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ECHORR/VHORS CLASSIC CLASS RULES:
Purpose of this document
The purpose of this document is to set forth the rules specific to ECHORR/VHORS Classic Class racing. This document, either in electronic or printed form, represents the standing rules by which all ECHORR/VHORS Challenge participants shall abide for the ECHORR/VHORS Classic Class.
Overview
Whereas, in recent years, racing of Aurora Thunder Jet chassis slot cars has tended to explore the bounds of engineering sophistication and creativity, the Classic Class is created to allow racing of Aurora Thunder Jet chassis cars in a condition which more accurately reflects the condition of cars when they were raced in the 60’s and 70’s. These Rules shall be interpreted with this in mind.
Therefore, in the event of a conflict in the interpretation of these Rules, the interpretation favoring less modification is favored and shall prevail. Likewise, the interpretation which is closest to the spirit of this Rule is favored and shall prevail.
These rules are in effect for the entire ECHORR/VHORS Challenge and for every event which chooses to adopt ECHORR/VHORS Rules for the event.
These rules are based on the use of Aurora Thunder Jet OEM parts, new parts, after market parts, re-manufactured parts, and those made by "cottage industry" vendors. All parts must be specifically manufactured for the Thunder Jet chassis with the exception of wheels, tires and axles.
Rigorous honesty is the ECHORR/VHORS credo. Err on the side of caution. Your reputation in this small community is on the line if you are caught breaking the rules.
It is suggested that any questions or concerns regarding applicability of a rule to parts, manufacturers, modifications, adjustments or practices not specifically addressed or contemplated by the spirit and intent of these rules shall be presented to the Challenge Rules Committee at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the race in question for a rules interpretation. These interpretations will be made public in the FAQ page of the official ECHORR/VHORS website(s). The risk of assuming a compliance with the rules is that an adverse race-day decision may not leave you adequate time to field a legal car.
Regarding any rules compliance issues after the doors open for a race, any present Challenge Rules Committee member(s) will address any questions or interpretations of the Rules, in consideration of the spirit and intent of the Classic Class, as set forth above. The decision of the Challenge Rules Committee will be final.
Definitions
False Start: A predetermined point on the host track at which every car starting the race must pass in order to declare the heat a valid race. Typically, this is a point after the first turn set.
Cottage Industry: Any manufacturer of T-Jet parts whose parts are not obtainable on the common mass retail market. Typically these products are obtainable directly from the manufacturer or specialized store or location, such as an online auction site, slot car show, etc, as opposed to from a distributor or authorized dealer.
Pre-Inspection: Inspection and/or disassembly of a racer’s car by a Rules Committee and/or Tech Committee member, or a delegate responsible for car inspection at the event, prior to the event. All cars to be entered in a race shall be subject to a Pre-Inspection. If a car passes pre-inspection, the car is deemed “legal” for the events of that day.
Post-Inspection: Inspection and/or disassembly of a racer’s car by a Rules Committee and/or Tech Committee member, or a delegate responsible for car inspection at the event, immediately following a race event, in order to verify that the car is compliant with the rules for the event.
Track / Track Call: In the event of an accident during a race, or a de-slot in a location which is not easily reached by a Turn Marshal, either the Racer or a Marshal may call out “Track”, which signals the host or track operator to halt the current. Drivers are not permitted to touch their cars, unless the “Track” call is for a mechanical malfunction, in which case the mechanical malfunction only shall be addressed on the car subject to the malfunction. The race will resume once the accident or de-slot is cleared or once the malfunction has been rectified.
Mechanical Malfunction: An occurrence by which the car or controller does not operate as intended. Examples of mechanical malfunction are: slipping gear, missing tire, meltdown, inoperable controller, etc. What constitutes “mechanical malfunction” is within the discretion of the Rules or Tech Committee Member, or his/her designee.
“On Market”: An “On Market” product refers to a new product manufactured by a Cottage Industry or established and known manufacturer and introduced to the market. Announcement of new products must be made to the ECHORR/VHORS Yahoo group 60 days prior to an event in order for that “On Market” product to be allowed at an event. The purpose of this rule is to encourage fairness of competition by ensuring that all new products are reasonably available to all. Please follow the link and register with the group. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageHoRacing)
With respect to “On Market” car bodies, bodies must be from a production run that renders the body readily and freely available to the public in mass quantity for at least 60 days prior to the event. It is incumbent upon the manufacturer to prove the necessary announcement of the product and market availability as discussed above.
A sample of each “On Market” car body shall be submitted in final market ready form to the ECHORR/VHORS Challenge Rules Committee for consideration and possible approval at least 60 days prior to an event for consideration and possible approval.
All other items other than car bodies must be announced to the ECHORR/VHORS Yahoo group 60 days prior to the event, as discussed above.
Handling Pan: Any material added to the body the intent of which is to improve handling by attempting to replicate a handling pan.
Nonferrous: Any metal substance that does not contain iron, and therefore does not have magnetic properties.
ECHORR/VHORS Official: Any piece of equipment deemed by the Challenge Rules Committee to be acceptable for purposes of a measuring and/or operating function in support of the event and/or the event rules.
Spacers: These resemble flat washers in appearance and are made of various materials: brass, steel, nylon, etc. Thicknesses vary from .005” and thicker. Not to be confused with wheel weights.
Race Specifics
At any time, except during a race, and so as not to delay the start of any race, any racer may "challenge" another racer’s car to verify whether or not it is in compliance with these Rules. If this Rule is abused to gain an advantage of any sort, the challenger’s car shall be disqualified.
In the event of “challenges” in the Team Events, the above Rules shall apply, with the added conditions being that the entire team must present the challenge of another’s car AND this challenge must be endorsed by a second Team before the car is subject to a compliance check.
After a race is completed, the top 4 finishers’ cars shall be impounded by the Challenge Rules Committee or Tech Committee member(s) present at the time. These cars shall, as soon as practical after the conclusion of the race, be fully inspected for compliance with these Rules.
Cars - General
CC: CO-01. Each racer may have one only one car pre-inspected for the entire ECHORR/VHORS Classic Class event. After a car has been inspected for an event, there shall be no substitutions or replacements. The only exception to the substitution/replacement Rule is where, in the judgment of the Challenge Rules Committee or Tech Committee member(s) present at the time, extreme circumstances are present, such as where a car becomes physically unfit for participation. Such a decision lies within the sound discretion of the Committee member(s) and is final.
CC:CO-02. There is no weight limit for the fully assembled ECHORR/VHORS Classic Class car.
CC:CO-03. Cars should pass freely through the Official Tech Block: 1 1/8" (1.125” +/-.002”) width.
CC:CO-04. Wheels and tires may protrude outward of the body.
CC:CO-05. Every component on the car shall meet the “On Market” requirement.
Bodies
CC: B-01. Bodies shall be injection molded plastic when using original Aurora, Atlas, Johnny Lightning, Auto World, Tyco, etc. No resin bodies are permitted. Bodies must be injection molded with hard glass only.
CC: B-02. Bodies must be modeled after actual automobiles that were manufactured for the public or racing up to and including model year 1975.
CC: B-03. Bodies may be lowered by means of shortening the body posts. Windshield bases may be trimmed but must completely fill front and rear openings.
CC: B-04. Bodies may be ground out slightly in the front end but only to allow room for pickup shoe travel.
CC: B-05. Bodies must be complete with full windows, bumpers, drivers, roll bars and other accessories which accompanied the car as originally manufactured.
CC: B-06. Bodies must contain the original two screw posts. The original position of screw posts must remain intact and shall not be relocated to suit a different setup or wheelbase. Further, the posts shall be included and designed as part of the body specifically for mounting to an Aurora Thunder Jet Chassis.
CC: B-07. Body must be fastened securely to the chassis using two screws.
CC: B-08. OEM wheelbase must be maintained.
CC: B-09. Windows must completely fill window opening in the front and rear. Grinding of windows is allowed only if the window bottom extends into the body cavity, in which case the window only may be ground, but only to the point where it is flush with the inside of the body, and without grinding the body itself.
CC: B-10. Side windows must be intact.
CC: B-11. There shall be no substitute materials for original injection molded plastic windows used by Aurora, Atlas, Tyco, etc. NO vacuum formed thin Lexan glass is permitted.
Chassis
CC: C-01. Chassis shall be stock Aurora Thunder Jet with all copper components.
CC: C-02. Brush springs shall not be modified in any way. They may be adjusted only in their original configuration to change the tension on the brushes.
CC: C-03. Guide pins shall be original design, must use a full guidepin, no cutting in half. They shall not be metal.
CC: C-04. Guide pins may be glued to chassis.
CC: C-05. Guide pins may be shortened in length to accommodate different tracks.
CC: C-06. Two mounting screws shall be used to hold the body securely on the chassis.
CC: C-07. The gear plate clamp may be bent (but not cut or otherwise altered) to improve fitment.
CC: C08. NO trimming of the top gear plate shall be allowed.
Pickup shoes and springs
CC: PSS-01. Pick up shoes and springs shall be solid copper and manufactured by Aurora, Model Motoring or American Line or Dr. Oogan ONLY.
CC: PSS-02. Pick up shoe springs may be cut (coils removed) to desired length.
CC: PSS-03. Pick up shoe springs may be stretched to desired length.
CC: PSS-04. The pickup shoe may be bent, but only for the purposes of adjusting the original contact area to accommodate different rail heights of the various tracks.
CC: PSS-05. Pick up shoe travel may only be adjusted by 1) bending the front "window" portion of the shoe that hooks to the front of the chassis, 2) bending the rear hook which attaches to the chassis’ copper hardware, or 3) bending the hangers on the chassis into which the rear hook of the shoe connects. 4) By using tape or heat shrink tubing on the front window of the shoe.
Magnets
CC: M-01. Magnets shall be manufactured by Aurora and originally supplied with the Thunder Jet chassis.
CC: M-02. Magnets may be shimmed using non-ferrous materials only.
CC: M-03. Magnets may be matched.
CC: M-04. All paint on magnets shall have original factory paint. There shall be no substantial removal of paint.
CC: M-05. Painting of magnets shall not be allowed.
No "reversed zapped" magnets.
Armatures
CC: A-01. Only original, stock, unaltered armatures, with gray tips shall be allowed.
CC: A-02. Armatures shall measure 15 ohms or greater at each pole.
CC: A-03. There shall be no modifications to the armature.
CC: A:04. Shims between the armature and top plate are not allowed.
Commutator Brushes
CC: CB-01. Commutator brushes shall be manufactured of a copper/carbon compound.
CC: CB-02. Both the top and bottom surfaces shall remain flat.
CC: CB-03. Brushes must remain unmodified from their original out of the package condition.
CC: CB-04. Replacement brushes must meet ECHORR/VHORS required “On Market” definition requirements.
CC: CB-05. Commutator brushes may be lightly scored to prevent rotation.
Gears
CC: G-01. The armature pinion, idler gear and driven gear shall be brass.
CC: G-02. The armature pinion gear shall have 14 teeth.
CC: G-03. The idler gear shall have 24 teeth.
CC: G-03. The driven gear shall have 24 teeth.
CC: G-04. The final pinion shall have 9 teeth.
CC: G-05. The Crown gear shall have 15 teeth, 4 gear speciality chassis crown gears are not allowed..
CC: G-06. The Crown gear shall not be metal.
CC: G-07. The Crown gear shall not be shimmed.
CC: G-08. Gears may be soldered or glued to their respective shafts.
CC: G-09. Gears may be lapped and/or polished. They shall not be beveled.
CC: G-09. Plastic top plate gears are not allowed.
Tires/Wheels/Axles
CC: TWA-01. All tires shall be equal to or greater than 0.350" diameter.
CC: TWA-02. Tires may be made of silicone.
CC: TWA-03. Replacement wheels may be double flanged and may be of the screw on or pressed on variety.
CC: TWA-04. Axle nuts, spacers or springs shall be kept on the outer side of the chassis.
CC: TWA-05. Spacers shall be made only of plastic, copper, aluminum, brass, or steel.
CC: TWA-06. Axles shall not exceed 1-1/8” in length. Any axle may be used.
CC: TWA-07. All four tires shall simultaneously touch the test track in the static position.
CC: TWA-08. Lateral movement of the front tire/axle assembly shall not exceed 1/32" (.03")
CC: TWA-09. Any tire/hub combination may be used for front and/or rear. Tires may not exceed standard replacement width for acceptable after market narrow tires i.e., Thunder Slicks, Black Hawks, Heister’s, etc.
CC: TWA-10 Any commericially available weighted front end is legal as long as it meets the 1 and 1/8 width requirements and the .350 tire height requirement, examples are ZoominMotorsports front ends for classic cars and RT 1 and 1/8th front ends. No mixing and matching of front end parts from different manufacturers.
No "one of " Parts allowed on the cars.
A Final Rule:
If anything is not specifically stated or addressed in the above rules it is NOT permitted.
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