Announcing the 2012 Bay Area FCR Challenge Cup at Eddie’s Slot Car World in Vallejo.

A series of 12 monthly races will be run on the second Sunday of each month starting January 8th (this is a change from last year’s championship).
Cars for this series will be the cheap, closely matched and basic 4-1/2 inch Parma FCRs with NASCAR bodies.

2012 FCR Challenge races start at 2PM on the day assigned. Tech inspection will commence approximate 30 minutes before. Entry fee is $10.

2012 Schedule:
January 8, February 12, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9

Points will be awarded to the first six finishers:
10 points for first place, 8 points for second, 6 points for third, 4 points for fourth, 2 points for fifth, 1 points for sixth.
• Car must be running at the end of race to score points.
• No points will be awarded for fastest lap this year.

Racing Rules for this series:

Chassis:
• Must use 4.5" Parma FCR chassis only (Parma #435).
• Must have at least .062" chassis clearance under rear axle.
• Must have at least .031" chassis clearance under front axle with exception of front tires.
• May solder or glue front or rear Parma oilites in place
• May file front or rear bushing holes to level front or rear axle in order to maintain the clearance requirement.
• Front tires may be set lower than chassis.
• May bend chassis to straighten but not to lower car profile.
• Cars may not be wider than 3-1/4" at any point.
• Weighting the chassis is allowed.
• Front motor mount may be screwed or soldered to the chassis or may be omitted.
• Front motor mount screw may be removed otherwise it must be flush with bottom of chassis.
• Chassis may be reinforced using music wire but must be kept within the stock chassis outer profile.
• Ball bearings are not allowed.
• No other modifications allowed.

Motor:
• Parma # 501 Sealed 16-D Deathstar Motor Only. No tampered, American built, Ultimate or KOR motors.
• Security seal must be intact. NO EXCEPTIONS. Removing and replacing seal is not allowed!
• May solder or glue motor to chassis.
• May glue magnets and or bushings in place.
• May adjust bushings to remove armature slop.
• May use/replace with any brushes and springs.
• Cheaters will buy lunch!

Gears:
• All gears must be 48 pitch.
• Angled or straight cut pinions are permitted.

Axles and Tires:
• Front and rear axle diameter must be 1/8".
• No hollow axles permitted.
• Must have hard mounted, solid, continuous front axle that rotates within the oilite bushings.
• Front wheels may rotate independently of the front axle
• Any commercially available brand front or rear tires may be used.
• Front wheel minimum diameter of 0.780” (this allows stock tire to be trued) by 0.500" wide.
• Front tires may be hardened.
• Front tires must be set lower than or equal to the bottom side of the chassis.
• Rear wheel minimum diameter of 0.780 (this allows for truing and/or some wear) by .800 wide.

Bodies:
• All bodies are subject to the Race Director’s approval.
• Any scale appearing 4 ½” NASCAR body with minimum thickness of 0.010 may be used.
• Bodies must be painted.
• No “see through” paint jobs.
• Bodies must have three matching numbers (top and both sides)
• Must have at least 1/4" front and rear bumpers.
• Bodies must be cut to a roof height of no less than 1 -7/8"
• Front wheel well area must be either clear or cut out.
• Rear wheel well area must be cut out
• Body must be fastened to chassis using velcro strips. Additional securing methods are allowed (tape, pins, clips, etc) in conjunction with velcro.
• Interiors (molded or paper) are required.
• No added aerodynamic aids or advantages allowed with the exception of rat tails (subject to stewards discretion).

Other Allowed Modifications:
• You may use any brand commercial guide and or guide brushes (braids).
• You must use two full length lead wires between the motor and the guide brushes. You may use any type lead wire available.
• You may fasten or tape the lead wires in any way to the chassis
• Lead wire clips are allowed.

Fair interpretation of all rules is made by the race director and his word is final.
The race director may not participate in the race due to conflict of interest 

General Racing:
• No cheating. This is supposed to be fun.
• Any controller brand may be used.
• You may oil, clean, cool, adjust and/or repair your car between heats.
• If you enter the race you must turn marshal when cycled out during heats.
• If you drop out of the race you must still turn marshal.
• If you are unable to turn marshal you are responsible for finding a substitute.
• Do not yell at the turn marshals and don’t forget to say “thank you”.
• Do not throw cars except at the wall.
• If you are not currently racing on the track your car must be in the impound area.
• Any car not in the impound area when the race resumes without the Director's permission is subject to ejection from the race

"Track" For car off at driver’s panel or unreachable car only.
May be initiated by turn marshals only.

"Rider" For car on incorrect lane.
May be initiated by anyone
Rider call must be followed by a lane color.

"Panel" For car off at driver’s station. May be initiated by anyone

"Braid" For braid up or track damage.
May be initiated by anyone.
Cars will remain on the track or in impound during track repair.

Sounds like fun Randy, I'll be part of your race series this coming year.
Any Truck races this weekend?

Dave
Slot's
Delta Raceway

Dave,
There could be but I will not be able to make it to Eddie's this week. I caught a terrible cold and am staying home to recoup this weekend. Next weekend I'll be practicing and, maybe, racing trucks? We'll see who shows up. Spread the word to other racers!
Randy

Hi Randy,

Hope you feel better soon. I will get more truck racer to start showing up for sure.
What do you think about running super 16D in the super truck class, the motor is only a dollar more and you get a lot more speed and they run a lot more smoother?

Dave,
Yes, the S16D is faster (I don't care about the cost differential) but why? It means (for many) that you can't just change the body to have a second racer. It would drop lap times but not sure it's worth the bother for a few tenths? That's my take but I'm easy. Get enough people interested and I'll build a car. I'm assuming that you would allow Speed FX S16D's? What about racing NORCAL 16D (American arms) trucks then. Many racers in the area have one of these in the herd of cars.
By the way, FCR at Eddie's on Sunday. Doors open at noon. Last race of the season so expecting a good turn out.
Randy

I just like how these motor’s run smoother than the standard 16D, plus the smoother motor make the car/truck handle better. Plus one can’t forget, that they are faster - LOL