BSCRA Product Policy - Motors

BSCRA Motor Approval Policy                                 

General

A review of the current motor approvals has been undertaken by BSCRA and, based on member feedback, it has been decided to define the motor approvals policy, applicable to controlled motor classes.

In defining it's motor approvals policy BSCRA has to consider several issues, in particular the fundamental requirements of the various BSCRA classes raced from the driver's perspective.  In this respect the approvals policy is different for the following categories:

•     1/32 INTRO 32
•     1/32 Super Production
•     1/32 Saloon, Club Team Championship
•     1/24 Production
•     1/24 Open Group 12

BSCRA also has to consider the availability of products on the market and the ability of manufacturers to satisfy the needs of our main racing categories

This policy will be reviewed periodically based on changing market / product availability and obsolescence.  The review period will also consider decisions made by USRA as BSCRA approvals will be dependant on prior USRA approval.

Scope of Application

The approvals policy only applies to motors used in the following BSCRA classes:

INTO 32

Class 4          -            1/32 Super Production

Class 8             -            1/24 Production

Class 3             -            1/32 Saloon

Class 5             -            1/32 Club Team

Class 6             -            1/24 Open Group 12

In addition this policy applies to the motor, raced in BSCRA Class 4 – 1/32 Production.

NOTE The process for changes to this motor is different from the other motors – see the BSCRA Constitution.

USRA Approval

USRA is the main governing body for slot car racing in the US and it is important to note that it is a US organisation operating in the US market.  It is also important to note that most of the motors and motor components raced in the UK are manufactured in (or for) the US market.

USRA operates a bi-annual approval process whereby products are added to it's approved product list for particular classes of racing.  These racing classes are USRA classes not BSCRA classes.

The various motors and motor components used in the classes covered by this policy are manufactured to technical specifications governing various aspects of component design and construction and in approving products USRA has to ensure that the products comply with the required technical specifications.  

BSCRA will adopt USRA approval as confirmation of technical specification compliance for motors and motor components.  

USRA is also concerned with other issues including retail price and product availability specifically for manufacturers, in order to protect the interests of racers.  

In adopting USRA approval, BSCRA is ensuring that racers in the UK are protected to some degree in these areas.  BSCRA will not, however, interfere with the pricing policy of the various UK distributors.

Where USRA withdraws approval for a product it previously approved, BSCRA will investigate the reasons.  Generally if USRA approval has been withdrawn for distribution or price reasons, BSCRA is likely to allow its continued use. If however USRA have found technical infringements, particularly performance related ones, BSCRA may well decide to withdraw approval for BSCRA racing

From 2020 BSCRA may approve Group 12 armatures that do not have USRA approval.

Definitions

Motor             -        Comprises can (with bearing), magnets, endbell (with bearing), armature, brush hoods/buss bars, brushes and springs)

In classes where the complete motor must be from a single manufacturer, at least the can, endbell and armature shall be made by, or exclusively for, the manufacturer (see also note below regarding armatures).   Magnets shall be of original manufacturer equipment, as supplied from the factory.

The main motor components are defined as follows:

Can                -        C can type, dimensionally specified.  Made by, or exclusively for, a particular USRA approved manufacturer.

Armature        -        Rotating part of motor governed in terms of stack dimensions (length and diameter) and windings (turns and wire gauge).  The armature must be made and wound in house by the USRA approved manufacturer.

Magnets         -        Must be ceramic type containing no rare earth material as defined by USRA.  Dimensionally controlled in terms of length and height.  

Endbell           -      Motor end cap to which brush gear is attached.  Made by, or exclusively for, a particular USRA approved manufacturer

Brushgear       -      Comprising brush hoods and buss bars for lead wire connection

Other terms relevant to this policy:

Manufacturer   -        Must be USRA registered and selling USRA approved product.  Manufacturers may be using sub suppliers for some of their products i.e. manufacture may not be entirely in house.

Manufacturers list product by part numbers which are listed in the USRA rulebook, where approval has been obtained.

Blueprinting

Blueprinting refers to the process of refining a motor to improve it's performance.  This involves several operations including can straightening / alignment, fitting matched magnets, armature rebalancing, magnet honing……. and so on.  Blueprinting does not change the technical specification of a motor – it simply improves the build quality.

Most racers will carry out blueprinting to some extent before using a motor – it could be simply aligning brush hoods and running brushes in.

Several recognised US based blueprinters are also USRA approved and produce USRA approved products including complete motors e.g. Fastones, Best O' the West….

In producing products, these blueprinters will always refer to the original manufacturers component e.g BOW Proslot Group 12 armature, Fast Ones RJR Hornet…..  Importantly the original manufacturer is declared.

Blueprinted products are allowed provided the finished product complies with the rules applicable to the class in question.

Obsolete Product

When BSCRA approved products are no longer manufactured, they will normally continue to be eligible for BSCRA racing.   Normally racers wouldn't want scrap their existing motors just because new ones are no longer made.

Motor Eligibility

Motor eligibility for the various BSCRA classes is described in the following sections.  Please refer to the eligibility table for a summary and list of approved products / manufacturers

BSCRA Class 4 - 1/32 Production

The  permitted motor and the allowed modifications are stated in BSCRA Rules

        Armature shaft may be shortened

The approval process and timescales are stated in the BSCRA Constitution.

BSCRA Class 4 - 1/32 Super Production

Complete “C” can motors supplied by USRA approved manufacturers of complete motors only who supply, at least, the can, armature and endbell and package the motor complete.  These components must be made by, or exclusively, for the manufacturer.  Specifically the armature must be wound by the manufacturer "in house".  Magnets are supplied as original manufacturer equipment.

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

BSCRA Class 8 - 1/24 Production

Complete “C” can motors supplied by USRA approved manufacturers of complete motors only who supply, at least, the can, armature and endbell and package the motor complete.  These components must be made by or exclusively for the manufacturer.  Specifically the armature must be wound by the manufacturer "in house".  Magnets are supplied as original manufacturer equipment.

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

BSCRA Class 3 and Class 5 - 1/32 Saloon and 1/32 Club Team

“C” Can Group 12 motors assembled from parts supplied by the USRA approved manufacturers listed for Class 4A and Class 8:

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

Approved components:

•      Can
•       Armature
•       Magnets
•       Endbell
•      Brush gear

Mixing of manufacturer’s parts is allowed.

BSCRA Class 6 - 1/24 Open Group 12

“C” Can Group 12 motors using any USRA approved C can motor components.

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.  

BSCRA approval of Group 12 Armatures

This process is used for BSCRA approval of armatures that do not have USRA approval.

The stack diameter and length will be measured by BSCRA to check that it complies with group 12 regulations (see above)

An armature will be measured to ensure that it fits a standard length C can set up.

A sample armature will selected at random by a BSCRA official.   BSCRA will cross section this armature and check that the number of turns and wire gauge comply with group 12 regulations (see above)

BSCRA will photograph armatures that it approves and make the photos available for scrutineers (usually on BSCRA’s web site).

BSCRA reserve the right to repeat any of these checks and measurements on further samples, and may withdraw approval if they are found not to comply with the rules.

BSCRA Product Approval Process -  Motor Approval Form   DOWNLOAD THIS FORM (in pdf format)

Copyright © 2004 - 2020 British Slot Car Racing Association      All rights reserved

Updated January 2020 - "No mixing of manufacturer’s parts is allowed" deleted from classes 4 &8 : BSCRA approval of group 12 armatures (reason for changes -   membership vote)