General Race Rules

Overview

The following rules are a guide for the preparation of model cars raced in the Club. As there is limited scrutineering, members are expected to prepare cars in the spirit of the Club with its emphasis on close racing, friendly competition and having fun. Each member should become familiar with the race rules and do their best to comply with them. Where you are unclear on a rule, please seek clarification. You can do this at anytime, though preferably not just before the relevant race is about to start. Paul, Alvaro & Bob are good people to ask for advice. It is also usually best to seek the agreement of other members before racing a car which, although it may technically meet the Club specifications, might possibly confer an unfair advantage. New brands or different models may be tested for parity and decisions can be made on their suitability and/or appropriateness for a given class for racing. (Refer: “Testing and Pre-testing”). Cars from most slot-car manufacturers are eligible for racing in one or more of the various classes; however a single car cannot be raced by the same member twice on the one night in different classes.

Eligable Manufacturers

Eligible manufacturers include:

With the exception of Scaleauto 1:24, Revoslot and BRM/TTS cars in designated classes, all cars must have a plastic body and chassis to be eligible to race in Championship rounds. Other brands of ready-to-run cars are to be tested before inclusion.

Testing and Pre-Testing

Subject to pre-testing, new cars may be added to the agreed roster of approved classes during the year if a majority (75%) of fully paid-up members agree. To ensure that racing remains on a fair and competitive basis, new or unfamiliar makes and models are subject to pre-testing before being allowed in competition. Testing may be either prior to a regular meeting or at a specially convened meeting. Contact the Club Chair if you are in doubt about a car’s eligibility. The Club Chair and anyone they nominate may test the cars for qualification in the Club Championship. Cars may be approved to compete with or without modifications. If a recently approved make or model subsequently appears to have an unfair advantage over all other cars in the relevant class, the owner may be required by the Club Committee to remove it from competition or make modifications. The owner retains any accrued points and must be given the opportunity to re-submit the car for inclusion at the first opportunity once modifications have been made. A car may not be excluded simply on the basis that it is a constant winner. Reflecting the Club’s objects, members becoming aware of new products or new car set ups should share the information with other members.

Rule Changes

The Club rules are most commonly amended at the AGM and any rule change made there is by a simple majority of those voting. However, to allow a degree of flexibility, Club general rules and class rules may be altered at an ordinary club meeting by a three-quarters majority of those voting. All proposed rule changes must be communicated to all club members and associates in writing not less than 7 clear days before the meeting at which the proposed change or changes are to be considered. Any changes made are to be posted on the club website as soon as practicable. Proxy voting is not permitted at ordinary general meetings but written proxies may be cast at the AGM.

Race Fees

$30.00 annual membership
$5.00 per race meeting for members
$10.00 per race meeting for guests after 3 visits

Membership fees for continuing members must be paid by the end of February, continuing members may continue to accumulate competition points until that date. After that, no further points may be accumulated until the member becomes financial. New racers only become eligible for race points once they become paid up members. Membership fees can be paid to the Club Manager, The Treasurer or his ‘deputy’ on any race night.

Eligibility for the Annual Club Christmas Car

Full financial members who attend 14 or more race meetings over the season are eligible for an annual club supplied car up to a value to be determined by the club and subject to club finances. Each time a financial member who hosts a Club sponsored race meeting either mid-week or for the Club Championship, they accumulate an additional credit towards the club supplied car. Club cars are presented to members at the AGM. Attendance at meetings at which race fees are not levied does not count towards the end of year Christmas car.

Hosting a race meet – RSVP’s

The track owner is not required to pay race fees and is paid $30.00 towards the cost of hosting the meeting. Non track owner hosting a race meeting will be considered as track owner and will also receive additional credit towards the Christmas car. Members should do their best to advise the track owner no later than 48 hours before any meeting that they plan to attend or not attend.

Heat Times

Drivers will have one heat per lane, generally for 2 minutes. However, the duration of any class may be determined by agreement of those present on the night.

Marshalling

All members attending must assist with marshalling. To ease the pressure on Marshals, the working rule is that drivers take ultimate responsibility if their car de-slots, even if they are involved in a multiple crash that they did not cause. Where a multiple car pile-up does occur though, the instigator of the crash will usually be put back on the track after any ‘innocent’ parties. However, as this is not always cut and dried, it is the Marshal’s call alone on the order in which cars are returned to their respective lanes. As in all things, common sense should prevail. Please remember to be polite to Marshals at all times. Inevitably, Marshals will sometimes be distracted though they always endeavour to put cars back racing as soon as possible. Club meetings are meant to be fun and the competitive side of racing should not be at the expense of good manners or all present having an enjoyable evening.

Trophies and Championships

There are a number of trophies determined over the course of the year or for special events:

• The Club Championship is awarded to the driver who scores the total highest adjusted combined score from the 15 Sprint Rounds and the six or more Enduro rounds.
• The Founder’s Cup is awarded to the driver who wins the annual Enduro Series.
• The Porsche Cup is awarded to the driver who wins the Sprint Race series for Porsche cars. (Class to be agreed.)
• The Stewie” for the three–race series involving Fly(slot) trucks and other classes as determined.
• “The Best and Fairest” award to be voted on by secret ballot of members prior to the AGM.
• “The Gladstone Gander” (aka “Goose of Shame”) to the member who wins the most club raffles during the season.