British Slotracing League 2018
The 25th Series
Secretary: Steve Sargent Tel: 01253 345515 Email: steveatfylde@yahoo.com
The British Slotracing League is run to provide a cheap production formula race series.
Cars raced are 1/32nd scale Production & Super Production Sports Cars as an individual
event and 1/24th scale Production Sports Cars as a 2 person team event. The emphasis
is on fun racing and a friendly atmosphere. In particular the aim is to provide the
ideal introductory inter-
For this, the 25th running of the series the emphasis is on a return to roots which
produces some changes and also some adjustments to reflect the current position:-
1.The great news with improved pit facilities & no access restrictions is the return of one of the founding clubs involved with the BSL returning which means all 3 of the still active clubs who started the series will host rounds this year. We welcome back Bolton Slotcars.
2. A few racers will remember in the early days a Southern BSL series was also run with both series coming together for The Finals. With the size & lane spacing of a number of southern tracks for 1/24th cars not working too well the southern series was not as popular as in the north. However a revamp using all 1/32nd cars provided a popular relaunch and the Southern 32 Series was born & has continued since. Having been approached to share our Finals weekend with the S32 it seems particularly appropriate we should join up again this year. Please note the intention is that all BSL series racing will be held on the Sunday to keep costs down for those who do not want an overnight stay.
3. The majority of regular BSL racers still want to hold a Finals but in deference to some regular series racers who do not want a Finals as far away as Corby the best compromise is that the Finals will only carry single points instead of double to make it like a normal round & only the best 5 of 8 rounds will count for the series.
4. The BSL has always been about encouraging new racers & to help ensure they get experienced partners, Grade A drivers will not be allowed to partner each other. However as a reflection of the numbers we now have racing only the top 4 in the overall individual championship will be Grade A on BSL performance and 5th – 8th places Grade B on BSL performance (the upgrading through BSCRA performance will still apply). Drivers not being graded A or B will be Clubman Grade. Please see grading section for more details.
The following are all the details you need to compete on the 25th BSL Series:-
RACE CALENDER
This season's meetings are:-
22nd April -
20th May -
1st Jul -
29th Jul -
1st Sep -
2nd Sep -
30th Sep -
18th Nov -
News regarding the Ecurie Barnton BSL meeting
Unfortunately as Barnton have so far been unable to find new premises their scheduled BSL round on Sat 1st Sept is being replaced by a round on the Highlands 4 lane circuit. This will only start at 12.30 to allow extra travelling time. The scheduled round on Sun 2nd Sept on the Highlands 8 lane circuit will start as normal at 8.30
Steve Sargent
The club has been told it's going to lose its premises at the end of June. We've started looking for new premises. Please be aware we may not be able to host the BSL meeting in September. If you're booking accommodation, make sure you've got an option to cancel. Alan Lucas
1/32nd CAR STANDARDS
As BSCRA Super Production and Intro 32 regulations at 1st Jan 2018.
1/24th CAR STANDARDS
Chassis
1. 2 piece steel chassis as BSCRA 1/24th scale Production Saloon rules are permitted.
2. A 'Hot Wing' may be fitted to the Parma Flexi 1 or 2 in the original position as intended by the manufacturer. The 'Hot Wing' may be soldered into position at the top of the chassis.
3. The Trinity Spyder may use the front loop version, the unlooped version or the short GTP pan.
4. Ballast may be fitted to the top of the chassis only. The ballast may be retained by tape, glue or solder.
5. Tape and/or washers may be used to restrict pan movement. 'Tabs' may be adjusted by bending to restrict pan movement.
6. Metal may not be removed to increase movement. Metal may only be removed from the motor adjustment slots and/or rear bearing holes.
7. The original pan hinge pin may be substituted with a single straight piece of wire of maximum 1.6mm diameter.
8. A maximum of 4 straight body mounting tubes may be fitted provided that they pass through the original holes made by the manufacturer for this purpose. Tubes may be floating or soldered at the ends only. The maximum diameter of the body mount tubing is 2mm outer diameter, not including collars fitted to enable a floating tube. These collars shall be a maximum of 3mm diameter and 3mm length.
9. A 'U' brace with a maximum diameter of 1.6mm may be fitted between the rear bearing uprights. A brace may be fitted between the motor and the chassis. This brace must only be attached to the rear of the motor and the chassis and be a maximum of 1.6mm diameter. The standard supply JK motor plate brace may alternatively be used or the motor brace/plate may be substituted with a piece of tubing with maximum diameter of 3mm and length of 10mm soldered to the rear of the motor/chassis. This tube must be horizontal along its axis.
10. The front axle shall be a straight piece of wire, maximum diameter 1.6mm, passing through the original holes provided by the manufacturer. Alternatively 2 separate pieces of wire of not more than 1.6mm wire may be used positioned through the original holes and attached to the chassis only by the front wheel uprights & may not be extended as a means of reinforcing the chassis base or to affect movement in the chassis.
11. Front wheels shall be a minimum 12.5mm diameter, mounted through their axis and within 6mm of the outside edge of the chassis at an angle of 90 degrees to the track surface. The loss of or repositioning of front wheels accidentally during racing is not an infringement.
11A. As an alternative to point 10 & 11, stick on front wheels which comply with the BSCRA 1/24th Sports Car rules may be used instead.
12. Rear tyres shall be a maximum of 21mm width. Note: This is the tyre width NOT tread.
13. Gear guards are not permitted unless provided by the manufacturer as part of the original pressing.
Bodies
1. Any standard closed cockpit Sports GT bodyshell commercially available in the UK is permitted.
2. Bodies must be painted to be opaque with 2 racing numbers plainly visible on the track. Windows must be clear as on the prototype and headlights must be marked or clear. A painted driver with a minimum of head, arms and steering wheel is required. No part of the chassis may be visible when viewed from above or through the windows.
3. The maximum height of the rear wing is 38mm measured on a recessed block.
4. Bodies may be reinforced with clear plastic and/or tape.
5. Bodies shall be mounted with tape and/or pins or standard supply clips to the chassis.
Rear Axle
1. The rear axle may be any diameter or material – hollow axles are permitted.
2. Multiple component rear axle bearings are not permitted.
3. There is no minimum rear axle height but gears must not protrude below the chassis.
Motor
BSCRA 1/32nd scale Production motor rules as of 1st January 2018 apply to this class and additionally Hawk 7 motors may be used.
General
1. The overall width of the car must not exceed 83mm.
2. Other car components not specified above i.e. guide, gears & lead wire are a free choice.
BOTH SCALES STANDARD
If a new variant of Falcon/Hawk Retro (and Hawk 7 for 1/24th cars) motor becomes available a timescale for its introduction must be agreed between the supplier and series organiser before it can be used on the series.
SCRUTINEERING
For all cars the following can be expected to be checked:-
For 1/32nd cars the following may also be checked before each race: Rear wing height & rear width. Failed cars to be corrected during 1 minute warm up time.
RACE RULES & FORMAT
1. Meetings will be held as one day events with the aim of 5.00pm race finish time. Home drivers are allowed to compete. Visitor practice for both classes will be from 8.30am until 9.45am followed by 15 minutes for home drivers then racing. A further open practice session of 30 minutes will be run for 1/24th cars after 1/32nd racing.
2. 1/32nd Production will be run for individual racers with at least 3 heats of 3 minutes for all and when the entry is no more than 5 times the number of lanes on the track a 4th heat may be run at the discretion of the host club. Best single heat score to count for qualifying order except when 4 heats are run when best 2 out of 4 heat scores will count. Best 4, 5, 6 or 8 (depending on number of lanes on track) will run in 5 minute 'A' Final. The next 4, 5, 6 or 8 will run in a 5 minute 'B' Final etc. down the qualifying order. When entry is not an exact multiple of the number of lanes, the number in each final will be made as even as possible with any residue added to the higher final(s) i.e. 22 entries on a 4 lane track – A, B, C & D finals contain 4 drivers, E & F contain 3 each. Finals will be single lane runs on lane choice taken according to heat qualification. Points will be awarded according to position within each final, regardless of laps achieved in other finals. This means last place in 'A' Final will gain more points than anybody in lower finals etc.
Please note there will not be separate finals for super or falcon powered cars.
3. 1/24th Production will be run for 2 person teams taking equal driving time and all lane runs being counted. There will be a minimum run time of 40 minutes per team and longer if entry size allows.
Team driver names should be registered with the BSL Secretary at the first meeting attended but a replacement for one of the drivers will be allowed at any race. Note teams can contain only 1 grade A driver. Please see Gradings section for full details.
4. As far as possible 1/32nd heats will be seeded to reflect overall championship positions. For the 1st 2 rounds last season's final positions should be used.
For club rounds 1/24th teams will be unseeded with driving order decided by drawing of lots at each meeting.
GRADINGS
There will be 4 grades of driver:-
Grade A – BSCRA Premier Grade drivers are automatically Grade A. Additionally drivers finishing in the top 4 of the BSL overall individual championship or being a member of the winning championship team in half or more of a season’s meetings in the last 2 years will be Grade A.
Grade B – BSCRA Division 1 (Main Grade) drivers are automatically Grade B. Additionally
drivers finishing 5th -
Clubman -
Newcomer – Drivers with no more than 2 years previous club racing experience at any time before the start of the series & competing in their first 2 years of the BSL series..
Notes:
Grade A drivers from anytime may not drop below Grade B.
The BSCRA gradings used for the above will be those applicable at 1st Jan 2018.
LEAGUE SCORING SYSTEM
1. Each class will be run as separate championships.
2.The points system will be:-
3. Grade A drivers should aim to partner lower grade drivers. 4. Championship positions will be decided by counting the best 5 of 8 rounds. Note only drivers & teams attending 2 or more race weekends will score points at the Finals meeting.
4. Participating racers must pay a £5 registration fee or be a member of BSCRA at the time a meeting is held to score points on the series for that meeting.
5. In the event of only 1 team partner being appropriately registered, points will be awarded based on half laps scored.
6. In the event of a driver being without a team partner they may race all segments & points will be awarded based on half laps scored.
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
An overall 1/32nd points championship will be run including all grades with title awards for overall champion, overall non Grade A Hawk Retro/Falcon. All drivers have the choice of racing a BSCRA Super Production (which includes Hawk Retro/Falcon powered) or Genesis Intro Car. A separate points championship with title awards for Clubman & Newcomer within it will be run for all those using a Genesis Intro 32 car. There will be a title award for overall team champions.
ENTRY FEES
Entry fees will be £6.00 per class for adults and £3 for under 16's at all club rounds. Entry fees for the Finals will be set separately.
A 25% levy of entry fees collected will be made at each club round to cover Series awards & any other series costs.
LEAGUE ADMINSTRATION
The series will be co-
The rules have been made as simple as possible for inexperienced racers to follow in the spirit of goodwill and common sense but in the event of a problem, a decision will be made by a meeting of club secretaries from participating clubs in the BSL.
Steve Sargent
February 2018
© Copyright British Slotracing League 2018 All rights reserved
BSL 2018 British Slotracing League