Beginner's Proxy Race?

[Ember]

This is one of the reasons why I like the SCX WRP so much. Cars are selected from a range that run the same motor. Tyres are hand-out control tyres. Tuning is blue-printing. Other than the car there is no money to spend if you don't want to. Some repaint. Some don't. Of course, there are some that buy a dozen of the required motors and test them all to select the fastest one, while others take pot luck and run the one that came in the car. The ones that throw a bunch of money at it are not necessarily the ones that win. It's the ones that do the blueprint tuning thoroughly that will be in the top of the field.

Except for the fact that it's rally cars on rally tracks and many folks don't like that, I think it's a near perfect formula for a proxy.

[ElSecundo]

[bkrownd]

[Ember]

I actually like the idea of a one car proxy. No better way to judge your abilities against others. About the most level playing field possible.

I'd even consider buying a Porsche to participate. SRC is out of my price range. And by the above category definitions I'd be considered experienced because I've participated in a couple of rally proxies.

[bkrownd]

[Ember]

I have no interest in anything Porsche with the exception of the 356 (and Denise McCluggage's 550 Spider which I plan to build) but for the sake of something fun like this I would consider one.

[TuscoTodd]

One possible idea would be to set up a proxy similar to the vintage Trans Am class that is run at the local commercial track here.
It is limited to only Scalextric vintage T/A cars and the class rules require that the cars remain "stock" (no aftermarket parts). The rules do allow for gluing and sanding the tires "to remove the high spots / radius the corners - but not to change tire diameter", gluing of motor/bushings/magnet/gear/etc to retain/repair etc. and the addition of lead weight to help balance the handling of the car if needed. They do not allow removal of any part as to lighten the car (allowances given for broken, lost, disintegrated from racing).

The class is very popular as the racing remains very close and it doesn't require a great deal of knowledge, time, etc to have a car that is capable of running mid-pack in these races. (driver skill typically plays a much bigger role in how the cars finish than difference in car performance - which is part of what makes the class so enjoyable!)

the racing is run on a large wood commercial track with smooth sweeping corners and magna-braid, which allows the factory magnets to be utilized (and no, changes to aftermarket magnets or adding magnets isn't allowed). Would the class be more variable going magnet-less, running on shorter/tighter/more technical courses etc? - not sure - but thought that I would this out as a "thought" for a potential basis / starting point, since it has proven to be very popular here and might provide some "ideas" for this potential proxy... :think:

Happy slotting!
:)

[buspor63]

There are many proxy events for cars "we like" built the way "we like them". A one design class is a great idea, think any sailing event for the weekender. If that car is not your favorite or perhaps you don't like competition, then don't enter.

The problem I see with the Scaley TRANS AM series is maybe one of the the body styles may have an advantage. I know my Camaro was easier to drive than my Mustang. The Carrera Can Am's come with two different motors, I think the slim can is faster than the S can motor.

I may be too experienced for a beginner proxy but I think the Carrera 904 is a good candidate or my fav, the Carrera COT.

[VenturaAlfa]

Hi Burrell,
I'm with Bibster on this and would do what I could to help. I've got an idea I'm considering and I'll pass it along once I get it a little more crystallized.

One of the best proxies ever as far as I am concerned was the zippertop proxy. Look on the 1st and 2nd pages here and you will find information on it. The picture currently at the top of the page is from that race.

In my case all I did was chop the top of an old Carrera Plymouth put some race decals on it, change to the mandated motor (OK I didn't have the right motor in it when it was sent and the race organizers were nice enough to put one in it for me because I had never run a proxy before) and put on a pair of Paul gage tires. Other than that the car was stock. No slot it parts, no aftermarket gears, no after market axles or bushings, no custom guides, no weight, the stock plastic rims.

I had a blast. No, I didn't win, I wasn't last either but that wasn't the point. The point is, and was, it was a lot of fun building the car, following it around the various tracks and seeing the results and the banter between the contestants as the race went along. There were some great looking cars in that proxy and it was a blast.

Ventura Alfa

[ElSecundo]

It's also fun for the new guy when he doesn't have to commit a lot of money to his (or her) first-time proxy. A 1-car proxy, with a Carrera car, is about 35 bucks plus a 5 dollar pair of tires, plus the entry fee. Not too bad, where in some proxies, it's not unusual to commit an 80-100 dollar car plus 30-40 dollars in parts plus 20-30 dollars in entry fees. The idea is to get the new guy involved, and this makes it more inviting and low-risk for the new guy.

[Foamy]

The last I think 3 proxies have a requirement that the entrant be a race host.
What about those with no track?

[bkrownd]

[HomeRacingWorld]

Everyone has opinions. Just changing out parts is not a less expensive option. Anyone that has ordered enough parts in the last year can tell you that.

I like El's suggestion. A good Carrera GT car is a very good low cost starting point.

And you don't need to change out much of anything. Maybe a tire change. They can be tuned to run well, most times with very little effort. That is a fact as we have done it for years.

Will they run like a Slot.it or full NSR? No. So what? They don't have to run like them to be enjoyed.

Like I mentioned in my PM, just decide on what you want to do and stick to it. If folks do not care for the rules/model/year...etc then they simply will not enter. You cannot please everyone, it's impossible. Just decide on a easy to follow set of rules and see how it goes.

Proxy races are an OPTION not a requirement. If there is not a proxy race that strikes your fancy then don't enter or make up your own.

[ElSecundo]

Some fun cars to work with in an advanced-and-beginner proxy:

Advanced: MRRC Porsche 911
Beginner: Carrera Porsche 904

Advanced: MRRC Porsche 910
Beginner: MRRC Porsche 911

Advanced: Monogram Ferrari 275 or 250 GTO LM or Jaguar E-type
Beginner: Carrera Jaguar D-type

It certainly doesn't have to be a 1-car series, and having different cars for beginner and advanced classes makes for a more interesting field. By opening up tuning options for the advanced class, the cars that are faster in the 1:1 world will be faster in the proxy race, too.

I'm also inclined to not open the beginner class to too many cars, either. Reason being, the new guys need to compare their tuning to the guys running in the same class. When car selection affects who wins and loses, it's hard to tell if it was the tuning or the car choice that did it, and that's not very helpful for the new guy.

[goosenapper]

My first proxy race was the 2012 Copperhead Climb. That allowed a single car, the Scalextric MGB, and only because Cincyslots had too many of them and wanted to unload them. It worked out for Bruce and it worked out for us. I had fun making the car, and an equal level of frustration. Ultimately, I was very happy I entered because of the experience that it provided.

It was the perfect "beginner's proxy" in my mind. There was nothing to worry about as far as would my car be competitive with the others since we were all the same car. I think the only thing we could change were the tires, guide, and braid- everything else had to be stock. Simple rules.

And another benefit was that it only took place on a single track. (I don't know how you guys can fund those proxies where you ship to multiple tracks. The entry fee only covers return shipping, so do you all eat the other costs?) That meant only one set of hands on the cars, and we knew and trusted the person who was handling and running it. I would say that running a proxy at a commercial track is not the best of options as that brings out a wide array of competitive personalities who probably care more about crossing the line first than making sure that you car remains in one piece.

So those are my thoughts. Take them or leave them. Ultimately, as long as you can learn through other people sharing their builds, have fun during your own build, and are just as proud and happy when your car returns home, that's all that matters.