[Jairus Watson]

Thank you Paul. I would have felt better with a perimeter frame, but so many complained that it didn't look vintage that I bowed to peer pressure.

Okay, the Mule is done and ready for testing. I hogged on a very simple two color paint-job and won't be detailing it any further as this is just a test car.

Motor has been bench tested at 2v for about 3 minutes to make sure the gear is worked in nicely. The motor sounds close to the scream a modern wing car makes and nearly as responsive! Not sure what magnets John put in, but they definitely look ceramic.
BTW those heat sinks really work as they get pretty warm...
But the "B" can motor is really heavy at 40 to 45g! I think for this car to go any faster I'll need to see about building one that is about 10 grams lighter using a thin wall Mubuchi can mated to a later model Mura endbell designed for the A/D can. Or just grab an old Champion can from somewhere like John Havlicek is doing....

Going into the mail tomorrow.
Guide is a Jet Flag dyed black.
Front wheels unknown, prob. U-Go.
Rear wheels unknown.
Body by O2R.
Motor Mura.
Gears Parma/Cox 7/28.

Now it's time to paint some bodies...

 

[Jairus Watson]

Okay guys. The Dynamic Challenge Proxy has not yet been completed (one more round to go). But I knuckled under to peer pressure and posted some set-in-stone rules to kick this thing off.
Balls Out Cali Choti Race

After reading over both threads here and on Slotblog I tried my best to consider all input and opinion. I think the rules as they sit are the best compromise possible. I would post the rules here but as yet the moderators have not given me the ability to make changes and so, while I will post most updates on Slotforum too, much of the Thingie reporting regarding this race will center on Slotblog. That's just the way it has to be for now.

We have about 27 people who have voiced a desire to take part in this next race. If I missed your name and you want to be considered, please send me a PM. If you want removed... same answer.
If you have a problem with the rules... too bad.
The race date is to be announced and there will be t-shirts for all participants and spectators who want them. Design to be announced soon.

That is all!

 

[Jairus Watson]

Well, I had a good day! After working all morning I loaded the slot box into the car and headed down to Albany to test my second Balls Out Choti racer.
Drove I-5 the twenty miles south and got there in a very short time but.... the northbound lane was totally blocked by a semi that had turned over and spilled its load of scrap metal. Not a pretty sight. Decided then and there that I needed to go the other way if I wanted to get home before dark.

At the track I checked on the Dynamic Challenge cars first and then set myself up for an hour of lap pounding.

After 58 minutes I was spent. Well, actually much of the time was taking up by adjusting the car and shagging it on two difficult corners. But all in all I managed to drive it for 161 laps in one hours time.
The track is 110' long and has quite a few sharp turns. It's more of a road course than a King track is but I feel good about the gear ratio and tire grip. The car is damn fast! No way I could pull the trigger all the way back unless the purpose was total suicide (sorry Layne).

After-track inspection shows the tires are wearing a lot on the outside, but not chipping. (SBR) I saw the car tipping a bit in the corners so at 112g it's way too light to go any faster with this motor and more grippy tires would just exacerbate the problem as the Choti body can only provide so much down force.
Took quite a few wall hits with no broken joints or body cracks and still sits perfectly flat on the test block.
Motor got pretty warm after testing. I think John might be right in that I will need a slightly milder wind to go faster with these magnets. Maybe a 26 single? I do have a Thorpe that's not doing much right now.... Also, going to poke some holes in the can and drill two holes in the end bell for more air flow. But lighter weight would not be helpful.
In fact, I am thinking of replacing those wire gussets with brass triangles just to add low tongue weight.

I am sharing this info for everyone's benefit. I am not the best driver, nor am I the best builder. But I believe for this proxy to be successful for everyone involved, that we all share what we do so the race can be close and exciting for all.

The drive home was uneventful. Wagon ran great with the 8-track belting out "Sweet's" Desolation Boulevard and "Jefferson Airplane's" Surrealistic Pillow the whole way home.
Like I said, it was a GREAT DAY!

Respectfully submitted,

 

[Jairus Watson]

Yes I believe it is Ray and thanks!

 

[Jairus Watson]

Just finished this proxy chassis for another entrant. Contains about 98% same bits as my entry but with a couple small improvements learned from testing mine. Simply waiting for the body to arrive for mounting and paint...

 

[Jairus Watson]

I don't see why that body would not be acceptable.
Don't think the fronts are quite as small as HO but they are small and are owner provided. So I don't quite know where they came from. I build the chassis with the tires off the rims so that once the rubber is installed it guarantees the chassis will never touch the track BTW.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Hey Al, that car is looking good so far!

 

[Jairus Watson]

First artwork for the poster. Not exactly sure what else should go on it other than a bit from the rules list I suppose.
T-shirt artwork is next.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Nobody says you have to build a motor. Find a nice gp12 vintage Mura and pop that in. Frankly I think a motor like that is about perfect for this race.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Not passing any judgement right now. I made a few suggestions to Al via email and he wants to "stay the course".
I agree, the car is looking great and will be beautiful when done. It however is not a Choti and I think most will recognize that.

So... lets wait and see what some of the other quieter entrants finally post in the next 30 days. I suspect Al's car may turn out to be mainstream rather than the radical it currently appears to be.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Gentlemen, If anyone is planning on running this series and is NOT paying attention to the update thread on Slotblog. Here are some highlights.

All entries must be posted in a "Cars of the California Balls Out Choti Proxy" thread by September 10th. That is 17 days away.
We have 39 names on the list with only 3 cars shown so far. So... it's going to get very busy during the next two weeks.

The entry fee is $40.00 to ensure your cars are returned and to pay for a t-shirt. The fee is also to cover track time at the two tracks.
Yes... the tracks asked for track payment! It is new... but they do deserve something and we can't do the races with-out them.

The only other construction updates are that lead wire clips are allowed but guide nuts are not.

That is all.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Today is the deadline September 10th, for posting your entry on the Cars Thread. Link above. We have 12 cars posted so far with 3 - 4 more in the wings that I know of.
If you need more time, I can grant you a few days, but please let me know.

All cars are to be mailed to:
Randy Tragni
1455 Hanchett Ave.
San Jose, CA 95126

Get them in the mail in time for the first race September 30th.
That's 20 days from today!

Also, we are selling t-shirts again.

$20.00 (u.s.) to those not entering. All entrants receive a shirt with entry fee.
Will be ordering and printing end of the week so 7 days and the store closes! No second printing this time. So get your order in now please if you want one.
Hoping to get the shirts in the mail before the first race. Europeans may or may not receive them before the first race depends on your respective customs offices.

 

[Jairus Watson]

Very glad to have you aboard Sire and Max as well! Looks great with that Mura motor.