What is a Scale chassis and body?

4605 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Russell Sheldon, Dec 8, 2003

truescale

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2003 (Edited by Moderator)

Asked recently by a major manufacturer and an organization head, about the "Scale" make-up of a "Scratch built" slot cars, that will be made available (and raced in it's own class) in our future by a few manufactures using standard guidelines, I wanted to share part of my conversation here.

For a chassis to be considered a "Scale chassis" it should be:
1. One that is all metal.
2. One that has plenty of adjustments (by soldering or fasteners) for tuning and different bodies, etc.
3. It should also have the ability to fit different motor types.
4. One that uses the conventional guide and axle system.

A Scale body is one that:
1. Measures out to be similar to the 1:1 real car.
2. Made detailed or with the ability to be detailed properly.
3. A shell rather than a heavy think casting (resin)
4. Must have a ridged feel (vacuum formed) not too thin.
5. Must not vary much on any dimension so as to, make any part of the body clear tires, motor, or the guide.

After 29 years of "Scale" scratch building I feel that this is part of what determinds a chassis or body is to be considered "Scale" or True Scale.

I am proud to have been selected by a couple major contacts for my input.

After helping to promote Scale scratch built type slot cars for over twenty years we going to finaly see some changes on our hobby here in the U.S.A.

My fellow builders and racers in Europe and Asia have always kept Scale active in their racing programs

I feel that you my fellow Scratch builders can add to this.

[email protected]

Victor

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BEEJAY7

· #11 · Dec 1, 2003

Interesting Thread Chaps.

I think the last thing the hobby needs is a return to almost exclusive 1/24th running, with factory teams "sponsoring" the best drivers.

This is one of the things that put me and I'm sure others off the then ECRA scene in the Seventies. 1/32nd became a dying art, almost a secondary event supporting 1/24th, and then they started to evolve these "things" you see today masquerading as Slot cars, i.e. enormous wings and no front wheels.

The Slot car scene has moved on so much in the last few years and it would be a great mistake to go back to these bad old days.

I really think our National, (by that I mean UK), organisational body (BCRA) should take note of what is going on in the market place and start placing more emphasis on what I call Scale slot car racing, i.e. products like Scalex, Fly, Slot.it etc. this is surely where the future of our hobby lies.
I know some Clubs are starting to do this, but others are still reluctant and their dwindling numbers of members show the diminishing interest in this area of racing..

For those that like to scratchbuild etc, there is still room in the hobby for them, and they should be encouraged.

My own local Club, used to have 20 to 30 regular members and now has 5, and they will not depart from the set BCRA format, and they run almost exclusively these 1/24th monsters.

Sorry the post is so long, but this thread was too good an opportunity to miss!.

Alan

P.S. Anyone interested in "Scale" 1/32nd racing in the Bath area, please contact me off-line and perhaps we may get things going locally.

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