Official VHORS Classic Class Rules

(PDF Version Here)

Purpose
Overview
Definitions
Cars Overall
Bodies
Chassis
Pickup Shoes and Springs
Magnets
Armatures
Commutator Brushes
Gears
Tires/wheels/Axles

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to set forth the rules specific to VHORS Classic Class racing.  This document, either in electronic or printed form, represents the standing rules by which all VHORS Shootout participants shall abide for the VHORS Classic Class.

Overview

Whereas, in recent years, racing of Aurora Thunder Jet chassis slot cars has tended to explore the bounds of engineering sophistication and creativity, the Classic Class is created to allow racing of Aurora Thunder Jet chassis cars in a condition which more accurately reflects the condition of cars when they were raced in the 60’s and 70’s.   These Rules shall be interpreted with this in mind.

Therefore, in the event of a conflict in the interpretation of these Rules, the interpretation favoring less modification is favored and shall prevail. Likewise, the interpretation which is closest to the spirit of this Rule is favored and shall prevail.

These rules are in effect for the entire VHORS Shootout and for every event which chooses to adopt VHORS Rules for the event.

These rules are based on the use of Aurora Thunder Jet OEM parts, new parts, after market parts, re-manufactured parts, and those made by "cottage industry" vendors. All parts must be specifically manufactured for the Thunder Jet chassis with the exception of wheels, tires and axles.

Rigorous honesty is the VHORS credo. Err on the side of caution. Your reputation in this small community is on the line if you are caught breaking the rules.

It is suggested that any questions or concerns regarding applicability of a rule to parts, manufacturers, modifications, adjustments or practices not specifically addressed or contemplated by the spirit and intent of these rules shall be presented to the Shootout Rules Committee at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the race in question for a Rules interpretation. These interpretations will be made public in the FAQ page of the official VHORS website.  The risk of assuming a compliance with the Rules is that an adverse race-day decision may not leave you adequate time to field a legal car.

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Race Specifics

At any time, except during a race, and so as not to delay the start of any race, any racer may "challenge" another racer’s car to verify whether or not it is in compliance with these Rules.  If this Rule is abused to gain an advantage of any sort, the challenger’s car shall be disqualified.

In the event of “challenges” in the Team Events, the above Rules shall apply, with the added conditions being that the entire team must present the challenge of another’s car AND this challenge must be endorsed by a second Team before the car is subject to a compliance check. 

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Definitions

Vintage Style Bodies: Car bodies must be molded with traditional vintage styling in mind. This means simply
that no intentionally added weight, "handling pan" characteristics, thick roofs, thick hoods, thick trunks, rocker panels,
moldings, or side panels are allowed. As is the case in some applications the bumpers and screw posts are
made thicker to prevent damage in a crash, this will be handled on a case by case basis. If there is obviously
excessive amount of material the body may not pass inspection. Again, this is left to the discretion of the
Shootout Rules Committee.

False Start: A predetermined point on the host track where each starting car must pass in order to declare the
heat a valid race. Typically after the first turn set.

Cottage Industry: Any manufacturer of T-Jet parts whose parts are not obtainable on the common mass retail
market. Typically these products are obtainable directly from the manufacturer or specialized store or location,
such as an online auction site, slot car show, etc, as opposed to from a distributor or authorized dealer.

Post-Inspection: The act of disassembling a racer’s car in order to verify the car is within proper rules compliance
for the event.

Pre-Inspection: Cars are inspected by the Shootout Rules Committee and the Shootout Tech Committee or a
delegate responsible for car inspection at the current event. Upon passing pre-inspection the car is deemed
"legal" for the duration of the events that day.

Track / Track Call: In the likely event of an accident during a race, or a de-slot in a location which is not easily reached
by a Turn Marshal, either the Racer or a Marshal may call out "Track". This signals the host or track operator to halt
the current race. Drivers are not permitted to work on or modify their cars unless the "Track" call is for a mechanical
malfunction. The race will resume once the accident or de-slot is cleared.

Mechanical Malfunction: An occurrence by which the car or controller is not physically operable. For example,
slipping gear, missing tire, meltdown, etc. would constitute a mechanical malfunction.

“On Market”: In reference to a new product either by a Cottage Industry or known manufacturer who introduces a
new product to the slot car market. Announcement of new products must be made to the VHORS Yahoo group
60 days prior to the event to be allowed. Please follow the link and register with the group.
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageHoRacing).

With respect to "On Market" car bodies, bodies must be from a production run that renders the body readily and
freely available to the public in mass quantity for at least 60 days prior to the event. It is incumbent upon the
manufacturer to prove the necessary announcement of the product and market availability as discussed above.
A sample of each "On Market" car body shall be submitted in final market ready form to the VHORS Shootout
Rules Committee for consideration and possible approval at least 120 days prior to an event for consideration
and possible approval.

All other items other than car bodies must be announced to the VHORS Yahoo group 60 days prior to the
event, as discussed above.

Manufacturer: Designation for mass production and cottage industry producers of HO slot car related items and
accessories.

Handling Pan: Any metal or plastic piece attached to the bottom of the car to improve handling. This also includes
extra molded or attached plastic/resin into a body to produce a handling pan effect.

Nonferrous: Any metal substance that does not contain iron. Therefore the material does not have magnetic
properties.

VHORS Official: In reference to an official piece of equipment as deemed by the Shootout Rules Committee for
purposes of measuring and/or operating function in support of the event and/or the event rules.

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Cars General

CC: CO-01. Each racer may have one only one car pre-inspected for the entire VHORS Classic Class event. After a car has been inspected for an event, there shall be no substitutions or replacements.  The only exception to the substitution/replacement Rule is where, in the judgment of the Shootout Rules Committee or Tech Committee member(s) present at the time, extreme circumstances are present, such as where a car becomes physically unfit for participation.  Such a decision lies within the sound discretion of the Committee member(s) and is final.

CC:CO-02. There is no weight limit for the fully assembled VHORS Classic Class car.

CC:CO-03. Cars should pass freely through the Official Tech Block: 1 1/8" (1.125” +/-.002”) width.

CC:CO-04. No part of any wheel or tire shall extend beyond the body of the car.

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Bodies

CC: B-01. Bodies shall be injection molded plastic.

CC: B-02. Bodies must be modeled after actual automobiles that were manufactured for the public or racing up to and including model year 1975.

CC: B-03. Bodies may be lowered only by means of shortening the body posts.

CC: B-04. Bodies may be ground out a slightly in the front end but only to allow room for pickup shoe travel.

CC: B-05. Bodies must be complete with full windows, bumpers, drivers, roll bars and other accessories which accompanied the car as originally manufactured.

CC: B-06. Bodies must contain the original two screw posts. The original position of screw posts must remain intact and shall not be relocated to suit a different setup or wheelbase.  Further, the posts shall be included and designed as part of the body specifically for mounting to an Aurora Thunder Jet Chassis. Some examples of acceptable bodies: Aurora, Bauer, Nu-Rora, Marx, Model Motoring, Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning, Atlas. This is not an exhaustive list.

CC: B-07. Body must be fastened securely to the chassis using two screws.

CC: B-08. OEM wheelbase must be maintained.

CC: B-09. Windows must completely fill window opening in the front and rear. Grinding of windows is allowed only if the window bottom extends into the body cavity, in which case the window only may be ground, but only to the point where it is flush with the inside of the body, and without grinding the body itself.

CC: B-10. Side windows must be intact.

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Chassis

CC: C-01. Chassis shall be stock Aurora Thunder Jet with all copper components.

CC: C-02. Brush springs shall not be modified in any way. They may be adjusted only in their original configuration to change the tension on the brushes.

CC: C-03. Guide pins shall be original design. They shall not be metal.

CC: C-04. Guide pins may be glued to chassis.

CC: C-05. Guide pins may be shortened in length to accommodate different tracks.

CC: C-06. Two mounting screws shall be used to hold the body securely on the chassis.

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Pickup Shoes and Springs

CC: PSS-01. Pick up shoes and springs shall be solid copper and manufactured by Aurora, Model Motoring or American Line.

CC: PSS-02. Pick up shoe springs may be cut (coils removed) to desired length.

CC: PSS-03. Pick up shoe springs may be stretched to desired length.

CC: PSS-04. The pickup shoe may be bent, but only for the purposes of adjusting the original contact area to accommodate different rail heights of the various tracks.

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Magnets

CC: M-01. Magnets shall be manufactured by Aurora and originally supplied with the Thunder Jet chassis.

CC: M-02. Magnets may be shimmed using non-ferrous materials only.

CC: M-03. Magnets may be matched.

CC: M-04. All paint on magnets shall have original factory paint.  There shall be no substantial removal of paint.

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Armatures

CC: A-01.  Only original, stock, unaltered armatures, with gray tips shall be allowed.

CC: A-02.  Armatures shall measure 15 ohms or greater at each pole.

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Commutator Brushes

CC: CB-01. Commutator brushes shall be manufactured of a copper/carbon compound.

CC: CB-02. Both the top and bottom surfaces shall remain flat.

CC: CB-03. Brushes must remain unmodified from their original out of the package condition.

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Gears

CC: G-01. The armature pinion, idler gear and driven gear shall be brass.

CC: G-02. The armature pinion gear shall have 14 teeth.

CC: G-03. The idler gear shall have 24 teeth.

CC: G-03. The driven gear shall have 24 teeth.

CC: G-04. The final pinion shall have 9 teeth.

CC: G-05. The Crown gear shall have 15 teeth.

CC: G-06. The Crown gear shall not be metal.

CC: G-07. The Crown gear shall not be shimmed.

CC: G-08. Gears may be soldered or glued to their respective shafts.

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Tires/Wheels/Axles

CC: TWA-01. All tires shall be equal to or greater than 0.350" diameter.

CC: TWA-02. Tires may be made of silicone.

CC: TWA-03. Replacement wheels may be double flanged and may be of the screw on or pressed on variety.

CC: TWA-04. Axle nuts, spacers or springs shall be kept on the outer side of the chassis.

CC: TWA-05. Spacers shall be made only of plastic, copper, aluminum, brass, or steel.

CC: TWA-06. Axles shall not exceed 1-1/8” in length.

CC: TWA-07. All four tires shall simultaneously touch the test track in the static position.

CC: TWA-08. Lateral movement of the front tire/axle assembly shall not exceed 1/32" (.03")

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