would appreciate help/ideas..

Andreas

[ajlovering12345]

Same goes for me. Fasterthanspeed, OK if I pit with you?

Cheers

[Hard Case]

Andreas

Try
http://www.flydma.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1_2
http://www.finedesignrc.com/lehnerspecs.htm

I'm not aware of any place in LA that would have something like that, on a shelf.



Nic

[fasterthanspeed]

andreas i called a couple places around here and none of them have that size motor.

No prob aj. Also i dont have a work mate, but I might have a table somewhere around here. Ive got a ladder. Ive got a 3 step and a 6-8 foot ladder(forget the actual size). So whatever one works best.

[andreasturb]

Ok I found a converter at Radio Shack that might do the trick for our 220V appliances. It's item No. 273-1414. Could anyone do us a big favor and order this item at a local Radio Shack store? We'll pay for it of course upon our arrival. Thing is, they don't have any mail contact and I think the direct way would be the best one..

Thanks,
Andreas