NEMGTR VALVE COVER RACING
Valve Cover Racing has become a fun event with car clubs all over the country. Unfortunately, there is very little commonality between clubs in terms of the race car specifications and track design. If Valve Cover Racing is to become an NEMG”T”R event at GOF’s, it needed: specifications for the design and construction of the valve cover race car; a race track which has a infrared finish line detection system, a smooth transition from the incline to the run out section, and can be transported to the GOF’s; and a set of racing rules. A race track has been designed and the necessary rules & specifications have been written. These have already been tested at four GOF’s. Revisions have been made when suggestions were made by car owners and spectators to arrive at a set of rules and specifications which are finalized and now published herein. There were times when a race car did not meet the original specifications. To accommodate these racer cars, a separate race class, called the “Outlaw Class”, has been established so they could race against each other instead of being disqualified (DSQ). Another part of the Valve Cover Racing event is to include a “Beauty Contest” where, by popular vote, car owners and spectators vote for the car of their choice. The number of competing cars and spectators is growing.
Another feature of the racing event is the double elimination scoring. When a car loses a race, that car later races another car that also lost a race. The car that loses a race the second time is then eliminated from completion. This method allows the owner of a race car that lost the first race, time to go to the pit area and make adjustments to service his car and try again. It also gives the owner of a “slower” car the opportunity to run in at least two competitive races on the track.
This is an event where everyone has a fun time. Get a valve cover, four wheels, and with a little ingenuity join in the fun. It is our hope to have a valve cover race at every GOF but having the race will be decided on a GOF by GOF basis. The track is to be stored at the Sander’s and transported to the GOF, when needed, on the flat bed truck. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed and will be considered by the committee for use at future events.
Hal Kramer, Valve Cover Race Master
February 20, 2015
Click on the tabs to view the rules and specifications
VCRacer Specs.
| NEMGTR VALVE COVER RACER SPECIFCATIONS |
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CONFORMIST
CLASS |
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OUTLAWS
CLASS |
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| Maximum overall length (inches) |
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22 |
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23 |
| Maximum overall width (inches) |
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10 |
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21 |
| Maximum overall height (inches) |
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8 |
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10 |
| Maximum overall weight (pounds) |
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12 |
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| Maximum wheel diameter (inches) |
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5 |
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| Minimum number of wheels contacting track surface |
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4 |
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| Maximum wheel base (inches) |
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15 |
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| Maximum wheel track (inches) |
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8.5 |
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| Minimum wheel track (inches) |
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2 |
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| Minimum bottom body clearance |
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1 |
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| Cars will have a permanently affixed Racing Number |
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YES |
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YES |
| Car numbers must be registered in advance with Hal Kramer* |
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YES |
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YES |
| Rocker cover from a specific 4 cylinder British car engine |
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YES |
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YES |
| Rocker cover to retain the original dimensions |
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YES |
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| Each wheel must carry a part of the car's weight at all times |
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YES |
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| Wings allowed |
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NO |
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| Engines or propulsion from any power source |
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NO |
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NO |
| Moving weights |
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NO |
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NO |
| Remote controlled steering |
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NO |
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NO |
| Metallic or hard plastic wheel surface (tread) |
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NO |
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| Rigid wheel attachment |
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YES |
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| Suspension system (springs, dampers, etc.) |
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NO |
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| Interchangeable bodies for a given chassis |
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NO |
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NO |
| All wheels must be outside of valve cover |
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YES |
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| After a race car passes registration and inspection, it must be placed in the pit area and remain there except to be raced. Adjustments and repairs only allowed in the presents of the pit area supervisor |
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YES |
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YES |
| Oil drips on track |
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NO |
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NO |
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* Hal Kramer can be contacted at:
99 Bellmore Drive
Pittsfield, MA 01201
E-mail: hkramer [AT] nycap [DOT] rr [DOT] com
Home phone: 413-442-0651
Cell phone: 413-446-8744
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The first item to note is the two different classes for racing: they are the “NEMG“T”R Conformist” class and the “NEMG“T”R Outlaw” class. The first has the rigid set of specifications for consistency and the second class is established for those who want to have almost no bounds except for track limitations and a few other practical items. The detailed specifications are self explanatory.
Since a racing number is required to be permanently fixed to each racer, a register of racing numbers has been established so that two identical numbers will not be on two different racers. To register the racing number of your choice, you must e-mail Hal Kramer with a first and second choice of a number along with your NEMG“T”R number and e-mail address. You will receive a conformation for the number to use on your racer.
Race Rules
| NEMGTR VALVE COVER RACING RULES |
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CONFORMIST
CLASS |
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OUTLAWS
CLASS |
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| All race cars will be inspected for 100% compliance with the Valve Cover Racer Specifications |
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YES |
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YES |
| Minor car adjustments are permitted in the supervised pit area |
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YES |
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YES |
| Number of cars per heat |
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2 |
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2 |
| Double loss in all races for elimination |
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YES |
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YES |
| Cars launched with forward most part on start line |
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YES |
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YES |
| Two basic classes - Conformist and Outlaw |
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| Possible Conformist class race types at a GOF |
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1 to 4 |
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| - Feature Race |
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| - Consolation Race (hard luck cars as determined by the VC Racing Event Master) |
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| - Powder Puff Race as determined by the Event Master |
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| - Children Race as determined by the Event Master (age limit 16) |
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| Outlaw class race type at a GOF Feature Race |
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1 |
| Minimum race cars required to form a race class |
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4 |
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4 |
| Race car must have been built by the person racing it |
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YES |
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YES |
| In any race-if a car is DNS-the competing car must run alone and cross the finish line to win (DNS Means the racer Did Not Start) |
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YES |
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YES |
| If neither car crosses the finish line-the race will be re-run |
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YES |
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YES |
| A car will be DSQ if it leaves its lane during a race (DSQ Means the racer has been DiSQualifed) |
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YES |
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YES |
| Questions-disputes or rule interpretations will be resolved by the VC Racing Event Master |
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YES |
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YES |
Race rules are also necessary to maintain consistency for races at all future GOF’s when valve cover racing is scheduled as an event.
As stated above, there will be two (2) major classes: the “Conformist Class” and the “Outlaw Class”. The “Conformist Class” can have races in as many as six (6) sub-classes depending upon the number of entries and other events at the GOF.
The “Outlaw Class” has only one (1) sub-class race at the present time. This may need to change if this class becomes very large. This event is just beginning so rules will be revised as necessary after races are completed.
Other
| OTHER RACE EVENT FEATURES |
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CONFORMIST
CLASS |
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OUTLAWS
CLASS |
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| Non-race contests may also be scheduled at a race. |
YES |
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YES |
| For example: |
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- Best looking car
- Best decorated car
- Most unusual car
- Best MG appearance car
- Best dressed owner/driver
- Etc.
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| Non-race contests include cars in both the Conformist class and the Outlaw class. |
YES |
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YES |
| Non-race contests will be "popular vote" by both race participants and spectators. |
YES |
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YES |
At the option of the GOF planner, other non-racing activity can take place as shown above. Some very interesting car designs, decorations and other facets of valve cover racing show up at an event. The choice of these to be held is again at the discretion of the event planner.
Race Track Design
The track will consist of one eight feet long incline and two eight feet long flat run-out sections. The major features of this track design are the curved smooth transition at the bottom of the incline section (to prevent racers from bouncing off of the track at the bottom of the incline) and the center and side rails (to prevent racers from leaving their lane and crossing into the other lane or off the track). The dimensional specifications of the track are self-explanatory except the rear height of the incline section (TBD) which is to be determined at the time of construction. Present indication is that it will be approximately three (3) feet.
Perhaps it is important to also point out that the starting will be a mechanically controlled board, three (3) inches high across the start line so that the forward most part of the racer is on the start line. The reason to use a board instead of a pin is because the winning racer is electronically detected at the finish by the first item to break an infrared optical beam. This is expected to eliminate any arguments as to which car is the winner of the race.
| NEMGTR RACE TRACK SPECIFICATIONS |
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CONFORMIST
CLASS |
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OUTLAW
CLASS |
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| Incline length (feet) |
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8 |
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8 |
| Run-out length (feet) |
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16 |
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16 |
| Lane width (inches) |
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23 |
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23 |
| Incline height at starting line (feet) |
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2.7 |
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2.7 |
| Starting line from rear edge of incline (inches) |
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24 |
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24 |
| Finish line from start line (feet) |
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22 |
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22 |
| Car retaining device at starting line |
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BOARD |
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BOARD |
| Car retaining device height (inches) |
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3 |
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3 |
| Start mechanism |
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MECH. |
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MECH. |
| Incline to run-out is a smooth transition |
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YES |
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YES |
| Guide rails between lanes and on each side edge |
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YES |
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YES |
| Side guide rail height (inches) |
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1.75 |
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1.75 |
| Center guide rail height (inches) |
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1.25 |
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1.25 |
Obtain a VCR Number
Need a race number?
All Valve Cover Race cars that compete in a NEMGTR event must display a racing number registered with Hal Kramer #3094 our Valve Cover Racing Master.
Car racing numbers are available between 1 and 100. Select three different numbers for your first, second and third choices from the lists in the form.
If the first choice is assigned, your second choice number will be used. If choices one and two are already assigned, your third choice number will be used. If the third choice is also assigned you will be contacted by either phone or e-mail by the Race Master. After your racing number has been registered, you will receive a written confirmation for that number.
If your race car has not yet been registered already, complete this form and press the submit button at the bottom of the form. The form will then be emailed to Hal Kramer for number assignment.
Have other questions? Contact Hal Kramer at the following address:
Hal Kramer
99 Bellmore Drive
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Home phone: 413-442-0651
Cell phone: 413-446-8744
E-mail: hkramer [AT] nycap [DOT] rr [DOT] com
