Thoughts on NTRA's S/S Class

Sam,

In my experience, the Dash magnets are similar in consistency to stock, JL, and Auto World magnets -- but stronger. I bought 100 pairs of Dash magnets (they are legal in Fray road racing), and on my matcher, they ranged in strength from 199 to 229; for comparison, stock Aurora magnets typically test between 105 and 129 on my matcher, so the spread is about the same (although the percentage difference is obviously smaller with the Dash). When I sort any brand of magnets, I end up with a bell curve -- a few very strong ones, a few weak ones, and a lot of them in the middle of the range.

Having said that, the Dash magnets will certainly improve performance in the S/S class, and will put some brakes in the cars which should help with the shutdown on short tracks. For someone starting out, buying Dash magnets is less expensive than buying complete Aurora chassis to get the magnets, which may or may not be matched. However, there are a gazillion stock Aurora magnets out there to be found for cheap.

So I guess my point is that a serious racer will still need to have a selection of magnets and match them up, whether they're Dash, JL, Auto World, or Aurora. That's what comes with trying to turn a $2 toy car into a Rolex watch. Whatever the rules committee decides is OK with me, but I don't think that magnets are necessarily the silver bullet.

My $.02,
Rick V.

LOL, and I'm joking when I say this. Since magnets do not seem to be a issue with anyone so far, how about we have a .50 cent claim rule to where anybody can buy anybodies magnets. The 50 cents will cover the cost to buy new ones ;D

I am staying on the sidelines of this one!! ;D

The Bracket racing is a good suggestion, if the host is willing to undertake the added work.

I understand that several other groups have 'sanctioned' the Dash magnets under the belief, erroneous or otherwise that the magnets are more consistent. If I recall, they did have some data to support the claim.

I don't feel it needs to be complicated either but I do have to look at it as a Racers point of view as well the co-founder of the NTRA. I'll always look at ways to make these races better for everyone and just thought I'd throw this topic out there. Top 6 cars qualified within roughly a tenth. The rest of the cars were .25 and slower. I'm not a rocket scientist but on a 7-8' track, that's pretty brutal. Yeah a lot of fine tuning comes into play with the pick up shoes and have done many test here. As Kdog said they might be too much magnet for the car causing more font end hop. That could be a issue whick could lead to other modifications such as a wheeli bar or traction magnet.

I have no interest in proxy bracket or index racing, just seems pointless to me.

I don't think anybody should sit out on this topic. I'll go with what the majority think.

So no takers on my claim rule?

Looking at the posts tonight forget Bracket racing. Than the option is what we are doing now Heads up racing for those who have the heart to do it.

I started racing again after a 30 year Break, I realized there was a learning curve to get back in. I race every week just for the fun of it. sometimes you have a good resualt sometimes not. The fact that in this group we have exciptional Builders / Racers that can dominate a field of racers, I think is a heathly thing. It gives everyone something to shoot for, I love the Heads up format we use, I havn't won a race yet, but will continue to send cars. Why because I want to race!

I personally enjoy tying to build these cars fast enought to compete, and no bad feelings if I don't win, but I won't stop trying to build a winning car

There is no way that I can think of in this format to make everyone fast.... just be happy with a "B" class win, and use it as a learning experiance to move up.