FCR - 4 or 4.5?

[pilmat]

For those places running a FCR class, what are you running 4 or 4.5"? We are looking into entry level classes and see success with this model at certain raceways.

Also are you running hardbody or Lexan shells?

My concern with this car is the front end, as experienced racers can build much more competitive cars (even if they don't race them) by optimizing front tire size and axle placement. This makes tech more stringent and harder on the newbie, who the class is aimed at!

Any thoughts and insight are welcome.

[oldweirdherald]

If you want to run hard plastic model stock car bodies - then you need to use 4.5" chassis.

4" wheelbase is more common among flexi & other chassis, but is more proportional for LMP or GTP bodies.

4.5" is more popular for NASCAR / stock cars, in lexan or hard plastic, because it is more proportionally true to scale.

FCR cars can make a great entry level (or any level) FUN class of racing. Keep the rules simple, and as close to stock as possible - otherwise the experienced scratch builders will dominate, & make the unmodified chassis uncompetitive, and that can scare off the newer racers.

[fl_slotter]

Phil,

The beauty of FCR cars is simple - open the package and there is already a set of rules included. Just follow the rules and you should have a great class.

Since those rules say the only tires you can run are Parma FCR tires - a whopping $6.49 per pair, it keeps racing costs down and eliminates all the tire tech. Basically you have a spec tire. I do recall that those rules also give you a spec gearing - both pinion and crown, a spec motor and guide flag. Basically it is a no changes are allowed, which makes it much much better.

As Paul stated, mostly 4.5 inch wheelbase cars are used for their more prototypical look. Usually the 4 inch FCR cars are used for Dirt Late Model racing.

There is a website out there for the SouthEast FCR Racing Association (SEFCRRA) that you can go to. They have rules for both 4.5 and 4 inch FCR cars.

We have run FCR cars with .030 lexan bodies and I think Kelly Racing has recently brought out .030 NASCAR bodies so you can run the same. Lots of fun.

FCR racing is a blast and a great way to get folks involed. The cost is very low to buy and also keep it stock. I think it is something that raceway owners can run to build their businesses up in this tough economical times.

Roger Holtzclaw up in Tennessee just started FCR racing and has had fields of 16 cars participating.

Whether it's fast or slow cars, racing is still racing!

[oldweirdherald]

I found the link:

Southeast FCR Racing Association

http://www.fcrtouringseries.8m.com/

also found a blog with their race results here:

http://itfitzdesign.wordpress.com/20...rra-round-one/


Here's a related thread going on here on OWH:

Setup tips for the 4.5 chassis
http://www.slotcartalk.com/slotcarta...he-4.5-chassis

[pilmat]

Thanks for the links. The rules seem a little more suited for a traveling series than what we have in mind.

Our thoughts on the class are as follows:
- Box parts only, except maybe for gearing if it is too far off.
- Rental controller. I have a pet peeve with the quality of starter set controllers, they are just plain bad. The rental controllers are Professor Motor, so at least they should be consistent. Also this is to avoid $300 controller envy for the new folks.
- 0.015" pre-trimmed bodies only. Again to simplify the newbie's adaptation.
- Crash and Burn is the "regular" format, with say 1 marshalled race a month.

We have no experience with these cars, so we'll get a couple running and see. But it looks like we should go with the 4.5" for our trials.

Cheers!

[Michael.cannonj]

I realize a few years have passed but is there no SEFCRRA anymore? Are there any more FCR races given the situation at PARMA? Is this a lost class?

[Bill from NH]

If that's the group Roger Holtzclaw started, it died long before Parma did. Some local club/home groups modify the chassis & run them in various classes, such as dirt mods, open wheel mods, etc. If you check eBay slot cars, you'll see different ways they're being used. I think FCR racing, as the cars come out of the box, is history.

[Ramcatlarry]

Parma FCRs may be hard to find, but MidAmerica has reintroduced a CLONE of the 4.5" FCR - the frames and rollers are available to raceways from ERI and REH distributors. The 4 " has also shipped TODAY (3/16/21) to the REH and ERI distributors. All square offset bushings (1/8 & 3/32), velcro body strips and axle spacers are also available as well as wheels. New parts being added include nickel plated frames and thick (.032") flag spacers. NEW BODIES SOON.