On April 22nd, ROAR President Dawn Sanchez met with manufacturer
representatives and Fuel Off-road Committee members in attendance at this
year's Truck Nationals held at The Nitro Pit in Phoenix, Arizona. This group
discussed the viability of re-combining the 1:8 Buggy Nationals with 1:8
Truck Nationals. It was decided that in order for this to work effectively,
Production Monster Truck and 1:10 Gas Truck would have to be dropped from
the Nationals program.
Those in attendance at the meeting were unanimous in their decision that
this would be the most cost-effective method of handling Fuel Nationals. Not
only would this be more cost-effective for teams and manufacturers, it would
mostly help the privateer who has to go out-of-pocket for their expenses.
5-02-2008 Rule Updates
The following items are to replace the line items in the 2008 ROAR rule book.
Effective immediately these items have been updated to comply with current 1/5th scale racing requirements.
10.1.6 All bodies used in the STC class must be ROAR or IFMAR approved
10.10.9.2 Body and Wing rules:
Allow all 1/5 scale sedan bodies and all 1/5 scale coupe bodies with a "full" cabin area that seat 4 or more occupants to be legal for
the Super Touring Class.
All dimensions must be within scale ± 5% of the full-size vehicle represented.
Only one single-element wing is allowed.
No dihedral is allowed.
The leading and trailing edges of the wing must be parallel.
The wing must be painted or otherwise opaque.
The body must cover the outer edge of the tires at the center of the axle when viewed from above.
10.9.6 A shut off switch must be left on the motor in the original location of manufacturer. The side window must be cut out to allow for
direct access to the factory kill switch . For Formula cars, the shut off switch must be accessible from the top of the vehicle with body on.
10.3.1 Front foam bumpers are mandatory. The foam bumper must
extend .5 inches (12.5mm) past the plastic bumper on all sides and a minimum of 1.4 ( 35mm) inches beyond the chassis plate. The minimum foam bumper height is 1.5 inches (40mm).
10.10.10.1 Specifications:
Item Limit Specification
Width (at widest point of body, excluding mirrors) Maximum 16.59"
Ground clearance at normal ride height Minimum .236"
Weight (without fuel) Minimum 9.5 Kilos
Wheels Diameter Maximum 4.2"
Tires Diameter Maximum 5.35"
Width - Front 2.95" Tire/Wheel
Assembly Width - Rear
Maximum 3.15"
Width Maximum Body width
Chord Maximum 3.35"
Side dam height Maximum 3.35"
Wing Side dam length Maximum 2.36
4-14-2008 Monster Truck Tire and Wheel Announcement
It has come to ROAR's attention that the Monster Truck Wheel/Tire dimensions need to be reviewed for the Truck Nationals taking place next week at the Nitro Pit in Whitman, AZ. After consideration to the tire and wheel manufacturers, the participants of the event in Monster Truck and 1:8 Truck, and to streamline the ROAR rules making Monster Truck and 1:8 Truck consistent with each other, we have decided to make the tire/wheel dimensions in Monster Truck the same as 1:8 Truck. This will greatly cut down on tires needed for participants running both classes thus reducing their overall costs to participate in the event, reduce the amount of part numbers and stock needed by on-site hobby shop services, and allow Monster Truck participants to use the latest in tire technology. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding in this decision.
3-20-08 Oval Bodies Announcement
In May of 2007, the oval committee along with several body manufacturers proposed a new set of rules for oval bodies to the ROAR Excom at the former president's request.
During the formatting process into the rule book, it was discovered several measurements were incorrect and the proposed rules would cause all current oval bodies available to the membership illegal for ROAR sanctioned racing use.
These proposed rules are being adjusted and will be included in the 2009 rule book. In the meantime, the current oval bodies on the ROAR body approval list have had their expiration dates extended to at least 12/31/08. The adjusted oval body rules will be posted on the ROAR website in short time so all members will have a chance to learn the changes prior to competition in 2009.
We thank our membership for their patience in this process.
2/21/08 - ROAR with recommendation from the Electric Motor Class committee has reworded the following rule to reflect an increase of the maximum tolerance specification.
8.8.4.4 will now reflect the shaft outside diameter, where the magnet is mounted shall be 7.25mm - 0.150mm min tolerance and + 1.0mm max tolerance. This dimension must be measured without destroying the rotor.
2/15/08 - Brushless Motor Announcment
ROAR has recently approved the initial set of rules for Stock and Super Stock Brushless
motors designated as 17.5 and 13.5 turns respectively. The products are currently under
inspection at the ROAR designated motor laboratory, and a problem has been verified
during the first few inspections that has forced ROAR to revisit the induction
requirements for both of these motors.
The inductance requirements were developed using measurements from one
manufacturer and targeted by the other manufacturers during the design and prototyping
process of their products. It came to light early in the final drafting of the rules that there
might be incorrect values for the related induction measurements. This has now been
verified in the current approval process. The original plan was to inspect motors from
several manufacturers to identify the mean and the range value for the 17.5 and 13.5
motors, and then address the rules for those motors in the rulebook. The mean value for
each motor has now been determined and ROAR is now waiting for the other
manufacturers motors to arrive for inspection to determine the final range of these values.
This situation makes it impossible to establish a final approval for the manufacturer that
has just now completed the approval process, and it appears that the next manufacturer
will not have delivered his motors in time to inspect before the deadline to participate in
the upcoming nationals for carpet onroad and carpet oval. ROAR intends to address this
situation in the following manner.
The first manufacturer has passed all tests and inspections for both 13.5T and
17.5T brushless motors, less the inductance measurements. This manufacturer
will receive a “Conditional” approval of his products for purpose of eligibility for
the upcoming racing events. The “Conditional” approval will be effective
immediately and last till May 31, 2008. It is anticipated additional manufacturers
products will have been inspected by May 31,2008, and the range of the values
will then be established. The rules will be changed at that time and the
“Conditional” approval will be made a full approval.
All other manufacturers products for these motor classes will follow the same
inspection and test procedures, and granted the same “Conditional” approval to
their products provided they have been submitted and inspected prior to May 31,
2008.
The rules covering the required wind inductance for these two motor classes will
be revised to reflect the new inductance value and range when sufficient data has
been collected to make those rule changes. This could be before May 31, 2008,
but no later. All motors received from new manufacturers after the rules have
been officially changed will be subject to those new values and range, and will be
inspected as such. There will be no “Conditional” approvals awarded after these
rules have been changed reflecting the new values and range.
The purpose for this plan is to give the drivers an opportunity to acquire these products
from a reliable manufacturer with the confidence that these products will be eligible for
the upcoming ROAR events in both the short and long term. It also allows ROAR to
publish the name of the manufacturers that are supplying legitimate products even though
ROAR is a technically prevented from awarding a full approval of those products. Please
continue to monitor the ROAR website announcements and approved motor listing for
brushless motors to find the latest information regarding the approval of these products in
the future.
The brushless motors now with “Conditional” approval for ROAR events are:
Type
Manufacturer
P/N
Approval Date
Stock Brushless
Novak
3417SS17.5 Pro
15 Feb 2008 Conditional
Super Stock Brushless
Novak
3413SS13.5 Pro
15 Feb 2008 Conditional
2/6/08 Body Approval Extension
The ROAR President, the ROAR Competition Director, the ROAR Technical Director, the Electric On Road Committee, the Body Approval Committee along with acceptance for the best interest of racing and the ROAR membership from the body manufacturing agents and in the best interest and the integrity of our Carpet Nationals event, has extended the expiration date of the following bodies to 3/31/08.
These bodies fall outside of the Global Body Specifications rules either by dimension testing or expiration and resubmission date, as per the rules published in 2007 and again without change in 2008. ROAR is working with the body companies regarding the GBS rules that have been in place and provided a courtesy reexamination of these bodies as they were not resubmitted as requested. ROAR has stated to these companies the bodies will fall off the approval list and will not return unless they are resubmitted for another courtesy evaluation and for those who failed in dimension testing, the errors are corrected.
There are no plans to provide another extension for the Paved On Road Nationals as ROAR feels one year plus several months is plenty of time to comply to published rules. Also, ROAR recommends to the membership to log into the approval list on several occasions prior to an event to verify the expiration dates of bodies and other products intended for use.
2/5/08 – Lipo Hard Case Rule
The ROAR Executive Committee has made changes to the hard case description of the
lithium technology batteries in the current rule book. The following will be inserted in the 2008
rule book, online version. This rule wording change will be in the 2009 printed version. Any
reference to the hard case regarding Lipo batteries should be referred to in this rule wording.
A factory encased hard shell pack is mandated for race durability reasons that stem from the
vulnerability of Lipo cells to physical damage. Any physical distortion, denting or puncture to
the cells will cause either an immediate or long term safety risk. A hard cased pack reduces this
risk significantly by protecting the cells from crash damage, battery ejection, and general wear
and tear at the track.
ROAR defines the "hard case" as a case made of ABS or similar type material. The case shall
consist of two (2) halves with each half being constructed from a single mold that is not easily
pliable and retains it shape without any exterior or interior support. Both the top and bottom
sections of the case must be secured together by glue, double-sided tape or heat seal with a label
across the seam stating "ROAR Approved" in such a manner that separation of the case to
remove or replace the cells will destroy the case and/or label and render it unusable in
competition. The case must be installed by the manufacturer or Value added manufacturer no
end User installed cases are acceptable. The case will protect the cells from damage on all sides
and will completely cover all cells having only openings for wire connections. Any modification
to the factory approved hard case will make the pack ineligible for participation in ROAR events.
Note: Approved batteries will be required to have "ROAR Approved" Label across the seam by
Jan 2009. ROAR will have a grandfather clause until Jan 2009 for all approved cells at competition
on the Label rule.
01-28-08 Promotions Director Appointed
The ROAR Executive Committee proudly announces the addition of Shawn Palmer as the Promotions
Director. This position had been held in the interim by Ruben Benitez, ROAR Competition Director.
Shawn comes from an extensive sales and marketing background and has already jumped in with both
feet the job of promoting ROAR and marketing our sanctioned events.
Welcome Shawn!
01-22-08 5.2.6 TC Deviation On Road Electric
Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle (the vehicle includes all electronics, suspension, and power sources that are mounted to the chassis). If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race technical inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run
01-02-08 Executive Committee News
ROAR proudly announces the appointment of Carl Giordano as our new Vice President. Carl is the
current region 2 director and comes to the Executive Committee with several years experience in this
position. Additionally, he brings to the team a fresh attitude of bringing racing back to the grass roots
level.
The position had several nominees, one of which was Andrew Mowery, who ran for the position earlier
this fall. Andrew requested to remain in the position he was appointed after the election of ROAR
Sanctioning Director, as he and the Excom both felt this is a more valuable position for him.
We welcome Carl to the Executive Committee and look forward to working with him.
12-27-07 ROAR Executive Committee Announcement
The ROAR Executive Committee would like to announce the newly created position of
Assistant Technical Director added to the technical staff.
The position was recently filled by appointment of the President of ROAR and we are
honored to have Ling Tong as part of our technical staff. Ling brings an expert level of
knowledge and experience for lithium polymer batteries. He is currently employed as an
engineer in the medical field testing and writing specifications for batteries used in
professional equipment. He is an avid racer and has an intimate understanding of racing
stresses on batteries electronically and mechanically.
Please welcome Ling to the growing list of experts supporting ROAR, our
membership and our competitive events.
12-15-07 ROAR Executive Committee Announcement
The Executive Committee has accepted the resignation of Mike Queller, ROAR President,
effective December 15, due to personal commitments.
Dawn Sanchez, ROAR Vice president, will assume the office of President immediately as per
ROAR Bylaws.
Mike has accepted an important management position in the petrochemical industry that,
combined with his continued direction of Speedline, a RC company he founded, makes his
time commitment to the ROAR Presidency impossible.
11-20-07 Executive Committee Meeting
The November Executive Committee meeting was cancelled because the wildfires in California disrupted airline traffic so badly no one could attend the meeting.
Important agenda items are being handled by phone contact and e-mail including the appointment and Executive Committee confirmation of the following new ExCom members to fill vacant positions:
Rick Wilson - Secretary Treasurer
Ruben Benitez - Promotions Director
Andrew Mowery - Track/Sanctioning Director
Chuck Moon is moving over to fill the position of Competition Director.
