[Kevan]

Hi Graham, can you please make sure the track clearance rule is fully transparent.

Some of our club members wondered how you can have a clearance rule that doesn't include the bodyshell and how can you scrutineer a track clearance if the bodyshell sits below the limit without removing the bodyshell.

[Graham]

Hi Graham, can you please make sure the track clearance rule is fully transparent.

Some of our club members wondered how you can have a clearance rule that doesn't include the bodyshell and how can you scrutineer a track clearance if the bodyshell sits below the limit without removing the bodyshell.

Mostly in this context we are talking about the odd model which might have a front or rear bumper valance which is lower in that area than the rest of the body. Especially in front of the guide which is often the lowest part of the model to the track surface. I am measuring the track clearance in the motor/ chassis area between the front and rear wheels. My concern is predominantly about the effect or advantage of motor magnetic traction on the plastic tracks. But I will add this clarification to the rules. I am now using a round calibrated metal washer that I place under the car and place the car on top of it on the set up plate.

[Kevan]

I have a couple of ground clearance blocks but recently been thinking of something to actually measure it with.  How about a digital tyre tread depth gauge fixed under a surface plate, something like this that's only 4 quid posted.

   

[Graham]

I have a couple of ground clearance blocks but recently been thinking of something to actually measure it with.  How about a digital tyre tread depth gauge fixed under a surface plate, something like this that's only 4 quid posted.

I think that is too complicated and only gives a point measurement, the metal washer is very quick to use and covers a reasonable area of the chassis (mine is 25mm diameter). if there is a gap between the car supported on the washer and the car tyres not touching the test plate the car fails the test. I have used the Scaleauto step guage previously, but actually it is less accurate than the washer (1.5mm step is actually 1.49mm) my washer is exactly 1.5mm, and also the step guage is difficult to get a consistent result. 

Mind you I had to search though a box of washers to find one of the right thickness 

[Kevan]

I don't like stepped gauges, I used to use a wedge with a scale on it for my rc cars but they were nearly 1kg in weight so you could feel when the gauge touched the edge of the chassis...you don't get the same feel with a car only 80g in weight.

[Graham]

I have just added a revision to the Technical Rules and Motor eligibility list as a result of recent experience.

I have sought to clarify issues we found previously regarding definition of Track clearance and Tyre wall width. 
Added a requirement for glazing to be fixed or glued into the body.

I changed the type of penalty applied to issues in regard to dimensional rule infringements.

And I added a Fixed Penalty Notification for cars which arrive after the fixed Deadline arrival date (TBA)

Motor List
I have added the appropriate Slimline motors as we used for this Touring cars proxy. And a couple of other motors which arrived unexpectedly on cars for the Touring car Proxy which have now been  tested and and can now be included on the list.

[Graham]

Also this will be the last in the "Triple Crown" series of Proxies.

I think I have exhausted the choices for this type of Proxy Format.

So next year I am looking at running a one off " Classic Car" Proxy based on cars of the 50's & 60's with each Event representing different Car types. 
More to come on this later in the year after the Touring Cars Slotting proxy finishes.

[Graham]

IMPORTANT RULE CHANGES
I have made a couple of changes due to some positive criticism.

The maximum rear tyre width will now be 10mm for all 4 Events.

The overall maximum width will now be "body width excluding fenders" instead of maximum width across rear axles/tyres.

The rules have been updated on the leading page of this thread.

[Savage GT]

I would like to know what a fender is ?
if it is arches, as a google search result suggest, then I think 68mm is way over width for 1/32 car, I don't know of many cars that are 2176mm wide ... a Greenwood Corvette is pushing 2083mm at the rear which scales down to 65.1mm.

[Kevan]

It depends which car, for example...

Ferrari 612 CanAm (1968) - 1/32 scale width 70mm

Porsche 917/20 (1971) - 1/32 scale width 69.25mm