Hello - David Reinecke here.  Avid slot car fan and track fanatic.

Just moved to Florida and setting up my old layout.  Hope to get back into the swing of things after the move and getting the new place ready.

We've just received lots of exciting BRM news from their UK distributor, Pendle Slot Racing. We'll start with a couple of new arrivals in the 1/24 scale Group 2 Mini-Saloon range:

   

BRM103 - Simca 1000 #73 "Ecurie Arc-en-Ciel / Wildcat Jeans" 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps 1976 - Jeff Legros & "Speedy". Available now £105.00

BRM108A - Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior White Kit. Available now £89.00

Like all the BRM /TTS Mini-Saloon range, these cars run on all 1/24 and 1/32 scale plastic sectional track systems.

Next are two new Opel Kadett GT/E rally cars - due at the end of September...

   

BRM109 - Opel Kadett GT/E #18 "Conrero Squadra Corse" - 3rd place Rally 4 Regioni 1979 - Dario Cerrato & Luciano Guizzardi

BRM110 - Opel Kadett GT/E #1 "AC 1927 Mayen e.V." - Winner Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler 2017 - Georg Berlandy & Ulrike Schmitt

You can find out more about the Kadetts in a separate thread here.

   

Due at the end of October are two new liveries on the fabulous Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior - BRM111 & BRM 112. Photos are coming soon and we'll post them here.

Sometime during November, there will be a new livery for the Abarth 1000 TCR...

   

BRM113 - Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR - SCCA Championship #7

The Abarth model has been updated with a more detailed engine bay...

   

A brand new model has just been announced to be available for Christmas. It's a model of the 1968 BMW 2002 Ti - one of the most iconic BMWs of all time. BRM have provided a photo of the current test moulding...

   

and drawings of the first two liveries...

       

BRM114 - BMW 2002 Ti "Jägermeister" #536 - Meilen-Trophy
BRM115 - BMW 2002 Ti "Warsteiner" #20 - Winner American SVRA Championship 2018 - Patrick Womack
BRM116A - BMW 2002 Ti - White Kit.

The car will have the front camber system.

Finally, there are new light racing wheels for Minicars and Group 2 series cars...

   

S-402R - Minicars- Front/Rear racing light type wheels + M3 screws (x2)
S-402R2 - Group 2 - Rear racing light type wheels + M3 screws (x2)
S-402R2F - Group 2 - Front racing light type wheels + M3 screws (x2)

Many thanks to Sean at Pendle Slot Racing for the release details and pictures. The full range of BRM products available in the UK can be found here: www.pendleslotracing.co.uk/brand/brm

   

We first took a look at the lovely BRM Kadett GT/E when the first two models were announced last November (see here). The Kadett fits nicely into BRM's 1/24 scale Group 2 'Mini-Saloon' range - big scale cars that run side-by-side on all 1/32 scale plastic sectional track systems. The first two releases were models of circuit racing cars - one from 1976 and the other a classic racer from 2018. The latest two Kadetts - due later this month - are models of rally cars, one that competed back in 1979 and one a competitor in modern-day classic rallies...

       

BRM109 - Opel Kadett GT/E #18 "Conrero Squadra Corse" - 3rd place Rally 4 Regioni 1979 - Dario Cerrato & Luciano Guizzardi

       

BRM110 - Opel Kadett GT/E #1 "AC 1927 Mayen e.V." - Winner Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler 2017 - Georg Berlandy & Ulrike Schmitt

Like the recent TTS Escort rally releases, the co-driver comes separate in the box and can be easily fitted if pace notes are required. Or they can be raced against the other BRM / TTS cars in circuit trim. Plenty of spares are available, some specific to the Kadetts and some shared by the Mini Saloons range...

       

The Kadetts feature the usual anodised aluminium chassis...

   

More BRM news has just dropped in my inbox from the UK distributor, so expect some exclusives over the weekend. Think Alfa, Abarth and BMW...

You have slot car and you race competitively.
You have a selection of motors and you'd like to test them.
I have never found a motor that meets the published specifications.
All motors vary one way or the other, from new, and also change with use.

1. Power supply
I have a fusion PSU as shown in the link below

2. Tachometer
You can either buy a laser tachometer like the one below
Or use a Mobile app such as GiRi. See pic
Take an old wheel or crown wheel and place a fluorescent tab on it.
https://ibb.co/2KDytJS

3. Torque arm
Static torque : A 10cm arm can be made of a kebab stick and an old ripped up crown wheel
Dynamic torque measurement requires tools I've not seen in the slot car market.
https://ibb.co/nss58CR

4. Weigh scales
Decide on a voltage.
Manufacturers often state rpm (speed) and G/Cm (torque ) numbers but often fail to state the voltage that these specs are meant to reflect. Some manufacturers quote numbers for 12v , others higher. Some omit the voltage numbers altogether.
Whatever you decide ( I suggest 12v) test all of your motors at the same voltage.

‐-------------------------
There are two factors to consider when measuring motor performance
A. Speed
Revs per minute at fixed voltage
A motor that does not rev at a sufficient RPM will not be very quick.

B. Torque
How hard does the motor pull at a fixed voltage?
If the torque is low , the motor may not be able to pull the skin off a rice pudding, the acceleration will be poor and it is likely that the braking will also be poor.

------------------------------
Testing motor SPEED
Power up the motor and take a reading with the Tachometer.
Job done? Not quite.
Motors often run at different speeds clockwise and anti clockwise.
It is always good to know if a motor has any bias that might be leveraged by installing it in a car where that bias is beneficial, not detrimental.
This bias occurs because of a build quality control issue. The commutator is not perfectly aligned with the armature stack.

Testing motor TORQUE
A simple way to test torque is a "stall-test".
However, stalling a motor at 12v is risky. High current draw can burn the motor.
Thankfully, torque is linear , so test at 4v and multiply the result by three. Easy.
Take the readings at various points in the motor's cycle.
Motors do not produce the same torque at all points in their cycle so take many readings and record the best result you see.
If you take an average you may find your reading are much lower than the mfr. Spec.

I use a 10cm torque arm , so, if a motor is pushing 10 grams on the scale at 4v.
10g x 3 x 10 = 300 G/Cm (the calculated torque reading at 12v)

How to make the best of your readings:
Always try to install a motor so that it runs in the direction in which it runs fastest.

Motors that are clockwise biased are better suited to left hand drive sidewinder&anglewinder or inline installations with the crown wheel teeth on the right ( as viewed from the rear of the car)
Motors that are anti-clockwise biased are better suited to right hand drive sidewinder&anglewinder or inline installations with the crown wheel teeth on the left. (Viewed from the rear, above the car)

Always take a record of your motor testing readings.
The records allow you to monitor the performance of a motor as it ages.
It's good practice to test and record each time a motor comes out of its motor pod.
I have found that motors improve with age but their best performance appears to be just prior to the performance "falling off the cliff".

Be aware that manufacturers often design their cars with no way to install the motor in the direction in which it runs best, even if fitted as an inline installation.
NSR inline crowns can support left and right drive inline crowns but the crown size is more limited by the chassis design on the triangular "evo" pods.
Slot.IT inline offset crowns are designed to be installed in one direction only.

You may have to take your motor and run it in another manufacturer's car to get the most from it.
Don't get tripped up by the installation orientation. Some designs fit pinions at the can end, others at the commutator end.
(Clockwise at the can end is anti clockwise at the comm end and vice versa)

Don't assume that manufacturers optimise their motors to run in the direction that suits their cars.
Eg, most of my NSR motors that show a bias, run fastest clockwise.
Get on top of the information above and implement it.
It won't take long before other racers are aiming that slotters lament at you " Wot've you got in that??" 

AlanW

Do you have alternative testing methods?

We'd like to thank our sponsors. Liquid Wrench, Red Devil, Boss Bodies, and Krud Kutter have provided the prizes for our racing program this segment. Due to COVID-19, occupancy is limited and new racers must call first to be approved. Call 603-826-4242 for details. Racing is free, as are the hot dogs. Here are this week's winners. Next race is Sept. 20.

Hi Folks 
   Looks  like  a  nice set  up  you  have here .

Hi All, I'm thinning out the collection a little so I have some cars for sale, I thought I'd try here before braving ebay. 

Most of these are brand new and unused, one or two (see description) have been used very lightly but other than braids don't show signs of use. One or two (see description) I don't ever remember using on track but I couldn't say 100% they're unused so will assume they're used.  

All cars will be sent 2nd class recorded signed for at £4 for up to 3 cars.

1 C3514 Bentley Continental white Highly detailed model. No obvious signs of use but can’t be 100% certain so selling as used £30
   

2 C3845 Bentley Continental red Highly detailed model. Brand new unused £35
   

3 C3718 Aston Martin Vantage blue Highly detailed model. No obvious signs of use but can’t be 100% certain so selling as used, £30
   

4 Carrera VW Scirocco Used but looks as good as new, comes with all the bits in the cupboard around the back of the box. No damage, but signs of use on the braids £30
   
   

5 Ninco Austin Healey Used but looks as good as new, no damage,but signs of use on the brads £30
   

6 C3645 VW T1b van blue Highly detailed model. Brand new unused £35
   

7 C3755 VW T1b van red Highly detailed model. Brand new unused £40
   

8 C3870 Ford Cortina mk1 Highly detailed model. Brand new unused £35
   

9 C3757 BMW M3 black Highly detailed model. Brand new unused £35
   
         
10 C3630 Ford GT40 red Highly detailed model. No obvious signs of use but can’t be 100% certain so selling as used, £30
   

   


More to come...

I have seen these cars in some photos but i hear the motor is magnetic (?). Does it mean I cannot take out a magnet so is fixed in motor? I do not like magnets! Can i buy car with different motor? non-magnet.

   

After four extremely enjoyable events (reports here, here, here and here), we are left with a bumper three-day Summer Series Finale on Tuesday & Wednesday 29 & 30th September and Thursday 1st October. The extra day is to squeeze in eliminator races for the 4-Gear cars that have been match racing over the summer.

Qualifying is Tuesday, the Micro Scalextric eliminators are Wednesday evening and the T-Jet and 4-Gear eliminators on Thursday. As always, coverage will be here on SlotRacer Online. The races are sponsored by Jadlam Toys & Models and Super Tires.

There are more details about the monthly proxy drag racing series here: https://slotracer.online/community/showt...p?tid=1256

We will be running six classes for the season finale:

• Micro Scalextric Street Stock - regs here.
  
• Micro Scalextric Super Stock - regs here.
  
• T-Jet Nostalgia Super Stock - regs here.
  
• NHRA Top Fuel 4-Gear - 'Pancake Stock' regs below.
  
• Nostalgia Funny Car 4-Gear - 'Pancake Stock' regs below.
  
• NHRA Funny Car & Pro Stock 4-Gear - 'Pancake Stock' regs below.
  

   

Match Racing & Exhibition runs: There will be some match racing for the experimental Micro Scalextric 6-ohm cars and time for some ad hoc matches or exhibitions with whatever cars you'd like to send in!

The Track: The Rock County Eighth Mile is a seven-foot timed strip (1/8 mile in true HO scale) made from the new 2019 Micro Scalextric sectional track. Cars must be fitted with braids to run on this track. Power for the first event is 12 volts, 4 amps per lane. Power to both lanes is triggered by a single switch firing a 2-channel relay board. Timing is Trackmate Drag Basic. There is a two-foot shutdown with dynamic braking and a well-padded catch box.

Sending cars: Aim for your cars to arrive in Brighton by the previous Saturday (26 Sept) so they can be quarantined and then registered for qualifying on Tuesday. Please also pack in a small box (max height 7.5cm) and pay for your postage online so no-one needs to go near a post office. These races are designed to be full-on social distancing events that are accessible even to those shielding at home.

How to enter: Add a reply with your interest and the classes you'll be entering - one car per class per person. Family members and friends are very welcome to enter too. I will message you with the address to send cars to. You will need to pay for return postage. Otherwise there is no race fee.

Entries - Race Five - September 29 & 30 and October 1

Micro Scalextric Street Stock: Alan T, Laura, Rebecca, Clive, Jane, Jeremy, Leo, Andy Pl, Andy Ph, Doug, David, Noah, Dylan P, Jerome, Peter, Sue, Gareth, Dylan W, Iain, Bill, Dave, Al S, Hank - 23 cars

Micro Scalextric Super Stock: Alan T, Rebecca, Leo, Andy Pl, Andy Ph, Iain, Hank, Al S - 8 cars

T-Jet Nostalgia Super Stock: Alan T, Rebecca, Clive, Andy Pl, Doug, David, Noah, Dylan P, Iain, Gareth, Al S - 11 cars

Nostalgia 4-Gear Funny Car: Rebecca ("Bounty Huntress" Ford Mustang), Doug ("Blue Max" Ford Mustang), Clive ("Candies & Hughes" Cuda), David ("King Fish" Cuda), Andy ("US Marines" Pontiac Grand Prix) , Alan ("Grumpy's Toy" Camaro) - 6 cars

NHRA 4-Gear Funny Car & Pro Stock: Pete & Jerome (JR Todd "DHL" F/C), Alan T (Jason Line "Summit" NHRA P/S), Rebecca (Ashley Force Hood "GTX" F/C), Doug (Tony Pedregon "Nitro Fish" P/S), David (Shane Gray "Tire Kingdom" P/S), Iain (Robert Hight "Auto Club" F/C), Andy Pl ("JEGS" P/S) - 7 cars

NHRA Top Fuel 4-Gear: Dylan P (Larry Dixon "Alanabi"), Noah (David Grubnic "Optima"), Clive (Antron Brown "Matco Tools"), Andy Pl (Spencer Massey "FRAM"), Rebecca (Morgan Lucas "Geiko"), Alan ("Toyota") - 6 cars

Micro Scalextric Factory Experimental match racing: Bill vs Rebecca, Andy vs Dave, Clive vs Alan

Misc. match racing: Noah vs Dylan & David vs Doug (3-Gear)

Exhibition runs: Clive (Tyco)

Surprise announcment about the team that Fernando Alonso will drive for next year.
Anyone know anything ?

Leo