DIR Winter Championship
 

We are finalising plans for the DIR 2011/12 Winter Championship. There will probably be a few changes this time, including:

• transponders used for lap timing
• a new 4wd class
• earlier finish time for juniors
• hosting a round of the IOS - Irish Off-road Series

One other thing we are intersted in is a visitors class. This would be for guys who travel a long way (e.g. from Dublin, Fivemiletown area etc) who do travel from time to time but without really being able to take a full part in our club championship as it's just too far to go regularly. Registerered visitors would have their best 3 or 4 scores counted out of the 13 proposed rounds, as opposed to regular members counting best 10 of 13.

All comments & feedback welcome, further details to follow when all confirmed.

When does the championship start ed ?!

12th October if all goes according to plan

Sounds good - I'll have to class myself as a visitor, but with carpooling from the Fermanagh direction, could make a fair few meetings.

The 4wd class sounds good - I'm guessing we'll have a junior round, a 2wd and a 4wd heat at the least then, possibly more?

With the timing system in place, a set of speakers might help - I'll have a hunt in the boxes of bits I have, but I'm sure a set can be located!

Great news Ed.
Especially like the idea of the "visitor" class - thats very thoughtful and should help out a few of the guys.

As Im probably only going to be able to make it to once a month regular, Im wondering how many rounds in total there will be, and how many we need to register.
eg. best 7 out of 11 or so?
Thats whats going to scupper me I think.

Looking at best 10 out of 13 I think. Visitors best 3 of 13.

That sounds about right.

10 out of 13 - ouch. Im only allowed to miss 3 then :/
Fair enough though.

I'll see what can be done!

For those planning on entering 4WD class, any thoughts on motor limits?

Maybe 6.5T with ESC timing advance allowed? (Prob looking at 10.5T with no ESC timing advance alllowed for 2WD).

Any comments still welcome, no hard and fast decisions made yet but coming soon!

Last time I ran a 5.5 SP V3.0 in the cat, was quick but manageable. Not sure why you would want a motor limit really. Individual ability usually dictates motor limit. This is why we run clubman classes in Dublin. Surely you have enough individuals to do the same for 2wd at least.
There really is no point limiting at 6.5 with timing advance allowed as that is very quick anyway in your hall. If you are going to limit then You should probably look at 8.5 being the limit.

My opinion is to Scrap the limit ed too much like hard work and confuses guys as to what can and can't be run. I think your idea of 2wd 4wd and junior class is just right for the hall and track.

I agree with Andy (ASdesigns) - as for me, the track itself limits what I can run.
I've turned up and ran a 5.5T with no timing, a 6.5T with timing, and now a 6.5T with no timing and geared down.
This is the best setup for me and the tight track I believe.

So if you want to set a limit, 6.5T with no timing is fine for me, but Im also happy to leave it open.

Cheers Ed. :)

+1 to this

Ed,

The more you go into rules like this the more work there is for the club to manage it.

The split between modified and 10.5 is grand to police. As all if nearly all 10.5 motors are marked for easy identifying.

The Novak for example:

http://www.teamnovak.com/products/br...610_insert.jpg

The 10.5 motors are blue, so quick to check in a car.

Anything below that 9.5 - 3.5

http://mediacdn.shopatron.com/media/...jpg?1252543607

Have no clearly identifying marks. (See image above) The wind is written on the stator in marker.

The only way I know of to tech these is with an induction meter, and a chart of what reading a motor of a certain wind should give.

(Just using Novak as an example as that's what I run and know.)

Don't forget that if you don't get the numbers to split a class between modified and 10.5. Then you could run them together in qualifying, ie one heat of 4wd, the split them for the finals.

MiCk B. :-)

Thanks for all the feedback - looks like my post got some comments going anyway! :thumbsup:

If there are any other ideas which would improve our winter racing feel free to bring them up.

You would need to get some sort of proper rostrum sorted out I think Ed, as it is really hard to see your car at the beginning and end of the straight. The bench is fine for the kids but put 6 grown men on it and it does become a bit difficult.

Hi Mick long time no talk to. The bit about policing the issues isn't the motor as you say that's easy it's the timing of speedo's that becomes time consuming etc.

When I went to DIR to have a look around it was the relaxed atmosphere that I enjoyed and the fun and banter ( mmmmm remember when racing was fun ???? ) any way. So I feel Ed you hit nail on head by the way you started this thread keep it simple with just 3 classes. Seems driver skill plays a bigger part at this venue as a young man turned up with a Durango 4wd fitted with 10.5 and won the night.

Simple Fun Enjoyment

+1 to enjoyment! :)

Re: bench - dont forget as well that I have a big belly and little people to my right wont be able to see over the top of it!!
...but seriously, a new rostrum (or even a different located rostrum) would be welcome.

Rostrum has been mentioned before to be fair. Needs to be not too wide though, hall is fairly narrow already. Will have a think about that one.

The DIR Rule Book always was full of blank pages, looks like it might be staying that way! :thumbsup::D:thumbsup:

WHy not have a slightly taller rostrum, but at the end of the hall where the computer lives (i.e. where the perspex is)?

I know that currently, this would mean its difficult to see the cars at the far end of the track, but if put higher, this would be solved I think.

The problem is two fold, the "rostrum"( i.e. bench) is too narrow, and it is too near to the track. Moving it to the side away from the action helps as the hall is long and narrow.

Just a thought.

Sound idea Mr Hanley but problem is makes track difficult to race and judge having the straight running away from you but like the way ya thinking buddy !! :thumbsup:

What about placing the bench/rostrum in the left hand corner as you go through the door into the hall. Have it facing the opposite corner. I think this would work, and Andrew has suggested, make it a bit higher if possible. Would be perfect.

Again it might make track difficult to judge but worth a try at least

We have 1 more night (28th Sep) to try out new stuff (including the Timing System hopefully - still in customs :bored:). I will be a bit late due work - feel free to set up a rostrum as and where you think it will work & try it out.

That's what it's all about, we can only try it.:thumbsup:

Fivemiletown suffers similar issues with rostrum placement - atm, they stand on the stage at the end of the hall, and yes, it makes that back wall difficult to judge - cars vanish behind the pipe (they use the wider drainage pipes).

I have postulated dangling drivers above the track in a cargo net, oddly no-one took to the idea...

I'd still go for a rostrum at the end of the hall, and make it as high as possible. Just consider access and safety, which I'm certain Ed will.

Can't make the next two meetings, but my lips are contractually sealed as to why...

All friends here Colin, why not spill the beans?? :p

We'll give it a try Ed, thanks. I like David's idea of the corner facing outwards.
Let's try it,.

@Colmo - yeah, Ed ahs a point, we are all friends here - spill those beans!!!
Colin, are you the designer of the next royal wedding dress? :woot:

TC Round
 

It whould not be a good idea to do a TC round:confused::confused:

What do you mean TC round? Touring cars are catered for by the UMCC, also 1/12th and Tamiya mini class. I dont think there will be any TCars at Drop In.

I think the blank rules are best! 2 classes 2wd and 4wd and that should be all the rules!!! What do people think to running new years day holiday?

I wonder how Team Schumacher & Team Durango will cope with the new B44.1 heading to Drop Inn for the Winter Championship??? :rolleyes:

:confused::confused: What have I told you about thinking Andrew, leave it those of us who have practiced :p:p

Whos running the new B44?

Looking forward to tonight guys - see you there!

The Modeltune GP on Sat 31st Dec would be ok for me, but I would be working next 4 days after that.