2017 Reedy TC Race: Technical Inspection and Rules

Like any big event, the Reedy Touring Car Race of Champions uses a set of rules and a technical inspection area to help keep the racing close and fair for the participants. As you can imagine, racers have always tried to find the slightest edge to exploit to give them an advantage, but a thorough list helps to alleviate any confusion or misunderstanding. Below is a partial list of what the drivers have to abide by.

• ROAR technical rules govern all classes.
  • All qualifying heats, main events, and Invitational races are 5 minutes in length.
  • Minimum weight: 1350g.
  • Maximum battery voltage: 8.40.
  • Maximum battery temperature: ambient temperature plus 5°F.
  • Only motors and zero-timing ESCs and firmware currently found on ROAR’s approved list are allowed in the 17.5 and 13.5 classes. Motors must be pre-teched before they can be used in scored rounds. ESCs will be spot-checked for compliance.
  • Only one fan allowed on the motor, 30mm maximum.
  • Open class drivers are allowed to tech four sets of marked control tires to be used during both qualifying and the main events. Marked control tires must be used for practice seeding rounds but do not count towards a racer’s four set allotment. Drivers may use tire warmers and the traction additive of their choice.
  • No modifications to the control tires are allowed. However, mold seams may be ground down and tire beads may be re-glued.
  • Factory sponsored drivers (those whose travel arrangements are paid for by their sponsor and/or are paid a salary to race), or those that have finished in the A-main in the Modified class the previous year, are not eligible to compete in the 13.5 class. Drivers who are sponsored or receive discounts from chassis manufacturers, or who have finished in the A or B main in the 13.5 or Modified class the previous year, are not eligible to compete in the 17.5 class.
  • Broken vehicles may not be repaired during the race.
  • Open classes qualifying will use qual points with the best two rounds used to determine main event qualifying positions. Ties will be broken by combining the laps and times from the driver’s best two rounds.
  • Main event results will be determined by adding a driver’s best two results. Ties will be broken by adding the laps and time from the driver’ best two results.
  • Invitational results are determined by combining the points from a driver’s best 10 out of 12 rounds. In the event of a tie, the first tie breaker will be determined by the most first place finishes between tied racers. Most second places finishes will break second level ties. Third level ties will be broken by the most third place finishes and so on, until all ten scored rounds are used. In the event that a tie still exists after using the ten scored rounds, the final tie breaker will be the addition of the three best laps and times from the scored rounds regardless of the finishing positions in those three rounds.
  • Invitational class drivers must use six sets of control tires alternating new/used. Tires will be impounded and delivered to each driver in tech. Control tire sauce will be supplied in a designated staging area and can be applied once the previous race has started.
  • Driving penalties will be given at the discretion of the referee/race director. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from that race.
  • Rules may be changed, modified, added, or removed at the discretion of the race organizers.

 

 

The Sweep EXP EVO-R 36 was once again chosen as the control tire for the event. This tire has been used since the event was relocated to the Tamiya Raceway in 2014. This specific premounted tire went through extensive testing to ensure that it provided consistent performance with good traction, and was at an affordable price for everyone. Since the tire’s use years ago, it has really been holding up to a lot of conditions including different levels of temperature, and continues to perform in spite of an asphalt surface that’s shown a high level of wear or when it was freshly slurry sealed. As per the rules, each paid entrant receives one set of marked and numbered tires, and only allowed an additional three sets for use for qualifying and triple a-mains. There is no limit to the number of tires a driver may purchase for practice, but tires used during controlled practice seeding rounds must be marked tires purchased at the event.

 

 

 

RC Car Action’s 2017 Reedy Touring Car Race of Champions coverage is brought to you by Team Associated