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2020 HOPRA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, June 28, 2020
In attendance: Shawn Molter (ND), Chris Rondinella (OH), Jeff Schrader (MI), Bob Colleran (NCen), Tom Gray (NE), Peter Lentros (NE), Rick Derosa (SCen), Roger Porcelli (MidA), Tom Kannan (MidA) Chuck Smale (CEN), Dave Lehr* (CEN).
*proxy central region
Shawn Molter, HOPRA National Director, chaired the meeting and created the meeting agenda from the proposals submitted by the members along with the state/area executive committee representatives and the parts submitted by the manufactures. Due to COVID-19 pandemic a virtual meeting was held during the same week as the National Championships would have been held.
First up, 2021 National event; The 2021 Championship event will be dedicated to Tom Shepherd. Tom was a long time Senator and innovator in our hobby. HOPRA will make a $500 donation in his memory to support his son’s college education. Tom will truly be missed. Dave Lehr filled in for Tom. Dave and Chuck will elect new senate representatives for the Central region.
Next were the new parts submissions;
Given the pandemic situation, Shawn reached out each manufacture personally to explain the submission process. Even though the national championships were not held each manufacture and manufacturer representative had every opportunity to explain and demonstrate rule concerns and new products submissions. Several photographs along with countless numbers of readings and measurements were done on each of the parts submissions to ensure their full representation as submitted products.
Viper Scale Racing –
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V1 "Firm" chassis – new material in existing chassis mold. (This is automatically approved.)
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Ceramic Traction magnets – gauss 1380 (moved to vote)
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Ceramic Motor magnets – gauss 1110 (moved to vote)
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Pro 10 High Torque Motor magnets – gauss 1720 (moved to vote)
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Pro 10 High Downforce Motor magnets – gauss 1650 (moved to vote)
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Pro 4 High Torque Motor magnets – gauss 1335 – magnets exceed the maximum gauss limit and will not be approved for HOPRA competition.
Wizzard High Performance –
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Chassis - “Wizz-Jet” Chassis and top plate for Vintage T-jet racing. (moved to vote)
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Drawling, within compliance of General rule #9, for Fusion Chassis modifications – all changes address reinforcement of the chassis. (moved to vote) Changes include:
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Reinforce rear bump up above axle whole
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Reinforce rear bushing pocket
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Reinforce side bulkhead pocket
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Bulkhead bar angle
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Bulkhead bar removed
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Drawings for Fusion Motor magnet redesign – 2 versions of the motor magnet were submitted. Potentially will be produced in ceramic, L4, and L10. (moved to vote)
Wizzard was made aware of the deadline date for actual delivery. He was also told that magnets must comply with the gauss limits for each class to be legal even if finial delivered product meets General Rule #9. For this submission the delivery date must be before November 25, 2020.
BSRT –
“G3-RS” body post chassis design change – Submitted in all existing materials with change to chassis mold. The rear “G3” logo of the chassis has been filled in slightly to produce a more uniform result and reduce material waist. All other dimensions of the chassis remain the same. (moved to vote)
Rule proposals:
Super Stock Rule #3 – Add gauss limit to ceramic magnets. Due to the composition of some of the submitted ceramic magnets it was discussed in great detail that not limiting the gauss would have detrimental impacts to the racers and class. The limit discussed would be TRACTION: 1500 gauss max MOTOR: 1200 gauss max. This would eliminate the T2 and Panther from competition however these cars have not been used in National Competition in 10+ years. (moved to vote)
Add height restriction or total height of body to General Rule #20 – Over the past few years companies have made bodies out of the norm with extravagant fins and wings. This is not the intention of the 1:1 car nor the scale. Having such bodies could lead to a severe injury. Imagine trying to marshal a unrealistic wing car with 3 or more other type cars on the track and all are moving 1,000’s of MPH, say good bye to some figures . Existing bodies produces will be considered for the finial height limit. This height will be measured as the body mounted on the car as it sits on the track. (moved to vote)
Add Brass class rules to the rulebook – Over the past few years we have attempted to get a consensus on what the rules should be for this class. There are several renditions of the class that tailor to different styles of racing. With the 2020 pandemic situation it will deemed unfair to waver from the existing Brass Racer rules which were already set for the 2020 event. These rules will still be used for 2021 and we will table adding official Brass rules until next year.
Parts submission every 2 years – Manufactures need to submit chassis and magnets every 2 years to be considered for approval for the following 2 or 4 year's National Championship events. Though the idea on the surface seems to be a good change it was determined that more investigation is needed to determine the full impact of current products, racer impacts, and impacts to the manufactures.
Other topics discussed:
Magnets: It was discussed that recently the L4 and L10 magnets have changed over the past few years. The changes, in some manufactures, have been significant. Some existing approved L4 magnets are over the set gauss limit. Racers will need to use caution when entering their cars for competition to ensure they are under the legal gauss limit. HOPRA’s official gauss meter is available at every National Event and at any time during the year for comparison. Investigation is underway for a more consistent and repeatable downforce method that could be used as a replacement or alongside of gauss readings. In the end, the driver has the final responsibility to prove the legality of their car. This could lead to lengthily pre and post-race technical inspections which is an unfortunate turn of events that could have been eliminated in the pre-manufacturing process.
History: We talked about the history of HOPRA and documentation. Shawn has been working with Mark Rosenwinkel to document the first 13 years. Progress has been made but more work is still in progress. We also discussed the 50th year Championships. Great ideas are in the works to make this a commemorative event. Bob Colleran will help with the 93 results.
Voting will start 7/6 thru 7/19/20. If approved finial voting will for phase 2 of submitted parts will be upon delivery no later than November 25th deadline.
More to come stay tuned!
12/31/19 -
Voting results are complete for the Wizzard Fusion L4 and L10 polymer magnets. Both have unanimously passed for HOPRA competition. Click here for results. The finial version of the 2020 rule book has been published.
10/1/19 -
Voting results are complete for the 2 rule proposals. Click here for results. The initial 2020 rule book has been published. Another revision, if Phase2 of voting for the Wizzard magnets are passed, will be posted no later than 12/31/2019.
9/3/19 -
UPDATE - regarding Ceramic V1 Motor and Traction Magnets
How to tell them apart from existing magnets - We have identified an easy way to distinguish these magnets with approved ones. With that said, The driver has the final responsibility to prove the legality of their car. This could lead to lengthily pre and post race technical inspections which is an unfortunate turn of events.
9/1/19 -
Announcement regarding Ceramic V1 Motor and Traction Magnets
HOPRA approves submitted magnets and chassis that meet the deadline for submission. That deadline must be submitted no later than the 1st day of the HOPRA National Championships to be considered for approval for the following year's National Championships. There is a bit more involved in this process other than the finial produced part being present at the Nationals. Other rules (established in 2016) were put in place to assist manufactures to extend this deadline. For theses magnets, none of the steps outlined in the rules were completed by the deadline therefore they will not be considered or legal for competition at the the 2020 event.
How to tell them apart from existing magnets - This is a whole other topic that is currently being evaluated. With that said, The driver has the final responsibility to prove the legality of their car. This could lead to lengthily pre and post race technical inspections which is an unfortunate turn of events if they cannot be easily identified.
Anyone who produces parts deserves a lot more credit that is often ever said. It’s no small feat to bring parts to mass production level. We should all be grateful for products and services that progress the hobby. We encourage you to form your own opinion and continue to support those manufactures whom go above and beyond to bring new innovations to the fantastic hobby.
If you would like to continue this conversation please go to the HOPRA board which is for specifically for members and such topics can be discussed there. https://www.hopra.net/membership
2019 HOPRA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, June 28, 2019
In attendance: Shawn Molter (ND), Chris Rondinella (OH), Jeff Schrader* (MI), Bob Colleran (NCen), Tom Gray (NE), Rick Derosa (SCen), Roger Porcelli (MidA), Tom Kannan (MidA) Mike Stewart (MW/W-remote).
*proxy for Bob Dame and Tom Salisbury
Shawn Molter, HOPRA National Director, chaired the meeting and created the meeting agenda from the proposals submitted by the state/area executive committee representatives.
First up was the Manufacture Representative;
Wizzard High Performance - R.C. Lincoln - New chassis, “Fusion”, was presented. Chassis and bulk head blue in color with a unique hybrid designed electrical system. Ceramic motor and tractions magnets were also submitted for the Fusion. MOTION WAS CARRIED TO MOVED TO VOTE and was unanimously PASSED. The next part submission included a drawling within compliance of General rule #9 for compression molded magnets in L4 and L10 for the Fusion chassis. RC was made aware of the deadline date for actual delivery. He was also told that level 10 and level 4 magnets must comply with the gauss limits for each class to be legal even if finial delivered product meets General Rule #9. For this submission the delivery date must be before November 27, 2019. – MOTION WAS CARRIED TO MOVED TO VOTE PHASE 1 (contingently approved), PHASE 2 WILL COMMENCE AFTER PART DELIVERY.
Slottech – New ceramic magnet package (motor and tractions) for the T1X, part #847-2 and #841-1. The magnets are no different in gauss than existing ST magnets, a new design in height and width to allow use in T1 chassis. MOTION WAS CARRIED TO MOVED TO VOTE and was unanimously PASSED.
Rule proposals:
Section 17-TRACK AND EQUIPMENT RULES rule # 7-Only the track power may be used to power the cars, was discussed in detail. Considering newly designed controllers from other countries, it was brought to the attention of the senate to regulate said controllers for use during the National Championship Race. It was believed that PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controllers could supply extra power to the car. After lengthy discussion it was decided current rules prevent additional power to be used to propel the car. The senate decided, with assistance from the racers, to add an additional sentence to the exiting rule as to not disallow certain controllers but prevent additional power from being added to the track that can be easily inspected through random tech inspections. Full rule modification for this rule will be voted on over the next 60 days.
Vintage T-Jet rules: The senate and membership discussed the possibility of removing this class rules from competition. The membership voiced their concern and interest in keeping the class. The Senate took this feedback into consideration. Certain members race for the love of the class however very few only attend for this class only. All these factors lead to the following decision; with calibration between the National Director and the Racers, we will propose a easy to follow rule set that will encompass existing Fray rules that do not require to be updated on a yearly basis. Rewriting the rules to conform with the other classes will make it easier for racers to follow. It was also discussed that if the following for this particular class does not increase then replacement classes will be put in motion.
Other topics discussed:
2020 Nationals – 2 bid were presented from OH and WI. The Ohio bid was voted and approved. The 2020 Nationals would be held on June 23-27th in Aurora, OH within a Hotel and Conference center with over 8,000sq feet of space. Full details announced soon!
Spec Racer class and additional beginner events. It was discussed that the classes for armatures could be increased to provide additional racing for that class. Given the lengthy schedule, this may not be possible with the existing format. Discussion were had to the possibility of different racing formats that would not increase the total event time however would provide separate levels of competition. With the collaboration of the membership we will work on this strategy and propose new formats for the future.
Limiting the classes: It was discussed that number of classes held could pose an issue with attendance. It was discussed there could be options, depending on location of the event, that classes would be selected for a particular area. Alternating classes each year was also discussed. Though, all the ideas were not foamily laid out, it was decided that this is a topic worth investigating for future events.
More to come, stay tuned!
11/21/18 -
The 2019 rule book has been finalized. There will be no change from the 9/1/18 update.
10/25/18 -
The 2019 National Championships will held at Lucky Bob's Raceway in Milwaukee, WI - June 24 - 29, 2019 !! keep you eye on the website for schedule and details coming soon! Click HERE for more info!
9/1/18 -
The initial 2019 rule book has been published. Another revision, if Phase2 of voting for the Wizzard magnets are passed, will be posted no later than 12/10/2019.
8/17/18 -
—— Breaking news ——
Slottrak timing and scoring will be HOPRAs official race management software!
Slottrak works with all different hardware types and is easy to set up and use. Various racing formats, team scoring, and much more. Endless controls to suit all types of racing formats! Download the latest version for FREE at http://slottrak.com/
Special thanks to Michael Block and his development team for their dedication and continued support!
