[Kevan]

I watch a lot of proxies, none are solo runs except Rally and home track hosts that aren't a club type environment.

Accidents happen, take for example the Galaxie that ended on the floor, it wasn't due to another car/driver on the track at fault.

Racing can happen as long as the drivers take due care and attention as long as they're not trying to 'win' as it's all about getting the cars round as fast as possible with a clean run.  Some cars are much easier to do that with than others.

Solo runs are far from ideal, that adds zero interest in a clubroom with a crowd helping and watching.

We've probably seen the best mix possible, solo runs, plastic tracks, wood tracks of all shapes and sizes, multiple cars on track...even different track voltages from 10V to 13.8V, so I'd say it's the best test of any car set up for proxy racing and I for one can't wait for the next one.

[Makem]

I personally really like the multi-car rotated race format.  It makes it more interesting and gives a good direct comparison when running alongside other cars.  With more time at the Viking SCC round I would have really liked to run 3 cars at a time (with a lane space between each) rather than two.  I think you guys need much higher fences at your track though.  So far I've watched 5 videos, and a car has hit the floor in 3 of them...

We have already identified that and will be adding a new higher perspex barrier at the end of the straight.
Gerry

[Makem]

 Good Morning,

I have received a number of concerns privately similar to those expressed here.

So I would first of all like to make it clear that I have always allowed the hosts to run these Rounds free of restrictions of how they run them, in order to allow divergence in both track types and in the running of the Round themselves (for better or worse). This does have consequences, some can only do this individually as "solo" hosts on home tracks, and clubs have varying levels of support to enable them to run the proxies. Individual home based hosts have generally more time to carry out the Rounds often taking a couple of days over the weekend to do so. Clubs are more restricted in terms of timeframes having to fit these Rounds into their own Club programmes, often within a narrow time margin in the evening after work and mostly at their own expense in terms of transportation to and from the clubs, Club running costs etc.

So I feel extremely grateful for the support and enthusiasm that I have received over these years of running these proxies from both individuals and clubs, without them these proxies would not have existed.

The questions which are raised are valid, as to what degree of freedom should be acceptable in terms of running a proxy round where cars are run in a continuous series where the cars generally cannot be maintained in between rounds by the owners of the cars, and if this distinction should not require a more controlled approach when running a round of the proxy whereby contact and or damage risk is taken into account.

I am not of the opinion that an entire proxy series should solely comprise of Rounds whereby cars are run only individually, I like at least some degree of appearance that the cars are involved in some form of racing competition and some degree of competitive risk. On the otherhand, I would not want to see every round run as with the last one where it "appears" perhaps the driver competitiveness overwhelmed the experience of the drivers (with the unfamiliarity of the cars).
Having said that if you look at the results and the podiums that are not that different then from any other round of the series so far.

So the question I am left with is really about the degree of acceptable inter car collisions and the potential for damage which might effect the outcome for entrants in the overall series. 

I think AdeC makes a clear and sensible suggestion that running the cars competitively whereby the cars must be separated by an empty lane, should lead to a more controlled format with less collisions but still have the element of some degree of race competitive running of the cars.

I think with the level of concern expressed about this current NERCS round (which is entirely my responsibility),  might be off putting for entrants in future proxies, so I do need to introduce a higher degree of control as expressed above for future series. I have not spoken to NERCS club about this as yet, and how difficult it would be for them to run the Round next year using only 2 lanes rather than 4 lane racing, but it would seem to be the right approach.

Also the suggestion that having a higher fence at the end of the main straight seems very good suggestion, especially in the light of my own cars experience, luckily the car body was not damaged, only the 3d printed body chassis support posts which were cleanly sheared off.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................

I fundamentally disgaree with the premise that these proxies are run as a time trial.

I am sure that this was all intended to be a race not just a timed event.

Each car raced on each of the 4 lanes with the drivers staying the same on the lane. I take on board that maybe I should have held a drivers briefing before we started the event, which I will do in future.

My members came along to allow this event to take place, in their own time and expense, there is no way we can manage to race each car individually nor with only 2 running. Timescale would be madness.

For future rounds I take on board the criticisms but I will continue to run any future proxy events in the same way as we have always run them, 4 cars on track in a round robin format. If that is not acceptable then we will withdraw as hosts.

As an aside, 9 of the cars in this proxy are from NERCS members, and one of those members was instrumental in rescuing the cars from the DPD impasse.

Gerry

[BAracer]

I think that as long as the cars are driven in a manner that maximises the number of laps that each can achieve in the time allowed, then it doesn't matter if there is 1 car or 4 cars on the track at any time.

[Brumos RSR]

Gerry, I truly enjoyed the enthusiasm that was exhibited by your club as it could be seen in each video.  The silent mode helped with this. Stateside we typically run 3-4 lanes in the manner that BarRacer explained. It saves hosts time.  27 cars is usually 2.5-3 hours of racing out of one’s day and is greatly appreciated by me. If 6 or 8 lanes are available spacing is great if not run them as you can.  Gerry, a drivers meeting is a great idea and I have seen that fun and competitiveness can be combined.

[Savage GT]

Each car raced on each of the 4 lanes with the drivers staying the same on the lane. I take on board that maybe I should have held a drivers briefing before we started the event, which I will do in future.

My members came along to allow this event to take place, in their own time and expense, there is no way we can manage to race each car individually nor with only 2 running. Timescale would be madness.

For future rounds I take on board the criticisms but I will continue to run any future proxy events in the same way as we have always run them, 4 cars on track in a round robin format. If that is not acceptable then we will withdraw as hosts.

Gerry

I have a suggestion:

Instead of running each car 4 times, could you not run 2 different event cars at a time only (one round of how ever many laps fits the time constraint) with an empty lane between, both drivers doing one event in its entirety ?
For a 4 event proxy, which most of Grahams are, this means there is a consistency in one driver across that event and time enough to do all events in 2 Heats.

[Graham]

Each car raced on each of the 4 lanes with the drivers staying the same on the lane. I take on board that maybe I should have held a drivers briefing before we started the event, which I will do in future.

My members came along to allow this event to take place, in their own time and expense, there is no way we can manage to race each car individually nor with only 2 running. Timescale would be madness.

For future rounds I take on board the criticisms but I will continue to run any future proxy events in the same way as we have always run them, 4 cars on track in a round robin format. If that is not acceptable then we will withdraw as hosts.

Gerry

I have a suggestion:

Instead of running each car 4 times, could you not run 2 different event cars at a time only (one round of how ever many laps fits the time constraint) with an empty lane between, both drivers doing one event in its entirety ?
For a 4 event proxy, which most of Grahams are, this means there is a consistency in one driver across that event and time enough to do all events in 2 Heats.

I am going to close down this discussion, by saying that Hosts will continue to be free to choose how they run their rounds which suits them best. 
If an Entrant is not happy to participate in any particular round due to the way the round is intended to be run, then they can have their cars put aside for that round.

[Graham]

I will ask classichrisk to give us an introduction to the 10th Round at the North Staffs Slot Car Club, with his intentions for how the Round will to be run.

[Kevan]

Are there any more videos Gerry?

[Makem]

More videos from NERCS round last Tuesday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDTGWcbfDKQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEpx_6EYiXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEGSo_aYJzw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOuOGZ1_lus

Gerry