North Creek Raceway - Operated by 'Hansie"

Shell & Partizan

RMSCC Race #5

Steps to Building a Racecar

Re-posted from "Ragnar", SCI

There are a few basic things that you need to do. First, pull out the axles, take polishing compound and a piece of hard finished card stock, put a dab of the polishing compound on the axle where it goes through the bushings, wrap the cardstock around it, then turn it slowly in a power tool such as a Dremel with adjustable speed to polish the axle. Then make sure you have all the polishing compound off the axle, reassemble the axle and bushings, use spacers to get your gear mesh at this point, then glue both wheels back onto the axle tight. Or, better yet, if the rules allow, go to a hardened axle, race bushings, set screw gear, and set screw wheels (still use spacers to get your side to side movement of your axle down to a minimum). Then set your gear mesh by moving the gear using the set screw. You want your gear flash to be less than 3/32" at the wheel. I always like to use something like baking soda, toothpaste, or something of the sort to polish the gears and seat them. Make sure you clean all of this compound off of the gears and then re-oil them. Make sure you glue the motor, and all bushings, into the chassis with either contact glue or a small dab of hot glue (Shoo Goo works well). Make sure you true wheels with the tires off and remove all flashing, then true the tires and make sure you gently round the shoulders of the tires where it meets the tread. Of course, you should have already broken in your motor by free-running it at 3V. After you've done these things, then you can worry about magnets or, if you're running non-magnet, placing lead. I really don't like to run silicones, there are some really good rubber tires available, the Slot.it P3s, NSR super grips and ultra grips, and others.

BMW Back in ALMS for 2009!

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BMW presented the racing version of the new BMW M3 at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Powered by a 485 bhp eight cylinder engine, this impressive race car has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in 2009. The car is based on the fourth generation of the BMW M3, the high-performance sports car produced by BMW M GmbH.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: "With the sporting genes of the production BMW M3 being clearly evident, developing a racing version of the car was the next logical step. The fact that the road-going vehicle is fitted with a V8 engine as standard provided us with an ideal base. However, the BMW M3 is more than a race car, it has achieved legendary status amongst race fans across the globe. I am convinced that this unique story of the BMW M3 racing cars will now be expanded upon by the addition of further chapters."

BMW`s 2009 entry into the American Le Mans Series will be driven by a partnership between BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing, co-owned by US motorsport legend Bobby Rahal.

"We are very pleased to be returning to the American Le Mans Series with our latest generation BMW M3," states Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. "Sports car racing has been part of BMW of North America`s history practically from day one. Just two weeks after the company was incorporated in March 1975, a BMW CSL won the Twelve Hours of Sebring. We are confident that the fourth generation M3 will continue the legacy of its two predecessors which combined to win six manufacturer`s championships over nine seasons in US sports car racing. As it has been in the past we believe the ALMS is the ideal venue to showcase the potential of the newest BMW M3."

Echoing that sentiment Bobby Rahal adds, "BMW has an illustrious racing heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is eagerly anticipating, not only becoming part of that heritage, but helping to enhance it. Our dedication to this project will be without equal and we look forward to racing at the front of the grid with BMW in the years to come."

Martin Birkmann, Motorsports Manager, BMW of North America, adds: "We are very excited to announce our return to the American Le Mans Series with the 4th generation M3 at the same time as the road car hits the BMW showrooms. We are also excited about our partnership with Rahal Letterman Racing. The ALMS offers racing where we can compete against the finest and most renowned automotive brands from Europe and the US. Motorsport is deeply ingrained in the BMW DNA and we are pleased to partner with an organization which shares that same heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is the perfect partner to be behind the wheel of our new BMW M3 racing effort."

The BMW M3 Race Version: Sportiness personified

In the course of developing the race version of the BMW M3, BMW`s engineers were faced with an ambitious task: to improve upon the sportiness of an already sporting car. A better base would, though, be difficult to find. In standard form the vehicle delivers powerful dynamics and sporting aesthetics. Thanks to an eight cylinder engine producing 414 bhp, BMW`s customers are provided with a unique driving experience.

Those engine blocks, cast in BMW`s light alloy foundry in Landshut - the very source of BMW`s Formula One castings - selected for race duty need to withstand even more power: the BMW P65 race engine delivers 485 bhp.

In order to enable the BMW M3 to make full use of this performance on the race circuit, the experts in Munich have not concentrated solely on the engine, but have race-tuned the chassis as well. The race version of the BMW M3 is wider and significantly lighter than its production equivalent, enabling it to perfectly transmit the power of its V8 to the track. Widespread use of carbon-reinforced plastic (CRP) provides proof of substantial weight reduction. As with the production version, the race car`s roof is manufactured from this high-tech material.

The race version of the BMW M3 is clearly aimed at the top echelon of motorsport. As such, it is no surprise to discover that in the course of its development, begun in mid-2007, numerous Formula One techniques were applied. These include computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel analyses, both of which have ensured the best possible aerodynamic package for the BMW M3.

Intelligent control systems have been incorporated throughout the BMW M3. The POWER400 control unit actuates all the accessories fitted to the car, such as lights, wipers, etc., via two bus systems. Traditional relays and fuses are thus eliminated, ensuring considerable weight saving, improved reliability and ease of application. The functions of the BMW P65 engine are managed by an ECU 408 electronic control unit, developed in-house by BMW Motorsport. The software and applications, too, have been developed by the experts in Munich.

An intensive test program, during which the performance of the race car will be honed by BMW Motorsport, looms for the BMW M3 over the coming months. Development drivers will be BMW works drivers Andy Priaulx (GBR), Jörg Müller (GER) and Augusto Farfus (BRA), currently racing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). The aim is, after all, for the BMW M3 to be an immediate front-runner upon its comeback to the American Le Mans Series.
End of BMW M3 ALMS Race Version review.

Best Lane Slot Track - BLST

Katz-Spa-Ring HO Track Video

I copied this off of a post on SCI from CHUB:

In 2003 I was driving for Team Wizzard and we had a team to compete in the Fray. Greg Katz contacted our team captain, Tom Bowman, and invited us to his home to check out the Katz Spa Ring. I have to tell you it was an awesome privilege. Even the video does not do this track justice. Not only is there a lot of elevation, but it is done extremely well. Eau Rouge looks just like it does on tv. I used to race 1:1, did a little F-2000 road racing, plus FF and FV in Autocross. Racing on this track gave me a rush like I used to get road racing - that is more than I got autocrossing. The track is that good. I was even fascinated just watching the cars go through the various corners. If you ever get a chance to go to San Fran, even if you are not into HO, I highly recommend taking some laps on this. If you are used to HO, especially non-mag, like T-Jets, you will appreciate it more, but even for a 1/32 or 1/24 person, this is something I feel every slot racer should experience at least once. It's a true masterpiece. Hats off to builders Brad Bowman and Jason Boye and, of course, to the late Greg Katz.

Katz-Spa-Ring - Incredible HO Track!

Congrats BMW - #1 Constructor After Race #3!!

"The Racers" Excellent 70 Lemans Slot Video

http://www.youtube.com/user/porsche61