BSL 2013 British Slotracing League
British Slotracing League 2013
Secretary: Steve Sargent Tel: 01253 345515 Email: steveatfylde@yahoo.com
An announcement will be made shortly regarding availability of falcon motors for the Fylde & Blackpool double header on Sep 7th/8th.
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 introduction inter-
Quite fittingly for the 20th season the series takes somewhat of a return to roots this year in response to the views of our newer racers & regular supporters who do not want to commit to too long a series, too many weekends or much travelling. Consequently the rounds will be held at clubs who have provided regular support in recent times as well as visiting the North Wales club for the 1st time as they are keen to get involved in the series & stage a round now they have larger premises. With the exception of Highlands the venues are relatively close together which should make it easier for more racers to obtain the best 4 scores. By having a double header at Highlands this gives English racers who can make the journey the chance to enjoy 2 race meetings with a travelling rest on the Saturday & also eases the travel inbalance for Highlands racers contesting the series.
Hopefully the later start to the season also allows everyone the chance to purchase the new falcon motors which with promised improved consistency should alleviate the concerns of a number of racers. Availability of the new falcon will be assessed in late May with a view to giving racers at least 2 weeks notice of what will be allowed at the first round at Pontefract.
RULE CHANGES
Just to briefly cover what is fully outlined below a few adjustments have been made to rules.
1.The original reasoning behind the 40mm rear wing height for 1/24th cars does not really apply anymore so the wing height will be brought in line with BSCRA to 38mm.
2. Although the team handicap points system has definitely encouraged new racers in the last 2 seasons the variation in attendances has made it very hard to get a good points balance to keep the interest of all teams. So a new very simple handicap system to discourage top driver pairings will apply of 2 Grade A drivers together being given a 5 point team penalty at each meeting they race together and 10 point penalty at The Finals.
3. All 6 rounds or the best 4 plus Finals counting double will decide series titles.
4. With more weight attached to the Finals result (as less other rounds) and to help avoid any concerns, handout motors will be used for the Finals Team Race.
The following are all the details you need to compete on the 20th BSL Series:-
RACE CALENDER
This season's meetings are:-
16th June – Pontefract
13th July – Highlands 4 Lane
14th July – Highlands 8 Lane
7th Sept -
8th Sept – Blackpool
20th Oct – Castle Raceway (North Wales)
9th/10th Nov – Finals, on the SPT, Blackpool Boys & Girls Club
1/32nd CAR STANDARDS
As BSCRA Super Production and Production regulations at 1st June 2013 plus the unmodified JK laser cut 3 piece chassis (otherwise with the car complying with the same BSCRA rules) are allowed.
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.
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 Falcon motor rules as of 1st June 2013 also apply to this class.
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 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. The availability of the new falcon will be assessed in late May with a view to giving racers at least 2 weeks notice of what will be allowed at the 1st round at Pontefract.
SCRUTINEERING
For all cars the following can be expected to be checked: Rear wing height, rear width, motor for proper tag, motor for no can/magnet cut out, chassis for compliance with modification rules, bracing & lead ballast.
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.
Teams may contain any mix of grade of driver but teams containing 2 grade A drivers will be given a 5 point handicap penalty at meetings they contest and 10 point penalty at The Finals. Please see Gradings & League Scoring System sections 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 5 grades of driver:-
Grade A – BSCRA Premier Grade drivers are automatically Grade A. Additionally drivers finishing in the top 5 of the BSL overall individual championship or being a member of the winning championship team in the last 2 years will be Grade A.
Grade B – BSCRA Division 1 (Main Grade) drivers are automatically Grade B. Additionally drivers finishing in the top 10 of the BSL overall individual championship or being a member of the 2nd placed championship team in the last 2 years will be Grade B.
Grade C – BSCRA Intermediate Grade drivers are automatically Grade C. Additionally drivers finishing in the top 15 of the BSL overall individual championship in the last 2 years will be Grade C but any Grade C drivers under 16 may also contest the Clubman individual championship.
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.
Team Performance Grading -
Notes:
Grade A drivers from anytime may not drop below Grade B.
The BSCRA gradings used for the above will be those applicable following the 2013 1/32nd Nationals.
LEAGUE SCORING SYSTEM
1. Each class will be run as separate championships.
2.The points system will be:-
3. At meetings when 2 Grade A drivers partner in the team race they will be given a 5 point penalty or 10 point penalty at The Finals.
4. Championship positions will be decided by counting all 6 rounds points total or best 4 rounds points total + Finals Race using double points (including double penalty points), whichever is greater. Note only drivers & teams attending 2 or more race weekends will score points at the Finals meeting.
5. Participating racers must pay a £5 registration fee or be a member of BSCRA to score points on the series.
6. In the event of only 1 team partner being appropriately registered, points will be awarded based on half laps scored & handicap points of member.
7. 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 Falcon, B & C grades. A separate points championship with title awards for Clubman & Newcomer within it will be run. There will by 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. Fees for the Finals will be set later.
A 30% levy of entry fees collected will be made at each club round to cover Series & Finals awards, any other Finals costs & general administration of the series.
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
April 2013
Web site editor Chris Frost
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