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A airgap difference between the armature dia. and the i.d of the magnets; total or per side

airgap tool tool for sizing/checking airgap and/or installing/reinstalling bearings and bushings

align (brush hoods) to center the brush hoods in a symmetrical, 90° relationship with the centerline of the armature

altered generic term applied to various coupe and roadster configurations run in specific "altered" classes

analyzer common name for DC power supply used to break in and test motors

arc visible electrical discharge; most commonly seen from motor brushes or car-to-track braid contact

armature the 3-poled device which carries the current-carrying windings and commutator around a central shaft

armature slug steel or aluminum cylinder mounted on shaft to

axle (rear) the shaft that carries the driven gear and rear wheel/tire assemblies

axle, hollow hollow steel or stainless steel rear axle

B balance achieving or possessing a state of rotational equilibrium; "in balance"
balance (verb) to recondition the rotating mass of an armature via material removal

ballast additional weight added to bring a car up to a specified competition
minimum

batteries commonly, the automotive, truck, or marine batteries that supply the track DC voltage

bearing, axle commonly, the low-friction ball bearings permitted for the rear axle in some classes

bearing, motor commonly, the low-friction ball bearings permitted in a motor for the armature in some classes

bracket race grouping where cars compete using individual dial-ins via a handicap or delayed start

brackets (race) commonly, refers to the entire grouping and competition of a bracket race

braid, guide the copper braid pieces mounted in the guide which ride on the track braid and conduct current to the car

braid, track the two strips of braid, commonly copper, on either side of the slot that convey power to the car

break to incur a mechanical failure that prevents a car from starting or completing a run

break rule provision in most rules to permit a 60-second pause for emergency car repair before starting a race

break-out to run under (quicker than) a bracket or index dial-in

brush carbon/copper/graphite

brush hood endbell hardware component the brush rides in

brush tool, aligning device for symmetrically aligning brush hoods to 0 degree offset from arm shaft center

brush tool, radiusing device for cutting brush face radius to match commutator diameter

bushing, axle oilite or bronze "button" or sleeve the axle turns in; serves as the "bearing" surface

bushing, motor oilite or bronze "button" or sleeve the armature turns in; serves as the "bearing" surface

C c-can generically, name given to motors with specific, common can size; most commonly, groups 10 - 20

can stamped and formed steel housing that carries the magnets and to which the endbell is mounted

can end the end of the motor where the gear is mounted and where the motor screws are inserted

can tool tool for checking the size and reconditioning the shape of the motor can

ceramic (magnets) generic term applied to all non-cobalt magnets; refers to nature of ("ferrite") metal oxide composition

charger (battery) commonly, an automotive-type battery charger used to maintain, recharge, or boost track batteries

chassis core structure or platform of the car, to which all other components are added or mounted

chassis, steel chassis produced by chem etching, laser or EDM cutting spring steel sheet

chassis, wire chassis utilizing piano wire for major structural components

class (a) generically, any individual competition grouping within a race or competition

class ( commonly, reference to heads-up or specification-restricted race grouping

click box commonly, a reference to the controller relay system that bypasses controller resistors and wiring

clip, lead wire bent metal form interposed between car braid and guide to form an accessible lead wire soldering point

clips, magnet wire or stamped metal retainers which mechanically maintain magnet position in a can

cobalt (motor) generic term used to describe all motors utilizing "cobalt" magnets ]
cobalt (magnets) commonly, generic reference to samarium-cobalt material used in high-performance motors

com commonly, shorter version of "commutator"

com lathe (machine) device for precision resurfacing and retruing copper contact surfaces of a commutator

commutator polarity-switching, 3-segmented, insulated copper device at one end of the armature; also: "com"

controller manually-actuated variable-resistor device used to regulate track power supplied to car

D DBC popular manufacturer of optical-sensor-based track timing system
diaplane projecting front horizontal lip on a body; utilized for stability and airflow control

deslot to come out of the slot during a run

dial to select a specific e.t., most commonly during a bracket race

dial-in the specific e.t. selected, most commonly during a bracket race

donut the rubber portion of (most commonly) the rear tires

doorslammer generic term applied to coupes/sedans with "doors"

dragster commonly, term used to describe dragsters or dragster-type cars ]

E endbell nylon, phenolic, or anodized aluminum fixture containing bushing and carrying brushes and hardware

endbell end that end of the can/strap motor that retains the endbell

endgap total amount of arm shaft freeplay between the inner dimensions of
bushings and spacer ends of arm

endplay total amount of arm shaft freeplay between the inner dimensions of bushings and spacer ends of arm

epoxy single or multi-component adhesive used to bond wires to armature stacks, magnets to cans/straps

epoxy (verb) commonly, the act of gluing magnets into cans or straps using various high-strength adhesives

F flex commonly, the beam-deflection or bending nature of a specific chassis

float commonly, the amount of free play a mounted body is permitted by its
attachment method

flux commonly, the liquid or paste metal prep solution used to facilitate complete and proper soldering

flux (verb) the act of applying a flux in preparation for soldering

flux, magnet a quantity expressing the strength of a magnetic field in a given area

funny car generic term applied to highly-modified fuel coupes or replicas of current full-size cars

G gauss, magnet (a) the scientific unit of measurement of magnetic induction field

gauss, magnet ( commonly, term used to refer to generic or perceived magnetic field "strength"

gauss (verb) also commonly, term used to refer to the act of measuring magnetic field strength

gauss meter electronic or electro-mechanical device used to measure internal or external magnetic field strength

gear, pinion the smaller gear soldered or pressed on the armature shaft at the can end of the motor

gear, spur the larger driven gear that set-screws to the axle

glue most commonly, the friction-coefficient improving semi-fluid applied to track/ties to enhance traction

glue commonly, any adhesive used to secure one item or component to another

glue (verb a) to prepare car and/or track via application of traction-enhancing "glue" (see above)

glue (verb to utilize an adhesive to retain an item or component

group conventionally, the "category" of a motor, e.g., "Group 12" or "Group 27"

guide the "shoe" that rides on the track braid and in the track slot; has threaded post for attachment

guide nut nut that retains the guide to the chassis

guide tongue chassis projection to and through which the guide is mounted

H handling generic term for how the car "behaves" and the way in which it makes its runs

hardshell common nickname for model-kit based cars and classes

hardware as a group, the metal or other components on the endbell which hold the springs, brushes, etc.

heads-up race where both competitors leave the line at the same time; also refers to non-index/bracket classes

hone generically, a device for precision-grinding a surface, usually round or
radiused

hone, magnet diamond-coated rotating device (see above) which precision grinds magnet i.d. bore

hone (verb) to utilize a hone; most commonly refers to the act of magnet honing

hook up (a) commonly, to attach a controller to track lane control terminals

hook up ( also commonly, term used to describe presence (or absence) of traction

hub the axle attachment point of a gear or wheel, through which the setscrew is tightened to the axle

hubs commonly, term used to refer to rear wheel/tire assembly

I index the e.t. minimum against which a Class is run; generically, used to refer to cars in those Classes

L lamination(s) the multiple 3-pole stampings which are assembled together to make the core or stacks of an armature

launch commonly, the initial or starting portion of a drag strip run

launch (verb) commonly, to perform only the starting segment of the run to observe performance

lead material most commonly used for ballast

lead wire the wire that conveys power from the guide to the motor

lexan polycarbonate material most commonly used for quality slot car bodies; generally .007"-.020" thick

lift the act of purposely slowing a car to avoid going faster than a set index or bracket dial-in

light singularly, one of the timing system indicator bulbs

light (verb a) to trigger or illuminate one or more starting sensor indicator lights

light (verb to have a significantly better reaction time than an opponent, achieving a starting line advantage

lights commonly, a reference to the complete starting light sequencing process

M magnet(s) commonly, the ceramic or cobalt magnets used for field generation in a motor

mask adhesive material applied inside a clear body to prevent paint from covering an area, e.g., windows

mask (verb) commonly, the act of using masks in preparation for body painting

match (magnets) sorting and selecting, via gauss meter, etc., magnets possessing similar or identical field readings

mount, body the chassis provisions or projections to which the body is actually attached

mount (verb) commonly, to attach the body to the chassis

O o-ring generic industrial rubber or elastomeric rings used as front and wheelie-bar tires

open generic reference to open Class or Group 7 motor

P pan flat chassis projection/area; frequently used to carry ballast

pass common name for a drag strip run

pin common straight pins, slightly bent, used to mount bodies

pin (verb) to attach the body to the body mounts of the chassis via pins

pole, magnet the positive/negative or north/south orientations of the field of a magnet

power supply a variable DC voltage supply capable of running motors for break-in and testing

power supply, track (a) generically, term used to refer to the rating and amperage capacity of track power batteries

power supply, track ( specifically

pre-stage to illuminate the first of the two normal starting line staging lights

push button commonly, an on/off push button switch sometimes used in lieu of a controller to operate cars

Q quads two-segment magnets

R rail commonly, term used to describe dragsters or dragster-type cars

rail(s), chassis the chassis components connecting the motor portion to the guide-mounting segment

ratio, gear numerical ratio achieved by dividing the number of teeth on the spur gear by the number of the pinion

reaction time time between the illuminating of the last countdown bulb and triggering of track power by the controller

red light common indicator that shows a competitor has reacted faster than the specified start time interval

red light (verb) to react quicker than the specified time interval after the last countdown light has been illuminated

relay, controller device which, when activated at "full" position, bypasses all resistors and wiring in a controller

retainer generically, any device used to locate or position a component, e.g., magnet, wheel, etc.

retainer (body) small, flat-faced collars used at tubing ends to distribute loads and prevent body break-through

ride height dimension between body and/or chassis and components and the track surface

rim that thin cylindrical portion of a rear wheel to which the tire/"donut" is glued/attached

rims commonly, term used to refer to rear wheels

roadster commonly, used to refer to any older, open drag car

roll, slow the act of slowly driving the car down the track, usually for the purpose of applying glue

roll-out calculated distance based on the circumference of the (rear) tire

roll-out (verb) the act of slowly driving the car down the track, usually for the purpose of applying glue

run commonly, term used to refer to a completed pass down the strip

run (verb) also commonly, the act of making a pass down the strip

S screw, endbell screw(s) that attach the endbell to the motor can, usually 4 in number

screw, hardware screw(s) that attach the hardware to the endbell, usually 4 in number

screw, motor screw(s) that attach the motor to a mounting tab on the chassis, usually 2 in number

screw-in (motor) a motor capable of being attached to a chassis via mounting screws and without solder

screw-in (chassis) chassis constructed or modified to take a screw-in motor

sensor (track) electronic (induction) or electro-optical (light beam) devices used to initiate and trigger a timing system

setscrew small headless fastener with internal hex drive used to attach gears and wheels to the axle

setscrew, hollow fastener (see above) with hex drive broached from end to end; slightly lighter weight than solid

scale weighing device used to check class cars for specific class weight compliance

scale (verb) the act of weighing cars, frequently during technical inspection

scale car commonly, a car which has been built to maintain a more replica-like proportion and appearance

scale tire commonly, larger rim and tire diameter which is proportionally more correct in appearance

SDRA Scale Drag Racing Association, national sanctioning body for slot car drag racing

shaft (armature) the steel core shaft of an armature over which the stack laminations and commutator are pressed

shunt (verb) to install shunt wires

shunt wire additional bypass wires/braids from the hardware lead wire attachment points directly to the brushes

singles magnets of one-piece or single-segment configuration

slot(s) the actual recess which directs and restricts the travel of the car and into which the guide fits

slug (a) commonly, name frequently applied to cylindrical airgap/bushing tool (see "airgap tool")

slug ( shaft-mounted steel cylinder arm mass substitute placed in magnet bore when magnets are zapped

solder-in (motor) a motor which must be soldered into a chassis to be mounted

solder-in (chassis) a chassis into which a motor must be soldered to be mounted

spacer, armature aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, or phenolic washers on arm shaft used to take up end play or float

spacer, axle aluminum, bronze, phenolic, or plastic washers on the axle used to adjust clearances and wheel track

spacer, guide steel, phenolic, aluminum, or delrin washers that adjust guide height relationship to chassis

spin commonly, reference to tire "spin" during acceleration

spoiler (a) properly, a front (by diversion) or rear (by trim or downforce) air
control device

spoiler ( commonly, used to refer to the rear trim/downforce air control device

spring(s) the coiled tensioning device(s) which maintain(s) brush contact with the commutator

spring cup cylindrical device, frequently aluminum or phenolic, around which spring is retained and pivots

stack commonly, term used to describe the pole lamination(s) assembly of an armature

stage (verb) the act of positioning a car at the starting line and properly triggering the staging lights

stage rule during an event, the time limit imposed on an individual for preparing the car and track to race

staging light(s) those lights which indicate that car has been properly positioned in the start line sensors

strap light-weight, minimal, "U"-shaped motor housing; most commonly found in cobalt motors

T t.q. the top qualifier, car or driver, in a class

t.q. (verb) the act of making the lowest e.t. qualifying run in a specific class

tab, hardware the flat surface of the endbell metal hardware to which the lead wires are soldered

tab, motor the plate or projection on a chassis to which a screw-in motor can be attached

tag commonly, a reference to the identifying label required on the windings of most Group armatures

tech that portion of a race during which cars are inspected for safety and conformance to class rules

tech (verb) the act of inspecting a car to determine suitability for competition and rules compliance

thump commonly, reference to strength of the "cogging" effect of motor's magnetic field on armature

timing system electronic/electro-optical system which calculates/displays reaction, e.t., speed of a competition or run

tire (a) commonly, reference to the rear tire/wheel assembly

tire ( commonly, reference to the front o-ring used on the front wheels

tire truer a special file or common emery board used to modify the shoulder or o.d. of tires

tire truer (machine) motor-driven device used to cut, sand, or grind tire sidewalls and/or o.d.

track (a) commonly, the racing surface or structure itself

track ( also commonly, the store or slot car shop where the "track" is located

track © the dimension between the centerline of the left and right front, rear, or wheelie bar wheel/tires

tree, Bracket ".500" tree; three-light sequence, .500 of a second apart, used to start bracket and some other races

tree, Christmas generically, reference to the entire timing system light assembly

tree, Pro ".400" tree; two-light system, .400 of a second apart, used to start heads-up or index classes

tree (verb) commonly, to gain a significant starting line advantage via significantly better reaction time

Trik Trax popular manufacturer of induction-sensor-based track timing system

true (commutator) com reconditioning via turning, resurfacing, polishing, and cleaning

true (tire) initial sizing or reconditioning of tire surfaces/o.d. via
grinding/regrinding or cutting/recutting

U upright the vertical chassis segments which hold the bushings/bearings

V voltage commonly, reference to nominal available total voltage provided by track batteries/power supply

W wind commonly, term used to describe an armature by the number and gauge of wire "winds" it has

wind (verb) reference to the custom or production manufacturing of armatures

wing (a) properly, a separate, distinct (and usually detached) aerodynamic control and downforce device

wing ( commonly, used to describe rear spoiler

wing © term used by slot car road racers to generically describe any air-control device

wheel (a) properly, the central (usually metal) component of a wheel/tire assembly

wheel ( commonly, term used to describe the wheel/tire/"donut" assembly

wheel, wheelie bar smaller-diameter wheels on wheelie bar assembly used to absorb launch shock & CG transfer

wheelbase (a) dimension from centerline, front axle, to centerline, rear axle

wheelbase ( dimension from center, guide, to center, rear axle

wheelie bars commonly, term used to refer to the entire chassis segment/axle/wheels/tires assembly

Z zap (verb) to recharge and/or reorient the magnetic field strength and/or polarity of magnets