2014 Regional dates

[stuart slmcc]

HI guys and girls here is this year’s regional dates.
May 11th Southport (astro)
May 25th NNRC (astro, track made to suit 1/10th)
June 8th Southlakes (all grass track)
July 6th Pendal (astro made to suit 1/10th)
July 20th Bury (astro)
August 17th Furness (barrow) (astro/grass details to follow nearing the event)
Details of booking in and venue details will be up 4 weeks prior to the first event and booking in will open for the next event as soon as the last one has finished. You can even leave your details at race control if you so wish. Now variety was asked for and I hope we have it. The venues are all in the North West this was voted for by your club reps. for the first round, heats will be sorted into F grades gained from 2013 regional series. When booking in please supply
NAME
BRCA NUMBER
PT NUMBERS
CLASSES YOU WISH TO ENTER

When you book in on the day please show your BRCA cards when booking in as no card means no race it’s that simple guys you all know the rules by now. Your club reps can take booking in details for those without the internet. If the number of people booking in for any round goes over 120 we will run 3 heats and finals but under this number 4 heats and finals (weather depending of course).
4 out of 6 rounds to count.
A few rules we should all be using but just to make sure, lipo bags for charging, hard case lipos and only commercially available tyres to be used please all other rules as per the brca handbook. If you have any issues during the meeting please see your club rep as they are your first point of call regarding issues.
I have asked the clubs to advice on the conditions so you can dress and where appropriate foot wear for the conditions. If an event is to be cancelled it will be called off ASAP prior to the event it will be posted on the hosting clubs web site, Facebook page oople ect ect
This year we are holding a prize draw at the last round as well as trophies for the
Top 3 under 16's
Top 3 under 13's
Top F2, F3, F4, F5 driver
Every round and class you enter your name goes in a hat so at the end round your name comes out you win a prize “if” you are there. So enter all 6 rounds in both classes your name goes in 12 times or if you just do one class and all 6 rounds it will be in there 6 times easy eh.

See you track side

[Pitman Ed]

Thanks Stuart,

Just a typo - Junior trophies in two Groups, U-13, and U-16.

Eddie

[Cremegg]

hi

are any hardcased lipo's allowed at the regionals? including any motor?

or do they have the be on the BRCA list of batts and motors?

thanks

[spennyy2k]

I would of thought they would have to be brca approved

[stuart slmcc]

POST EDITED REASON GOT DETAILS WRONG
Reference: Batteries and Motors used at 1/10 Off-Road BRCA Regional events.

1/10 Off-Road Regional events are BRCA Sanctioned events, which have been sanctioned by the Off-Road Section.
Therefore as a Sanctioned event by the Section, these events have to comply with all the BRCA Off-Road Section rules, with the exception of those rules that are allowed to be varied by the Region (rules in this category are listed on the first page).

The rules governing Batteries and Motors are not Regional variation rules. Therefore at Regional events, Batteries and Motors have to be shown on the EB lists. (Rules 24 & 25)

We are aware that some Regions do not do these checks comprehensively, often due to lack of manpower. However the 'spirit' of these rules should be applied and it is not the case that "open" use of Batteries and Motors is allowed.
(We would accept if some waiver was allowed to any person completely new to the sport of RC Racing, entering their first Regional event. But this should be at the discretion of the Regional Rep.).

We have to assume that some competitors are 'on the ball' and know the rules. This could likely lead to a protest at an event if they notice other drivers using non-approved Batteries or Motors. Then the Organisers and the Regional Rep. have the problem of disqualifying times and the unpleasantness associated with this action.

The LiPo batteries that we use in current times can give some concern. They can be very volatile, especially if not charged, used and stored correctly. When they 'flame' there is no stopping them.
For each battery submitted, I get up to 40 pages of documents including UN Test Reports to study. The fact that the manufacturers have to submit this information to gain approval, makes them aware that "we are on the case" and performing checks in an effort to minimise any failures of a safety nature.

Not withstanding the above, I still get reports that some have 'flamed'. In the majority of cases this is caused by competitor miss-use.
Whilst the checks that we do cannot guarantee safety, (as accidents are often the cause of driver miss-use), we do our best given the information we have.

Best regards,
Paul Worsley

Please feel free to get in touch with questions on here or a quicker response on facebook on the north west page

[Cremegg]

....

[stuart slmcc]

As asked here are the costs for entering this year

Adults £10 per class like last year
Under 16's £5 per class

[andy110m]

Well that's going to be interesting.

A lot of people I know are planning to run in the regionals use the Turnigy Lipo's. They are ROAR approved so I can't see what the problem is really.
I'm sure at last years events we had a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude which worked well.

Its not the BRCA's fault, they only enforce our rules but it could be a good proposal for the next AGM. Something like, "Any lipo approved by ROAR will be acceptable at BRCA sanctioned events"?

[adprim]

so no discount for 2 classes??

[Cremegg]

Well that's going to be interesting.

A lot of people I know are planning to run in the regionals use the Turnigy Lipo's. They are ROAR approved so I can't see what the problem is really.
I'm sure at last years events we had a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude which worked well.

Its not the BRCA's fault, they only enforce our rules but it could be a good proposal for the next AGM. Something like, "Any lipo approved by ROAR will be acceptable at BRCA sanctioned events"?


Bingo....totally agree

There should be a universal list of batteries, approved worldwide

Just my 2p

[cocker7433]

Are we having a tyre rule (nominated tyres)

[spennyy2k]

Are we having a tyre rule (nominated tyres)

Read the first post again. Commercially available tyres

[sly]

I nominate that we don't have tires as track markers.

[Northy]

I nominate that we don't have tires as track markers.

That's actually in the BRCA rules I think ;)

[MikePimlott]

I do hope the region starts to follow rules by the book and becomes a bit more respectable.

[sly]

That's actually in the BRCA rules I think ;)
I knew that, but one club last year didn`t:lol:

[gazhillAE]

I nominate that we don't have tires as track markers.

Ditto

[Gavin Collingwood]

I knew that, but one club last year didn`t:lol:

I just hope doesn't rain as much as it did last year!! Sunny all week then every Bloody Sunday RAIN!

[PaulRotheram]

I do hope the region starts to follow rules by the book and becomes a bit more respectable.

Fully agree, the region should be by the book at all times and get rid of all the 'grey areas' that goes on at each meeting.

It either is, or it isn't, no in-between.

[PaulRotheram]

Well that's going to be interesting.

A lot of people I know are planning to run in the regionals use the Turnigy Lipo's. They are ROAR approved so I can't see what the problem is really.
I'm sure at last years events we had a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude which worked well.

Its not the BRCA's fault, they only enforce our rules but it could be a good proposal for the next AGM. Something like, "Any lipo approved by ROAR will be acceptable at BRCA sanctioned events"?

I just dont understand this at all.

For the length of time that there is between rounds, a single battery will be enough to get through the entire meeting.
If anyone is wanting to attend the series the expenditure of one battery i think is acceptable?

Add up the cost of fuel, tyres, dinner, race fees. Your easily as the cost of a legal lipo already.
Its a one time cost also, once the lipo is on the list, its there to stay so its not as if youl need to go out and buy another.

The cost of a car, esc, motor, spares, tyres etc, then you want to skimp on cells. Id rarther pay the extra and know ive got a cell thats been through homologation and been deemed safe by the organisation that insures us.


Irregardless, hopefully scruitineering will be consistant this season.

[stegger]

On the subject of " Commercially available tyres " for newer people wanting to do these races would it be possible for each of the clubs to list the tyres that work best for there club track ? For dry, damp and wet conditions.

[danDanEFC]

On the subject of " Commercially available tyres " for newer people wanting to do these races would it be possible for each of the clubs to list the tyres that work best for there club track ? For dry, damp and wet conditions.

It's not like your going to dirty any if your shelf queens!

[stegger]

It's not like your going to dirty any if your shelf queens!

I am coming to play this time, can't wait :thumbsup:

[danDanEFC]

I am coming to play this time, can't wait :thumbsup:

I won't hold my breath :-)

Edit: I might get a 4wd just to kick your butt back through the tunnel

[danmurphy]

I just hope doesn't rain as much as it did last year!! Sunny all week then every Bloody Sunday RAIN!

It only rained at Barrow from memory, so we're probably doomed this year!

[Gavin Collingwood]

Yeah granted your prob right. Regionals aside it seemed to rain on Sunday only loads last year though

[Alan Reeves]

All bs.

Had this as an unedited post from Paul Worsley on Burys page where it threatens fire and explosion and that one make in particular causes concern.

WHY NOT NAME THEM IF THEY ARE SO DANGEROUS?

In reality Back in the day where a battery could mean the difference between winning and losing yes homologise them. Now is just making the hobby needlessly expensive when you can get £20 lipos from hk which perform as well if not better than the £80 from the list!.

[DanW]

I just dont understand this at all.

For the length of time that there is between rounds, a single battery will be enough to get through the entire meeting.
If anyone is wanting to attend the series the expenditure of one battery i think is acceptable?

Add up the cost of fuel, tyres, dinner, race fees. Your easily as the cost of a legal lipo already.
Its a one time cost also, once the lipo is on the list, its there to stay so its not as if youl need to go out and buy another.

DITTO.... battery costs are the lowest they have ever been. I've had 2x £50 packs that have lasted 2 years of weekly use. Thats a battery cost of £50 a year.... not so very long ago in the days of Nicads/Nimh you had to carry 4 or more packs at £50 each and they would last a season. Plenty of batts around the £40-50 mark that are on the list, even cheaper if you go for the Gens Ace etc. As Pauls says, given the time between heats you only need one pack for regionals anyway.

One of the biggest costs to competition is tyres! Over the past couple of years we have ended up using a lot of different types of tyres to cover the regional events. I don't mind buying tyres I will use, but carrying a big selection of tyres, glued up to rims just in case of weather X at track Y is pain in the back side and the wallet. The cost of wheels, inserts and tyres just sat in the pit box soon gets silly.

Whenever a control tyre rule for the region gets raised it gets little interest.

This season could see even bigger costs as people are now buying different cars for different tracks and conditions. So carrying 2 or 3 different chassis at what, £300 a pop could well be a competitive advantage this season.

However mention Turnigy Lipos and being able to save £20 and a big debate errupts.

Turnigy Lipos are not BRCA legal because they either don't meet the criteria (fairly basic requirements on size, case construction, availability and import paper trail) OR Turnigy can't be bothered submitting a pack a for homologation. Thats quite clearly a problem of Hobbykings making.

I hope all the people who are moaning on here about/at the BRCA with regards Turnigy lipos are also ranting with more ferocity at Hobbyking for not supporting their sport and customer base by engaging in homologation procedures.

Dozens of makers, including other cheaper brands like Gens Ace have made it on to the list.... so whats Hobbykings excuse??? If they published a UK address, phone number or email you might stand a chance of finding out... you could try Lucky Stuff Ltd, that warehouses Hobbyking stock in the UK.

Turnigy Lipos are not really available for sale in the UK, despite claiming a UK warehouse. Your transaction is overseas, you buy the Lipos overseas and they freight forward your order from stock that just happens to be held in UK. Hence you are not covered by consumer protection laws in same way as genuinely buying within the EU. :thumbdown:

I would guess that they don't meet the basic criteria of having an EU based retail distribution base.

Are Turnigy lipos really so cheap compared to other makes.... or is it just tax avoidances and efficiencies of their operation that gives them the edge on price.



been through homologation and been deemed safe by the organisation that insures us.


Homologation is not really a direct indicator of safety. However it does check that lipos are of bona fide import to the EU and will therefore be backed some level of product liability.

Homologation is a blunt instrument - just as most competition rules. It provides a benchmark of equipment that is available for a given season and stops the use of miracle new products that might come out mid-season and make current season equipment immediately obsolete.

For me homologation lists don't indicate safety, but they do show which manufacturers/distributors are actively engaging with our sport and its organisers. Hobbywing/Turnigy are not doing that. :thumbdown:

[DanW]

Something like, "Any lipo approved by ROAR will be acceptable at BRCA sanctioned events"?

Sounds nice but it would be irresponsible.

You would be asking the BRCA to approve products for use in their events that may not be available for retail sale in the EU. Thus meaning the BRCA actively approving grey imported products not covered by the product liabilities and laws granted by proper import channels.

[danDanEFC]

Well said DanW!

[northwestregion]

The North West Regional's are to be run the the BRCA guild lines regarding lipos and motors. The clubs have been asked when posting about booking in the advise on foot ware parking food ect. If they want to add details about what works at there track I can soon let them no to add these details.