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Post by munter on Aug 31, 2018 16:51:40 GMT -5
With only the Tasman Series being run for F1/GP cars is there anyone else out there thinking about creating an event?
I was thinking of one which specifies the Solarbotics 030 motor and an 8 tooth pinion as a base. I know others have discounted that motor as unreliable but they are cheap and I have never had a failure, have you?
Thoughts and opinions welcome.
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Post by EM on Sept 1, 2018 0:20:41 GMT -5
A suggestion and a question:
30's voiturette cars or similar - MGs, Austins etc
Why a pinion restriction?
EM
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Post by Phil Kalbfell on Sept 1, 2018 5:08:59 GMT -5
We tried the Solarbotics as an option in out F1 Tasman series, 10 people tried the Solarbotics and We has 9 failures, only two of us managed to get them to run reliably. We all ran 8:24. There are plenty of other cheap options for motors, especially looking around on EBay.
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Post by munter on Sept 1, 2018 15:20:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies Phil and Al.
I am surprised by those failures, Phil...I have two cars powered by these and no problems for a couple of years. I specified the 8 tooth pinion to make sure the motors revved out and were not lugging....think they are 20k something rpm.
Ostorero used them in some of their kits.
More thoughts?
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Post by munter on Sept 1, 2018 15:31:34 GMT -5
30's voiturette cars or similar - MGs, Austins etc
Maybe you make a more specific list, Al, as my vintage knowledge isnt great.
Would the Alfa Romeo P3 fit in this group?
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Post by old23 on Sept 1, 2018 18:58:40 GMT -5
Back when the Solarbotics was permitted alongside FF-050 motors in the VRAA and Tasman Cup, I built and entered a few Solarbotics-powered cars. None of the motors failed during the proxies or since that time. However, I used to buy them by the dozen and noted a great variation in performance from motor to motor. On the other hand, they are so cheap that it's worth buying a bunch and picking the best of the lot for your proxy entry. And didn't Slo win a Tasman Cup series one year with a Solarbotics-powered Brabham?
I think it's only worth conceiving a proxy race powered by Solarbotics cans if there is some aesthetic benefit to using these small cans in the "formula" chosen. It makes sense for 1.5 litre 60's GP cars, but not for more "spacious" cars from the 50's and 70's etc. I don't know anything about 30's "voiturette" racing or where one would find a variety of suitable body shells.
Stewart
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Sept 3, 2018 15:57:08 GMT -5
I too am missing any proxies to enter, however such restrictions to tiny motors and indeed rev ranges would limit my interest. Why are you thinking about going down that route John? Good luck with it whatever you decide..... Andi
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Post by Phil Kalbfell on Sept 3, 2018 17:04:16 GMT -5
All the Solarbotics that we had fail were from one batch. As for buying a quantity is is a requirement, Batch one we respcieved all were around 20,000, then SLO sent me down two from his batch, thy tested at just over 22,000.I then ordered another lot and they were also around 22,000, but these were the ones that failed. We all ran 8 t pinion. Stubbo also had 3 failures during one Tasman Series. I think the Main reason that they were canned from the Tasman was that they were harder for the drivers to come to grips with because of the lack of brakes compared to the FF motors.
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Post by EM on Sept 3, 2018 17:34:37 GMT -5
The FF 050 motors and the FF 030 motors have the same cross section. The difference is the length. They are short enough to permit a full cockpit in many of the 60's F1 cars. I have built a number of the latter and I'm done with that exercise.
The 30's were an interesting time. Grand Prix cars were all over the place e.g. P3 Alfas, Type 57 Bugatti's, Auto Union etc plus the "voiturette" class - basically defined as smaller than the GP cars and typically running between 750-1500 cc. There is a brief description here:
www.velocetoday.com/racing-voiturettes-1931-1940/
A race for either of these classes would be interesting as would a 2 class mixed event. There are some bodies available (although I would have to think long and hard about subjecting one of Peter's R2 MGs to such a contest)
There are some relatively slow FF 050 motors out there. That, plus a sensible recognition of the narrow track and tires should keep speeds within a reasonable range.
I have a car in mind and am ready to start carving
EM
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Post by Chris Wright on Sept 3, 2018 17:56:49 GMT -5
Good idea....SHADOWFAX has quite a few P3 Alfas, Type 57 Bugatti's, etc etc. Marlon has been busy in France. www.shadowfaxslotcars.com/index.htmlHe has some of those nasty German cars too!
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Post by Phil Kalbfell on Sept 3, 2018 18:34:57 GMT -5
One thing to consider is availability of wheels ant tyres, Most of the current wheels and tyres are too small in Diameter and too wide.
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Post by Chris Wright on Sept 3, 2018 18:40:53 GMT -5
Marlon has tyres too. I'm sure someone could down under could make some tyres,
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Post by EM on Sept 3, 2018 18:55:42 GMT -5
George Turner offers both a K3 Magnette and an Austin Twin Cam
RS Slotracing and Pendles list narrow large diameter wire wheels
Suggestion: Run two classes in combined races - limit voiturette motors to slow (<15K) FF050 or 030 motors - treat the GP class as it was for most of the 30's - no motor restriction (If someone wants to push a 40K RPM motor through 6mm wide tires, they are welcome to try)
Ground clearance spec should be set after consideration of what is practical - wheel diameter/2 - motor height/2 with a little wiggle room and excluding gear. Wheelbase and track - scale +/- ?mm tolerance
EM
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Post by munter on Sept 4, 2018 2:48:43 GMT -5
I appreciate the input gentlemen. This is what I had hoped would happen...suggestions and ideas flowing.
I suggested the Solarbotics motor because I like them but I also like other motors too so I am not fixed on that particular power plant.
I like EMs suggestion of two classes and ask for more thoughts on the division and possible cars.
It seems a race of thirties cars is popular.
Please keep talking out loud.
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Post by EM on Sept 4, 2018 9:23:34 GMT -5
OK, Here's a start:
Eligible cars:
GP cars 1930-1940 + '49/50 Talbot Lago
Voiturette Class:
1930-1940 750cc-1500cc single seaters + post WW II 1500cc cars (Maserati 4CLT, Alfa 159)*
Motors: GP cars - unrestricted, Voiturette class FF 030, 050 motors (RPM restriction?)
Wheels -minimum diameters TBD by class (based on prototype and availability)
Tires - maximum tread width 5mm
Ground clearance 3/16" 4.8 mm
Gears - unrestricted and exempt from ground clearance spec so long as they do not touch the track
WB, track scale +/- ? mm
All the usual boiler plate re drivers, numbers, no "see through" cockpits etc.
Vac form bodies? (I have seen a beautiful ERA based on a vac form)
Concours - points awarded to be counted (how?) in O/A final standings
*This could be a sticky one - the late 30's voiturette cars which became the de fact GP cars after the war were significantly larger than the ERAs etc. Would this effectively disadvantage the earlier cars to the point that they would be uncompetitive?
EM
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