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Radio controlled model car racing, as a recognised sport, needs rules to provide boundaries for what is and, more importantly, what is not allowed.
This section of the RcTek site is devoted to providing as much information as is possible about such rules, which should serve as both a guide and a reference for the model car racer. |
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| BRCA Large Scale National Championship 2002 |
The following rules are those last published by the BRCA largescale committee and were kindly supplied by Keith Snell.
This file is also available as an Adobe PDF file, click the icon to download it. |
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| Introduction |
| This will consist of an 8 Race Series of which only the best 5 scores will count towards the championship. There will be separate championships for each class (League) of racing. Points will be scored on the basis of 100 for a win reducing by 1 point for each place dropped i.e. 99 for second 98 for third etc. Any driver achieving fastest qualifying time in their class will be awarded ONE extra point on top of that meetings score. |
| In the event of a tied Championship a count back system will be used based on the drivers discarded highest scoring rounds. |
| Drivers failing to complete a lap in their Final will be awarded last place in that Final. If this applies to more than one driver then qualifying positions will be used to determine the order, i.e. the higher qualifier will be placed before the lower. |
| There will be a trophy for BEST OVERALL JUNIOR. |
| The EFRA British GP does not count towards championship points. |
| (1.) RACING CLASSES |
i). Open Touring Cars.
ii). National Touring Cars. |
| Other classes such as Formula One, Sports GT and Trucks are welcome to race at all meetings providing that 4 or more drivers are entered in that class. Championships for these individual classes will be run providing that drivers enter at least 5 of the 8 rounds. |
| Each class will have it's own heats and final. |
| (1a) OPEN TOURING CARS |
| This League will consist of all drivers other than those eligible to run in the National class championship. |
| The OPEN class will run to EFRA rules apart from Race Meeting Format and Starting procedure. (Copies of EFRA rules may be obtained from the section secretary and/or EFRA representative). |
| Only drivers from the OPEN class are eligible to qualify for European and World Championships. |
| (1b) NATIONAL TOURING CARS |
| This class is for basic factory production cars only. Standard & economical "out of the box" racing is the aim of this class, so these cars must be raced as produced and no one-offs or 'special price' race cars will be allowed. |
| There is a £600 maximum limit on the purchase price of the complete car and body less radio equipment. Only the basic kit can be used and even if the basic car cost less than £600, other "tune up" parts cannot be added to increase its value to just under the £600 mark. The only exception to this is that any car not fitted with oil filled shock absorbers as standard can have them fitted as an extra. |
| An EFRA Foam Type bumper MUST be fitted. |
| No modifications can be made to the car apart from: |
a) Alternative gear ratios
b) Alternative shock oils
c) Alternative spring ratios (standard non progressive type)
d) Side impact bars (as per Open class) |
| Tyres choice will be as per Open class. Brakes will be the standard rear brakes as supplied with the car. Front brakes are not allowed. |
| A resistive plug or resistive plug cap MUST be fitted to avoid interference. |
| This class should be self-policing, but the scrutineer will make periodical checks for eligibility. |
| An individual driver cannot compete in both the National and Open classes. |
| Note: National drivers will have their own separate Heats and Finals and championship. |
| It is important to remember that this is a new class and that the emphasis will be on the spirit rather than the letter of these rules until the formula gets underway and bedded in. |
| (1c) SPORTS/GT |
| This class will be regarded as Open (e.g. modifications allowed), but vehicles MUST conform to all the safety regulations. Please adhere to the spirit of the rule i.e. common sense where safety is concerned. |
| (1d) FORMULA ONE (F1) |
| This class will run as an Open class (as per Sports GT and Trucks) until further notice. PLEASE BE AWARE that F1 vehicles entered for the British GP will have to run to EFRA Rules. |
| (1e) TRUCKS |
| This class will be regarded as Open (e.g. modifications allowed), but vehicles MUST conform to all the safety regulations etc. Please adhere to the spirit of the rule i.e. common sense where safety is concerned. |
| (2) TYRE RULES |
| Tyres are to be of moulded rubber. EFRA rules to apply (except price). |
| Permitted maximum 1/5th Scale tread widths are: front - 75mm, rear - 80mm. |
| No form of tyre additive is allowed. |
| Preheating the tyres with electric tyre warmers is permitted. |
| (2a) There is a price limit on 1/5th tyres for Touring Car and Sports/GT classes of £35 per pair including the foam inserts. These tyres must be readily available for retail sale at the time of use. No 'one offs' will be allowed. |
| (2b) There is presently no price limit on Truck/F1 tyres. |
| (3) ENGINE RULES |
| The engine must be a single cylinder 2 or 4 stroke piston engine running on petrol that is available from petrol stations only (NO AVGAS or specialist racing fuels). The only additive allowed is two stroke oil. Drivers found using additives will AUTOMATICALLY face a 12 month ban. |
| EFRA engine rules apply to all classes. |
| The following are not allowed: performance enhancing gases such as Nitrous Oxide, Fuel Injection, Turbo or Super Chargers, Electronic Ignition systems run off separate battery packs. |
| Engines may be modified internally to any degree except that separate liners are illegal. Heat sink heads may be used together with long reach plugs. Alternative ignition systems may be used providing they are not battery fed. |
| The engine capacity is limited to 23cc. |
| All engines must be fitted with either a suppresser type plug or suppressed plug cap. Any new motors that appear for general sale must be checked for compliance with EFRA rules before use. Motor cutout switches can be moved but not REMOVED from cars. It is up to the driver/owner to make sure that the cutout switch is operative and is in a position that can be EASILY reached by a marshal/mechanic etc (see 3a). In addition, a mechanical fail-safe must be fitted to the carburettor, which returns the throttle to a closed position in case of a broken throttle linkage. (The return spring fitted as standard on most carburettors should suffice). |
| (3a) Engine Cut Out Switches for Open drivers MUST be located in a position within the Rear Window of the car, away from Hot or Moving parts. This position MUST be marked on the body with an "E" of no less than 20mm in diameter and outlined in Red. |
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| Although not required for classes other than Open, for safety reasons the committee suggests that ALL vehicles fit the Engine Cut Out switch in this manner, making sure it is easily identifiable. |
| (4) TRANSMISSION |
| The transmission is a free area with the following exceptions: |
| (4a) Only two-wheel drive is allowed which must be to the rear axle only. |
| (4b) Electronic traction control systems fitted to the car itself are not allowed in any class. Radio control transmitters with traction control programs can be used. |
| (5) BRAKES |
| Brakes are a free area for ALL classes except National Touring Cars, but cars must be fitted with a braking system that is capable of both stopping the car and holding it stationary whilst the engine is running. |
| Antilock braking systems using wheel speed sensors are illegal. Radio control transmitters with antilock braking programs can be used. |
| (6a) 1/5th Scale (Touring Cars) |
| The car must be genuine 1/5th Scale and based on an existing full sized car. |
| The car must comply with the following calculated 1/5th scale dimensions: |
| Length: |
Within Scale +/- 10% |
| Width: |
Within Scale +/- 13% |
| Height: |
Within Scale +/- 10% |
| Rim Diameter: |
Within Scale +/- 10% |
| Fuel Tank: |
Max 700cc |
| Weight: |
Min 9.5 Kg Max 12 Kg |
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| (6b) 1/5 Sports/GT and Trucks |
| These will be regarded as open classes. e.g. tuned motors, brakes etc, but all other 1/5 safety rules to apply. EFRA rules do not have specifications for these classes at present. |
| (6c) Formula One |
| Will be regarded as an open class but manufacturers specifications will apply. |
| (The Bumper rules need not be strictly adhered to on these vehicles, but the onus will be on the driver to read and understand the ruling and to make his/her vehicle as safe as possible with regards this area. The scrutineers decision will be final.) |
| (7) BODY SHELLS |
| 1/5th Scale Open Class bodies must conform to EFRA rules. (Copies on Request) |
| 1/5th Scale National Class bodies must be based on full size Saloon/Touring Cars. |
| 1/5th Scale Sports GT bodies must be based on full size cars such as Bugatti, Ferrari, McLaren F1, and Porsche etc and must be within +/- 10% scale of the full size car. Drivers may use up their existing Group C bodies. |
| Formula One bodies have to be as supplied by the kit manufacturer. |
| Truck bodies have to be as supplied by the kit manufacturer. |
| (7a) Windscreen Cut Outs: Drivers may only drill one 10mm hole in the windscreen for the aerial. |
| (7b) Holes for Transponders MUST be drilled in such a position that at no time can the transponder or its mount come into contact with the ground or the wheels of the car. (It must also be at least 50mm from ANY part of the exhaust system.) The best position is usually on the bonnet lid at the base of the windscreen on Touring cars and Sports/GT. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure that these expensive devices are not damaged. This rule applies to ALL classes. |
| (7c) Side and Rear Windows may be cut out and additional holes may be cut in the body work provided that they correspond to holes cut in the full size car for either the intake or output of air. |
| All edges on the body especially window cutouts must be sanded smooth. Repairs or extra reinforcing applied to the body shall be of such a nature as not to cause a hazard. i.e. no sharp metal edges or carbon fibre splinters etc.. |
| The body must be a proper and secure fit on the chassis, and, when viewed from above must cover the top of the wheels (& Tyres) at the centre of the axle. |
| If a major part of the body is lost during a race, the damage must be repaired immediately in the pit area if ordered by the Race Director. |
| (8) WINGS |
| National Touring Cars: When viewed from either end, the rear wing (including side plates) must fit in the standard EFRA 60mm square box. Where the wing mounts are at the end of the wing these will be counted as being side plates. Wings must be mounted in the same position as the full size car. |
| Open Class: The above rule to apply but also the wing must not be visible when viewed from the front projection of the car. Wings MUST be of the 'single element' type. |
| Sports/GT & F1: Realistic size and shape wings for the body shell being used. |
| (9) BUMPERS |
All cars must be equipped with an EFRA type FOAM bumper (Purim material or similar). These bumpers must be fitted in such a way as to fill the front part of the car body completely, as per the diagram.
The rigid/semi rigid Plastic Bumper/Skid plate fitted to the car as standard MUST be cut back at least 35mm (for Open Class and as much as possible for National) from the leading edge of the foam (all around). The foam must be at least 40mm tall.
This set-up will afford the body (both human & polycarbonate) very much more protection in a crash. |
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| (It has been noted that an additional plate (plastic or otherwise) has been fitted (on some cars) on top of the foam to sandwich the foam to the main bumper and form a very RIGID assembly. This is illegal. The basic concept of the foam is to protect human limbs, making these bumpers rigid defeats the object and is classified as dangerous). |
| (10) CARS PER CLASS |
| Only one car (engine & rolling chassis) per class per driver will be accepted. The main chassis plate (i.e. the main structural member to which the other components are mounted) may only be changed with the consent of the Race Director. The essence of this is that a car cannot be replaced or substituted once entered into a days racing. |
| (11) SAFETY |
| No refuelling is permitted during racing or practice except in the pit area. Under no circumstances is refuelling to be carried out with the engine running. Drivers are requested not to smoke in enclosed areas where petrol is being handled. Anyone refuelling on the track will be disqualified. |
| Drivers are advised to have a small dry powder fire extinguisher to hand in their pits. |
| Nobody under the age of 14 will be allowed to marshal at meetings. |
| (12) EXHAUST/INDUCTION & NOISE |
| In technical terms the maximum permitted sound level is 81 dB, measured at 1 metre above the track and no less than 10 metres from the car. In practical terms no driver will be allowed to run with a car making enough noise so as to cause problems for the club on whose circuit the event is being run. Kit Standard exhausts are usually sufficient. Open exhausts or pipes are not allowed. The scrutineer will check for excessive noise. |
| Open Class drivers must use an air box silencer as specified by EFRA. |
| The complete exhaust system must be kept within the bodywork of the car and should (where possible) exit downwards. |
| Note: It must be understood by all drivers that any failure of the exhaust during a race or practice will require the car being removed immediately from the circuit until the fault is repaired. |
| (13) DRIVERS BRIEFING |
| A drivers briefing will be held at the start of each meeting at which drivers must be briefed on starting and marshalling procedures and matters appertaining to safety etc. All drivers MUST attend this briefing. |
| (14) DRIVING STANDARDS |
| The Race Controllers will generally act as referees and may confer where necessary with the Race Director. |
| Penalties to be as follows: |
| First Warning: |
No penalty |
| Second Warning: |
Ten second stop/go penalty |
| Third Warning: |
One lap deducted by computer |
| (All the above to be taken in the final rather than in the heats) |
| Jump Start in final: |
Car to start from the back of the grid if race is restarted. |
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| Failure to line up properly or stay stationary on the grid will incur a 10 second penalty. Drivers with this penalty must not complete the lap but must drive into the pit lane (or designated area) and wait for the allotted time until flagged away by the official. |
| If a driver puts in an extra lap after being called to the line he/she will be made to start from the back of the grid. |
| Excessive use of bad language on the rostrum or in race control will incur a warning. If this warning is not heeded a one lap penalty will be awarded. |
| Driving or otherwise behaving in a manner likely to cause injury to other drivers or spectators may result in disqualification from meeting. |
| If a driver is being lapped he/she must NOT intentionally bulk the overtaking car, neither must the overtaking driver use heavy tactics to enable him to pass the slower driver. |
| (15) CONDUCT |
| Any driver/ driver representative, mechanic or friend of a driver found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or using abusive language or behaving abusively will be expelled from the meeting, and may be subject to further restrictions on admittance to sanctioned meetings by the committee. Anyone who brings the sport of Model Car Racing into disrepute for any reason will be answerable to the committee. |
| (16) RACE MEETING FORMAT & STARTING PROCEDURE |
| A Heat list will be posted at the beginning of each meeting. The onus is on the driver to check this list. |
| Frequencies will NOT be posted with the heats. It is the drivers' responsibility to confirm with the race director that their frequency is correct. |
| DRIVERS ARE REMINDED THAT IN THE HEATS, RACING IS AGAINST THE CLOCK FOR A BEST TIME. |
| Qualifying will consist of three ten minute rounds with the best result to count. The race director may decide to have extra practice rounds where possible. If the meeting is oversubscribed heat times may be reduced to 7 minutes. Finals may be reduced in length if necessary. |
| Wherever possible the drivers will be arranged in the heats in order of experience/ability (seeded). |
| Rolling Starts will be used for all Heats. Finals will be run to a 'Single Sided Christmas Tree' format where possible. |
| Note: 'A' Finals for Open class only will be of 30 minute duration. |
| Finals will be started from an echelon type grid. There must be at least a 5 metre gap between cars at the start of the final. (Most circuits now have start boxes painted on the circuit at about 5 metre intervals, in which case these will be used). |
| Mechanics MUST move back away from the cars at the beginning of a Final when instructed by race control/start marshal. No last minute warming of tyres will be allowed. A one lap penalty will apply for not adhering to this rule. |
| All Finals will be started by the use of a FLAG. |
| (17) OTHER REGULATIONS |
| Only permanent circuits or semi-permanent ones approved by the committee may be used for championship events. These would normally be ones marked out in a proper manner and most likely intended for longer term use. Other tracks can be used for demonstration type events provide adequate measures have been taken to protect drivers, marshals and spectators. |
| (18) QUALIFYING FOR EUROPEAN AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| Qualifying selection for the European and World Championships will be based on the previous years results. To reserve a place payment must be made to the section's EFRA Representative. |
| Any driver winning the Super National (now Open) class for the previous two years will automatically become eligible for the Euros and Worlds for the following year. |
| (19) ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES |
| Entries will only be accepted on official entry forms (or photocopies) and the race entry fee will be required in advance with the entry form. Entry forms published in non BRCA magazines/pamphlets etc will not be accepted. Drivers who have paid but are genuinely unable to attend the meeting will have their entry fee held in credit. Two consecutive cancelled entries will result in loss of entry fee. Drivers who decide not to race on the day will NOT be entitled to any form of refund. Entries must be in no later than the Thursday before the meeting unless otherwise stated. Faxed entries are not now allowed. |
| Entries will usually be accepted on the day if early enough, but will incur a surcharge of £10. |
| Race entry fees are £15 per car per meeting pre-booked, with a surcharge of £10 for late bookings or bookings on the day. |
| Drivers who are aged 16 or under on 1st January of the season year will pay Half Price (£7.50) entry fees during that year. (Late entry surcharge to apply). |
| All drivers will be required to have available not less than 2 and preferably 3 frequencies (per car) and to be prepared to change to the frequency stipulated by the computer. i.e. drivers entering two cars will need a minimum of 4 frequencies available. |
| Frequency changes can be requested on the day, (to cure interference etc), but the heats will not be regenerated and the onus will be on the individual to consult with the race director about the change, to avoid a frequency clash. No changes to be made without the consent of the race director. Drivers should note that the computer, in generating the heats, tries to avoid the same two crystals being used in adjacent heats, which is obviously beneficial. |
| Drivers wishing to have their entry confirmed or require directions to the track should enclose a stamped addressed envelope with their entry and allow extra time for it to get back to them. |
| It is in everyone's interest that the race controller arrives at the meeting with all the heats prepared so please get your entries in early. |
| Further Information |
Keith Snell
BRCA Large Scale Secretary
01865-876455
Email: keith@artpixels.ch |
| Further Information |
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