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| TOPSA Large Scale Rules 2002 |
| TOPSA is the U.K. association for 1/5 scale model car racing. It is their intention to provide rules that ensure the racing is fair, safe, competitive and fun for all. |
| TOPSA is the original governing body for 1/5 scale racing model cars in the UK and was formed in January 1992. The organisation is still run today by two of the founder members, Bob Stiles (President) and David Ibbotson (Secretary). Before this, Bob ran the Rossendale Model Rallycross Club, and although the club was primarily for 1/8 scale cars, one heat was set aside for the larger 1/6 scale off road cars, due to Bobs passion for the larger scale models with "proper" two stroke engines! It was from these early days of racing the only available large scale models (Yankee Cross Control) that the large scale racing scene originated. |
| Around about the same time, Yankee also made 1/4 scale cars, and the first semi-organised racing with large scale circuit cars was completed with their Renault 21 cars, but a lack of supply, and no serious commercial backing spelt the demise of this class. A fortunate series of events started when Bob was shown a secret early prototype of a 1/5 scale model car when racing with Franz Groschel at a 1/6 Cross Control Club event in France. By this time, Bob had already started working with Franz, and a small group of Brits, including David Ibbotson, and Bobs sons Robert and Richard, were racing these first Marder cars at this French event The secret car was not an off-roader, but a Mercedes C180 saloon! |
| Bob decided there and then to buy five of these cars as soon as they became available, and when they were delivered in the spring, the Halifax club was contacted and arrangements were made to rent the track and arrange a race for the five new owners of these cars. From these first steps into 1/5 scale racing, it was already apparent to us all, that one day, this would be the TOP SCALE to which all model car drivers would one day wish to aspire to! From this came the need for some sort of organisation to provide basic rules and to provide the opportunity for race events to be held here in the UK. The British Top Scale Association was born, and almost immediately was the need for a shorter name! And so TOPSA was founded to provide racing for everyone with a 1/5 circuit, or 1/6 off road car irrespective of manufacture. This proud ambition continues today, and when the 2002 season starts this April at the Tibshelf circuit on Sunday 14th, Bob and David will guide TOPSA through its 12th racing season with 1/5 and 1/6 scale cars in the UK. |
| These rules remain in effect until common sense dictates that amendments must be made (this can occur on the day of the race meeting, so be prepared!). |
| TOPSA Membership |
| TOPSA Membership is again held to £10 per person, per racing season, and instant membership packs are available from David Ibbotson at Direct Models, or Bob Stiles at King Cobra Racing. All cheques must be made payable to "TOPSA" It is also possible to join at any TOPSA race meeting during the year. |
| Due the increasing membership returns already received from drivers eager to race in the best supported UK series, it is not possible for non-members to race at any TOPSA event this year, however, as always the TOPSA British Grand Prix will offer free temporary membership to overseas drivers for the duration of the event. This concession is the only non-member guest drive available, but race fees are still payable in full. |
| Race Fees |
| The race fee for all drivers at all events except the British Grand Prix is £15 per car, payable to the secretary in advance. These entry fees must be received no later then the Thursday before the race. Any entry payment received after this date, including "entry on the day" will incur a £5 late entry penalty, making the total payable £20. This is to encourage all drivers to pre-pay when they pre enter, as it makes the organisers job much easier, and helps to get the race meetings started "on time". |
| Drivers can still pre-enter by post, or by telephone, to reserve their entry place, but if the payment is not received by the Thursday before the race, then the entry fee payable is £20. Please make a special note of this, pre-entry without payment (as described previously) is £20. |
| We expect all TOPSA members to join the BRCA, and so third party insurance is assured, but any TOPSA member not wishing to join the BRCA must be able to provide suitable proof of third party insurance to the cover value of one million pounds sterling. |
| Insurance |
| As and from 1st January 2002 full third party insurance to a minimum £1,000,000 will be required before drivers may race at TOPSA meetings. A driver unable to produce their insurance certificate or their BRCA membership card (2002) will not be allowed to race on the day. |
| Conduct |
| All drivers must conduct themselves in a correct and acceptable manner at all times and in such a way that they are good ambassadors to the sport. Any person under the influence of drink or drugs or using offensive language will be expelled from the meeting, and may be subject to further restrictions on admittance to meetings by the committee. |
| Driving Standards |
| Any car that becomes noisy due to a defective or broken/loose silencer must stop immediately. A driver who fails to do this will be black-flagged off the track and their lap times disallowed. Any driver 'taking out' another car causing the offended car to loose his place will be required to wait until the car so displaced has regained his position as that prior to the incident. This should be a natural and gentlemanly thing to do and is expected as the normal behaviour. If the offending driver in such a case fails to stop and allow the status quo prior to the incident to evolve, the offending driver will suffer a one lap penalty for that heat/final. Repeated incidents by that same driver could result in the entire meeting results for him/her being cancelled. |
| The Race Director as he sees fit in order to dissuade 'dirty driving' will take stronger action. If a driver displays a particular technique to push, bully or intimidate his way past a driver on the same lap and ahead of him then he will be warned and then penalised if it takes place again. Slower drivers must make way for faster cars. |
| Most importantly though, TOPSA meetings are known for their good humour and for providing a most enjoyable day. We aim to keep it that way! |
| Drivers Briefing |
| A drivers briefing will be held at the start of each meeting at which drivers must attend to be briefed on starting procedures and matters appertaining to safety and marshalling procedures. |
| No Driving Off - Track! |
| All cars must be carried to and from the track area and must not be driven off-track. This is to prevent accidents and injury. No car is to be driven in any area surrounding the racetrack at any time. |
| Fuel |
| Only commercially available pump petrol to be used. Fancy fuels of high-octane etc. are banned. The only additives are the mixing of two-stroke oils. No Nitro, Methane or other similar additive is allowed. Drivers found using additives may face a 12-month ban. |
| Refuelling |
| 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 or with the body fitted in place on the car. Drivers are requested not to smoke in enclosed areas where petrol is being handled. Anybody refuelling on the track will be disqualified. Drivers are advised to have a small dry powder fire extinguisher to hand in their pits. |
| Marshall's |
| Nobody under the age of 14 will be allowed to Marshall at Race Meetings. |
| AMB Transponders |
| Holes for transponders must be drilled in such positions that at no time can the transponder or its mount comes in contact with the ground or the wheels of the car. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure the expensive devices are not damaged or lost. |
| Engines |
| All engines must be fitted with a suppresser type plug cap (It is in your interests to make sure that the caps are tight fitting). Please make sure that the cut-out switch is operative and is in a position that can be easily reached by a Marshall with the body fitted. 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. |
| Transmissions |
| With exception of the 4x4 cars (which run in separate heats/finals) all classes are limited to two wheel drive is allowed which must be to the Rear Axle only. |
| Bodyshells |
| Bodyshells must always be on the cars whether in practise or racing. All cars entered to race at TOPSA meetings must be presented in a clean and well-maintained manner. Bodies must be well painted and contain details as lights, indicators etc. The front window must not be removed, only permitted is the removal of side and rear windows to aid cooling and access to engine starting and kill switches. If you do not have the skill or time to prepare and spray the bodyshell, TOPSA have access to experienced sprayers to do the job. Broken shells have to be repaired before being allowed to race. |
| Any reinforcement used to repair or strengthen a shell must be on the inside and within the confines of the shell and must satisfy the Safety Officer that during a race these will not break free and cause injury or damage. The only holes to be drilled in the shell are to allow the protrusion of a plastic aerial sheath and the affixing of the AMB transponder. |
| Brakes |
| Brakes are a free area for all classes (except Eco-Trucks), 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. |
| Bumpers |
| All cars must be fitted with an EFRA type foam bumper. These bumpers must be fitted in such a way as to fill the front part of the car body completely. |
| Tyre Rules |
| Tyres are to be of the moulded rubber type specially manufactured for 1/5 and 1/6 cars. |
| NO FORM OF TYRE ADDITIVE IS ALLOWED other than pre-heating the tyre with electric tyre warmers. |
| Exhaust And Induction Noise |
| No driver will be allowed to run 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. |
| TOPSA Championship 2002 |
| This will consist of an 8 Race Series of which only the best 6 scores will count for the championship. |
| There will be separate champions for each class 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 FQT in his/hers class will be awarded ONE extra point. Points will NOT be awarded if the driver does not compete in his/her final or leaves the meeting without completing his marshalling duties. |
| Racing Classes |
| 1) National Touring Cars |
| 2) Sports G.T. Cars |
| 3) Super Trucks |
| 4) Eco Trucks |
| 5) Formula One Cars |
| Race Meeting Format |
| Qualifying will consist of three ten-minute rounds with the best result to count. If the meeting is oversubscribed heat times may be reduced to 7½ minutes. Finals may be reduced in length if required. |
| Qualifying heats - Rolling start Finals - Grid formation |
| Race Entry Requirements |
| Entries must be in no later than the Thursday before the meeting unless otherwise stated. |
| Race fees are £12.00 per car per meeting pre-booked, (except G.P.) with a surcharge of £3.00 for late bookings or bookings on the day. |
| Non TOPSA members (Guests) £15.00 per car. |
| Formula One |
| 1). Only F.G. Formula 1 cars can be raced in this series. If alternative manufacturers make cars commercially available which use F.G. bodies and wheels exclusively, then a sample can be submitted to the T.O.P.S.A. President and if passed will result in a written rule change to note the inclusion of this or these models to this or future race series. |
| 2). Only F.G. Formula 1 bodied cars can be raced in this series. These bodies should be kept as neat and tidy as possible during the race meeting to help project the authentic Formula 1 image. Scruffy bodies may be rejected from the race meeting at the race directors' discretion. |
| 3). Only standard F.G. Wheels and tyres can be used in this series. Any manufacturers making specific tyres to fit the F.G. Formula 1 wheels are invited to submit samples to the T.O.P.S.A. President. If passed for use in this series then a written rule change will be made to identify these tyres as 'fit to use' in this or future race series. |
| 4). Any and all genuine F.G. option parts may be used but must be contained within the original body outline. |
| 5). Only the following tuned pipes are accepted for use in this series, and must be contained within the original body outline at all times. |
| Standard F.G. F1 pipe |
| SAMBA 2 Modified to fit as submitted Kersey sample |
| SAMBA F1 tuned pipe system |
| New types of pipe may be submitted for approval by the T.O.P.S.A. President as previously described. |
| 6). Any air filter other than F.G. is not permitted. If any commercial alternative becomes freely available to the U.K. trade, then it may be submitted for consideration in the normal way. One off custom-made systems are strictly banned. |
| 7). Any combination of F.G. brake systems can be used. In addition, the K.P. hydraulic brakes can be fitted. |
| 8). Any F.G. or K.P. differential can be used. |
| 9). Any F.G. clutch can be used which is intended for F1 use. Any alternatives will need to be submitted for approval as previously described. |
| 10). Only genuine F.G. front and rear wing assemblies can be used. |
| 11). No tyre or fuel additives are permitted. Only two-stroke oil can be added to standard pump petrol. |
| 12). Engine tuning is permitted but not advised due to possible overheating and fuel consumption problems. |
| 13). The 'A' final race will be of 45 minutes duration. During this race, or any other race in the series, no refuelling will be permitted after the race has begun. Any cars found being refuelled during any race they are currently taking part in will be disqualified. |
| 14). No 'sponsored' F1 drivers are allowed to race in this series. All drivers must own their own cars and pay their own bills. No 'international' standard driver or factory sponsored saloon driver is permitted to race in this series. Any person who is uncertain of qualification for this series should check with the T.O.P.S.A. Secretary before entering any event. |
| 15). F1 races will be held at every T.O.P.S.A. meeting this year. The race director will determine the duration of any final on the day. |
| 16). The best 6 results will count to give a series total at the end of the year. Points awarded will be 100 for the winner and one point less per placing down to the 100th driver who will receive 1 point. One extra point will be awarded for F.T.D. (fastest time of the day) and pole position for the main final. |
| The above rules are designed to give fair and equal opportunities to all drivers. No driver is a real winner if they have access to superior illegal equipment, so the rules must be observed at all times. |
| Anyone unable to compete without cheating by breaking these rules should not enter. All full size racing is subject to rigid rules - no competition exists without enforced rules. This should be remembered at all times. |
| T.O.P.S.A. Formula 1 rules will be revised every 12 months during the 'closed season'. This is to enable us to learn from our experiences and take full advantage of any commercial developments that become available that will be of benefit in promoting improved racing in the following season. |
| It is not possible to make major changes during any season as 'moving the goal posts during the match' does not allow drivers to plan their racing or prepare their cars and budgets adequately. |
| Eco Truck |
| 1). The only model accepted for racing in this class is the F.G. ECO-TRUCK powered by the standard Zenoah or Solo engine factory fitted. The only permissible variation "from the box" are as follows: - |
| 2). A metal plug cap can be fitted. |
| 3). The standard 20 tooth plastic gear can be exchanged for a metal 20 tooth gear. No other gear ratios are permitted. Alloy Gear Driver Part No. 7439 can be used. |
| 4). The standard plastic steering arms can be exchanged for plastic steering arms 8453/1 that include steel anchor points. |
| 5). The rear layshaft brake is a "free area". This means you can fit a single disk instead of the standard twin disks if you choose. This disk (or disks) can be selected from the F.G range of layshaft brake options. No other forms of brakes are permitted. |
| 6). Any 27meg or 40meg radio system using a maximum of two steering servos and one throttle/brake servo is acceptable. This specifically means a maximum of 3 servos in total per car, only one of which can be used to operate the throttle/brake function. |
| 7). Only F.G. truck tyres are permitted. These tyres must be used as manufactured i.e. as slick tyres. No cut patterns or modifications to the tyre of any kind are acceptable. |
| 8). Turnbuckles may be fitted as alternatives to the thread rod supplied. F.G. standard parts only. |
| 9). Alloy engine mounts of any type can be selected and used from the F.G. catalogue. |
| 10). Alloy Engine Plate Part No. 7474 can be used if required. |
| 11). Alloy Rear Uprights Part No. 6477 can be used. |
| 12). Standard (non-adjustable) Alloy Diff part No. 8483 or 8484 conversion can be fitted if desired. |
| The above rules are designed to be practical and to remove any foreseeable running or maintenance problems. If a small investment in any of the above options makes your car more durable or reliable then it is of benefit to you to fit it if you choose to do so. No modifications are mandatory so you can cherry pick any that fit your needs. |
| 13). Any driver wishing to protest against a fellow competitors engine, suspected as being a non-standard or tuned engine must pay a £50.00 protest fee to the T.O.P.S.A. Secretary or President at the time and on the day of the suspected incident. |
| 14). Any driver accused of running a non-standard or tuned engine must remove the engine from the truck if requested by the T.O.P.S.A. Secretary or President. Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification from the meeting and all series points previously gained will be forfeited. |
| 15). Any suspect motor will be inspected by appropriate T.O.P.S.A. appointed official(s) whose verdict will be final and not subject to further protest or discussion. If the motor is passed as standard, the £50.00 protest fee will be put into T.O.P.S.A. funds. Any gasket or piston ring damaged during inspection of an unmodified standard engine will be replaced by T.O.P.S.A. to avoid any loss or disturbance to the innocent driver. |
| 16). Unless the previously inspected motor is disassembled at this same race meeting after being passed as "fit to race", no further protests against this specific engine will be entertained. This does not exclude the engine from scrutiny at subsequent meetings. |
| 17). If a motor is found to be non-standard or tuned, then no gasket or piston ring will be replaced by T.O.P.S.A. The £50.00 protest fee will be refunded in full to the driver making the protest. |
| 18). Any driver breaking any Eco Truck racing rules will not be entitled to race again at the same race meeting and will not have his/her entry fee refunded. The same driver can return to race again at the next meeting in the series but will restart the series with zero points. |
| 19). Any driver repeatedly breaking the Eco Truck racing rules may be banned from that years T.O.P.S.A. series completely if the T.O.P.S.A. Secretary and President feel it necessary to protect the integrity of the series. |
| Further Information |
| Further information about TOPSA can be found at the King Cobra Racing website. |
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