3 Drivers Briefing 6

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 1 CONTENTS 1 GENERAL 5 2 RULE CHANGES 5 3 DRIVERS BRIEFING 6 4 LAP COUNTING PROCEDURE 6 5 RACING/DRIVING STANDARDS 6 6 MARSHALLING 7 7 TECHNICAL 7 8 RADIO 7 9 TRANSMITTER POUND 9 10 COMPETITOR ACCESSIBILITY 9 11 DRIVER AIDS 9 12 PENALTY CAUSES 9 13 PROTESTS 10 14 QUALIFICATION FOR IFMAR and FEMCA CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS 11 15 PRACTICE SESSIONS FOR SANTIONED EVENTS 11

IC GENERAL RULES

16 ROOKIE PRIZE 12 17 RAIN PROCEDURE 12 18 RACE INTERRUPTIONS 12 19 STARTING AND FINISHING PROCEDURES FOR HEATS 13 20 QUALIFICATION ORDER FOR NZRCA NATIONALS 13 21 STARTING AND FINISHING PROCEDURES FOR FINALS 14 22 DELAYED START OF FINALS 16 23 CARS 16 24 BODIES 16 25 IC ON-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 17

1/10TH 4WD CIRCUIT

26 GENERAL 18 27 DIMENSIONS 18 28 MUFFLER 18 29 BODY 18 30 SPOILERS AND WINGS 19 31 ENGINE 19 32 TRANMISSION 20 33 ROLL BARS 20 34 TYRES 20 35 FUEL 20

1/10TH 2WD CIRCUIT

36 DIMENSIONS 22 37 MUFFLERS 22 38 BODY 22 39 SPOILERS AND WINGS 23 40 ENGINE 23 41 TRANMISSION 23 42 FUEL 23

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 2 1/8TH 4WD CIRCUIT

43 DIMENSIONS 25 44 MUFFLERS 25 45 BODY 25 46 SPOILERS AND WINGS 26 47 INS BOX 26 48 ENGINE 26 49 REAR BUMPER 26 50 ROLL BAR 26 51 FUEL 26

1/8TH OFF- ROAD BUGGY

52 DIMENSIONS 28 53 MUFFLER 28 54 ENGINE 29 55 BODY 29 56 TYRES 29 57 FUEL 29

1/8TH OFF- ROAD TRUGGY

58 DIMENSIONS 30 59 MUFFLER 30 60 ENGINE 31 61 BODY 31

ELECTRIC GENERAL RULES

62 GENERAL 32 63 STOCK MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS 32 64 RACE DURATION 33 65 DRIVING 33 66 RACE PROCEDURES 34 67 RAIN AFFECTED MEETINGS 34 68 TRACK RULES 35 69 BATTERIES 35

1/10TH OFF-ROAD CLASS RULES

70 BODY 37 71 DIMENSIONS 37 72 OFF-ROAD MODIFIED MOTOR SPECIFICATION 38 73 1/10th 2WD TRUCK 39 74 1/10th 4WD TRUCK 39 75 1/10th 2WD BUGGY 40 76 1/10th 4WD BUGGY 40 77 1/8th ELECTRIC OFFROAD 41 78 1/8 ELECTRIC OFF ROAD BUGGY DIMENSIONS 41

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 3 79 1/8 ELECTRIC OFF ROAD BUGGY DIMENSIONS 41 80 ELECTRIC SHORT COURSE TRUCK 41

1/10TH ON-ROAD TOURING CLASS RULES

81 GENERAL 43 82 BODYSHELLS 43 83 WINGS 43 84 BUMPERS 43 85 CHASSIS AND DRIVETRAIN 44 86 DRIVERS AIDS 44 87 TYRES 44 88 DIMENSIONS 45 89 TOURING STOCK 45 90 SUPER STOCK 45 91 TOURING MODIFIED 45

OTHER ON-ROAD CLASS RULES

92 M03 46 93 FORMULA ONE 47 94 PRO 10 47 95 PRO 12 48

GUIDELINES AND ADDITIONAL RULES

96 LIPO GUIDELINES 49 97 MARSHALLING GUIDELINES 52

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 4 GENERAL RULES

1. GENERAL 1.1. Any driver who is a current financial member of an NZRCA affiliated Club must hold an NZRCA National Racing Licence which will entitle them to compete at any NZRCA race meetings. An exemption will be made for overseas drivers who can show that they have current affiliation to their country’s R/C Car Governing body. 1.2. The Race Director will be in control of driving standards, interference decisions, protests, rule applications etc, and will be appointed by the club in consultation with the NZRCA. 1.3. Cash prizes or any other means of payment (paper tickets or coins of an obvious exchangeable value) are strictly forbidden. Gifts may be given as prizes, but must not exceed the price of an average car kit for that given class. 1.4. A top-qualifying, first, second and third place getters prizes/trophies are to be given at national sanctioned events for every class. 1.5. There will be only one NZRCA sanction event on any given date. 1.6. NZRCA nationals: the same national event cannot be held at the same location on consecutive years unless no other club put forward to host the event. 1.7. All clubs must supply entry forms and results for NZRCA Sanctioned events for the use on NZRCA website. 1.8. Any class must have a minimum required entry level of 5 competitors before it can be run at an NZRCA sanctioned meeting. 1.9. Consumption of Alcohol by organisers, competitors and their associates during an NZRCA sanctioned event shall not be permitted. 1.10. Trackside sales should be the responsibility of the Club organising race meetings, with the exception of National events, where legitimate retail sellers only should be encouraged to participate at race meetings. Definition of a "legitimate retail seller" shall be "a person or people who make available their wares to the general public during normal working hours". 1.11. Major events shall be held according to the following dates: a. North Island Electric Off-Road Champs Last 2 weeks in September b. South Island I.C Off-Road Champs First 2 weeks in October c. South Island On-Road Champs Last 2 weeks in October d. South Island Electric Off-Roads First 2 weeks in November e. I.C Off-Road National Champs First 2 weeks in November f. North Island On-Road Champs Last 2 weeks in December g. North Island I.C Off-Road Champs Last 2 weeks in January h. Electric On-Road Nationals First 2 weeks in February i. I.C On-Road Nationals Last 2 weeks in February j. Electric Off-Road National Champs Last 2 weeks in March

2. RULE CHANGES 2.1. Rules are to be based on the EFRA / IFMAR rules and changes should first of all consider the relevant EFRA / IFMAR rule with the aim of utilising these as close as practically possible.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 5 2.2. The NZRCA Executive Board has the power to give dispensations to the rules if they believe it is in the interests of the sport until they can be ratified at an AGM or Extraordinary Special Meeting. 2.3. Rule changes will be discussed and decided upon at the NZRCA AGM each year. 2.4. Rules cannot be changed at a sanctioned meeting unless dispensation has been granted by the NZRCA as per rule 2.2 above. Event organisers can employ a voting process to change rules at their event; however a unanimous decision from the drivers must be obtained.

3. DRIVERS BRIEFING 3.1. A driver briefing must be held prior to each race day. The Race Director must call the meeting. All drivers, Team Managers and other Officials must be present. 3.2. The following points should be covered: a. Security and safety item. b. Starting procedure, explanation. c. Disciplinary questions;-other items concerning the contestants. d. Changes in the organisations or procedure. e. Presentation of the Race Director and the main Officials. f. Presentation of the protest committee.

4. LAP COUNTING PROCEDURE 4.1. During NZRCA sanctioned events the lap counting is to be done, by means of an efficient and reliable lap counting system, (automatic lap counting systems with transponders fitted on the cars body shell are preferred). 4.2. Transponders must be released by the organisers at least the heat before the respective heat to the competitor. 4.3. The fitting of transponders on the cars body shells remains the responsibility of the drivers. 4.4. If a car loses the transponder during the race, or if a transponder is not working, regardless if a club or personal transponder, the lap counting supervisor should attempt to count the laps manually. 4.5. If a driver forgets to fit the transponder during the race, the Race Director and the lap counting supervisor will decide if the laps are counted or not. There is no appeal against their decision. The results should be marked to indicate manual lap scoring took place. 4.6. Transponders must be moved to a better position in the car on the Race Director's instruction, if lap-counting problems occur. Failure to comply may result in lost laps. 4.7. Questions on lap counting may be made to the Race Director without filing a protest. 4.8. There will be no communication with the Lap Counters.

5. RACING/DRIVING STANDARDS 5.1. As a guide to drivers the following standards are expected. Slower drivers are not to impede the progress of other participants. Deliberate collisions from behind with an "on line" car at a corner (T boning) will be regarded as unacceptable practice. Participants driving in a manner deemed to be dangerous by the Race Director can be penalised. 5.2. Violent behaviour or language on the rostrum or in the pits is also unacceptable. 5.3. All cars must finish under their own power

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 6 6. MARSHALLING 6.1. Drivers must marshal the heat following their own. The first heat will be marshalled by the drivers of the last heat. A driver may arrange a competent substitute and notify the Race Director of such arrangements. 6.2. Failure to marshal or provide a competent substitute may result in loss of driver's best time (up to Race Directors discretion). Substitutes must be notified to the Race Director. 6.3. The organisation of marshalling for the finals will be the responsibility of the Race Director. 6.4. All marshals to wear fully enclosed footwear at all times. 6.5. Please refer to the Marshalling Guidelines at the back of rulebook

7. TECHNICAL 7.1. All cars at NZRCA sanctioned events will be checked by the nominated Scrutineer. 7.2. Technical Inspection must take place before the start of the first heat. Cars must be presented for inspection after being requested by the Officials. 7.3. Before and during the racing any car may be checked randomly by the Officials for any possible technical infringement. 7.4. Any specification can be checked after the event, even if it was checked before the event. Race distortion or damage is to be disregarded. 7.5. It is the responsibility of the drivers to ensure that his/her car complies with the regulations at all times that it is on the track and the race organiser may check any car for compliance with the regulations at any time during the race meeting. 7.6. Only one car per driver per class will be accepted. 7.7. When transmitters are checked, also spare transmitters should be presented for inspection. 7.8. When a car or a transmitter does not comply with the rules, changes may be carried out before presenting it for final approval. 7.9. All cars will be impounded after the race for the duration of the following race (in the same condition in which they exited the race). 7.10. No car to be raced without a body shell being securely fitted at all times.

8. RADIO 8.1. It is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure that their equipment does not cause interference to others. 8.2. Radios must have changeable frequencies. Or; of the DSM (Digital Spectrum Modulation) type of an approved type to meet the relevant New Zealand radio standard that is outlined in the Radio Communications (Radio Standards) as set down by Radio Spectrum Management, part of the N.Z. Ministry of Economic Development. Entrants using a radio with changeable crystals must have at least 2 available frequency crystals when entering a meeting. 8.3. Radio transmitters must not be powered by a voltage exceeding their designed level. For example, if the manufacturer provides housing for eight AA size batteries, the design voltage is 12 volts. This voltage must not be exceeded in use. Deliberate violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the meeting, 8.4. Changing of a frequency during a meeting without letting the organiser know will also result in disqualification from the meeting.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 7 8.5. Only the following list of frequencies may be used, with the exception of DSM users. The penalty for not complying with this list of frequencies is that the operator, i.e. Driver is liable for a fine of up to $10,000 plus loss of radio equipment.

LEGAL FREQUENCIES

27 MHz 29 MHz 35 MHz 36 MHz 40 MHz 72 MHz

26.975 29.725 35.450 36.050 40.660 72.250 26.995 29.745 35.550 36.150 40.700 73.000 27.025 29.765 35.650 36.250 40.800 27.045 29.785 35.750 36.350 41.000 27.075 29.805 35.850 36.450 27.095 29.825 35.950 36.550 27.125 29.835 27.145 29.845 27.175 29.855 27.195 29.865 27.225 29.875 27.255 29.885 29.925 29.935 29.945 29.955 29.965 29.975 29.985

Frequencies, which are strictly prohibited, include: 29.775 - 29.785 29.890 - 29.910 40.500 - 40.660 40.700 - 40.800

8.6. In case of more than one driver using the same frequency during practice, the time for each driver must be divided equally. 8.7. In the case of two drivers using the same frequency and qualifying for the same semi- final or final, the faster qualified driver will keep his/her frequency and the other must change. 8.8. When a frequency change is required by Race Officials, up to 10 minutes time must be allowed following notification to carry out the change, which should include a test drive (only for the driver changing frequency) to ensure the new frequency operates. 8.9. Slower qualified drivers, who cannot or will not change their frequency, will not take part in the semi-finals or the final for which they have qualified. 8.10. If a driver finds his/her radio-equipment defective due to an error in his\her selection of crystals, the race will not be delayed beyond the scheduled start time. 8.11. Under no circumstances shall a transmitter be taken onto the track. 8.12. A driver, not taking part in the organised practice, cannot complain later to the 8.13. Organisers in case of radio interference etc.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 8 8.14. A Frequency Peg Board must be used during uncontrolled and controlled practice for all sanction NZRCA Events. There will be a separate labelled peg for each frequency being used at the event. DSM users will be exempt from pegboard use.

9. TRANSMITTER POUND 9.1. The organisers at the NZRCA Nationals must provide protected and secure storage for crystal transmitters, preferably adjacent to the pits area. Spektrum 2.4G do not have to be impounded and may remain in the pits. a. Transmitters will be impounded immediately after the Race Director or other Official has requested it. When impounded for the first time, transmitters are marked with Heat-number and stored accordingly. b. Transmitters of Drivers not currently racing must be impounded at all times racing is in progress. c. Transmitters are only released for the next race after all the transmitters used in the previous race are impounded by Officials. Transmitter-impound must take place immediately after the driver has completed his/her race or has finished driving and is leaving the drivers’ rostrum. d. Transmitters will be returned to the drivers after the finish of the finals. With the approval of the Race Director a transmitter may be released to a competitor who wishes to leave the race-site and is not returning that day. 9.2. Spare transmitters must have the crystals removed and if possible must be kept out of the pits. 9.3. During a heat, semi-final or final, a driver (of the race in progress) may go into the pits with his/her transmitter for the sole purpose of checking or repairing his/her radio or car, unless this is specifically prohibited by the Race Director during the Drivers Briefing.

10. COMPETITOR ACCESSIBILITY 10.1. When new tracks are designed and built, every possible effort should be made to include a wheelchair accessible driver’s stand or separate elevated area for drivers in wheelchairs to give equal viewing for all people.

11. DRIVER AIDS 11.1. The use of traction control devices, active suspension devices and any steering control aided by gyroscopes/’G’-force sensors is strictly forbidden. Sensors are only allowed for the purpose of passive data recording and not for adjusting the performance of the car whilst in motion. This does not include the use of 2-way radio intercom.

12. PENALTY CAUSES 12.1. Penalties in time, laps, stop-go or even disqualification, may be issued by the Race Director for any of the following: a. Unsporting behaviour. b. Deliberate corner cutting. c. Any car re-entering the race other than from the point at which it left the track (however, in the case of an engine having stopped in IC classes, then the car must re- enter the race from the pit lane.).

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 9 d. When repairs are carried out during a race on a car in a manner that obstructs other cars racing. e. If a car is pushed over the finish line (it must finish under its own power). f. A driver disobeys orders to return their car to the pits after the race has finished. g. Orders from the Race Officials are not obeyed. h. Acting contrary to the NZRCA rules. i. Changing cars during a meeting, without permission of the Race Director. j. Changing radio frequencies without permission of the Race Director. k. Not returning transmitters to the transmitter impound immediately after the finish of the race (DSM transmitters may be used in the pits for testing/setup only at the race director’s discretion). l. Bad behaviour and/or deportment of any competitor during the race meeting, which could injure the promotion of the sport. m. Failure to comply with the car specification and technical rules. 12.2. Warnings and penalties issued by the Officials must be noted on the result sheet and on the result board for the drivers (preferably in red). 12.3. In case of early starts a fixed penalty in time or laps may be issued by the Time Keeping Officials. The value of this penalty must be stated by race organisers at the driver’s briefing. 12.4. The Race Director will monitor competitor’s behaviour, and apply penalties as follows: a. For the first offence a pit lane (or other previously nominated area) entry and exit can be imposed. b. For the second offence one lap can be deducted. c. For the third offence the Race Director can disqualify the driver from the days racing. d. The Race Director may disqualify without warning where he considers the infringement or misbehaviour to warrant such penalty. The competitor in question retains the right to appeal such a decision to the protest committee, but must do so within 15 minutes of the issue of said penalty.

13. PROTESTS 13.1. All protests to be made to the Race Director within 15 minutes of the completion of the race concerned. 13.2. Only a competitor from the class concerned may launch a protest. 13.3. The competitor being protested against has the right to defend themselves before the protest committee. 13.4. Any competitor may protest under the general rules 13.5. Protests will be decided by the Protest Committee. The Protest Committee will consist of the Race Director and all the members of the NZRCA Executive Board present at the meeting, or the Race Director and one member from each of the clubs present at the meeting. 13.6. Should a member of the Protest Committee be involved in the protest, they are to be substituted.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 10 13.7. The NZRCA Technical Officer is to have the final decision on technical issues if he is contactable. If he is not present at the meeting but is able to be contacted by phone the Race Director is to be the point of contact. 13.8. All protests must be in writing and accompanied by a $10.00 fee, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld. 13.9. The Race director must decide the appropriate time to hear a protest. If the protest concerns the immediate running of the meeting the race schedule may have to be delayed for the hearing of the protest. If the protest does not concern the immediate running of the meeting the Race Director can adjourn the protest until a more appropriate time. 13.10. When the protest concerns semi-finalist or finalist positions in their respective races, 13.11. 10 minutes delay (after the decisions) must be given before the start of their races. 13.12. After a Final the time of posting the Provisional Results must be noted for the 10 minute "protest period" to commence. If no protests are presented within this period the provisional results become the "Official Final Results". 13.13. The applicant of a protest cannot appeal against the decision. 13.14. The Race Director, after consultation with his/her Organising staff, may without a protest being made, correct results that he/she may deem necessary. 13.15. Protest against the decisions of the Protest Committee is not possible. The Protest Committees decision is final.

14. QUALIFICATIONS FOR IFMAR and FEMCA CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS 14.1. On application to the NZRCA Executive.

1. PRACTICE SESSIONS FOR SANCTIONED EVENTS 1.1. The host club of sanctioned events must provide designated practice times for either: a. Individual classes. b. Or combine similar classes.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 11 IC GENERAL RULES

2. ROOKIE PRIZE 2.1. Rookie Prizes will only consider first year Circuit I.C. National Competitors (There is a Rookie prize for each scale class and not for each body in that class, i.e. 1 for 1/8th, 1 for 1/10th 2WD and 1 for 1/10th 4WD, three in total). Calculation of the Rookie Prize shall use both Qualification position and Final position (with only the Rookie Drivers considered). The points shall be allocated 1, 2, 3...points for Qualification and 2, 4, 6, 8...points for the final positions (with the higher points for the better position).

3. RAIN PROCEDURE 3.1. Heats to be run on a "drying track" - up to the discretion of Race Director. 3.2. Finals to be started on a dry track - up to the discretion of Race Director. 3.3. In the event of rain, the track must return to 100% dry conditions before racing can recommence. The 100% dry conditions will be determined by the Race Director. 3.4. If a round of heats is started, it must be completed under the same conditions. If a round is halted due to rain or unforeseen circumstances and cannot be completed, this round will not be counted until the remaining heats in the round can be completed. 3.5. If weather and time permit and there is no time restriction on track use, every endeavour should be made by the Race Director to run as many rounds of heats as possible. 3.6. The Race Director can decide the final will be cancelled due to wet weather. In this instance, if two dry rounds of heats have been completed for any class, the Final results for that class will be based on the single best qualifying time (i.e. we need two dry rounds of heats before we can decide a Final result in this way.

4. RACE INTERRUPTIONS 4.1. Any decisions on race interruptions due to rain are to be made by the Race Director. 4.2. In the case of an interruption of a heat the entire heat will be re-run. 4.3. In case of an interruption of sub-final or a final the following procedure will be used; a. If less than 25% of a final has been run, the results will be cancelled and a new start given for the total time of the final. Vehicles may be repaired before the new start. b. If more than 25% of the final has been run, the results at the moment of the interruption will be kept. At the moment of the interruption of the final, the drivers will leave their vehicles on the start-line under the control of the Race Director. They may switch off the radio and stop the engine. There will be no repairs carried out to the vehicle or changing tyres (refuelling is not deemed to be a repair and therefore is allowed). Any driver who does not observe this rule will be immediately disqualified. The new start will be given for the time that remains to complete the final. The two results will be added to give the final and definitive placing. If the second start cannot be given for any reason, the results from the first part will be used as the final and definitive placing. c. When the interruption takes place after 75% or more of the final is past the results as at the time of the interruption becomes the final result.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 12 4.4. If a race meeting is stopped and cannot be resumed, overall placing will take into account the finals that have been completed and the qualifying order for the uncompleted finals.

5. STARTING AND FINISHING PROCEDURES FOR HEATS 5.1. Starts of heats to be of a staggered start nature. 5.2. Order of starting sequence to be juggled to enable a fair selection of starting positions for each competitor. Restarts during a race to be made from the pit lane only. 5.3. All cars are permitted to start, one by one, by the starter at an interval of approximately one-second. If a car misses the starters signal, it may start at the start line as long as it starts before the first car away completes its first lap, (the late starting car or its pit man must not hinder the progress other cars racing). If a start at the start line is not possible the car will start from the pit lane after the last car to start has gone past the pit area. 5.4. Heat timing/counting starts for each car separately the first time that car passes the start- line (pick-up coil). The computer indicates: lap 000, total time 0.00.00.0 and lap time 00.0. Actual start therefore has to be a few metres before the start-line (pick-up coil). 5.5. Failure to complete the last lap after the heat or final time is completed shall mean the result will be the number of laps and time at which the car completed the previous lap (e.g. in a 10 minute race the previous completed lap might have been at 9:43). 5.6. There must be a three-minute gap between the end of one heat and the start of the next heat. Also a minimum of two minutes must be allowed between issuing the transmitters and the start of the race. There will be an audible warning at two minutes prior to the start of a heat. Then a visual or audible form of warning at 30 seconds. 5.7. Under no circumstances will the race be stopped due to a jump-start. 5.8. The Starter may only interrupt the race and make a restart in the event that he/she considers the starting procedure or start was not carried out correctly. 5.9. When the heat time is over, an audible signal is given. A car finishes a heat when its individual split time is complete and it subsequently passes the finish line. When all cars in the heat are finished then the finish signal is given; the car must immediately return to the pits and may not hinder other cars still racing. 5.10. In case of doubt (on the finish line when time is over), a car may race one more lap and finish. Whether he/she finishes or did not finish when time was over, is up to the timekeepers and cannot be disputed. 5.11. After returning to the pits, the engine must be stopped immediately and the transmitter turned off and impounded.

6. QUALIFICATION ORDER FOR NZRCA NATIONALS On-road Nationals Qualifying Format: 6.1. Heats: There must be a minimum of four (4), maximum of six (6) five (5) to ten (10) minute heats. In the event of five (5) minute heats being run there must be a minimum of six (6) rounds with the exception of weather interruptions in which case it can be reduced to a minimum of four (4) at the race director’s discretion. After all heats have been completed the Qualification Order is established by taking the best result of each driver (in case of equal results of more than one driver, the next best result is taken to break the tie). On-road Nationals Sub-Finals Format:

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 13 6.2. Bump up system to be used, where the top seven (7) qualify directly to the final. The top three (3) are then taken from the lower B, C, D etc. A finals for all classes are between thirty (30) and forty five (45) minutes. B finals for all classes are between twenty (20) and thirty (30) minutes. C finals and lower are between ten (10) and twenty (20) minutes. In the case of weather interruptions these may be reduced at the discretion of the race director. This Qualification Order can then be used for starting positions of Finals, whether they are Xmas Tree or any other form of Finals system. 6.3. Off-road Nationals Qualifying Format: In each round of qualifying, drivers will score points based on the laps and times achieved. The maximum number of points awarded to the best driver will be equal to the total number of participants at the event plus 5 (five). Fastest in each round will score: number of participants, plus 5 (five) points. Second fastest will score: points of fastest driver, minus 2 (two) points. Third fastest will score: points of fastest driver, minus 3 (three) points. Points for subsequent finishing positions differ from the position above by 1 (one) point. In every round, in case of a tie, the points will be equally awarded to each driver, and the first driver not to tie will receive one point less per tie. For example, with 150 drivers racing, maximum number of points is 155. 1st driver will score 155 points 2nd driver will score 153 points 3rd driver will score 152 points 4th driver will score 151 points 5th driver TIE will score 150 points 6th driver TIE will score 150 points 7th driver TIE will score 150 points 8th driver will score 147 points In a case of two or more drivers having the same point score, the next best point score determines position. If still unable to resolve with the next best round, then the driver with the fastest laps and times in a qualifying attempt will determine position. If a driver does not start a heat, they receive no points. For the purposes of this rule, a driver is considered to have started a race once they cross the start line (loop) for the first time. Out of 6 (six) rounds, the best 4 (four) points will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking. Out of 5 (five) rounds, the best 3 (three) points will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking. Out of 4 (four) rounds, the best 2 (two) points will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking. Out of 3 (three) rounds, the best 2 (two) points will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking. Out of 2 (two) rounds, the best 1 (one) points will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking. Out of 1 (one) round, the points of that round will be taken to establish a driver’s ranking.

7. STARTING AND FINISHING PROCEDURES FOR FINALS 7.1. Starting for Sub Finals and Final will be "Le Mans" type grid, with the faster Qualifier starting in front of the slower. 7.2. During sub finals and final, a trial lap is issued to avoid frequency problems and to check transponders. 7.3. Grid layout for finals: Ten numbered starting boxes (these may be markings on the track or some other indicator) are located on the edge of the track at an angle of 20-45 degrees with a spacing of between 1.5 & 4 meters. The boxes should be 70-100cm long x 30-40cm wide.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 14 7.4. Starting Procedure: a. Audible warnings will be given in English language at one (1) minute and at thirty (30) Seconds before the race start. b. Anytime from thirty (30) seconds until three (3) seconds before the race start the cars may be placed in the starting boxes. c. If a car is not in the starting box at the three (3) second mark, it will be considered as a late starter (see rule 21.4 below). d. From ten (10) seconds until three (3) seconds, time is counted down either in English language or with audible beeps, second by second. e. At three (3) seconds, cars must be released by the mechanics who must all step back behind the hold line. The cars must remain in the boxes, no part of the car touching the starting line. f. From 3 seconds, the counting stops and the start signal will be given by the starter between 0 and 5 seconds. g. If the grid is not to the satisfaction of the starter, he may command a restart, beginning count down from 30 seconds. h. The official starting signal will be audible by means of a horn operated by the starter. This signal will also start the timing systems. 7.5. Late Starters of Sub Finals or Finals. If a car is not placed in the starting box by the time the three second warning sounds, the car must start from pit lane. The late starting car must not gain any advantage from starting out of pit lane, with this in mind it must not exit the pits until all remaining running cars (i.e. not stalled, broken or off the track) have passed the pit exit for their first time. If there is more than one car starting from pit lane at the same time then they must exit the pits in the order they qualified. 7.6. Early start (i.e. any car touching the starting line before the start horn sounding) will be penalised with a stop and go penalty. This penalty is issued by the Race Director or the time-keeping official and has to be announced immediately after the start. The penalty will be marked on the result sheet. Under no circumstances will the race be stopped due to an early start. Only the Race Director may interrupt the race and order a restart in the event. 7.7. When the final time is over, an audible signal is given. A car finishes a final when the set time is complete and it subsequently passes the finish line. The car must immediately return to the pits and may not hinder other cars still racing. When all cars in the final are finished, then the finish signal is given. 7.8. In case of doubt as to whether it is finished or not, a car may race one more lap and finish. Whether he/she finishes or did not finish when the race time was over, is up to the timekeepers and cannot be disputed. 7.9. After returning to the pits, the engine must be stopped immediately and the transmitter turned off and impounded. 7.10. Duration of finals will be as follows: a. The ‘A’ final for the 1/10th – 4WD class will be a minimum of 15 minutes. b. The ‘A’ Final for the 1/10th – 2WD and 1/8th classes will be a minimum of 30 minutes. c) The ‘B’ Final for all classes will be a minimum of 20 minutes c. The ‘C‘ and lower Finals will be a minimum of 15 minutes. d. The length of these finals will be decided by the host Club. These times will be stated on the entry form, only the Race Controller can change these times due to rain, entry numbers, etc.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 15 7.11. Finals are to be of 10, 12 or 15 drivers at the discretion of the Race Organiser or Race Director. 7.12. I.C Off Road sub-finals: “Odd” series of sub-finals will be composed of odd placed drivers following qualification, “Even” series sub-finals will be composed of even placed drivers following qualification. Every qualifying driver must progress to the main final in accordance with the Christmas Tree System.

8. DELAYED START OF FINALS 8.1. As long as the race start countdown has not reached the 30 seconds to go point, every participant of that semi-finals, half-final or final may request a delay of 10 minutes to carry out some repairs on his/her car. This delay can be granted only once for each semi-final, half-final and final. The driver requesting the delay for whatever reason, except an error in frequencies by Race Control, must start from the back of the grid, i.e. grid position 11. 8.2. The track is closed if the delay is asked for frequency or radio problems. 8.3. The track is open if the delay is asked for mechanical repairs or problems.

9. CARS 9.1. All cars must have a declutching device and an operating brake capable of stopping the car and holding it motionless with the engine running. 9.2. Tyres must be black in appearance (except for writing on sidewalls) and treatment of the tyre with additives is prohibited. The selection of the type of tyre is “open”. 9.3. Any part of a car may be substituted during a race meeting except the chassis. The chassis may be changed with approval of the Race Director. The essence of this is that a car cannot be replaced or substituted once entered into a race meeting.

10. BODIES 10.1. Bodies must be readily available and commercially produced (i.e. no one-offs). 10.2. The body entered for Concourse judging must be the body shell used for at least one race during the meeting. 10.3. The body must be made of a flexible material and be painted properly. When initially entered in a meeting the body must be neatly finished. 10.4. A realistic driver made to the appropriate scale must be fixed in the correct position in an open cockpit car. The windscreens and windows must be translucent (i.e. not completely painted in), or authentically decorated. 1/8th Buggy & 1/10th Truck Off-road is exempt from this rule. 10.5. All bodies must have the front and rear wheel arches cut out if the original was so designed. 10.6. The front of the vehicle must be equipped with a bumper in such a manner that it will minimise an injury in the case of it entering into contact with other participants or members of the public. The bumper must be made from a flexible material with all corners and sharp edges rounded off. The contour of the bumper will follow the contour of the body with which it is being used. At no point may the bumper protrude more than 5mm in front and 13mm on the sides of the body (up to the discretion of the race controller). 10.7. The aerial must be made of a flexible material not likely to inflict injury to anybody (i.e. no thick piano wire).

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 16 11. IC ON-ROAD NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 11.1. The NZRCA I.C. Onroad Nationals should take place over a minimum of three (3) days plus an additional rain day must be set aside. 11.2. The NZRCA I.C. Onroad Championships will include the following classes only: 1/10th 11.3. 4WD Saloon, 1/10th 2WD Saloon and 1/8th 4WD CanAm. 11.4. New host Clubs that are to be added to the round robin will be voted in by the current NZRCA participating I.C. hosting Clubs (ARCCC, CRCCC and TRCCC) and inserted in prior to the current hosting Club (i.e. they will currently wait 3 years to host). 11.5. Free practice on the day of racing may be allowed by the organisers till 30 minutes before the start of the first heat. This is not compulsory. 11.6. Where possible at least three rounds of heats will be run. Heats to be a minimum of 5 minutes to maximum 10 minutes duration for all classes. The numbers of rounds is to be at the Race Director’s discretion but will be announced prior to the start of the meeting. 11.7. Specifically for I.C. On road racing, no fuel, or fuel system (gun or bottle) will be allowed over the pit lane (above the pit lane surface) during racing. Infringements of this rule can incur a stop go penalty or loss of laps, at the discretion of the race controller. The only exemption to this rule will be at tracks where access is required over the pit lane (above the pit lane surface) to facilitate start procedures. Exemption will be at the discretion of the Race Director, but must be spelt out at the drivers briefing.

12. GENERAL 12.1. The class run will be the “200mm NITRO TOURING CAR” which will be 4WD. Only one brake, working on the central power transmission, is allowed. No second or individual brake system(s) for front and/or rear axles or single wheels is allowed.

13. DIMENSIONS 13.1. The Dimensions of 1/10th 4WD Circuit Class must be within the following:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Wheelbase 230mm 270mm Width (without body) 170mm 200mm Width (with body) 175mm 205mm Length (including body and wing) 360mm 460mm Height (to top of roof measured with a 120mm 175mm 10.00mm spacer under the chassis plate on level) Wing Width Inclusive 125mm 200mm Wing 50mm Wing Endplate 35.00mm x 50.00mm equal size Wing Overhang (at rear) 10mm *Weight 1725g Wheels and Tyres Minimum Maximum Wheel Diameter (excluding tyre bead) 46mm 50mm Wheel Width including bead 30mm Tyre Width (across sidewalls) 30mm

* Minimum Weight with no fuel but with transponder.

14. MUFFLER 14.1. A muffler of double chamber design, including silencer chamber must be fitted having the following dimensions: 14.2. Tail pipe maximum internal diameter* 5.20mm. 14.3. Tail pipe minimum length 10.00mm. 14.4. The tail pipe must be oriented on or below the horizontal. 14.5. If for some reason the exhaust or manifold becomes dislodged during a race, and produces above the normal operating noise level, the car must be returned to the pits for repairs immediately. *This dimension includes a tolerance to account for manufacturing variations in commercially available tubing.

15. BODY 15.1. Bodies eligible for the 1/10th - 4WD Circuit I.C. Saloon class must be included in the current IFMAR 200mm IC body list.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 18 15.2. Bodies are not to be cut above the lower bumper line at the front or the back or above the bottom line of the doors. Details of all front and rear lights, grills, air intakes and windows must be clearly contrasted from the surrounding paintwork. 15.3. Only the following air holes and sizes are permitted in the body shells: a. One (1) cooling hole may be cut in the front windscreen only (not intruding on either the roof or bonnet) with a maximum dimension in any direction of 60.00mm. Exception: If the cooling / refuelling hole extends from the window into the roofline, there may be one hole only of 50.00mm diameter to facilitate both cooling and fuelling. b. One (1) 15.00mm maximum diameter hole in the roof for glow plug access. c. Both front side windows and the rear window can be removed for ventilation. Rear side windows must remain intact. d. Re-fuelling hole maximum dimension in any direction of 50.00mm. Small holes can be made for the following: e. Exhaust pipe f. Mixture adjusting screw g. Transponder h. Radio antenna i. Body posts. 15.4. These holes must be kept to the minimum required for their function. No other holes are permitted. 15.5. No parts of the car, except the muffler outlet may protrude outside of the body shell when viewed from above. 15.6. Under body/chassis aerodynamic aids of any nature are not allowed.

16. SPOILERS AND WINGS 16.1. One wing and one spoiler may be mounted to any car (if the original full-size car had more, it is allowed to do the same). Wing and spoiler must be made from a flexible material. Wing and spoiler must be mounted to body directly (i.e. no solid mounting fixtures such as piano wire). Wing and spoiler (including the side dams) may not protrude outside the maximum height and width of the body. Rear wings must be mounted in the same place as was intended by the body manufacturer. The rear overhang must not exceed 10.00mm at the furthest point, to be measured from boot lid. 16.2. The height of the wing may be adjusted but the wing, including endplates must not extend higher than the roofline to be measured with a 10mm block under the chassis. Wings excluding endplates) are to be of single moulded construction (no flat- packs/bend your own). Gurney strip (if allowed) may not exceed the width of the wing and have an edge not more than 5.00mm high. Total cord of wing, plus the strip is 55.00mm

17. ENGINE 17.1. The use of .12 engines only will be permitted. They shall be air-cooled, with front rotary valve, two-stroke induction. The engines may have a maximum of four (4) ports, including the exhaust port. No form of forced induction is allowed or any form of variable port timing. Only glow plug ignition is allowed. No holes in the piston and no additional

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 19 holes in the liner. The carburettor size is to be 5.50mm. The exhaust port height is to be 4.50mm. 17.2. Engine capacity is to be maximum .12 (2.11cc) only. 17.3. Standard pull-start is optional. 17.4. Engine internal modifications are allowed as long as they are within the parameters of Rules 31.1 and 31.2

18. TRANMISSION 18.1. Maximum 2-speed gearbox allowed. 18.2. All cars must have a de-clutching device and have an operating brake capable of stopping the car and holding the car motionless with the engine running.

19. ROLL BARS 19.1. Roll-bars (roll-over bars) must be kept under the body.

20. TYRES 20.1. Foam and/or Rubber tyres may be used. Any materials used in, or on, the tyres must not damage the racing surface. Treatment of the tyres with additives is prohibited.

21. FUEL 21.1. The fuel tank including filter and fuel pipes up to the carburettor may hold a maximum of 75cc. No loose inserts allowed inside the tank. 21.2. Fuel will only contain methanol, oil/lubricant and nitro methane. 21.3. The specific gravity of the fuel mixture may not be more than 0.87 for the 1/10th -4WD Circuit Class. Based on normal oil densities this will give a maximum 16% nitro for the 1/10th - 4WD Circuit Class. 21.4. The following additives are formally prohibited for all on road and off road classes: Hydrazine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Toluene, Propylene Oxide 21.5. The fuel collection procedure. a. Fuel samples will be taken and tested in clear vision of either, the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller. b. During heats and finals each mechanic/ re-fueller will be allowed only one fuel container, one re-fuelling bottle and/ or one re-fuelling gun in the pit area. c. The fuel scrutineer will preferably be an independent non competitor. If this is not possible at least two fuel scrutineers will be required from different classes. No fuel scrutineer/ competitor will be allowed to test fuel of fellow competitors in the same class (this must be done by a fuel scrutineer/ competitor from another class). d. Fuel samples can be requested at any time by the race officials as long as it does not impede the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller 21.6. The actual fuel testing procedure. a. Ensure that the instructions that come with the fuel testing kit are strictly adhered to, including but not limited to the following. Rinse glass container & calibrated float with methanol before each use, drain any excess methanol from container, carefully insert the calibrated weight into glass container, and pour a sample of the fuel to be tested into the container (only needs about 4cc). Very gently shake the container to ensure the weight isn't sticking. If the nipple on top of calibrated

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 20 weight penetrates the fuel surface, the fuel is considered to be over the nitro limit and the appropriate action is to be taken by the Race Controller. 21.7. At the end of a final, all finalists’ cars, fuel containers, re-fuelling bottles and/ or re- fuelling guns must remain in the pit lane with either, the driver or his mechanic/ re - fueller until such time as the race officials have satisfied their fuel testing requirements.

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Overall Length Maximum 490mm Overall Width Maximum 250mm Height Maximum (Excluding Aerial) 180mm Wheelbase 260mm 280mm * Weight 1825g

Wheels and Tyres Minimum Maximum Wheel Diameter 54mm Front Tyre Diameter 75mm Front Tyre Width 30mm Rear Tyre Diameter 80mm Rear Tyre Width 51mm * Minimum Weight with no fuel but with transponder.

23. MUFFLERS 23.1. The engines must be fitted with an adequate silencing system and must not exceed 82db at 10 metres from the vehicle. 23.2. If for some reason the exhaust or manifold becomes dislodged during a race, and produces above the normal operating noise level, the car must be returned to the pits for repairs immediately. 23.3. If a Db meter is to be used, a qualified person must operate it and notification to entrants must be made prior to the event via the entry forms. 23.4. The exhaust tailpipe maximum internal diameter will be 5.00mm with 0.2mm tolerance and it must be a minimum of 15mm long.

24. BODY 24.1. Bodies eligible for the Saloon Class are those raced in the British, European, Australian or American Touring Car series, past or present. 24.2. One cooling hole may be cut in the front windscreen only (not intruding on either the roof or bonnet) with a maximum dimension in any direction of 60.00mm Exception: If the cooling/refuelling hole does extend from the window to the roofline, there may be one hole only of 50.00mm diameter to facilitate both cooling and fuelling 24.3. A 30mm maximum diameter round hole for the 1/10th - 2WD class may be cut for the following; a. Muffler outlet b. Radio switch c. Glow plug access.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 22 24.4. Specifically for the 1/10th –2WD Saloon classes, Rear of the body may not be cut away higher than 45mm measured with a 10mm spacer under the chassis plate, and the rear sidelight details must remain. 24.5. For all classes, 10 mm round holes may be cut for the following; a. Aerial b. The mixture adjusting screw c. Brake lever assembly. 24.6. All parts of the vehicle must be covered, except: a. Cooling head of engine b. Air filter c. Rollover bar d. Only if these parts are extending the body. Cut-outs for the above mentioned parts are to have no more than 10mm clearance.

25. SPOILERS AND WINGS 25.1. Only rear spoilers/wings may be added to the car. 25.2. Spoilers/wings dimensions may be no greater than 75mm chord; the width is to be no greater than 230mm and it is to be no greater than 10mm max, above the highest point of the body of the car (the chord for bi-wings is to be the total of the chords added together). 25.3. Side dams may be added to the rear wing Max.75mm chord x 50mm high.

26. ENGINE 26.1. Engine Type Maximum displacement .152ci - 2.50cc. Only single-cylinder, two- stroke, normally aspirated, air-cooled, glow-ignition engines utilizing standard or turbo plugs are permitted No forced aspiration systems, liquid cooling systems or fuel pressurization systems (other than by means of exhaust pressure applied directly to the vehicle’s fuel tank) are allowed. Any carburettor may be used as long as the bore does not exceed the maximum allowable for the engine size. (7.0mm) Restrictors may be used to achieve the legal diameter, but must be securely fastened in place. Other than in the bearings, ceramic parts are not allowed in any engine.

27. TRANMISSION 27.1. Fully independent suspension and two speed transmission systems are allowed. 27.2. Both drive and braking must be effected through the two rear wheels only.

28. FUEL 28.1. The fuel tank including filter and fuel pipes up to the carburettor may hold a maximum of 75cc. No loose inserts allowed inside the tank. 28.2. Fuel will only contain methanol, oil/lubricant and nitro methane. 28.3. The specific gravity of the fuel mixture may not be more than 0.87 for the 1/10th- 2WD Circuit Class. Based on normal oil densities this will give a maximum 16% nitro for the 1/10th -2WD Circuit Class. 28.4. The following additives are formally prohibited for all on road and off road classes: Hydrazine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Toluene, Propylene Oxide

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 23 28.5. The fuel collection procedure. a. Fuel samples will be taken and tested in clear vision of either, the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller. b. During heats and finals each mechanic/ re-fueller will be allowed only one fuel container, one re-fuelling bottle and/ or one re-fuelling gun in the pit area. c. The fuel scrutineer will preferably be an independent non competitor. If this is not possible at least two fuel scrutineers will be required from different classes. No fuel scrutineer/ competitor will be allowed to test fuel of fellow competitors in the same class (this must be done by a fuel scrutineer/ competitor from another class). d. Fuel samples can be requested at any time by the race officials as long as it does not impede the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller. 28.6. The actual fuel testing procedure. Ensure that the instructions that come with the fuel testing kit are strictly adhered to, including but not limited to the following. Rinse glass container & calibrated float with methanol before each use, drain any excess methanol from container, carefully insert the calibrated weight into glass container, and pour a sample of the fuel to be tested into the container (only needs about 4cc). Very gently shake the container to ensure the weight isn't sticking. If the nipple on top of calibrated weight penetrates the fuel surface, the fuel is considered to be over the nitro limit and the appropriate action is to be taken by the Race Controller. 28.7. At the end of a final, all finalists’ cars, fuel containers, re-fuelling bottles and/ or re- fuelling guns must remain in the pit lane with either, the driver or his mechanic/ re - fueller until such time as the race officials have satisfied their fuel testing requirements.

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Width 267mm #Height including gurney strip 170mm (Excluding Aerial) Wheelbase 270mm 330mm * Weight 2525g

Wheels and Tyres Minimum Maximum Diameter (Front & Rear) 54mm Front Tyre Width 37mm Rear Tyre Width Maximum 64mm

*Minimum Weight with no fuel but with transponder. #measured with chassis placed on a 10mm block 30. MUFFLERS 30.1. The engines must be fitted with an adequate silencing system and must not exceed 30.2. 82db at 10 meters from the vehicle. 30.3. If for some reason the exhaust or manifold becomes dislodged during a race, and produces above the normal operating noise level, the car must be returned to the pits for repairs immediately. 30.4. If a Db meter is to be used, a qualified person must operate it and notification to entrants must be made prior to the event via the entry forms.

31. BODY 31.1. Group C, Can Am: Bodies eligible for this class are those raced in these particular Championships. The outer edge of the wheels must be covered at the centre of the axles when viewed from above. 31.2. A 30mm maximum diameter round hole for the 1/8th – 4WD class may be cut for the following; a. Muffler outlet b. Radio switch c. Glow plug access. 31.3. Specifically for the 1/8th class (all body classes), cut-outs rear of the back axle shall be free, but side profile must remain. 31.4. For all classes, 10 mm round holes may be cut for the following; a. Aerial b. The mixture adjusting screw c. Brake lever assembly. 31.5. All parts of the vehicle must be covered, except: a. Cooling head of engine b. Air filter

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 25 c. Rollover bar

31.6. Only if these parts are extending the body. Cut-outs for the above mentioned parts are to have no more than 10mm clearance.

32. SPOILERS AND WINGS 32.1. Wings and Spoilers for 1/8th classes, whether built into the body or separate, they must have an angle of no more than 45 degrees inclusive of any added aerodynamic aids. 32.2. If separate, they must have a chord of no more than 77mm. 32.3. Any added aerodynamic aids must have a chord of no more than 77mm. 32.4. All dimensions for the wing height will be taken with the chassis grounded on a 5mm spacer. 32.5. Wing & Spoiler Maximum Dimensions 1/8th Group C, Can Am.

Wing & Spoiler Minimum Maximum width 267mm chord 77mm height 190mm(including added parts) distance behind rear axle 153mm

32.6. Single plane wings are only eligible in this class. 32.7. Side Dams on wings, for Group C, Can Am are allowed but must be no greater than 50mm high x 77mm wide (chord).

33. INS BOX 33.1. Specifically for the 1/8th class: each engine must be equipped with an inlet silencer (INS box), or commercially available equivalent, to reduce the amount of noise generated by the cars induction system.

34. ENGINE 34.1. The Engine for the 1/8th class may have a total capacity of not more than 3.5cc.

35. REAR BUMPER 35.1. If a rear bumper is fitted to a car, it must finish not more than 50mm behind the rear axle.

36. ROLL BAR 36.1. A roll bar may be fitted but must not project more than 30mm above the engine cooling fins or roof, whichever is the highest.

37. FUEL 37.1. The fuel tank including filter and fuel pipes up to the carburettor may hold a maximum of 125cc. No loose inserts allowed inside the tank. 37.2. Fuel will only contain methanol, oil/lubricant and nitro methane.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 26 37.3. The specific gravity of the fuel mixture may not be more than 0.91 for the 1/8th Circuit Class. Based on normal oil densities this will give a maximum 25% nitro for the 1/8th Circuit Class. 37.4. The following additives are formally prohibited for all on road and off road classes: Hydrazine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Toluene, Propylene Oxide 37.5. The fuel collection procedure. a. Fuel samples will be taken and tested in clear vision of either, the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller. b. During heats and finals each mechanic/ re-fueller will be allowed only one fuel container, one re-fuelling bottle and/ or one re-fuelling gun in the pit area. c. The fuel scrutineer will preferably be an independent non competitor. If this is not possible at least two fuel scrutineers will be required from different classes. No fuel scrutineer/ competitor will be allowed to test fuel of fellow competitors in the same class (this must be done by a fuel scrutineer/ competitor from another class). d. Fuel samples can be requested at any time by the race officials as long as it does not impede the driver or his mechanic/ re-fueller. 37.6. The actual fuel testing procedure. a. Ensure that the instructions that come with the fuel testing kit are strictly adhered to, including but not limited to the following. Rinse glass container & calibrated float with methanol before each use, drain any excess methanol from container, carefully insert the calibrated weight into glass container, and pour a sample of the fuel to be tested into the container (only needs about 4cc). Very gently shake the container to ensure the weight isn't sticking. If the nipple on top of calibrated weight penetrates the fuel surface, the fuel is considered to be over the nitro limit and the appropriate action is to be taken by the Race Controller. 37.7. At the end of a final, all finalists’ cars, fuel containers, re-fuelling bottles and/ or re- fuelling guns must remain in the pit lane with either, the driver or his mechanic/ re- fueller until such time as the race officials have satisfied their fuel testing requirements.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 27 1/8TH OFF- ROAD BUGGY

38. DIMENSIONS 38.1. The Dimensions for 1/8th Off-road Buggy class must be:

Minimum Maximum Wheelbase 270mm 330mm Width (overall - with body) 310mm Length (including body and wing) 730mm Height (overall without aerial - 250mm measured with suspension fully compressed)

Weight (no fuel, but with 3200g transponder) Wing Overall Length 217mm Wing Length 85mm

38.2. The car shall be measured for width by placing it on a flat base material equipped with two side rails of 150mm height. These shall be spaced 310mm apart and constructed in such a way that the car can roll freely between them. The base material must be constructed of high quality components suitably stiffened to prevent distortion. The car must roll freely between the side rails with any steerable wheels set in the straight ahead position irrespective of the compression, extension or roll angle of the suspension. 38.3. The car shall be measured for length and height in a similarly constructed box of internal dimension 730mm x 310mm, which includes provision for checking the maximum height. 38.4. The measurement of the wheelbase may be made by simple measure of axle centre distances with the suspension in any position. The Race Director should be prepared to make more exact checks in cases of doubt or protest. It is then suggested that the wheels are removed and the wheel spindles are firmly placed on Vee blocks whilst accurate measurements are made. 38.5. If a car is found to exceed the limits of dimensions on checking immediately after a race, positive proof of race damage may prevent disqualification.

39. MUFFLER 39.1. Only IFMAR homologated silencers or silencers conforming to and no louder than currently homologated specifications are allowed and must conform to approved specifications during the entire championship. 39.2. Standards being a 2 or more chamber design pipe with an outlet pipe of a max 8mm Diameter with a tolerance of + 0.2mm. The length cannot be altered from standard and producing, no more than 85 DB b at 10 meter. 39.3. Rubber extensions are not allowed. 39.4. If for some reason the exhaust or manifold becomes dislodged during a race, and produces above the normal operating noise level, the car must be returned to the pits for repairs immediately.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 28 39.5. If a Db meter is to be used, a qualified person must operate it and notification to entrants must be made prior to the event via the entry forms.

40. ENGINE 40.1. Internal combustion engines of not more than 3.5 cubic centimetres/0.214 cubic inches. No tolerance allowed. 40.2. If an RTR comes with an engine size not exceeding 0.28 cubic inches\4.67 cubic centimetres it will be allowed as long as the pull start/roto start/electric start is operational. If the engine is to be replaced it must be with the exact same engine, or a 0.21 cubic inches size engine. 40.3. All cars will be fitted with brakes and clutch in such a manner as that the car can be held stationary whilst the engine is running.

41. BODY 41.1. Cars shall be a reasonable representation of the style of car used for Off-Road, Desert or Trial racing. 41.2. Full body shells of saloon style are permitted but may only be trimmed to expose a maximum of 50% of the tyres at full suspension depression. 41.3. Where a roll-cage is fitted an open wheel style body shell must be fitted underneath the cage so designed as to enclose R/C equipment and fuel tank with sufficient front and side areas to allow clear display of racing numbers. 41.4. Openings may be cut in the shell to allow access to fuel filler, radio switch and engine adjustment. Clearance around such items shall be kept to a minimum. 41.5. Cooling openings are allowed in windows.

42. TYRES 42.1. All tyres must be black with the exception of side wall lettering. 42.2. No spikes, tubes or additional items intended to increase traction may be either glued to the outside of tyres or passed through tyres from the inside.

43. FUEL 43.1. Fuel tanks must be securely mounted. 43.2. Maximum fuel system capacities are 125cc. 43.3. Fuel will only contain methanol, oil/lubricant and nitro methane. 43.4. The following additives are formally prohibited for all on road and off road classes: Hydrazine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Toluene, Propylene Oxide

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 29 1/8TH OFF- ROAD TRUGGY

A Truggy is a 1/8th Scale 4WD Buggy based Truck

44. DIMENSIONS 44.1. The Dimensions for 1/8th Off-road Truggy class must be: Minimum Maximum Width (overall - with body) 300mm 450mm Length (including body and wing) 465mm 730mm Height (overall without aerial - 250mm measured with suspension fully compressed) Weight (no fuel, but with transponder) 3900g Wing Overall Length 217mm Wing Cord 85mm Wheel Diameter 80mm 97mm Tyre Diameter 125mm 160mm Tyre Width 60mm 100mm

* The wheel diameter measurement will be taken from the diameter at the mounting point where the tire bead is attached to the wheel/rim. The maximum wheel diameter does not include the moulded in ridges of wheels that keep the tire in place.

44.2. The car shall be measured for width by placing it on a flat base material equipped with two side rails of 150mm in height. These shall be spaced 450mm apart. The car must roll freely between the side rails with any steer able wheels set in the straight -ahead position irrespective of the compression, extension or roll angle of the suspension. 44.3. The car shall be measured for length and height in a similarly constructed box of internal dimension 730mm x 450mm, which includes provision for checking the maximum height. 44.4. If a car is found to exceed the limits of dimensions on checking immediately after a race, positive proof of race damage may prevent disqualification. 44.5. Front and rear bumpers not to exceed 10mm past the body unless O.E.M (Original Equipment Manufacturer/or factory).

45. MUFFLER 45.1. Only IFMAR homologated silencers or silencers conforming to and no louder than currently homologated specifications are allowed and must conform to approved specifications during the entire championship. 45.2. Standards being a 2 or more chamber design pipe with an outlet pipe of a max 8mm Diameter with a tolerance of + 0.2mm. The length can not be altered from standard and producing, no more than 85 DB b at 10 meter. 45.3. Rubber extensions are not allowed. 45.4. If for some reason the exhaust or manifold becomes dislodged during a race, and produces above the normal operating noise level, the car must be returned to the pits for repairs immediately.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 30 45.5. If a Db meter is to be used, a qualified person must operate it and notification to entrants must be made prior to the event via the entry forms. 45.6. Silencers that come with an RTR kit are allowed and are the only allowable exception to rules 60.1 to 60.5 inclusive.

46. ENGINES 46.1. 1Internal combustion engines of not more than 4.67 cubic centimetres/0.28 cubic inches. No tolerance allowed. 46.2. Bump start engines accepted. 46.3. Fuel tanks must be securely mounted. 46.4. Maximum fuel system capacities are 150cc. Fuel will only contain methanol, oil/lubricant and nitro methane. 46.5. The following additives are formally prohibited for all on road and off road classes: Hydrazine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Toluene, Propylene Oxide 46.6. All cars will be fitted with brakes and clutch in such manner as that the car can be held stationary whilst the engine is running. 46.7. Two or three speed transmissions are NOT allowed.

47. BODY 47.1. Must be a good representation of a Stadium/Arena style truck body. 47.2. No buggy or sedan bodies will be accepted. 47.3. Openings may be cut in the shell to allow access to fuel filler, radio switch and engine adjustment. Clearance around such items shall be kept to a minimum. 47.4. Cooling openings are allowed in windows.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 31 ELECTRIC GENERAL RULES

48. GENERAL 48.1. All cars must be electrically powered. 48.2. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that their car complies with the rules contained within this rulebook irrespective of initial scrutineering at a meeting. 48.3. All rules must be strictly adhered to. Violation of the technical rules in a particular class will result in disqualification from that race. Deliberate violation of NZRCA technical rules will result in disqualification from the meeting. 48.4. Body shells must be neatly finished and painted when initially entered in a meeting. 48.5. No car can be raced without a body shell being securely fitted at all times. 48.6. The running of one car in different classes is allowed providing it meets those classes Technical Specifications and does not hinder the running of the meeting in any way. 48.7. In the event of breakage to a car during a meeting, that car may be substituted with another car of the exact same Manufacturers Technical Specifications. The driver must first apply to the Race Director (or his designate) of the meeting 48.8. A driver may enter any and as many classes as they wish at a sanctioned meeting. 48.9. Only one drive motor may be used. 48.10. Front wheel drive cars must race in 4WD class. 48.11. Batteries may not be changed during a race for 1/12th and 1/10th scale classes. 48.12. It is the responsibility of the competitor, to be able to prove the legality of his/her batteries. Cells/Packs must retain original covering and labelling in suitable condition to satisfy scrutineers as to the cell’s/pack’s eligibility. 48.13. The use of traction additives is only allowed if the club hosting the meeting wishes to allow it. 48.14. Clubs hosting Outdoor Sanctioned Meetings must make their outdoor tracks available for 2 days immediately before the meeting and on the morning of each days racing for a minimum of 1 hour before program racing starts. 48.15. At all sanctioned meetings a certified test weight should be available to ensure that the scrutineering scales are accurate. This weight should be no less than 1425 grams or more than 1700 grams. 48.16. That decisions made by the Electric Technical Officer be considered final and when conveyed to the meeting organisers, either orally or in writing, they shall override decisions made by either meeting organisers, Scrutineers or Race Directors. 48.17. NZRCA Electric Off-Road Nationals to use a control tyre only and the tyre is to be decided by the host club and named on the entry form prior to signoff by the NZRCA for release.

49. STOCK CLASS MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS 49.1. Only permitted motors are unopened, unmodified Johnson 540s or Mabuchi 540s closed can, sealed end bell, bushed, with non-replaceable brushes and bushes. Motors to be supplied from Trevor Brignans Ltd.: a. Part No. Mabuchi RS540 standard motor or b. Part No. 53689 Johnson RS540 motor. C) Part No. Mabuchi RS540SH

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 32 Tamiya, Mabuchi "Sport Tuned" motors are not allowed, nor any 540 variants such as 540ST, or 4 hole variants etc. A stock motor run at 8 volts unloaded must draw no more than 1.7 amps. Motor testing procedures are those outlined in NZRCA rules amendment dated 1st November 1999. Any motor which draws close to the maximum allowable current (1.7amps) be subjected to a second test. The second test is a current test run in the reverse direction. There should not be a major difference in the result of both tests. 49.2. Stock Motors must be supplied by the organiser, at the entrant's expense, as a condition of entry for the New Zealand 1/10th On-road National Championship. Only one stock motor per car may be purchased and that motor must only be used in the car for which it was issued. A new motor may only be allowed at the Race Directors discretion. For all other meetings competitors must supply their own stock motors. 49.3. No stock motors are to leave the grounds of the host club at any time over the period of a sanctioned meeting where handout motors are issued by the organisers. 49.4. The "zapping" of a stock motor is classed as a modification and thus illegal. 49.5. BRUSHLESS MOTORS: 540 size (36mm dia x 50mm length) 21.5 turn brushless motors (sensored or unsensored), brand and type are open. a. Type and brand of ESC used with these is also open. b. It is the responsibility of the competitor to prove that their motor has the correct number of winds to comply with this rule

50. RACE DURATION 50.1. All off‐road heats and finals for 1/10th scale classes will be six minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. Heats for 1/8th scale off‐road classes will be between six and ten minutes in duration at the race organiser’s discretion. Finals for 1/8th scale off‐road classes will be between six and twenty minutes in duration at the race organiser’s discretion.

50.2. All On-road heats and finals will be of the time specified for each class as listed below. a. Touring Stock - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. b. Super Stock - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. c. Touring Modified - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. d. M03 - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. e. Formula One - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. f. Pro 10 - Five minutes plus the time to finish the last lap. g. Pro 12 - Eight minutes plus the time to finish the last lap.

51. DRIVING 51.1. No car will reverse out into traffic. 51.2. No car will be driven in the reverse direction of the track. 51.3. If a car is removed from the track for any reason it must be returned at the same position as it left. The car must be removed and replaced - only by a marshal. 51.4. Drivers may leave the stand during a race but if they leave the stand they may not be permitted to re-take the stand and will only have those laps counted before they stepped off the stand.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 33 51.5. The car must be on the grid and the driver on the stand at the start of the race, otherwise the driver is deemed to be a late starter and must start from the pit lane or other area designated by the Race Organisers. The late starting car must not gain any advantage from starting out of pit lane, with this in mind it must not exit the until all remaining running cars (i.e. not stalled, broken or off the track) have passed the pit exit for their first time. If there is more than one car starting from pit lane at the same time then they must exit the pits in the order they qualified. 51.6. A heat or race that has to be re-run will be rescheduled to be re-run at the earliest possible time, with sufficient time allowed for the charging of batteries.

52. RACE PROCEDURES 52.1. That an audible signal or warning be given at 30 seconds before start, 10 seconds before the start, then an audible countdown for the last 10 seconds before the starting horn which is to be of a different tone to previous warning signals. During staggered start qualifying races, individual drivers are to be called to start after the starting horn is sounded. At the completion of the race time another audible signal is to be given signifying that drivers are to complete the lap they are on. The last audible signal is to be given once all drivers have finished the race. This is to be the standard at Sanctioned events. 52.2. There will be no restart due to a jump-start. If start is jumped a penalty of a stop and go will be given. 52.3. The race result is to be calculated by the amount of laps completed in the race stated time plus 1 lap, with the number of seconds taken to complete the lap after the race stated time, to a maximum of 45 seconds. 52.4. Did Not Finish (DNF) is to be calculated by the number of laps actually completed in the race stated time plus 45 seconds. 52.5. Qualifying will be done via a staggered start system. Each driver will have a staggered start and be on an individual clock for the race period. The race controller or computer lap scoring programme will determine the starting order and timing between staggering of drivers 52.6. Finals Procedures for Sanctioned events will be a grid start, where all cars will start simultaneously. 52.7. At the New Zealand National Championship meeting, before finals are run, all A Finalists will participate in dummy finals of two to five laps to ensure there are no frequency clashes or transponder scoring problems 52.8. Finals starting positions are on grid positions, based on qualifying - fastest in front. 52.9. Grids must be a minimum of 1.5 metres from front each car to the front the next car. Arrangement of the grid is up to the event organiser’s discretion. 52.10. Heats and finals will consist of a maximum of 10 cars. 52.11. There will be a minimum of 3 qualifying heats for each class. 52.12. Finals will be run over 3 races with the best 2 times and laps calculated for the final placings or points to be awarded for each position with total of best 2 races points calculated for the final placings The host club to decide if the meeting will be run on times or points, and this must be stated on the entry form for all competitors to know prior to the event.

53. RAIN AFFECTED MEETINGS

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 34 53.1. For Sanctioned meetings and Regional/National Championships, in the event of bad weather clubs should take all necessary steps to be able to move the event indoors. If there is no indoor venue available it must be started on the entry form. The decision to move to the indoor venue or abandon the meeting if none is available is to be made by the Race Director and his/her decision is to be final. 53.2. Any decision made to move the meeting to an indoor venue or abandon the meeting at Sanctioned events or Regional Championships must only be made after the Race Director has consulted with a panel of drivers made up of one representative of each NZRCA member club present. 53.3. Any decision made to move the meeting to an indoor venue or to abandon the meeting at National Championships must only be made after the Race Director in conjunction with those members of the NZRCA Executive present has consulted with a panel of drivers made up of one representative of each NZRCA member club present 53.4. If the meeting is abandoned, and such decision is made in accordance with the requirements as listed in Rule 67, the following shall apply in each class. a. If at least two rounds of qualifying have been completed, but no final rounds have been completed, the best single qualifying time shall determine the final positions. b. If one finals round has been completed the result of that round shall determine the finishing positions. c. If two finals rounds have been completed, the best single result shall determine the finishing positions. d. If the qualifying day is abandoned, the remaining day, if fine, shall be treated as the finals day using the qualifying heats list. Final positions shall be determined by the best performances. 53.5. If weather conditions dictate that the primary venue is abandoned in favour of completing the meeting indoors then a minimum of 1 hour controlled practise time shall be provided at the indoor venue immediately prior to the continuation of the meeting.

54. TRACK RULES 54.1. Corner cutting is to be discouraged by placing markers and barriers. 54.2. Start, False Start and Finish Lines must be clearly marked. 54.3. All tracks MUST be a minimum of 2.5 meters wide, with the Start straight a minimum of 3 meters wide. 54.4. The track should be laid out so there are no hidden areas when viewed from the driver’s stand. 54.5. Adequate protection should be provided for spectators. 54.6. Start area should be a minimum of 3 meters wide. 54.7. Guideline: - Before granting a National event, the NZRCA should ensure that the proposed track has adequate drainage and appropriate surface so that it can be used within two hours of rain stopping.

55. BATTERIES 55.1. Batteries for all classes are to be as follows: a. Sub-C sized NiCad / NiMH batteries, or;

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 35 b. Lithium polymer (Lipo) or LiFe batteries. c. There is no capacity limit in any class.

55.2. For Nicad/NiMH, cars will be driven by a maximum of the following: a. 1/10th scale classes: 6 cells with a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts per cell – 7.2- volt total. b. 1/12th scale class: 4 cells with a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts per cell – 4.8 volt total. c. 1/8th scale classes: 12 cells with a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts per cell – 14.4 volt total.

55.3. For Lithium polymer (Lipo), cars will be driven by a maximum of the following: a. 1/10th scale classes: nominal voltage of 7.4 volts. b. 1/12th scale classes: nominal voltage of 3.7 volts. c. 1/8th scale classes: nominal voltage of 14.8 volts. 55.4. For LiFe, cars will be driven by a maximum of the following: a. 1/10th scale classes: with a normal voltage of 3.3 volts per cell, 6.6 volts total.

55.5. For LiFe, cars will be driven by a maximum of the following: a. 1/10th scale classes: with a normal voltage of 3.3 volts per cell, 6.6 volts total. The use of Lipo/LiFe batteries is to be as per the following mandates; b. Lipo/LiFe batteries must have a hard protective case that surrounds the cell(s) in the racing application. c. Lipo/LiFe batteries must be charged in a Lipo/LiFe charging bag/sack d. All competitors must comply with the Lipo safety guidelines attached to back of this rulebook.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 36 1/10TH OFF-ROAD CLASS RULES

56. BODY 56.1. Cars entered for off-road competitions should be reasonable representations of the style of full size cars generally accepted as being suitable for rally-cross, rallying or desert racing. 56.2. Open roll cage style cars will only be permitted to compete if an entrant can supply proof that the car is closely based on a full size example. 56.3. A driver’s figure, consisting of at least a human driver’s head, arms and should ers shall be mounted in an appropriate position in all open cockpit cars. The figure shall wear a helmet and be painted in a realistic appearance, colour and garb. 56.4. No car may be constructed to be dangerous or cause damage to other competitors’ cars. 56.5. If a gear cover is provided in the car kit, it must be fitted on the car so that no rotating gears (eg Spur gears) are exposed. This is to prevent injuries. 56.6. A front bumper may be fitted as long as it complies with the following: a. It must be constructed from a resilient material, such as rubber or plastic and fitted in such a way as to minimise injury on impact. b. It will have a minimum thickness of 2.5mm and the edges must be rounded. c. It must be a separate item, bolted or screwed to the front of the car. d. Bumpers made of hard, non-resilient material, such as metal, brittle plastic, plywood, Masonite, etc will not be allowed. 56.7. 1/10 Off Road Stock class’s Motor Specifications a. Motors as per Rule 63 57. DIMENSIONS 57.1. Dimensional requirements For Off-road Cars:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Overall Height(with suspension 200mm fully compressed) Overall Length 460mm Overall Width 255mm weight 2WD Cars (including 1474g* transponder weight 4WD Cars (including 1588g* transponder) Size Of Rear Wing 220mm Wide x 80mm Long Wing Side Dam Length 80mm Dia. Of Wheel And Tyre 90mm

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 37 57.2. Dimensional Requirements For 2WD & 4WD Truck:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Overall Length 500mm Overall Width 330mm weight Trucks (including 1700g* transponder Rear Wing Height 35mm Above The Roof Height Rear Wing Width No Wider Than The Body Width Of The Truck

*These weights are taken from cars ready to race, including battery

58. OFF-ROAD MODIFIED MOTOR SPECIFICATION 58.1. Only industry standard .05 brushed motors (unlimited turns) and brushless motors (as per definition below) may be used.

58.2. BRUSHLESS MOTORS: a. General definition of a Brushless Motor: b. Sensored or sensorless motors are allowed. c. The motor has to be rebuildable. Ball bearings are allowed. d. The power connector has to be clearly marked A, B, C. A for phase A, B for phase B C for phase C e. `05` size specifications

58.3. Can: a. Overall maximum diameter is 36.02mm measured at whatever point yields the maximum dimension, excluding solder tabs or lead wires. Overall minimum diameter is 34.00mm measured at whatever point yields the minimum dimension, excluding solder tabs or lead wires. Maximum length is 53.00mm measured from the mounting face of the motor to the furthest most point of the end bell, not including solder tabs, lead wires or original manufacturer’s logo or name. b. Minimum length is 50.00mm measured from the mounting face of the motor to the furthest most point of the end bell, not including solder tabs, lead wires or original manufacturer’s logo or name. Motor mounting holes must be on 1.00- inch (25.40mm) centres.

58.4. Stack/Stator: a. The Stack or Backiron must be continuous. The laminations have to be one after the other without anything in between. Stack/Backiron minimum length 19.30mm, maximum 21.00mm. The thickness of the Stack/Backiron laminations is 0.35+/-0.05 mm. All laminations must be of the same material. Inside diameter of Stack or Windings equals the central space between the laminations or assembly of

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 38 windings and must accept ‘plug’ gauges of 12.5 mm minimum, 16.0 mm maximum. These dimensions to be measured with the centre of the ‘plug’ gauge in-line with the centre of the motor Can. (i.e. Concentric to can).

58.5. Winding: a. Delta and Y wound stators are permitted.. Only circular (round) pure copper wire permitted. No turn limit.

58.6. Rotor: a. Shaft diameter must be 0.125 inches (3.175mm). Only one piece, two pole Neodymium or Ferrite magnetic rotors are permitted. Magnet minimum length 23.00mm, maximum 27.00mm. Magnet minimum diameter 12.00mm, maximum 15.50mm.

58.7. Any commercially available brushless motor that conforms to specific size measurements may be used. No hybrid (mixing of parts from approved brushless motors) allowed.

59. 2WD TRUCK 59.1. Trucks must have no more than 2 driven wheels 59.2. Vehicles must have a commercially available chassis originally designed for use as a truck. 59.3. There are no limitations on steering. 59.4. There are no limitations on suspension. 59.5. Bearings are allowed. 59.6. There are no limitations on gears. 59.7. Truck Class vehicles must run with large Truck type class tyres and rims all round. 59.8. Bodies to be of van, saloon or pickup truck type only. 59.9. For Stock 2WD Truck - Motors per Rule 63 Stock Motor Specifications. 59.10. For Modified 2WD Truck – Motors per Rule 72 Off-Road Modified Motor Specification

60. 4WD TRUCK 60.1. Trucks must have all 4 wheels driven 60.2. Vehicles must have a commercially available chassis originally designed for use as a truck. 60.3. There are no limitations on steering. 60.4. There are no limitations on suspension. 60.5. Bearings are allowed. 60.6. There are no limitations on gears. 60.7. Truck Class vehicles must run with large Truck type class tyres and rims all round. 60.8. Bodies to be of van, saloon or pickup truck type only. 60.9. For Stock 4WD Truck - Motors per Rule 63 Stock Motor Specifications. 60.10. For Modified 4WD Truck – Motors per Rule 72 Off-Road Modified Motor Specification

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 39 61. 2WD BUGGY 61.1. Any type of speed controller may be used, but it must be contained within the car and not protrude through the body shell. 61.2. Cars can be modified in any way within the Technical Specifications. 61.3. Cars must have no more than 2 driven wheels. 61.4. Any combination of commercially available 1/10th-scale wheels and tyres may be used, except at National Championship events where a control tyre is used. 61.5. No metal or hard plastic material is allowed to be used for spikes. 61.6. Modifications to tyre patterns are allowed, except at National Championship events where a control tyre is used. 61.7. For Stock 2WD - Motors per Rule 63 Stock Motor Specifications. 61.8. For Modified 2WD – Motors per Rule 72 Off-Road Modified Motor Specification

62. 4WD BUGGY 62.1. Any type of speed controller may be used, but it must be contained within the car and not protrude through the body shell. 62.2. Cars can be modified in any way within the Technical Specifications. 62.3. All cars must be four wheel drive at the start of a race with the exception of 2WD Front Wheel Drive cars, which must have only the two Front Wheels driving a the start of a race. 62.4. Any combination of commercially available 1/10th-scale wheels and tyres may be used, except at National Championship events where a control tyre is used. 62.5. No metal or hard plastic material is allowed to be used for spikes. 62.6. Modifications to tyre patterns are allowed, except at National Championship events where a control tyre is used. 62.7. For Stock 4WD – Motors per Rule 63 Stock Motor Specifications. 62.8. For Modified 4WD – Motors per Rule 72 Off-Road Modified Motor Specification

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 40 63. 1/8TH ELECTRIC OFF-ROAD General Rules 63.1. Tyres:

a. All tyres must be black with the exception of side wall lettering.

b. No spikes, tubes or additional items intended to increase traction may be either glued to the outside of tyres or passed through tyres from the inside.

c. Any combination of commercially available 1/8th‐scale wheels and tyres may be used, d. Modifications to tyre patterns are allowed, 63.2. Transmission and drive: Single speed transmissions only 4WD. 63.3. Suspension: Independent. 63.4. Front or rear bumpers may not extend to the side beyond the outer edge of the tires. 63.5. Front bumpers must be of at least 1/8” material. Bumpers will not extend forward of the body except on off-road cars. The bumper may not extend to the side beyond the outer edge of the tires. 63.6. Rear bumpers must be made of a solid material with rounded edges and may not extend to the side beyond the outer edges of the tires, and may not extend beyond the rearmost part of the body except in off road vehicles 63.7. Motors for 1/8th Off‐road classes are to be any commercially available brushless motor intended for use in 1/8th scale racing applications.

64. 1/8 Electric Off Road Buggy Dimensions

64.1. Dimensions for 1/8th Electric Off‐road Buggy class are to be as per Rule 52 64.2. Body Style, 1/8th Electric Off‐road Buggy: To be as per rule 55.1. Cooling openings are allowed, but only located where intended by the body manufacturer.

65. 1/8 Electric Off Road Truggy Dimensions

65.1. Dimensions for 1/8th Electric Off‐road Truggy class are to be as per Rule 58 65.2. Body Style, 1/8th Electric Off‐road Truggy: To be as per rule 61.1. Cooling openings are allowed, but only located where intended by the body manufacturer.

65.3. No buggy bodies are allowed.

66. ELECTRIC SHORT COURSE TRUCK 66.1. Class open to 1:10 scale, rear-wheel drive, Short Course style trucks only. 66.2. Main chassis must remain a Tub-style unit, made of composite plastic material. 66.3. Short Course style front and rear bumpers must be used. 66.4. Side nerf bars and mud flaps are optional. 66.5. Dimensions:

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 41 Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Wheelbase 320mm 340mm Overall Width (including body) 280mm 305mm Overall Length (including body) 540mm 580mm Weight (with battery and 2100g including Transponder)

66.6. Drive train must be rear wheel, two-wheel drive only. Exposed gearing must be covered. 66.7. Any replacement or upgrade parts are allowed, from either the original manufacturer or third parties. Any such parts must be designed to replace an original part. 66.8. No additional parts are allowed with the exception of: a. chassis covers and/or under-trays, and; b. Motor heat-sink/cooling fans. 66.9. No 1:8 scale parts such as big-bore shock absorbers are allowed. 66.10. The body must resemble that of a typical full size Short Course truck. ie it must be based on a full-fendered Ute or Pickup truck with a two door cab and lower rear deck or roll cage. 66.11. The bonnet must include a front grill and headlights (or headlight covers). 66.12. The body’s wheel arches must fully cover all four wheels when viewed directly from above. 66.13. No cut-outs or holes for any purpose other than for body mounting posts, antenna tubes and/or transponder mounting are allowed. 66.14. No add-on, or integrated wings or spoilers allowed. 66.15. The body must be trimmed in accordance with the body’s original trim lines. 66.16. Wheel bead diameter - INNER: maximum diameter of 76.20 mm (3.0 inch) and minimum 55.88mm (2.2 inch). 66.17. Wheel bead diameter - OUTER: Must be a diameter of 55.88 mm (2.2inch). 66.18. Wheel width: maximum of 40 mm (1.65 inch). 66.19. Dimensions: Diameter when mounted 106 mm (4.2 inch) Width when mounted: 47 mm (1.85 inch) 66.20. No tyre tread cutting or custom-cut tyres allowed. 66.21. No low profile tyres allowed. 66.22. No 1/8th tyres or rims allowed. 66.23. Any type of foam tyre-insert is allowed. 66.24. Clubs are encouraged to select a control tyre to suit local conditions. 66.25. Any transmitter, steering servo or ESC may be used. 66.26. Truck must be powered by a single 540 or 550 electric motor. 66.27. Motor limits: a. Brushed 550: Minimum wind - 12 turn. b. Brushed 540: Minimum wind - 15 turn. c. Brushless 540: Minimum wind - 10.5. 66.28. Any type of heatsink or cooling fan may be used 66.29. Batteries as per NZRCA Rule 69

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 42 ON-ROAD TOURING CAR CLASS RULES

67. 1/10TH ON-ROAD TOURING CLASS RULES

67.1. Any commercially available, narrow scale type touring cars are eligible for these classes. 67.2. Any commercially available option parts manufactured specifically for, or as an option part for narrow scale touring cars may be used. Minor chassis components i.e.: shock towers, nerf bars, transponder mounts etc may be custom made however the main lower and/or upper chassis plates and gearbox cases must have their origins in the original manufacturers product. Material may be removed but not added. 67.3. After market accessory components may be used to replace the original lower and/or upper chassis components. Such replacement parts must be produced by a recognized manufacturer and such parts must be included in that manufacturers published catalogue as part of their generally offered product line. Such parts may be further modified as long as the part retains its origins in the manufacturer’s original product. Material may be removed but not added. 67.4. Any type of speed controller may be used, but it must be contained within the car and not protrude through the body shell.

68. BODYSHELLS 68.1. only bodies included in the current IFMAR 1/10th & 1/12th electric body Lists or must be representations of vehicles in production forms that; a. Have four passenger entry doors, or b. Have the ability to provide permanent seating for at least four adult passengers, or c. Are or have been eligible for World Rally Championship events. 68.2. Body may not be cut above the lower door line or above the lower rear bumper line. 68.3. No cut outs are allowed from the body except for body posts, lap scoring transponder, and aerial tube or for clearance of the wheels from the wheel arches. 68.4. Cars are to be neatly finished and painted except for the windows, which must be either translucent (i.e. not completely painted in), or authentically decorated. 68.5. No GT, Wing or Wedge bodies are eligible

69. WINGS 69.1. Any wing that is no wider than the car, no higher than the roof, and does not extend 69.2. 10 mm past the rear of the car may be used. 69.3. Note: ‘hatch’ type bodies are exempt from this rule as long as the wing used is a representation of a production unit. 69.4. No under-body aerodynamic devices may be used. 69.5. Only commercial available wings are to be used. No homemade wings are permitted.

70. BUMPERS

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 43 70.1. Foam bumpers may be fitted. When viewed from any direction, no part of the bumper may extend outside the body shell.

71. CHASSIS AND DRIVETRAIN 71.1. Flat plan 1/10th and 1/12th scale chassis are not allowed. Chassis must have independent 71.2. Suspension to all four wheels. Each driven wheel must have flexible joint, eg universal joint. 71.3. No part of the electronics may protrude outside the body shell. 71.4. No rigid aerials or roll -over masts shall be allowed, eg graphite or steel.

72. DRIVERS AIDS 72.1. Traction control, including slipper clutches and fluid clutches, active suspension and steering with the use of gyroscopes are not allowed. 72.2. Only two channels of the radio control unit may be used. 72.3. No two speed gearboxes or transmissions are permitted. 72.4. 2WD cars may run the slipper, which was supplied in the kit set. 72.5. Adjustable one way bearings (adjustable brake bias) are allowed. 72.6. The use of 2-way intercom is allowed.

73. TYRES 73.1. Tyres are open unless otherwise stated. 73.2. Foam or moulded rubber inserts may be fitted inside the tyre. 73.3. No tyre additives or tyre conditioners are allowed. 73.4. Controlled tyre for NZRCA electric on-road Super Stock and Modified Touring Car National events. a. A controlled tyre (a tyre or a pre-assembled combination of tyre, insert and rim) decided by the Host Club AND NZRCA Executive must be used. b. The type of tyre or the pre-assembled combination of tyre, insert and rim are decided by the NZRCA Executive together with the race organiser. The race organiser has to forward the recommendations to the NZRCA Executive three (3) months before the event. c. The recommended type of tyre, and/or the pre-assembled tyres must be made commercially made and commercially available three (3) months prior to the event up until the commencement of the event. d. Moulded rubber tyres only allowed, no sponge or closed-cell foam tyres allowed. No modifications or additions can be made to the controlled inserts, e.g. gluing the insert into the tyre. e. Any driver using any other type of tyre will immediately be disqualified from the event. f. Tyres are restricted in use during the Event: g. Practice - Open h. Qualifying - Host club to decide maximum sets to be used at meeting i. Finals - Host club to decide maximum sets to be used at meeting j. Drivers must have their wheels and tyres marked by Technical Inspection. This marking may take place at any time.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 44 k. Wheels/tyres must be marked by the Technical Inspector before being presented to Technical Inspection for qualifying heats or finals. Tyres must be glued at a designated gluing area, to be arranged by event organisers. l. Unmarked wheels/tyres may not be used on the car during qualifying heats and finals. m. Technical Inspection shall be responsible for recording the number of tyres used by each driver.

74. DIMENSIONS 74.1. Dimensional Requirements For Touring Car Classes: Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Wheelbase 250mm 270mm Width 175mm 210mm Weight (Including Transponder) 1425g

75. TOURING STOCK 75.1. Only stock motors as per Rule 63.1 – 63.4 may be used. 75.2. Only rubber tyres may be used (No foams), except for on carpeted surfaces where foam tyres may be used. 75.3. Receiver battery packs may not be used.

76. SUPER STOCK 76.1. Motors to be either: ROAR approved 13.5 turn brushless motor or 76.2. 24 degree, 27 turn Single ROAR approved, rebuildable bushed only.

77. TOURING MODIFIED 77.1. Only industry standard .05 brushed motors (unlimited turns) or brushless motors (as per Rule 72) may be used 77.2. Brushed Motor specifications. 77.3. Overall maximum diameter is 36.02mm measured at whatever point yields the maximum dimension. Maximum length is 53mm measured from the mounting face of the motor to the furthest most point of the end bell, not including solder tabs or lead wires. Shaft diameter must be .125". Motor mounting holes must be on 1.00"centres. 77.4. Only ceramic magnets are permitted, cobalt and rare earth magnets are specifically prohibited. 77.5. Motors must have replaceable brushes. 77.6. Maximum stack length is 22.6mm. Maximum stack diameter 23.2mm. Only three pole armatures are permitted. All motors must have manufacturer’s logo or name on the end bell. 77.7. The end-bell may be advanced no more than 24 degrees.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 45 OTHER ON-ROAD CLASS RULES

78. M-CHASSIS

78.1. Any Tamiya M03/M05 chassis car apart from the below exceptions may be used. 78.2. Kits deemed to be illegal: a. RC Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR – M05 Berlina Corse (#58465) b. RC Suzuki Swift Super 1600 – M05Ra (#58464/#58471) c. Any M03/M05 PRO kit (#58443/#84131) d. Any M03/M05 R kit (#84023/#49417) 78.3. Cars must be assembled as per instruction manual, and no chassis/power train modifications allowed. 78.4. A minimum weight limit of 1230g (with transponder) will apply. 78.5. No Hop‐Ups allowed, apart from standard ball bearing kit (no ceramic bearings), Tamiya M03/M05 sway bar kit and Tamiya High Torque Servo Saver. 78.6. Only Tamiya plastic damper may be used (No oil filled shocks). 78.7. No chassis lightening allowed. 78.8. Only 1/10 Tamiya kit Bodies designed for M03/M05 chassis are Fewer Mini Bodies are legal. 78.9. Tamiya 60D tyres and wheels only. The only tyres eligible for this class are: a. #50683 60D Radial b. #50684 60D M-Grip Radial c. #53254 60D S-Grip Radial d. #53340 60D Type-A Slick 78.10. Either Tamiya foam or Tamiya moulded rubber inserts for the tyres must be used. 78.11. Stuffing tires with inserts to create a “ballooned” tyre and producing overdrive is not legal. Tyre diameter limit will be limited to 60mm. 78.12. Drilling extra vent holes in the wheels is illegal. 78.13. Any approved 6 cell Nicad and/or NiMh stick pack are allowed. No Mah capacity limit. 78.14. Lipo batteries are permitted with the following mandates: 78.15. Lipo batteries must be rounded profile hard case. 78.16. Modifying the M-chassis to fit other hard case Lipo batteries is not permitted. c) There is no Mah or C rating limit. 78.17. All Lipos must be 7.4V 2S-1P configurations. 78.18. Only stock motors as per Rule 63.1 – 63.4 may be used. 78.19. Only 16, 18, 20 tooth pinions to be used. 78.20. Any brand of motor heat sink is permitted as long as they attach to the motor in such a manner as to not be considered a structural component of the car. 78.21. Only the 3-step mechanical speed controller, as supplied in the kit or Tamiya ESC Model TEU-101BK P/N 45029 or TEU-104BK P/N 45041, are permitted. The battery plug may be changed however no other component/s relating to the speed controller may be altered.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 46 78.22. The ride height of all cars will be minimum 10mm.This will be measured by rolling the car over a NZRCA Approved Gauge after the scrutineer has compressed the car’s suspension. Pre Load Spring Clips only can be used to achieve this. 78.23. If a driver finds a loophole within the rules, the exploitation will be deemed illegal at the discretion of the race director, and may be ejected from a meeting. 78.24. If these rules don’t specifically say you can do it – then you can’t.

79. FORMULA ONE 79.1. Any commercially available 1/10th Formula One or Indy car type car. 79.2. Cars must be 2wd flat pan on road design. 79.3. The rear suspension must use a straight axle; no independent rear may be used.

For those electric classes where a "straight axle" is specified, the following definition applies: In a straight axle design, there must be a fixed relationship between the axle and the motor. No relative movement is allowed between the rear axle bearings and the motor case, and all suspension action must be applied to the motor, transmission and both rear wheels as a unit.

79.4. Any commercially available option part manufactured specifically for, or as an option part, for Formula One/Indy cars may be used. 79.5. No rigid aerials or roll over masts shall be allowed, eg graphite or steel. 79.6. Only stock motors as per Rule 63.1 – 63.4 may be used. 79.7. Only 1/10th Formula One/Indy body is eligible for use in this class. 79.8. Any type of speed controller may be used, but it must be contained within the car and not protrude through the body shell. 79.9. Dimensional Requirements For Formula Class:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Width 205mm Weight (including transponder) 1100g Rear Wing Width No Wider Than The Body Width Of The Car

79.10. Tyres are open.

80. PRO 10 80.1. Cars must be 2WD flat pan on road design. The rear suspension must use a straight axle; no independent rear may be used.

80.2. Bodies must be 1/10th scale pro 10 design. This may include saloon, group C or GTP style bodies. 80.3. Bodies may not be cut above the lower door line or above the rear bumper line.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 47 80.4. No cut-outs from the body except for body posts, lap scoring transponder, and aerial tube or for the roll over clearance of the wheels from the wheel arches. 80.5. No rigid aerials or masts shall be allowed, eg graphite or steel. 80.6. Motor as per Rule 72 80.7. Dimensional Requirements For Pro 10 Class:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Wheelbase 230mm 280mm Length 500mm Weight (including transponder) 1115g Wheels and Tyres Diameter 41mm 51mm Width 19mm 51mm

81. PRO 12 81.1. Cars must be 2WD flat pan on road design. The rear suspension must use a straight axle; no independent rear may be used.

81.2. Bodies must be 1/12th scale pro 12 design, group c or can am style.. 81.3. On carpet tracks the minimum ground clearance of 3mm is mandatory at the start of each heat and final. 81.4. No proportion of the chassis, wheels and tyres, or electronic equipment may extend beyond the body shell. 81.5. Openings in the body or cockpit floor other than appropriate to full size cars (scoops, vents, aerial etc) shall be kept to a minimum. Openings for wing mounts, aerial and battery on/off switch shall provide no more than 10mm clearance around such components. No other openings are allowed. 81.6. No rigid aerials or roll over masts shall be allowed, eg graphite or steel. 81.7. The use of tyre additive shall be at the organiser’s discretion. 81.8. Motor maybe either replaceable brush type, brushless (as per Rule 72) or stock motors as per Rule 63. 81.9. Dimensional Requirements For Pro 12 Class:

Overall Dimensions And Weight Minimum Maximum Width, Including Body, Bumpers & Wings 172mm Weight (including transponder) 800g

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 48 GUIDELINES AND ADDITIONAL RULES

82. LIPO GUIDELINES

82.1. Lithium Polymer packs must be charged with chargers capable of the industry standard CC/CV (Constant Current/Constant Voltage) charge profile with a maximum charging rate of ‘1C’.

82.2. All Lithium Polymer packs used for motor power must be charged inside a “Lipo Sack” or similar fire mitigation device proven to withstand a minimum of a 16.8v 5000mAh Lithium Polymer pack failing destructively without showing external flame. 82.3. ROAR Impact/Drop Test: a. The cells of the battery pack shall experience no loss of mass, no leakage, no venting, no rapid disassembly, and no rise in temperature. The case shall not splinter or shatter in a manner that would create shrapnel and potentially puncture the cell inside. The fully charged battery pack shall be dropped from a height of 5 feet to a flat concrete floor. The battery pack shall land flat on the floor during the drop. 82.4. ROAR Overcharge Test: a. The battery pack shall no display rapid disassembly resulting from Thermal Runaway. The fully charged battery pack shall be charged to a value up to 12.0 VDC at a rate of 1 times the capacity of the cells in the battery pack for a period of 30 minutes (Example: 5000 mAh charge rate is 5 amps). 82.5. ROAR External Short Circuit Test: a. The battery pack shall not display rapid disassembly resulting from Thermal Runaway. A 0.1 Ohm resistance shall be applied to a fully charged battery pack at room temperature (70 deg F +/-10). The test is concluded when the temperature of the battery pack returns to within10 deg of room temperature. 82.6. General Information About Li-Poly Batteries: a. A Lipo battery pack is damaged when any of the following rules are broken. The damage is cumulative and cannot be reversed. These rules provide the safest operation and longest pack life. Going outside these rules may result in a destructive pack failure. 82.7. Do not over discharge Lithium Polymer battery packs and use a Proper ESC cutoff voltage. Some newer speed controls give you the option to set a cutoff voltage, and some do not. The cutoff voltage setting is working properly when the ESC does not allow the motor to spin anymore when the pack voltage reaches this set cutoff. A Lithium Polymer battery is damaged when it goes below a set voltage whether under load or not. The lower the voltage and the longer it stays low, the more damage is occurring to the cells. If your ESC doesn't have a setting for cutoff voltage, we strongly suggest not using any Lipo pack with it unless you have a secondary device to cut off the motor at the correct voltage. By the time the pack “feels soft” at the end of the run or you notice any decrease in power, the pack has already been damaged. Consult your Lipo pack manufacturer for the proper low voltage cutoff since this value varies based on manufacturer. 82.8. The maximum safe temperature of a Lithium Polymer pack is 140 degF. Generally the pack temp will INCREASE for about 5-10mins after the run is over, so measure the temperature of the pack immediately after the run and then again about 10 minutes later.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 49 The faster the car is geared, the more amps the motor is drawing and the battery is delivering. The less capable of outputting high current (amps) the pack is, the more it will heat up with the same load (think IB4200's vs. NiCad 2400's on a mod motor) Exceeding 140degF pack temperature causes damage, and the pack is also less efficient at near critical temperatures. 82.9. Only charge Lithium Polymer packs with a charger that uses the industry standard CC/CV charging algorithm for Lithium based batteries. There are two settings you will need to either set or verify on your charger each and every time before you begin charging a pack. The first is the pack voltage or cell count (each charger uses different nomenclature). If your charger is asking for the voltage of the pack, the choices are 3.7v (one cell), 7.4v (two cell), and 11.1v and beyond (3+cells). NZRCA legal packs are 3.7v (one cell) or 7.4v (two cell) packs. Some chargers ask for the cell count of the pack (one cell, two cells, and etc.) so you would set it for a one cell or two cell pack. The next setting is the charging rate. Lithium Polymer battery packs not only show no performance benefit from charging at higher than recommended rates, but they can be damaged by charging rates that are too high. The standard charging rate is “1C” which means the actual capacity of the pack in Milliamp hours. We charge in Amps not Milliamps, so divide the Milliamp Hours (mAh) of your pack by 1,000 to get your proper charging rate. For a 4800mAh pack, 4800mAh divided by 1,000 = 4.8 Amp charge rate. For a 3200MAh pack = 3.2 Amps, and a 5000MAh pack = 5.0 Amps. Unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer with no loss of cycle life, a maximum of 1C charge rate should always be used. 82.10. Lithium Polymer packs that will not be run for more than a month or two should be stored approximately half charged. Do not store them fully charged and do not store them near fully discharged (down to 6.0v) or damage will occur. The best way to know the charge state of a Lipo is to use the mAh displayed on your charger when charging from fully discharged. For a 5000mAh pack driven all the way to cutoff, charge it until you have 2500mAh back into the pack and disconnect it from the charger for storage. Or use the discharge function on your charger, and discharge a fully charged pack to 1/2 of its capacity. So for a fully charged 5000mAh pack, Discharge 2500mAh from it before long term storage. 82.11. There are six main root causes for lithium ion/polymer battery fires. a. External Thermal Damage – Lithium Polymer cells will get damaged by external heat. Most manufacturers recommend keeping the cells under 60 deg C or 176 deg F. At about 90 deg C (194 deg F), the cell will start to balloon up as the electrolytes starts to break down and the internal layers start to delaminate. If the temperature is extremely severe (approx 190 deg C or 375 deg F) the cell will go into thermal runaway and you will have a flaming mess. The thermal volatility is directly related to the cell chemistry used by the manufacturer. b. Overcharge – Lithium Polymer cells are extremely non tolerant to an overcharge condition. A standard charge profile is CC/CV to 4.200V. Drastically overcharging a cell just once is a sure way to send a cell into thermal runaway. Overcharging a cell slightly but repeatedly is also extremely detrimental for a cell. For example, it you charge a cell to 4.300V, the lithium ions start plating on the electrodes forming lithium metal. Lithium ions are not flammable, but lithium metal is. Every slight overcharge cycle will plate more and more lithium metal resulting in a battery that is very prone to igniting. The best way to prevent overcharging is to charge

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 50 through a balancer and to avoid chargers that do not charge with the standard 4.200V CC/CV charge profile. c. Over discharge - over discharging by itself is not dangerous, but it will destroy the cell. Over discharging below the recommended cutoff voltage will cause the copper to start dissolving in the electrolyte. The dissolved copper will then start plating on the electrodes, which may start an internal short circuit within the cell. The safety of the cell is compromised once the plating action starts and the next charge/discharge cycle will be of concern since there is now an internal short circuit. Don’t store you cells completely discharged. All cells have a small self-discharge when left alone and if the self-discharge takes the cell down below its minimum voltage, then the cell will be destroyed. It is recommended to disconnect the battery from all electronics (remove from speed controls, disconnect lithium polymer receiver packs from regulators etc) since most electronics have a small current drain even in the “off” position. d. External Short Circuit – Lithium Polymer batteries have extreme current capability. When these cells are shorted out, the excessive current drain will cause the battery to overheat and possibly cause the cells to go into thermal runaway resulting in a possible fire. e. Internal Short Circuit - this is mostly caused by contaminants getting into the cell at the cell manufacturing level. Contaminants can poke through the separator over time causing an internal short where one of two things can happen. An internal short results in the cell having a high self - discharge rate. Or an internal short can cause localized heat buildup and initiate a thermal runaway condition – and thus another possible fire. Another source of internal shorts is the punching process the manufacturer uses to stamp out the anode and cathode electrodes. Some manufacturers use a low cost steel rule die and others manufacturers use a die that costs a couple orders of magnitude more. The lower cost steel die punches tend to leave burrs on the electrodes, while the higher cost dies do not. Burrs have a tendency to puncture the separator and create micro-shorts. This micro-short will create an area of localized heat. In most cases, this will cause the cell to expand (puff up). In bad cases, this localized heat may be enough to ignite the cell. f. Every time you charge a cell, the cell will expand about 5% in the thickness dimension. This expansion/contraction may cause the burr to eventually rub through the separator. The vibrations and shock from RC use also causes the burr to rub against the separator. The infamous Sony recall was largely attributed to burr type contaminants. g. External Mechanical Damage - A lithium polymer battery is made up of 20- 30 layers of a very thin sheet copper anode, a thin plastic separator and a thin aluminium cathode. The vacuum sealed aluminium pouch keeps even pressure on the anode/cathode pairs. A dent can create a micro-short by making the stiff metalanode or cathode poke through the soft plastic separator. This micro short will create an area of localized heat. The cell will expand and then becomes a possible fire hazard. Another repercussion of a dent is that some layers of the cell will become delaminated and thus inactive. This means that the working layers will need to work harder to provide current and thus generate more heat in a localized area. Hard cases will greatly minimize the chance of external mechanical damage to the cells.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 51

83. MARSHALLING GUIDELINES 83.1. Marshal all cars as quickly as possible (marshal a car in the same manner that you wish your car to be marshalled). Run to the car, not walk or jog, and put it back on track as fast as possible (remember, these are RC cars, not your grandmother’s best china – they can take reasonably rough handling in the interests of speed). 83.2. Stand up during marshalling unless marshalling in a designated seated position. Stand ready to act – do not have your hands in your pockets or arms crossed or lean against anything (all of these things slow your response). 83.3. Do not drink, eat, use cell phones or smoke during marshalling. 83.4. Watch the area covered by your position and do not watch the race. 83.5. Treat all cars equally when marshalling. In the case where two cars are crashed, try to always place them back on the track in the same order they were in before crashing (be careful not to make judgements on who is at fault in the crash – this is for the Race Director to decide). 83.6. Cars must be returned to the track in the same location from which they left (if this is not 83.7. Followed the driver may be penalised for corner cutting). The exception to this is IC cars which have broken down and need to restart from pit-lane. 83.8. Do not fix damaged cars while marshalling or leave your marshalling position to deliver a damaged car to the driver or pit man (it is the driver or pit man’s responsibility to collect the car). 83.9. Do not marshal a car which has the wheels still being driven. Wait instead until the wheels are stopped (this is to avoid injury from rotating wheels, gears, etc.). It is the responsibility of the driver to stop this by backing off or using the brakes. 83.10. Take care, while marshalling IC cars, not to touch the engine head or exhaust pipe as these are often very hot.

Version 15.0: 01/01/2012 52