Race Rules

At Launceston R/C we run a pretty low key, relaxed and enjoyable race meeting. But we do have a set of rules in place to manage our events, to make sure racing is fair and competitive, and that everybody has an equal shot on the race track.

Please Note: Commencing May 2011, lap counting at Launceston R/C will use the MyLaps RC transponder counting system.  This means you’ll need a MyLaps RC4 transponder (or other compatible personal transponder including AMBrc Personal Transponder, or MRT PTX) in order to have lap scoring.  The club have some transponders on a rental basis (first-in, first-served).  You can source these from hobby stores. RC4 transponders cost approximately $110 each, new.

Nominations

When you arrive at the race track, come and find race control and we’ll help you enter for the evening. You do need to know:

• Maximum two classes per driver, per night
• If not using 2.43gh spread spektrum radios, it is your responsibility to provide two alternate frequencies (unless you’re running a spread spectrum 2.4 ghz radio) to help us negotiate around frequency clashes. Frequency crystals are cheap, so carry two
• Novice class is for drivers in their first six months of racing. We reserve the right to move drivers out of Novice when their skills enable them to progress to our ‘normal’ race classes.
• No 8th scale vehicles are permitted
• Wherever sufficient entries are received for more than one heat in a class (ie more than 8-10) we’ll try to seed the heats. All entrants in a class have the opportunity to qualify into the A final
• Visitors and non-members must provide name and address details when you enter (for our insurance requirements)
• After entries are received heats, race order will be printed or announced. you must fit one number on the front windscreen of your vehicle – as close to vertical as possible.; This is generally only for major events.

Race Format

We run a simple race format at Launceston R/C.  Normally on each night competitors will run two heats, and then two finals. Each race is a timed race of five minutes, plus time taken to complete the final lap. The driver covering the most laps in five minutes takes the win.

Each driver’s single best qualifying time is used to sort the field for finals.  If a class is split over more than one heat, the top 10 will qualify in the A final, next 10 into B final and so on.

On some occasions we’ll use a different race format (eg two qualifiers, two finals, or two qualifiers and a longer final) just to spice things up. We’ll be sure to announce any race format changes in the event notice here on the website.

Race times on results sheets are quoted as  X laps in five minutes and Y seconds. Eg 15 laps, 5.15 seconds.

Result sheets will be posted on the board on driver’s stand as soon as practical after each race.

Grid positions for each race are set as follows. Round 1 is by car number. Round 2 and 3 by finishing positions from the previous race. Final is by qualifying order.

There is a 3 minute gap between each race. It is your responsibility to keep track of the event and be ready when it is your turn to race.  As the club grows we have less and less capacity to delay race starts.

Doors open at Quercus Park at 6pm at the latest, with nominations due by 6.45pm for a 7pm race start. If you will be arriving after 6.45pm please contact us via facebook earlier in the day or in the days leading up to the race meet.

Championship Series

We will try to run a minimum of two championship series each year. Each series will consist of 6 race meetings, with each driver’s best 5 results to count towards the point tally in each class.  Awards will go to top three and top junior driver in each class.

Points are scored on the following basis: 1st place – 25 points. 2nd place – 22 points. 3rd place 20 points, 4th place 18 points, 5th place 17 points and so on. Each driver in a class will score a minimum of 1 point.

Racing Etiquette

Drivers are expected to follow some simple guidelines for racing etiquette. Race directors may issue a warning to drivers  during a race including a stop & go penalty (there will be a designated stop/go penalty box marked on the race track). A second warning within a race may result in a one-lap penalty being applied. Repeated offences may result in exclusion from the event.

• No abusive language toward marshalls or other drivers will be tolerated
• No corner-cutting or short-cutting the track. If you accidentally short-cut, wait either for a marshal to return you to the correct part of the track, or wait long enough to ensure that no advantage is gained. This applies even if you accidentally short-cut due to a crash that is not your fault.
• No ‘hacking’ other drivers. Intentionally or recklessly crashing into other cars is called hacking. It’s your responsibility to ensure you leave the drivers around you enough space – including not charging into corners and using other cars as brakes!
• If you have caused another car to crash, wait for the other car to be marshaled before proceeding.
• When being lapped by faster drivers, it’s polite to leave a little space to ensure they can get by within minimal delay. You don’t need to pull of the track, or stop – just leave a little room and talk on the driver’s stand. For example you might say  “Go inside on the next corner John” and just leave enough room for the driver lapping you to do so
• If you feel aggrieved about an incident on the track, please take it up with the race director

Marshalling

Marshalling is part of racing. We can’t race without marshalls. The task of marshalls is to upright overturned cars, return crashed cars to the race track, and seperate cars that have become locked together. Guidelines for marshalls (all of us) are:

• You are obliged to marshall the race immediately after your own. If you fail to marshall your race result may be cancelled. Repeated failure may result in exclusion from the event
• Please don’t eat, drink, film or text while marshalling!
• If you are running multiple classes, and the sequence of classes is such that you are in back-to-back races, it is your responsibility to organise a substitute marshall
• If you cannot marshall due to physical limitations, please advise race control
• There are designated marshalling points (marked by witches hats), and orange high-vis vests. Please wear the vest at your point to ensure that race director and drivers can clearly see and identify you as a marshall
• Your first responsibility as marshall is your own safety. Don’t enter the track unless you are certain there are no oncoming vehicles that threaten your safety. This is particularly true if you are marshalling areas near jumps, and on the main straight.
• If multiple vehicles crash, generally try to fix them in the order they crash
• If a driver has the throttle opened, don’t pick up the car. Standing over it, hands in the air, indicates you are waiting for the driver to release the throttle or apply brakes
• Marshalls are not in place to repair broken cars. If a car breaks, remove it from the track and pass it around the outside (through other marshalls) back to the pit area for repairs.

Class Rules

Racing at Launceston R/C is split into a number of different classes.

General vehicle/construction rules are as follows (apply to all classes):

• tyres are to be pliable rubber. No hard tyres or tyres fitted with hard studs
• vehicles must be fitted with lexan bodyshell, or roll cage (if originally sold as a ‘caged’ vehicle. cars cannot compete without body/roll cage
• no sharp or protruding edges
• batteries to be secured to prevent falling out during a race
• electric powered vehicles only

Specific class guidelines are as follows (subject to ongoing reviewed):

Tenth Buggy Classes

• open to any 10th scale 2wd or 4wd buggy . Smaller scale vehicles will also be placed in this class unless sufficient entries for a separate class.
• maximum 2s 7.4v LiPo or 6-cell NiMh battery packs
• Stock buggies will run 17.5 turn ROAR approved brushless motors with zero ESC timing (blinky mode – no turbo, timing, boost, cheat modes).
• Classes are 2wd Stock, 2wd Modified, 4wd Stock and 4wd Modified depending on entry numbers on a given night.

Stadium Truck

• Open to any 1:10 scale Stadium Truck
• maximum 2s LiPo battery packs (see LiPo guidelines) and open choice of motors as per RCRA regulations

Short Course

• Short Course class follows very tight guidelines for chassis, motors, tyres and bodyshells. Read the rules on our dedicated Short Course page
• Short Course trucks with non-approved tyres, motors, bodies or 4wd trucks will be entered in novice or a class at the Race Director’s discretion, or an “Outlaw Short Course” class if sufficient numbers allow
• Maximum 2s 7.4v LiPo or 6-cell 7.2v NiMh batteries
• 10.5 turn motors maximum as per RCRA regulations.

Touring Cars (While we are not currently running touring car races effective 1/1/2013, we have retained the rules here for future reference)

• purpose designed touring cars or ‘mini’ chassis cars of 10th scale
• touring cars may be 4wd
• mini chassis cars must be front wheel drive only
• Sedan or sports car bodies are acceptable. Lemans, can-am or ‘wedge’ bodies are not
• maximum 7.4v 2s LiPo (see LiPo guidelines elsewhere in club rules) or 6 cell 7.2v NiMh
• as a guideline, Mini chassis (Tamiya M01, M02, M03 or M05) should conform to VORTEC rules, including use of either 540 motor, Tamiya Sports tuned motor, or etched Hobbywing 13T/3000kv
• Commencing July 2012 touring car motors are limited to minimum 17.5 turn ROAR approved brushless motors, with zero timing esc (blinky mode, no boost/turbo/cheat modes) or 21.5 turn ROAR approved brushless motors with open ESC.  Any RTR brushed motor or Mabuchi/Johnson 540 motors are also acceptable
• TC weight limit 1425 grams, mini 1330 grams
• When numbers allow Mini and Touring car classes will be seperated

LiPo Guidelines

LiPo batteries have brought new power and performance to R/C racing. With that power and performance have come some different risks to previous NiMh battery technology, and new safety practices.  LiPo safety is important to us at Launceston R/C, and for that reason we have in place the following guidelines:

• LiPo batteries must be charged to maximum of 4.2v per cell using a dedicated LiPo charger with CC/CV charge profile. For 2s LiPo packs, this means a maximum charge voltage level of 8.4 volts
• Batteries must be charged at maximum rate of 1s. This means for 5000 mah batteries, maximum charge rate of 5 amps. For 4000 mah batteries 4 amps, for 3200 mah batteries, 3.2 amps etc.
• Batteries must be charged in a flame-proof LiPo charge sack or similar designed to contain flames in the event of failure (something like this)
• Batteries should be hard-cased, and preferably from the ROAR approved list available here. ROAR test batteries for safety and capacity to withstand abuse before approving them. ROAR approval is not a guarantee against failure, but it is an indicator that the battery is reasonably robust
• 10th scale classes are maximum 2s LiPo. 8th scale is recommended 4s, but maximum 6s
• Two buckets of sand are kept on site – one near the driver’s stand, the other near race control – to assist in containing lithium fire

National rules

Launceston R/C is an affiliated club with the Remote Control Racing Australia (RCRA). While we are not bound to use RCRA rules for club events, we will give consideration to following the lead of RCRA when setting rules.  Running rules that are common with other R/C clubs ensures continuity of product availability, and the capacity for Launceston R/C drivers to travel and race at other events (including sanctioned RCRA state and national championship events).  Launceston R/C is a member club of the Tasmanian Model Makers Association.