Calling all Rookies! Rookie Race 2016!
I was talking to Traction Event earlier today, and we thought it was about time to run another 'Rookie Race'. We ran one last year and had a really fun event!
With Brian releasing the number of members...and new members...I know that a lot of you out there are probably following the races, but haven't entered yet. Well, here is a GREAT CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED!
In this thread, I am just testing the water to see if there are people out there that would like to start racing with us.
The rules will be very straightforward...57 grams, 5-Spoke wheels, any body style...and you can't have raced with us before (okay, Dragon Tooth can race in the Rookie Race, he only just had his first race...and Aircooled only just started too, so you can enter!).
With a race l IIke this, you can get involved without having to worry about facing some of the veterans of the site...an all-rookie race.
So, please, if you've been lurking on here, and would like to race, please post in this thread. If we get enough interest, I'll create an 'official' race and sort out the dates and hosts.
Come on, Guys, join the fun!
Oh, and btw, last year's winner was CCRider, and he has gone on to host some really cool events and is a threat in any of the races he is in...and another Rookie Race veteran is 2Seven, who is another constant threat and great host! And , that's not to CrzyTrkrDude, who is a constant presence on the site and great contributor! And Iswingping who is building sone really cool cars and MoHas FastCars is another excellent runner...a lot of really good racers came out of last year's Rookie Race....I look forward to see lots more new faces in 2016!
Discussion
After sleeping on it, I think the wheel choice should be open and not limited to just 5-Spoke wheels. We are going to be racing the Pro's in other races so leave the wheels choice open. We are going to get there sooner or later so let us jump in.
- We had that debate last year...5-Spokes are easily available and make for close racing :) — 72_Chevy_C10
My thoughts, I would open the race to anyone who has been a member for less than 1 year, and has not placed in the top 3 of any event in 2015. if you are a new racer that has won an event, or series, sorry your ticket has been punched...time to move up.
Best of luck racers, I'll be watching from the grandstands.
That;s a pretty good idea, TE...Dragon Tooth and Aircooled were just two new racers that came to mind, but if there are others that have raced and not placed in three, start sorting through your 5-spokes!
Great idea to do another rookie race, I think it should wide open with basic limits. Don't make people hunt for things. Limit weight and dimensions and that's it. If they want to use non-5sp wheels, who cares? The wheels don't make a lick of difference...plus that's how you learn.
Criteria to qualify to race should be based around the number of times they've entered...lets say, less than 5 races entered...regardless of how they finished. It's all honor system anyway but all the veterans are more than happy to sit back and watch for once. Gotta scout to see who the next contender is, right? ;P
Since we don't have any official history or tracking or stats like that, we need to keep things open. A person new to the sport should only have to worry about the basics (getting it apart and putting it back together) before they have to worry about wheel restrictions and such.
Whenever the official thread for this opens up, lets be sure to add links to various articles about the modding process. Let the rookies decide how deep they wanna go.
Here's a thought...
With all the pick up trucks and dump trucks on the market,
And to make it that much simplier and to lower the budget for those who have not yet invested heavily in tools and supplies,...
What say we keep it "simple":
Any casting, any maker, and wheel ( except FTE/ color change axles)
Drilled rivets NOT required
Dry lube as best they can
Can GLUE ( no tape or rubber bands , so parts don't fall off in shipping) ANY NON TOXIC weights to the outer surface, or in the bed of said vehicle.
Normal heights/lengths apply
Can custom paint/color with Sharpie, glitter... Whatever. Just leave a spot to put an id# sticker on the top.
Car cannot weigh more than XX grams.
Simple, inexpensive, and opens it WAAAAYYYY up to those who are THAT new to this.
Ideas??
I'm not against the thought of it being totally open but when it comes to adding stuff to the outside of the car, things can get a little nuts. Not to mention a lot of potential for stuff to fall off, etc, etc...even when glued.
Plus, we don't really do any external mod racing anyway so while it would open things up to maybe entice some folks, that experience is not the norm. We should do something that at least represents what they'll see on a more regular basis.
You don't need heavy machinery to take apart a car - just a drill. Putting cars together is as easy as glue. Everything else is the learning part, the fun part.
Let them use FTEs or not...doesn't matter. As long as the car fits on the track and clears the finish, and does't leak any ooze, it should be fair game.
I would also suggest that this not be a series, just one-and-done to keep things simple and quick, IMO. No reason we can't do a Rookie series later in the year too.
- I was just wanting to see some new builders enjoy the thrill of watching the outcome. — CrzyTrkrDude
- My first race was a rip n roll. Wife and I sat on the sofa refreshing my phone all night. — CrzyTrkrDude
- It was exciting. That thrill was like a bug bite. lol — CrzyTrkrDude
- I know if they realize how easy their first "build" can be, they'll get stung!! — CrzyTrkrDude
- But, I see your point too. I guess, I had visions of all the youngsters who follow RLD, running to Papa/Mama/Gramps — CrzyTrkrDude
- whomever, and asking for help putting something together. I dunno. — CrzyTrkrDude
Well, unless we get some new racers speaking up and wanting to race, it won't really matter.
I think the rules from the first Rookie Race worked well. Here is a link...
http://www.redlinederby.com/topic/rookie-race-official-thread/2140
It's a good idea to get used to drilling rivets...even if you are just painting your car, it's best to be able to take them apart. 5-spoke racing makes for close racing and they are easily available. Leaving the body style open let's you build a favorite car. And, if anyone else wants to host, it can be a series, if not, it can be a one shot race (I like series, myself).
But, like I said, let's hear from some new racers, to make this race happen :)
- let it roll a few weeks, not everyone visits the site 10 times a day... like Me :) — Traction-Event
- Yeah, just trying to stir it up :) — 72_Chevy_C10
- TE, Only 10 times? Yikes!! I might have a problem. — CrzyTrkrDude
I'd recommend using the same rules as last year. Was a great experience for my first race and cool that the cars ran on a good variety of tracks...so I'm willing to host and add a track to pass on the experience I was given.
Only thing I didn't like was taking second and third instead of first. ;)
But we do need some racers.....
What if there were a "Pro- Am" race, like in golf? A Pro-Rookie mentor team like atmosphere?? Where the scoreing all but eliminates the "Pro's" contribution somehow?
And/or... Say... Anyone is eligible to enter who has not yet been in xx number of races. Say 2 or 3 personal custom built entries ( example: c-10 entered a couple proxies for me , but I have actually had 6 cars I built and entered petsonally, so, I would be excluded)
Food for chewing on...