Questionnaire

[Chris Larner]

Is there any feedback from the questionnaires some of us filled in at the final round or the Regionals?

My main thing I would like to put to the vote at the AGM is a control tire for next years regionals.

Schumacher Yellow mini spikes for 4wd front and rear

Schumacher Yellow mini spikes for 2wd front and rear and also yellow cut staggers for the front.

Possibly could stretch to Ballistic Greens if its wet.

What's people's opinion to this?
It will keep the cost down as the tire choice is forever growing and it will make having the right tire choice a level playing field.

[Checa]

Every track is different but I think you need a couple of options for each track which the club could nominate

Personally I only used multibytes mini spikes and mini pins on the rear all season

[Chesty]

I forgot to fill on the questionnaire but my only change for next year would be...

CONTROL TYRES

Well said Chris:thumbsup:

Oh & could someone please steam roll that ridiculous back to front jump at Herts IF they let us go back next year:woot:

[colin76]

hi all.i have the questionnaires and will use them at the agm, which will be after the brca agm and section meeting. seems to be a real anti or pro opinion on control tryes. could be a talking point for next year.

[Losi_110]

I've got to say, what is the obsession with having control tyres? There are still those who want to come to the regionals for a catch up and a bit of fun on a different track. So long asa part is readily available to all then it should be allowed in my opinion. Would you tell some kid who has his new out of the box rtr car that he can't race because it has the wrong tyres? It is all getting silly these days by everyone taking things too seroiusly with little thoughts to contributing to the continued growth of the sport. Don't get me wrong this isn't meant as a dig at anyone, but the last few regionals I went to and reports I heard very few people were there to enjoy the racing, it was only about the win if that makes sense.

[Chris Larner]

No totally agree all rtr tires that are with and on a rtr on the day should be aloud.
But I'm just trying to keep the cost down to kids who can't compete because they can't afford to keep buying new (different) tires per round.

Most regions run on one surface style all season but here at the EOE we run on all different surfaces from grass to high grip astro.

[wrighty]

If little boy turns up with his rtr i would let him run but not score points for the region as for control tyres i would opt for the same as nationals and other reigons ballistic spike or schumacher mini spike on rear axle only

[JohnM]

I've got to say, what is the obsession with having control tyres? There are still those who want to come to the regionals for a catch up and a bit of fun on a different track. So long asa part is readily available to all then it should be allowed in my opinion. Would you tell some kid who has his new out of the box rtr car that he can't race because it has the wrong tyres? It is all getting silly these days by everyone taking things too seroiusly with little thoughts to contributing to the continued growth of the sport. Don't get me wrong this isn't meant as a dig at anyone, but the last few regionals I went to and reports I heard very few people were there to enjoy the racing, it was only about the win if that makes sense.

I used to think the same Sam, but then we went to Coastal's regional this year & I changed my mind, it's fair to say that on that day, the track was very different to how it is now, where only the straight & the area around the jump was astro'd, the rest was like an American style dirt track.

Now due to different parts of the track wanting different tyres from the rest, at one point in 4wd, there were 10 or so cars in the top heat, probably 8 different types of tyre/compound between them, success that day really depended on if you had the right tyre & enough of them to get through the day. At one point I had some old Losi tyres from 14 years ago on:lol:

Now Coastal was an extreme example (& is now fully covered in lovely astro), but there were plenty of times this year where tyre choice was the determining factor of how your day went, bring in a control tyre rule & it not only reduces costs, but takes away the stress of not having the right tyres, which would lead to a more enjoyable day for everyone.

Also, for those people looking to join the series in the future, much like Alec & Lou did this year (who traveled a bloody long way to race with us), I'd think it's better to have a clue what tyres to have when going to new tracks, nothing worse then getting there & all the locals are on something you'd never thought of. I know Alec will agree with that after ARC.

I've done Stotfold's excellent winter series for the last few years, that's a control tyre series, sure there are a few tricks people know with regard to inserts, but it's nice to know your on the same tyre as the top boys.

The rule can of course be waived for rtr cars, or young kids (how many of those go to regionals though?)

As for your last bit about people not enjoying the racing so much, more the winning, maybe for some, but I find the winning is a nice side effect of the racing & is very enjoyable;)

[JohnM]

Plus I doubt that anyone is proposing we use tyres that no one has heard of, or uses anywhere else, the majority of racers will already have Schuey mini spikes, Ballistic spikes & maybe some DBoots Mulitbites.

I would like to see the end of mini pin type tyres though, they break my Xray's gearboxes:lol:

[GrahamH7060]

Have to agree with John , I have a ridiculous collection of wheels / tyres
( ask Mr Hubbard ) and still find it difficult to get things right ! Obviously this is mainly due to being a crap driver most of the time but with a control tyre at least you feel that you have a sporting chance of competing with the top boys !

Although that said , the likes of John , Alec , Danny , Ben , Jayson Roper :thumbsup:etc etc could run on rims covered in breadcrumbs and still beat most people ! You'll never get away from the fact that whatever car /tyres they're running they're just better drivers !

I'm all for control tyres but obviously overlook them for RTR and for kids

[Dandare]

but it's nice to know your on the same tyre as the top boys.

Yes, just to further emphasise the huge gap in skill between them & me :lol:

[JohnM]

I'm all for control tyres but obviously overlook them for RTR and for kids

If we were to have a control tyre rule, an exception could/should be put in for rtrs & young kids, but there would have to be some sort of criteria set for that to work, you couldn't just have "all kids can run what they like" as don't forget Lewis is 11 years old & won at Herts.

But really, how many people be it young kids or those who went out & bought a rtr Durango 210 for example have their first meeting at a regional? Most people I would've thought would have been doing some sort of club racing before hand & therefor have tyres that would be on a list (if there was one).

[GrahamH7060]

Agh yes very good point John ! In that case all kids EXCEPT Lewis who MUST be handicapped instead by having to run the "breadcrumb" control tyre !!

As for RTR I also agree first outing at regional level would be a little daunting I'd guess !!

[jayropes]

I agree with the control tyre rule but only for people with skills. Show offs like myall, Hubbard, York, fairweather etc should all be made to use touring car slicks.... :p

[Chris Larner]

Also if we can go the control tire route we may be able to approach the manufacturer and get them to put there name on the series and offer a good deal on bulk buying tires, this can make it cheaper for kids to buy the correct tire.

It's not often to see anybody actually race a buggy with ready to run tires as they aren't that good ( I mean the tire not the racer).

Schumacher Yellow minis work reasonably well on every car on every surface.

[GrahamH7060]

I agree with the control tyre rule but only for people with skills. Show offs like myall, Hubbard, York, fairweather etc should all be made to use touring car slicks.... :p



Great idea Jay ! Or perhaps go the whole hog ???? They should have to use touring cars !!

You've got a couple you could sell I'm sure ?? :p:p

[jayropes]

Ha ha, I have indeed Mr Heron. Could I interest you in one hmmm,, well????

[GrahamH7060]

No thanks mate , scroll to the bottom of the forum site , there's a big section called "for sale" get them in there , then with the cash , forget buying tyres or bling & get a Quadcopter !!

Job done ! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Dufty07]

loved that quad copter thingy, that was a nice bit of kit.
I'm up for a tyre rule too.....
maybe we could have a reverse style grid pattern in finals too like the btcc....after 1st final top 5 go to the back....:D:thumbsup:
Any idea where the agm is gonna be this year?

[jimbobr5turbo]

If little boy turns up with his rtr i would let him run but not score points for the region as for control tyres i would opt for the same as nationals and other reigons ballistic spike or schumacher mini spike on rear axle only

I agree with this point, if we are talking about control tyres, just follow the national or EOS finals route. Then it's the same for everyone, with not too many tyres to lug about with you everywhere and less cost. Most clubs run or have run control tyres with lots of success and happy racers. Yes it is nice to have free choice to play with exotic or rare rubber, but maybe we can save that for another time :woot:

[colin76]

Some interesting points raised from everyone on this subject, from my racing point of view I prefer the control tyre format, at least you know what tyres to buy before the meetings. My concerns are...1. Each club would have to scrutineer everycar after every heat in stead of picking 3/4 to weigh/measure etc, to make sure all were running the correct tyres, so maybe this would need doing before the heat starts? Possibly causing a delay to the start of the race. 2. We would really need some guidlines for either juniors/beginners, maybe allow one meeting running any tyres for new members/juniors, what would happen if a "junior" started getting in the A final and was running "free" tyres all year? So somethink that would need looking at in detail. IF we went down the control tyre route, the region could buy X amount of tyres and sell them to the drivers, possibly getting a discount from 1 or 2 manufacture's for buying bulk.

As for the AGM, it would depend on numbers but last year I held it in Bury St Edmunds as this seemed fairly central. It would be after the BRCA agm.

[Benh]

Proposal:

This is my proposal for tyres in 2014. It covers three options, with two of the 3 options to be deleted.

1: Control tyres.

For 2014 control tyres will be used and for the DRIVEN wheels only. For simplicity, control tyres will be referred to as ‘Wet’ and ‘Dry’ tyres. There are no limitations on how many and/or when the driver can elect to use them. The control tyres specified must include manufacturer, type/tread, compound; and part numbers.

Example:
Wet: Ballistic Buggy, Spike, Green; (BBT08, BBT01)
Dry: Schumacher, Minispike, Yellow; (U6557, U6558)

<Option 1> “The Series” *
At the AGM, the tyres for the series are voted in. These tyres are the only ones available for the entire series. (Regional Rep carries the casting vote in a tie)

<Option 2> “Track Specific” *
Each club nominates their ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ tyre for their club and submits by January 31st for publishing that week.

<Option 3> “The Series” & “Track Specific” *

<When the two differ this will offer drivers the choice of up to 2 dry and 2 wet tyres for that track. This ensures that unique tracks can submit a tyre choice more suited to their track and (whilst openly stealing from the Mid-West) “…enable more brands to be considered and contribute to the development of the sport and the industry as a whole”>

*Exception to the rules:
Commercially and widely available RTR (Ready to Run) vehicles will be allowed to run the tyres that they came with from the factory, on the condition the car has not been modified in anyway; (identical like for like spares are acceptable). The ESC and Motor must be the same as originally installed from factory. RTR includes all commercially available 1:10 vehicles complying with construction, size and weight with a production run greater than 1000 and must be or must have been before it was discontinued, widely available.

<This exception to the rule is to benefit newcomers and youngsters. It is also worded to prevent cheeky peeps knocking up an “rtr” in the shed.>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Reference to the above. The tyres for this year has been insane and mainly because of the "new" tracks and varied surfaces. I strongly believe that a control tyre will benefit the series as a whole.

Remember, it is just a proposal. It needs consensus and a vote to be carried. If you don't like all or some of it, feel free to submit your own or edit the one I have put in. Whatever you want, write it down, make sure it makes sense and gain support before the day. The AGM's drag on far too long as it is.

[Chris Larner]

Ill second the proposal and vote Option 1 now.

[dicky14]

if you run in the mid east region you have to run control tyres of either schuey mini spike any compound, ballistic mini spike any compound, d-boot multibyte and fastrax turdgripper(turf ripper lol) but front tyres are open. it put everyone on a level playing field because no one tyre is superior to another.:thumbsup:

[Chris Larner]

Dicky14
Still too many options there.

[spindles69]

Mr Hubbard number one option is the way to go.
Level playing field.Makes it a lot less complicated (and cheaper)having a control tyre.
If there is a vote on this, count me in.

[funkydunkyboogie]

Defo vote option 1 and will make sure I'm at the AGM

As many have said the EoE is not just about be the best driver in the region it's a social event. I know there are many that will disagree but when I go playing with my toy cars ;-) its all about track time and having fun! Coming from a TC back ground ( sorry for swearing!) Saturday practise was always aloud and made for a great social day that was far more relaxed than an actual race day. If the tracks can open can this please considered? With a control tyre in place the argument that those that do attend will be at an advantage is limited if not wiped altogether. This also means there will be more time for socialising with our extended car buddy families and the clubs/tracks can earn a few more pennies on the Saturday charges

Please don't hit me to hard back!!

[JohnM]

Coming from a TC back ground ( sorry for swearing!) Saturday practise was always aloud and made for a great social day that was far more relaxed than an actual race day. If the tracks can open can this please considered? With a control tyre in place the argument that those that do attend will be at an advantage is limited if not wiped altogether. This also means there will be more time for socialising with our extended car buddy families and the clubs/tracks can earn a few more pennies on the Saturday charges

Please don't hit me to hard back!!

I'd say Saturday practice would be just about the worse thing that could happen, in fact it would stop me taking part completely.

You say that with a control tyre any advantage of practicing on the track to be used is wiped out altogether, I'd say that say that it's the opposite, as set up will be more important, so those who've sat there all day on a Saturday perfecting their cars, will have a huge advantage over those who weren't there the day before.

Not everyone can afford the time or have the desire for camping, to turn a one day meeting into a two day event, might as well just go and do the Nationals otherwise.

[jcb]

I think a control tire may be the way to go, particularly if there are new tracks on the calendar, but could see it being difficult to police if you are rectricted to say a schumacher yellow and ballistic green, after all the coloured dots don't stay on forever and scrutineering would have to be done before the heat and more strictly in my opinion.

Chosing what tire's to use may also be tricky as there seems a large split between what tires drivers in the region like to use, I know I used schuamchers all year where as Danny seemed to prefer the Dboots tires. Equally you wouldn't want every venue to have different control as I know many racers used the same tires over numerous meetings. It will be an interesting discussion with many good and bad arguements.

As John has said, I think Saturday practice would put a lot of people off, however a two day or couple of two day meetings might be the way to go, but if classes are run on different days I feel there would have to be changes made to the track so any advantage from running on a saturday is reduced.