For the start of the Clubman 3 series we are going to implement new scrutineering measures along with a restriction on motor sizes at the Eckington club. This will be tested at our next meeting on 17 July. You will now be required to have your car checked by one our volunteer scrutineers before you go on track. The motor limits are going to be reduced to two specific motors for 2S powered cars, these are the Core-RC 27t and Tamiya TorqueTuned. There are no changes for cars powered by smaller batteries. We will also be applying random checks before the finals (DICE OF DOOM) to make sure racers are sticking to the rules throughout the meeting.
Why are we bring in scrutineering and motor limits?
Scrutineering is something the club was doing before lockdown was put in place. To us, we are just returning to the high standards the club had. These checks are not to discourage people from racing or call out cheaters, in most cases they end up helping racers to go better on track and have more fun. The main reason is to try and protect damage to the clubs carpets and equipment along with other competitor cars.
The reason behind the motor limit restriction is because we feel by getting everyone to use the same motor will make better racing and cause less on track damage. The Core-RC 27t motor has proven to be a perfect championship motor as well as excellent value for money. The TorqueTuned motor has similar speed to Core-RC but it doesn't seem to last as long, it comes with most kits we are allowing it at the club for racers starting out with the hobby.
What will be checked?
Our volunteer scrutineers will be focusing on the following areas:
- Motor - For 2S cars only Core-RC 27t or Tamiya TorqueTuned are allowed on track. Smaller battery powered cars are still limited to 20t
- ESC - Only Hobbywing 1060 for the championship. Other ESC's are allowed on track but they must have the option to switch off reverse.
- ESC settings - Reverse must be switched off along with other boost options.
- Chassis Ride height - Must be above 5mm (4mm for foam tyre classes)
- Body Ride Height - Must be above 8mm
- Tyres - Slick or cut slick rubber for clubman classes. Foam tyres are allowed for the foam classes.
- Battery voltage - Only checked with DICE OF DOOM - 8.4v limit for 2S classes.
Pre race scrutineering
Before you can go on track you will need to have your car checked by one of the following scrutineers.
Mini-E
Keith Hardiman
TBC
Clubman-E & Other classes
Tom Berry
Luke Wainwright
They will advise if your car can race on track and if it eligible for championship points and mark your body shell with a small pass sticker.
Finals Checks - DICE OF DOOM
Before the finals, the DICE OF DOOM will be rolled to pick a car for checking. If the car fails the checks the racer will either be forced to start from the middle of the track (Restricted start) or be disqualified from racing the final (if the failure is severe enough). The following checks and penalties apply:
- Failure to arrive for checks on time (>1 min) - Warning and restricted start
- Illegal motor - Removed from final
- Illegal ESC - Warning and restricted start
- Incorrect ESC setting - Warning and restricted start
- Illegal chassis ride height - Warning and restricted start
- Illegal body ride Height - Warning and restricted start
- Illegal tyres - Warning and restricted start
- Illegal battery voltage (must be or less than 8.4 volts) - Removed from final
A second warning (at a different meeting) will result in disqualification.
We hope that you will all support these new changes. We are only applying them to improve the quality of racing at the club. We will support anyone that struggle's to meet them and only have a laugh with those who should know better. At the end of the day this is only fun club racing so no-one will be shamed or branded as a cheat.