Here are the rules, in a cleaner format, for 5th scale racing in the Texas State series (SWCS):
5th Scale Rules for the SWCS
The SWCS of Texas will be offering the following classes in the 5th scale class for racing at its track at Rendon, Texas (
www.rcrcnt.com):
GT - 2 door coupe bodies
STC - 4 door sedan bodies
F-1
Sportsline Spec Class
The entire program will be primarily following IFMAR rules (see below link):
http://www.ifmar.org/pdf/rules/ifmar...track_2015.pdf
The new class added to the 5th scale program was the Sportsline Spec Class to help keep entry into 5th scale racing more affordable and bring fun back to remote control car racing. The rules for this class are as follows:
Chassis
-Short chassis lengths of 510mm to long chassis lengths up to 535mm are eligible.
-Cars can be either 2wd or 4wd
-The cars allowed in the class are primarily the FG Sportsline chassis. Other brand of cars, like the MCD will be at an evaluation level
Engine/Pipe
-Engines must be box stock. No modding of the engine or aftermarket modded engines are allowed
-2wd cars are only allowed to run 23cc/24cc engines
-4wd cars are only allowed to run 26cc/27cc engines
-Pipes must be the stock pipe that comes with the car. No modding of the pipe or no aftermarket pipes are allowed (like the Samba pipe)
-Max venturi diameter on the carburetor limited to 13mm
-No reed intakes allowed
Tires
-Any brand of 5th scale tires are allowed
-Tires cannot be softer than 40 shore (The FG Sportsline RTR come with 40 shores)
-Tires can be either treaded or slicks. Tires can be teched at any given time.
-No traction compounds allowed
Suspension/Drivetrain
-No one-ways or spools are allowed on the 4wd cars. Racers are allowed to change diff oils/grease but front diff must maintain diff action
-No Active Diffs are allowed on the 2wd cars. Like the 4wd cars, racers will be allowed to change diff oils/grease but the diff must maintain diff action
-Changing of shock oils and springs are allowed. Shocks must use factory mounting holes on shock towers/suspension arms (not allowed to drill additional holes)
-No two-speed transmissions allowed
This is just a starting baseline set of rules that are open to additions/modifications as needed.
One rule that will apply to all classes will be the use of a remote kill switch. Safely operating these huge cars is #1. So that there are no dangerous runaways that could seriously injure someone,
programmable kill switches will be mandatory, NO EXCEPTIONS. A racer will not be allowed to put his car on the track if he/she cannot demonstrate that they have an active kill switch on their car. Here are examples of ones that can be used:
http://www.davesmotors.com/Dynamite-...ll-Switch.html
http://www.davesmotors.com/Killer-RC...tch-Combo.html
In addition to the kill-switch rule, here is another rule (from the ROAR 5th scale section) that all racers must follow:
10.8.2 No onboard traction control or other electronic aids are allowed, other than other than fail-safe systems
This pertains to gyros/D-boxes used on steering the car.
Again, with safety being our biggest concern, please follow this ROAR rule in regards to marshalling 5th scale qualifiers/mains:
10.12.1.7 A Red Flag condition must be called prior to anyone going onto the racetrack. No corner marshals or mechanics are allowed on the track during practice or racing without a Red Flag being called. Marshals will wait until race vehicles come to a complete stop before entering racing area. Track maintenance must be done under a Red Flag conditions
Since these cars have long run times per a tank of fuel, I would like to deviate from the norm that most nitro racers are accustom. Here are the rules in regards to running qualifiers and mains for 5th scale:
Qualifying
-Qualifiers will be 10 minutes with one mandatory three second pitstop (more of a stop & go) that has to be taken. The pit cannot be taken within the first or last minute of the qualifier but can be taken anytime between the second and ninth minute.
Mains
Main lengths are as follows:
A-main – 30 minutes
B-main – 20 minutes
C main and below – 15 minutes
In the A and B mains, two (2) mandatory pit stops must be taken, none to be taken within the first or last minute of the race. This way, there would still be a bit a strategy as far as race planning. You could make more stops if needed but two of them would be mandatory.
In the C mains and below, one (1) mandatory pit stop must be taken (similar to how it is done in qualifying).
If during any of the qualifiers or mains a red flag is called, this rule will be adhered to if you refuse to obey:
10.13.1.2 Failure to obey a Red Flag will result in disqualification from the race in which the offense occurred
Here is another very important rule in regards to the fueling of cars during a qualifier/main. This is the ROAR version of the rule but IFMAR has a similar rule:
10.9.1 No refueling is allowed after the warm-up period for a race has begun, and no refueling is allowed during the running of any Qualifier or Main event
We all strive for more track time at the races we attend. I am hoping that this would give racers more track time competing against fellow racers instead of burning fuel and tires, constantly chasing tune/setup, and the constant wrenching in the pits. Less wrenching = more racing enjoyment.
This is just the beginning with more information/rules to come. Please feel free to ask me questions or make any suggestions. The goal is to grow this class of racing and keep the competition fun and enjoyable for all that participate.