This area will contain the decisions by the Board
of Directors to questions posed regarding a rule clarification to the current 2008-2009 rules. These are posted on SlotBlog
but we realize that not everyone will visit that site for information.
12/4/08
Q: I have a question on the bracket of a JK Spec Chassis. What does "minimal trimming or notching
to facilitate chassis assembly" actually allow? I have a standard bracket and cannot decide how to use it. Can you attach
the motor and then trim the bottom of the bracket at the motor area to let the motor drop on the endbell end, so as to lower
the CG, but maintain the gear mesh? The trimming would be the side of the bracket that the motor is attached, and the sides
near the motor. The motor will not be perpendicular to the track, just slightly angled. The motor would remain in the unchanged
mounting holes.
If this is not legal, can the brack
be trimmed to drop the motor to the location is a hypoid bracket was used?
A: According to the JK Spec class rules:
"The motor bracket must be used as-is, in unaltered shape and form, but minimal trimming or notching
to facilitate chassis assembly or to accommodate bracing is permitted."
The IRRA board's opinion is that the modifications described are in excess
of what is allowed in the rule, as the trimming would change the position of the motor in the chassis from the stock position
and the lowering of the holes would change the position of the motor in the bracket.
These modifications will therefore not
be allowed for the JK Spec class, but are of course legal for cars entered in CanAm or Coupe classes. The use of the JK hypoid
bracket (also in unmodified form) is legal for the JK Spec class, so this provides an alternative to the process requested.
(posted
by Dennis Samson for the IRRA Board)
11-13-08
Q: When building an Iso chassis,
is it permissable to use a transverse hinge to allow movement of a solid front axle independent of the main chassis rails?
For clarity's sake, here's an example of a chassis with that style of movement, built by Keith Van Atta.
Iso Chassis
A: The applicable regulation from the IRRA rules
is:
"Hinged Movements: Other than a drop arm,
all hinged movements must be oriented in only one direction on any individual chassis. A chassis may have transverse hinges
(examples: Iso-fulcrum hinges and plumber hinges) OR it may have longitudinal hinges (example: side pan hinges) but the chassis
may not have both types. The number of individual hinges is not restricted."
In the chassis shown, the plumber and the Iso hinges are oriented in the same direction. The plumber
rails could have side pans solidly attached but cannot have side pans hinged from them, as that would constitute hinging in
a second direction, which is not allowed.
Keep in
mind that the front wheels must support the front of the chassis at or above the mandated front clearance, which suggests
some sort of spring arrangement will need to be used.
(posted for the IRRA board by Greg Wells)
9-22-08
Q: I have two sets of front tires/wheels
from two different manufacturers that claim 5/8" diameter, however both sets are smaller than 5/8" diameter. This
appears to be the accepted manufacturing standard but by the letter of the rules, these wheels are not legal.
A: It is a well-known fact that the 5/8" front wheels from
one prolific slot car parts manufacturer typically measure quite a bit smaller than 0.625". The USRA revised their rules
to spec .600' diameter front wheels some years ago and after discussion, it has been decided to implement the same standard
in the IRRA rules.
Note that the revised 0.600"
diameter specification ONLY applies to O-ring fronts used in the Flexi GT class.
The IRRA rule set will NOT be revised simply to make this minor change; however the specification
is applicable immediately and will be incorporated into the IRRA rules during the next revision.
(Posted for the IRRA Board by Greg Wells)
9-17-08
Q: Can the windows
be cut out of the body in the Retro Stock Car Class?
A: While it may be realistic in some cases, it has
been decided that in the interest of keeping things simple for the racer and for the safety of marshals, the removal of windows
from these bodies will not be allowed.
Q: How will clearance be checked for cars with drop arms since
they will drop down if placed on a test block on all four wheels without the guide.
A: Cars with drop
arms will/should be tech'd on a test block having a guide area that is typical of the depth of the track for the race
where the car can be placed on the block with the guide in and the four wheels touching. For example, at the Sano, any cars
having drop arms will have the clearance checked on a Backtrack guide block that has multiple depths. It is anticipated that
the .015" guide slot will be used there as this is announced braid depth for the race. Other regions should be prepared
to do the same thing and ensure racers are aware of the braid depth prior to a race.
(Posted for the IRRA Board by Joe Neumeister)
9-13-08
Q: The JK Spec rules say that the axle tube must pass through the motor bracket. Do I have to use axle tubes
or may I place the bushings directly in the mounting holes in the bracket?
A: Rear axle bushings may be
soldered directly to the motor bracket without the use of axle tubes, if desired, and minor reaming of the holes in the motor
bracket to allow the installation of axle bushings in this manner will be permitted.
(Posted for the IRRA Board by Greg Wells)
9-2-08
Q:
On the last two JK Spec chassis that I built, the chassis as provided, uncut, measures 3.140" wide across the
width of the pans at the rear. Since it is within the rules to run the car without cutting the pans off for hinging, is it
then OK to file or sand the outer edges of the pan to satisfy the width rule of 3.125" or will this be overlooked?
A: Filing and/or sanding the uncut JK Spec main chassis plate to reduce width to the specified 3.125" specification
will be allowed.
(Posted
for the IRRA Board by Greg Wells)
Q: Will inline frames be allowed to compete in
the new IRRA anglewinder class?
A: No. Just as Anglewinders and full Sidewinders are not allowed in the
Inline classes, Inlines and full Sidewinders are not allowed in the Retro Anglewinder Class.
Of course, what might
be allowed at any individual raceway for a local race is beyond the control of the IRRA Board, but our position is that these
drive configurations should not be mixed.
(Posted
for the IRRA Board by Dennis Samson)
8-18-08
Q: Why weren't all the classes changed to .050" clearance?
A: We had input from several raceway owners wanting to raise
the clearance due to conditions at their tracks or to ease tech inspection. While it could be easier to have just changed
all the classes (except perhaps GT Flexi) to the same front end clearance spec, we felt that there were many, many cars already
built to the existing specs for Can-Am, GT, and F1 and to change it would place an undue burden and perhaps cost on our fellow
racers. Someone who has good chassis building experience would probably not find this a problem but others might. Also, there
are a number of commercial chassis with the .015" front clearance.
Q: First, can
we use axle bushings instead of tubing in the front uprights for the axles?
A:
Yes.
Q: Can
the position of the axle height be modified for .050" front track clearance?
A: Yes.
Q: Also, since the rules state either the standard or hypoid motor bracket may
be used, can we modify the standard bracket if that is what was in the kit, to accept the hypoid setup?
A: No.
(Posted for the IRRA Board by Joe Neumeister)
8-18-08
Q: At a recent race, during each lane change, one driver took his car to his pit box, did his normal maintenance,
then ran his tires across a glue board. He returned to the track and ran the tires on the track in the braking zone of the
deadman on his lane, leaving two visible glue lines in the braking zone about 6 inches long. Is this allowed under the IRRA
rules?
A: No, this practice is not allowed under IRRA regs, which currently state: "Drivers are prohibited
from gluing the track before or during any races." Additional wording will be added at the next rules revision to specifically
state the procedure mentioned above is not allowed.
(Posted for the IRRA Board by Greg Wells)
8-15-08
Q: Can the
main rail be cut in the U to make the bracket easier to fit?
A:
Yes, it can be. The chassis must stay a monorail. The rails must be soldered in the original slot location and stay straight
and parallel to the motor (up to the bracket). The U section does not have to be used.
(Posted for the IRRA Board
by Joe "Noose" Neumeister)
