Official VHORS Super Stock 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 Super Stock (“SS”) 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 Super Stock Class.

Overview

It is the desire and intention of your VHORS Rules Committee to encourage and increase participation in VHORS Super Stock Class.  We believe that the means by which to accomplish this is to establish Rules so that all who choose to make and race Super Stock cars can do so on a competitive level and one that defines success not only by one’s ability to set up a car for a given track, but also by one’s driving skill. These Rules shall be interpreted with this in mind.

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.

Back To The Top

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. 

Back To The Top

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.

Back To The Top

Cars General

SS:CO-01. Each racer may have up to two cars pre-inspected for the entire VHORS Super Stock Class event. After the cars have 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.

SS:CO-02. Every fully assembled VHORS "SS" car shall weigh no less than 19.00 grams, and no more than 23.00 grams.

SS:CO-03. Each car shall pass freely through the Official Tech Block: 1 5/16" (1.3125”) +/- .002”.

Back To The Top

Bodies

SS:B-01. Bodies shall only be made of injection molded plastic or resin cast

SS:B-02. Bodies shall be molded or cast based on actually manufactured cars.

SS:B-03. Bodies must be complete with full windows, bumpers, drivers, roll bars and other accessories which accompanied the car as originally manufactured.

SS:B-04. . 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, Road Race Replica, Fandango. This is not an exhaustive list.

SS:B-06. Body shall be fastened securely to the chassis using two screws.

SS:B-07. Bodies may be lightened to reduce weight; however, there shall be no holes present as a result of this process.

SS:B-08. Interiors may be removed from bodies that have a roof.  The roof shall be replaced in its original position and securely fastened.

SS:B-09. OEM wheelbase shall be maintained.

SS:B-10. Screw posts may be cut, shaved or sanded to lower the body.  The original position of the screw posts shall not be changed.

SS:B-11. Split or damaged screw post may be repaired using plastic or non-ferrous metal sleeves.

SS:B-12. Stripped screw posts may be repaired with plastic or non-ferrous metal inserts.

SS:B-13. Missing screw posts shall only be replaced with plastic and shall  be positioned at the original OEM location.

SS:B-14. Windshields and windows may be sanded for purposes of allowing the body to sit lower on the chassis.

SS:B-15. Windows shall completely fill both the front and rear body window openings.

SS:B-16. Side windows may be removed.

SS:B-17. Windows shall be made only of OEM injection molded plastic, acetate, Lexan or resin.

SS:B-18. Spoilers, scoops, wings, exhaust pipes, etc. may be added to enhance the car's appearance,  but shall be made of the same material as the body, shall remain within the 1 5/16" width limit, and shall not be added for the purpose of enhancing the handling characteristics of the car.

SS:B-19. The thickness of body side walls, roofs, trunks, hoods, running boards, front and rear bumper areas (excluding separate bumper pieces) shall not exceed 1/8”.

Back To The Top

Chassis

SS:C-01. Chassis must be stock Aurora Thunder Jet with all copper components.

SS:C-02. Non-ferrous bearings, bushings, shims, and spacers are permitted on the axle.

SS:C-03. Non-ferrous magnet shims are permitted except for sanded "Johnny Lightning/JL" magnets.

SS:C-04. There shall be no modifications to the chassis.

SS:C-05. Gear plate rails may be cut or sanded only for purposes of lowering the body, and shall only be cut or sanded to the level of the top surface of the gear plate.

SS:C-06. Brush springs may be adjusted only in their original configuration to change the tension on the brushes.

SS:C-07. Brush springs may be glued at to the chassis at a point no more than half the distance from the rivet point to the commutator brush hole in the chassis.  No gluing shall be allowed from the point half the distance between the rivet and commutator brush hole to the brush hole. .

SS:C-08. Guide pins shall be original design. They shall not be metal.

SS:C-09. Guide pins may be glued to chassis.

SS:C-10. Guide pins may be shortened in length to accommodate different tracks.

SS:C-11. Two mounting screws shall be used to hold the body securely on the chassis.

Back To The Top

Pickup Shoes and Springs

SS: PSS-01. Pick up shoes and springs shall be solid copper and manufactured by Aurora, Model Motoring,  American Line, or BSRT (model 504 only).

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

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

SS: 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.

Back To The Top

Magnets

SS:M-01. The only allowable magnets are stock Aurora or JL/R2.

SS:M-02. Magnets may be sanded for fitment.

SS:M-03. JL/R2 magnets shall not be shimmed; stock Aurora magnets may be shimmed with non-ferrous material.

SS:M-04  Magnets may be matched .

SS:M-05. Magnets shall not be affixed to the chassis by any means.

SS:M-06. All paint on magnets shall have original factory paint.  There shall be no substantial removal of paint.

SS:M-07. Painting of magnets shall not be allowed.

SS:M-08. Unpainted and unstriped magnets shall not be allowed.

Back To The Top

Armatures

SS:A-01. With the exception of SS:A-03 below, only original, stock, unaltered armatures, with gray tips shall be allowed.

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

SS:A-03. Armatures may be balanced. You may add weight, place a vertical notch in one, two or three poles OR you may grind/sand material from one, two or three poles to achieve balancing.

Back To The Top

Commutator Brushes

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

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

Back To The Top

Gears

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

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

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

SS:G-04. The driven gear shall have 24 teeth.

SS:G-05. The final pinion shall have 9, 12 or 14 teeth.

SS:G-06. The Crown gear shall have 15 teeth.

SS:G-07. The Crown gear shall not be metal.

SS:G-08  The crown gear “boss” may be sanded or trimmed to accommodate different gear ratios.

SS:G-09. The crown gear may be shimmed inside and/or outside the chassis.

SS:G-10. Gears may be soldered or glued to their respective shafts.

Back To The Top

Tires/Wheels/Axles

SS:TWA-01. Axle nuts, spacers or springs must be kept on the outer side of the chassis.

SS:TWA-02. Spacers shall be made only of plastic, copper, aluminum, brass, or steel.

SS:TWA-03. All four tires shall simultaneously touch the test track in the static position.

SS:TWA-04. The width of the fully assembled tire/wheel/axle assembly shall not exceed 1-5/16".

SS:TWA-05. "Hub caps" or other wheel inserts shall fit entirely within the wheel.

SS:TWA-06. Lateral movement of the front tire/axle assembly shall not exceed 1/32" (.03")

Back To The Top