IFMAR Worlds can now be held on Astroturf

[James]

3 out of the 4 blocks that represent IFMAR have voted in favour of a rule change to the following:

The track surface can be dirt, or else partially or entirely covered with artificial turf. (Commonly referred to as Astro turf)
Other materials can be used in sections of the track such as table tops and jumps to assure the durability of those sections for the entire event.
Such other materials must be limited to less than 20% of the total track length.
Dirt sections should be of screened top soil / clay free from rocks and debris with only a minimum amount of sand and hard packed to provide a durable consistent racing surface for the duration of the event.
EFRA FAMAR FEMCA ROAR
Yes Yes Yes No

It now looks likely Yatabe will take advantage of this and host the 2015 Worlds on Astroturf.
Could it potentially mean that the UK might be more well placed or likely to host a worlds in the future? Will there be a reduced team from USA as it isn't their favoured surface? Will more tracks in the US adopt or experiment with astroturf?

http://news.efra.ws/fileadmin/news/2...ange%20(1).pdf

[Mike2222]

...and should include single, double and triple section jumps.

[Richard Lowe]

ROAR being the only one to vote no made me chuckle

Get those forward motor 2wd's prepped...

[racingdwarf]

Be good for the UK stand more of a chance to host a worlds.And good news for our top drivers. But personally hate astro,Undrstand the advantages of it regards consistency and weather conditions.But to see an ideal venue like Yatabe astro an indoor dirt track

What the Americans think of this will be interesting, as james says some may not even bother

[Chris Elworthy]

Great news! About time the American's don't get everything their own way!!

This should cue an influx of new cars this year which will be interesting.



Chris

[brooksy]

Just been talking about this subject as regards to the new Yokomo 2wd. Looks like the worlds this year are going to be very interesting.

[Danosborne6661]

Great news

[Joe_K]

Good news, in my opinion. Hopefully should see some more chassis which are really well suited to Astro

[jimmy]

We use astro because of maintenance - if we had ACE weather like in california and the shops ran tracks so we didn't have to do much work - then I'd be well up for only ever racing on dirt!

Reality is different though. I think for 8th scale the maintenance doesn't have to be as polished because they just brute force their way round the track. But take a look at RHR Dirt in it's unprepared state - you couldn't get a 10th buggy round it.

Despite not liking the 'move' to astro (I would love to have raced at Yatabe - but not all that way for Astro) - I think it'll be more fair since a lot of Europe is similar to the UK where we don't have the funds or weather to maintain dirt surfaces. Travis Amezcua made the D final at Bury Metro when he came over - don't think he'd ever seen so much grip.

[neallewis]

Given the oople series and invernational are on astro in 2015, should we see some more foreign top (worlds A final level) drivers coming to the events for worlds warm up practice?

[WHITTLER555]

Originally Posted by neallewis

Given the oople series and invernational are on astro in 2015, should we see some more foreign top (worlds A final level) drivers coming to the events for worlds warm up practice?

Erm, the OOPLE series has a grass track in 2015 which will be interesting for those kids who have only ever driven on astro!

[neallewis]

Originally Posted by WHITTLER555

Erm, the OOPLE series has a grass track in 2015 which will be interesting for those kids who have only ever driven on astro!

Exellent. We all love a grass track (when its dry)

[James]

Can't believe some of the toys out of pram comments I've been seeing here and there! Do any of the Brits really complain about racing on dirt as a disadvantage as we very rarely do it? No, they just man up, appreciate the challenge and get on with it!

[brooksy]

Vid of yatabe arena with astro down

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DTMqzDhJg

[racingdwarf]

To me this is a waste of a one of the best dirt facilities there is for sure a time and place for astro,but to me this photo isn't it

[Mowen208fly]

Originally Posted by James

Can't believe some of the toys out of pram comments I've been seeing here and there! Do any of the Brits really complain about racing on dirt as a disadvantage as we very rarely do it? No, they just man up, appreciate the challenge and get on with it!

Well said James

[orinoco]

Originally Posted by neallewis

Exellent. We all love a grass track (when its dry)

You'd better keep your fingers and toes and whatever else crossed Neal...lol, I for one much prefer astro tracks, I love the grip factor and think it right to have a mixture in the worlds so as to make it fairer across the spectrum of drivers from all over the world. I'd love a shot on the Yatabe Arena either surface.

Col.