Club Rules

GERCC 2009 Summer Championship

General Rules

The essence of the sport of Radio-controlled car racing is competition between realistic models of racing automobiles.  All cars competing in the GERCC Summer Championships must comply with the general and class specific rules which follow.  

 

CLASSES

The Club will run competitions for 1/10th Super Stock Touring Cars, 1/10thscale buggies, 1/18th scale micro buggies, Tamiya Mini Saloons and 1/10th GT cars together with 1/10th saloons on foam tyres.  As an Affiliated Club of the BRCA, we have adopted their general and specific rules relating to the first 3 classes above.  These are detailed in the BRCA 2009 Handbook as follows:-

Pages 26 – 28, specifically relating to the Super Stock Touring Car class.

Pages 42 – 43, Technical Rules relating to 1/10th 2 and 4WD Buggies.

Pages 65 – 68, Micro Scale Buggy rules relating to the Modified Class.

The Tamiya Mini Class is not recognised by the BRCA at present so the specific rules relating to this class have been agreed within the club and are included below.

The BRCA have still to publish (April 09) the new GT10 class rules.  To be eligible for the GERCC championship cars should be fitted with a 19T brushed motor or 10.5T brushless equivalent (as Super Stock Touring Cars).  1/10th Touring Cars running with foam tyres will also be included in this class as will 1/12th cars.

 

BATTERIES

For 1/10th saloons, Tamiya Mini Saloons and buggies, both rechargeable NiCd or NiMH Sub-C sized cells rated at 1.2 volts or LiPo cells, having a nominal voltage of 7.4 volts and approved by the BRCA Electric Board, are allowed.                            

For 1/18th, a maximum of six 2/3A NiMh cells or any LiPo cells allowed to a maximum nominal voltage of 7.4V. All Cars fitted with Lithium cells MUST have a voltage cut-off device (VCD) set to 6V. This device can be integrated in the ESC or fitted as an external component.
All drivers running Lithium cells at the club you MUST charge them in accordance with the guidance for the safe use of LiPo batteries published on the BRCA website (Touring Car Section). 

MOTORS

Only 19 and 27turn brushed and 10.5 turn (or higher) brushless motors, approved by the BRCA Electric Board, are allowed for 1/10th Scale Touring and GT10 Cars.  There are no motor limits for Buggies but this will be kept under review.

For 1/18th any brushed micro motor or brushless micro motor with a maximum can diameter of 29mm.

Tamiya Minis are limited to the Tamiya kit motor (27T Silver closed can), the lightly tuned 28T motor (Part No. 53983) or the HPI Saturn 27T (Part No. 1144 - recommended).

 

RIDE HEIGHT

The minimum ride height (ground clearance) for all cars in racing trim with batteries fitted is 5 mm. The underside of all chassis must be smooth with no projecting screws.  Cars may be checked by race control at any time and if found to be contravening this rule will be banned from racing until the problem has been rectified.  Drivers contravening this rule will loose any scores achieved up to that point of the race meeting.

 

RACE PROCEDURES

  1. Events will consist of a minimum of two qualifying rounds of heats, with one final for all entrants. The maximum number of cars per heat is 10 and the minimum for finals, 4.
  2. The Race Controller will issue the frequencies for heats and the finals.
  3. At the end of the race, each competitor will be told they have finished. You must then pull off the racetrack and remain there until the end of the race.
  4. Drivers are to remain quiet on the rostrum (e.g. if the car breaks down) to the end of the race.
  5. After each heat, the competitors in that heat will have their cars placed into impound at Race Control and assume assigned marshalling positions for the following heat.

f)     Marshalling is obligatory for all drivers for the duration of each race following their own.  Having a car problem is not an excuse for not marshalling.  Drivers who need time to work on their car must find a fellow driver who is willing to marshal for them, then clear his substitution with race control.  Failure to do so may result in the missing driver being penalised.

 

 

TYRE CLEANERS AND ADDITIVES

The use of BRCA approved tyre cleaners or traction additives to improve the grip of rubber or foam tyres is permitted, provided excess fluid is cleaned from the tyres before the car is placed on the track.  Any driver found marking the track surface as a result of the inappropriate use of cleaner/additive may be banned from the meeting and suspended from racing for a period of up to 4 weeks.  The use of any oil of wintergreen based product (i.e. smells of ‘Deep Heat’) is not allowed.

  

CLASS SPECIFIC RULES

 

1/10th SUPER STOCK TOURING CARS

 

TYRES

Only moulded rubber tyres (minipins excepted) are permitted.

 

BODYSHELLS AND WINGS

These should conform to the general rules set out on page 27 of the 2009 BRCA Handbook.

 

MINIMUM WEIGHT

 

The minimum weight, including personal transponders but not handout transponders is 1500g (3lb 5oz).
 
A complete set of 1:10 Electric Circuit rules and a full list of EB legal motors and cells are available for download from the BRCA website www.brca.org

 

 

1/10th SCALE BUGGY RULES

 

TYRES

Only commercially available rubber tyres and wheels are permitted.

 

BODYSHELLS AND WINGS

These should conform to the general rules set out on page 42 and 43 of the 2009 BRCA Handbook.

 

MINIMUM WEIGHT

 

The minimum weight, including personal transponders but not handout transponders is 1474 grams for 2WD and 1588 grams for 4WD.
 
A complete set of 1:10 Electric Circuit rules and a full list of EB legal motors and cells are available for download from the BRCA website www.brca.org

 

 

1/18th SCALE RULES

 

TYRES

Any foam or rubber tyre is permitted.

 

BODYSHELLS AND WINGS

Any Monster Truck, Buggy or Stadium Truck micro shell is permitted.

 

 

TAMIYA MINI CLASS RULES

 

Any Tamiya M front wheel drive chassis may be used.

Wheels and tyres from any manufacturer (excluding mini-pins) may be used.

Electronic speed controllers are permitted.

Hop-ups (other than motors) may be used provided they have been designed for the Tamiya M chassis and may be from any manufacturer, e.g. GPM.

Bodyshells may be replaced with non-Tamiya shells.  (Kamtec shells designed for the Mardave V12 are permitted).

Cars must be front wheel drive regardless of body.  4-wheel drive is not permitted.

Standard kit differentials may be built using any grease or shims, but the differentials must not be locked   (i.e. Spool).  The same applies to ball differentials.

Motors are limited to the Tamiya kit motor (27T Silver closed can), the lightly tuned 28T motor (Part No. 53983) or the HPI Saturn 27T (Part No. 1144 - recommended).

 

GT10

 

As no BRCA rules have yet been agreed (April 2009) the only stipulation for the GERCC class is that motors should conform to 1/10th Super Stock Touring rules.  This class will also include any 1/10th Saloon running on foam tyres and any 1/12th scale entries.

 

 

Ashley Wirdnam 

Added 24th April 2009

New Club Rules on the Safe use of Li-Po Batteries

 

When the club decided to allow the use of Lithium Polyester (Li-Po) batteries last year we stipulated in our rules that these batteries should be charged in accordance with the BRCA’s guide to their safe use.  As a reminder to all members who use these batteries, this guidance is set out below.  However, the Committee has come to the conclusion that, whilst the guidance is sound, it does not go far enough, particularly given the structure and equipment of our current venue.

 

There are several issues we need to address to ensure we handle these cells safely that are not being met at present.  Beginning with the assumption that all users are charging and balancing their cells with sound and serviceable Li-Po specific chargers, at a rate no higher than 1C (see below), it is obvious that cells are being left unattended on a regular basis.  Who switches off their charger every time they go to race?  No one!  Neither can we meet the recommendation to charge our Li-Po cells in an open space on a non-flammable, non-conducting surface (such as a bare cement floor, brick or quarry tile) and away from flammable materials.  We all charge on a flammable plastic table with a wooden floor beneath! 

 

Given our venue we have come to the conclusion that it is essential we extend the BRCA’s guidance by insisting that all Li-Po users charge and store their cells on fireproof bags which have been designed specifically for this purpose.  They are now readily available from most good model shops and are quite inexpensive (£5 - £8 each).  We will also have a supply for sale at the club from Friday, 11th September at £6.10 each.  We are therefore making it mandatory that, by Friday 2nd October, all Li-Po users must use fireproof bags when charging and storing their cells.  By then, if you don’t have an acceptable form of fire protection when charging LiPo’s, you will be banned from racing until you do.  You have been warned! We will be checking regularly to ensure that this sensible safety precaution is being followed to the letter.

 

Ashley Wirdnam

 

Secretary

 

Added 8th September 09

 

A guide to safe use of Li-Po batteries, from the British Radio Car Association.

 

Any rechargeable battery that is currently on the market has a risk of explosion, fire, and smoke emission if not handled properly. Despite the stories that have made the press, Li-Po batteries are not fundamentally unsafe, but they need to be treated with a lot more care and respect than NiCd or NiMh. Just because a supplier of a Li-Po battery does not label or warn of the dangers of their product does not make that product safe.

 

The principal risk is fire, which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries, and this can be difficult to extinguish. Fire occurs due to contact between lithium and oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively. A lithium battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is very good at starting additional fires that can result in loss of models, cars and other property. Homes, garages and workshops have also burned.
These warnings can be a little scary, and they should be as these Li-Po packs can be very dangerous if not handled correctly, but please try and keep this information in perspective. Kitchen knives and chip pans can also be very dangerous if not handled properly and there will probably be more injuries caused by scalpels or super glue in eyes than batteries. The following precautions should help you enjoy using Li-Po batteries without having a major incident.

General Precautions

  • Only charge Li-Po batteries on a charger specifically design for Li-Po batteries. Li-Po chargers are available at varying prices, depending upon the features, for the same price or, or lower than, NiMh chargers.
  • Always ensure you use the correct charging voltage for the cell count. This will be 7.4v (2S) for car packs.
  • The maximum charge rate should be 1C, e.g. 3.2A for a 3200-mAh pack. For best charging, low charge rates should be used where possible.
  • Double check the charge voltage (or cell count), mAh, and current before each charge.
  • Never leave charging Li-Po cells unattended (at any charge rate).
  • It is best to charge Li-Po cells in an open space on a non-flammable, non-conducting surface (such as a bare cement floor, brick or quarry tile) and away from flammable materials.
  • Check your charger for safety. After charging, check battery with a digital voltmeter, the voltage for a fully charged pack should be between 8.32V to 8.45V.
  • Do not charge the battery inside your model, inside your car, on home furniture or wood floor/carpet, or anywhere near flammable material.
  • The minimum safe discharge voltage is 5.0V (2.5V per cell) when under load, or 6.0V (3.0V) per cell when not on load.
  • A number of the electronic speed controllers have a Li-Po feature built into their software; make sure that this has been enabled. Otherwise consider fitting a Li-Po cut-off device. Failing that, stop driving when your motor loses power, remove the battery from the car, and recharge it.
  • If using a Li-Po receiver pack then you will need to use a 6V regulator with it that will supply enough current for to power your radio equipment.
  • Use connectors that can not be short-circuited, or use silicon fuel tube to protect exposed connections. Under no circumstances should the ESC wires be soldered directly to your battery.
  • Do not short the battery as it may catch on fire. If you accidentally short a battery, place it in open space and observe the battery for 10 minutes. It may swell up and possibly even catch on fire.
  • Have a dry powder fire extinguisher or a bucket of dry sand within reach in case of a fire.
  • Cell balancing is a way of ensuring your Li-Po will deliver the maximum performance and capacity over a prolonged period of time, although some manufacturers claim that it is not required with their batteries.
  • Li-Po packs are designed for operating temperatures up to 40°C and under no circumstances must they become hotter than 60°C.
  • You may need to add weight to your car to balance it and/or reach the minimum legal weight.
  • If a pack is involved in a crash or is otherwise damaged, remove the pack from the model and inspect for damage to the pack and the wiring/connections.
  • Lithium polymer batteries do not have a hard steel case like a NiMh battery. Instead, a special aluminium foil encloses them. Therefore, they do not vent. If the integrity of the battery is compromised, swelling will occur. If the battery is damaged and the case begins to expand, discontinue use immediately.