I was reading an article in Speedway Illustrated (December 2007). The discussion was on the best way to keep racers in the sport and allow different motors (Crate Vs Built) to compete evenly at tracks across the country.

Mr. Scooter Brothers, owner of Comp Cams has been around racing forever. Scooter said; "The best way to keep engine costs down in local-level racing is with a gear rule". He says;" If you limit the engine speed you've cut back on the things people can do. The laws of physics and common sense take over". He also adds;" A gear rule is easily checked (teched) and cheaper than pulling someone’s engine apart". Tech is something most tracks do little of anymore.

After reading that I thought the obvious question; "Could that same principle apply to RC racing?"

I'm sure I'm not the first to explore this arena. Actually I kind of remember some discussion back in the brushed/armature days. I do not think this is a rule of thumb for all classes as SPEED is a big draw to this form of racing. I do, however, believe it could help the growth and interest of the sport.

Possibly a class say "Sportsman" that welcomes all chassis, batteries, motors etc to compete with a common gear rule. The gear rule would set a bracket lap time (breakout speed) that all racers would have to target. As an example a bullring oval may say that a good sportsman level lap is a 6.5. Set the rule that the breakout lap target is 6.5 with a 0.1 tolerance. You simply check the race results to make sure no one has broken the 6.4 barrier. If they turned a 6.399 or lower they are disqualified for that race.

My belief (I am open to your input) is that by setting a lap time target, the new drivers can compete with established drivers on an even playing field no matter the value of your equipment. I also believe some disenchanted drivers who simply can't "keep up with the Jones" in terms of the motors/batteries/gadgets may be motivated to dust off their old R/C pan car and return to the race track.

We started a class that was basically "run what ya brung". Many retired racers came back out and new racers felt it was the perfect starting point to run their EBay used racers. The plan worked GREAT...for two seasons. Then Brushless came about, LiPos were added and the old Vs new equipment rules were out the window. One other interesting dilemma was that the class was so fun to race many of the mid to low finishing Stock racers moved over to our class. GREAT accept that now you had BIG fish playing in a SMALL pond. The new racers and old racers get discouraged and the class is moving in the same direction all classes do. Bigger,Better, Faster. Money is dictating finishing position. Again that's OK... progress is good but the principles that brought racers together to compete is washed away in the tide.

I must admit Mr. Brother's comment;" The laws of physics and common sense take over" is intriguing. I think it would be cool to watch drivers trying to scientifically figure out a way to dangle at the very edge (example above 6.4second lap limit) without falling off the edge. That would bring a whole new element to race strategy. How do I gear down to compete?

Old or new equipment could compete together. Racers who feel it is too slow will stay in classes that best suit their abilities OR decide running competitively with multiple cars is more fun than running at mach speed. New drivers will have a class that is a great training ground. Also easy to tech with computer data and reviewing gear setups.

OK enough from me; I want to hear your feedback.

I think that the "sportsman", or "breakout" class is the best bang for the buck in r/c racing. It is the biggest class at the track where I race by far.
It takes batteries, motors, speed controls, latest trickest cars, etc. out of the mix, and puts a premium on chassis set up, and driving. It separates the "haves" from the "have nots", (many more "have nots" around.
The only rules are pan car chassis, and NASCAR bodies, which makes everyone's car competitive, and elimiates tech.
I spent a ton of money r/c oval racing in the 80's, and early 90's putting me out of racing and almost a divorce. If it wasn't for the sportsman class I would't be racing.
I can't figure why every track doesn't run a breakout sportsman class. Economic times are not good, and it makes sense.
Our tracks breakout is a decent pace, not slow by any means, and it works well.

WOW great to see the theory works... Can you explain how to ensure the idea works correctly. You mentioned the break out. How does your track ensure eveyone is legit.

The only tech is pancar chassis, and NASCAR bodies.

The breakout is set up in the computer, at our track any lap under the 4.5 second breakout doesn't count.

www.pitroadraceway.com

check out lakecity rc speedway,plattsburgh,ny. We have a truck class with a 1.40 max rollout using a green machine motors with track brushes ,no timing,no holes in the brushes with a 3800 battery. It's has the most racers in that class The pro's are starting to get into the 17.5 brushless class now

Breakout by laptime would make more sense to me than a set gear ratio. With a set gear ratio, you can still throw money at another area of the car to try to go faster - batteries, motor, tires, etc.

With a set lap time, who cares if one guy's runs 1700SCE cells and a 14T brushed modified motor, and another guy ran 17.5 brushless Li-po, as long as they both don't go under the lap time minimum? Then the only finagling you'd get is guys trying to tweak setups to be able to go that minimum lap time as deep into the race as possible, without the speed dropping off. Track officials would have to adjust that minimum lap time higher if it got out of hand.

I haven't seen that happening, about any battery/motor combo will make 4 min. without falling off. I am running 2 combo's 1 is a 19 turn motor, and a 3200 lipo at 18% throttle, the other is a 27 turn stock motor, and 4 cell 4200 practice pack that someone gave me at 61% throttle.
My best car is a 11 year old Wood car.

Marig has a good point and indeed really what I was driving at. Set a lap time that makes the racing competitive and puts the decisions in the drivers hands. Drivers can then choose any combination of gears, motors batteries etc to achieve the breakout lap time without going under.

I am really encouraged to see this style of racing is working around the country.

JNOR;

I checked out the site. You are right the sportsman class is kicking butt...33 racers VS other classes in the teens. Nice site and looks like a well run program.

JNOR

I also checked out the D Board at pitroad raceway. Do you think some of the sportsman racers would stop here at comment on this type of racing. It was cool to see a 10L mentioned etc...

I forsee all kinds of chassis, motors etc racing together. That would be pretty fun I think. Sounds like you guys are all having fun.

I tink it a good idea i have a decent car(with a marginal driver) and i would like to race without spending half a mortgage payment to keep up with "the jones" i also have a buddy who would like to race but after his divorce he has no idea where his stuff went( and his ex won't tell him). It would be nice to give him some of my older stuff hand let him have a good time and be competative.

When you change throttle % does it affect only the acceleration of car or its overall speed?

When you change throttle % does it affect only the acceleration of car or its overall speed?

The throttle % change affects the top speed.

I can't say enough about sportsman "breakout" racing. It's the only way for someone who does not have the "disposable" income, or is willing to go broke trying to keep up with the "haves" to race.

If it wasn't for bracket racing at the dragstrip, there would be no local drag racing today. I sat in the staging lanes in the early 70's with a class car,(with 7 S/S cars only) and laughed at the "bracket" racers the first day National Trail ran it. Look who is still weekly racing there...

Sportsman r/c oval racing is MUCH better than bracket racing at the drag strip...you are still "really" racing, the breakout just keeps the cost down.

I agree completely and your comparrison to bracket racing @ the strip is dead on! Our break out class was the biggest class on the big concrete track and I forsee things staying the same indoors on the carpet. Break out is, after all the most fun racing with the minimum amount of money spent. All of the success in breakout is measured in luck and driver skill and nothing else, how cool is that?The throttle % change affects the top speed.

I can't say enough about sportsman "breakout" racing. It's the only way for someone who does not have the "disposable" income, or is willing to go broke trying to keep up with the "haves" to race.

If it wasn't for bracket racing at the dragstrip, there would be no local drag racing today. I sat in the staging lanes in the early 70's with a class car,(with 7 S/S cars only) and laughed at the "bracket" racers the first day National Trail ran it. Look who is still weekly racing there...

Sportsman r/c oval racing is MUCH better than bracket racing at the drag strip...you are still "really" racing, the breakout just keeps the cost down.

By affecting top speed I suppose it also means batteries last a little longer.

I didn't think about breakout at first but it could end up this way. It's more to tame down cars when using a small surface as racetrack.

Raceman

Batteries are not an issue in sportsman, anything will work.

Well that's great info I got today. It means I can keep some stuff, build a kit to sell remaining parts and still be able to get the low-cost class I'm looking for.

Raceman