stunthanger.com

Speed,Combat,Scale,Racing => Rat Racing and Team Racing => Topic started by: Paul Smith on March 09, 2023, 11:07:03 AM

Title: Rat Racing as of 1962
Post by: Paul Smith on March 09, 2023, 11:07:03 AM
I entered my first race in 1963 in Detroit.  I mentioned that the practice of the day was six-up rat racing.  Some people questioned that, but with the assistance of Dan McEntee, I have a photo of the one-page rules of that time.

Detroit's first race had 24 entries of which only the winner had any racing experience.  Most of the entries were flown by combat flyers, of which there were plenty.

Please note that the rules called for an engine-running start with two minutes of start time off the clock.  That rule was set aside in even the first contest in favor of a cold start.

All the engines were combat 35's with the exception of the 5th place Dave Keats entry powered by a factory special pre-production Fox 40.  100 MPH was a goal which was not yet achieved.

As other engine makers: OS, K&B, Supertiger, HP, etc, got into the racing 40 business, the speeds went to 160 MPH and the number of flyer went down to two. 

Since 1962, the performance of model engines has increased so much that 60's, 40's, 29's, and 25's are hardly needed at all.   The 15's (2.5 cc) of today are all the engine we need for any CL competitive event.

Title: Re: Rat Racing as of 1962
Post by: Bob Heywood on March 10, 2023, 08:57:37 AM
Yes, but it sure was fun while it lasted...!
Title: Re: Rat Racing as of 1962
Post by: Paul Smith on March 10, 2023, 05:15:35 PM
See?

Rat reminds me of my years as an Indianapolis 500 fan.

1961-1963:  Trying to break The Magic Minute, 2 1/2 miles in under 60 seconds, 150 MPH.  First rear engines cars at Indy.
1964 :  A mix of front and rear engines.   AJ Foyt wins with a FRONT engine for the last time.  No limits on fuel or fuel capacity.  The biggest firey crash in history.
1965; The first rear engine win. 
1969: The one-and-only Andreddi win.
1985:  The Fiero pace car breaks The Magic Minute
1997:  The record speed of 237 MPH is achieved in practice, qualifying, and a lap in the race.
1997 to today:  An ongoing deluge of rules changes effectively caps the speed at 220 MPH.
While this has made the race very safe for the drivers, it is a total bore to me.  Why would I watch the same cars go the same speed they have for the last 25 years?  Like F2d, all the cars, engines, tires, and fuel are the same.

This is sort of the same reason modeling events come and go.  The novelty is great, but within a short time ultimate performance is achieved and the event fades away.  Time for something new.






Title: Re: Rat Racing as of 1962
Post by: john e. holliday on March 11, 2023, 12:36:48 PM
I remember the first Rat Race at KCK City Park.  6 planes for the final.  The race was started and wiin a few laps a line tangle took out 5 planes.  1 pilot  was still upright and took the handle of the one plane that was still flying.  But his dad was in the circle cutting lines from around the pilots neck in quick order and he flew the plane for the required laps.  His name was Wayne Meriwether.  In 1964 he became the Junior National Champion.  It was later  rat became a National event. D>K