How RC Car Racing Works

Governing Bodies: ROAR (http://www.roarracing.com/core.htm)

ROAR (Remotely Operated Auto Racers) has been the official North American sanctioning body for racing RC cars since 1967.  ROAR is responsible for producing and maintaining fair rules and for organizing race teams that represent the US and Canada at the International Federation of Model Car Racing (IFMAR) World Championships.

Made up of 19 regions in the US and Canada and their representatives, ROAR has been making the rules for RC car racing for more than 35 years.  These rules are designed to promote fair competition and define the equipment allowed in ROAR races.

Though ROAR does not run races, it does sanction races from the club level to the National Championships.  It is important to note that if international racing is your interest, ROAR is the only organization authorized to qualify and send drivers to the IFMAR World Championships.

The strength of ROAR lies in local clubs spread throughout all 19 regions.  Clubs pay $35 to be sanctioned and to be covered by the member accident and liability insurance.  Weekly competition in the local clubs provides racers with ample time to practice, and prepares competitors for the State, Region and National Championships.

Individual annual membership in ROAR is $30, which includes a copy of the rule book and the ability to vote on important rule changes, as well as insurance coverage for ROAR sanctioned events.

ROAR also provides extremely detailed specifications for engines—if you’re planning on racing seriously, it is best to build your RC along these guidelines, to prevent having to make difficult changes later.  Size outlines for both nitro RC cars and electric RC cars and all the regulations governing official races are also given.

COMPETITION RULES

5.1 GENERAL COMPETITION RULES

5.1.1 ROAR aims to promote family-oriented racing. Unruly or unsportsmanlike conduct will therefore not be tolerated. Individuals judged by the Designated ROAR Official or Race Director to be in violation of the spirit of this rule will be disqualified and requested to leave the race area.

5.1.2 For Level 3 and 4 sanctioned events, any deviation from ROAR rules must have been applied for in writing and approved by the ROAR Executive Committee (by signature of the Competition Director) in advance of the event, and must be prominent on entry forms and all advertisements.  Deviations at Level 1 and 2 events must be prominent on all entry forms and advertisements but do not need written ROAR Executive Committee approval.

5.1.3 The race lengths specified for each class are mandatory for Level 3 and 4 events. At lower level races, race length is optional, but must be announced in advance.

5.2 GENERAL VEHICLE RULES

5.2.1 All vehicles entered for a ROAR-sanctioned event must comply with the dimensional requirements contained in this rule book for the relevant class.

5.2.2 Vehicle batteries must be securely mounted. ROAR recommends limiting the radio receiver battery pack in all vehicles to 6 volts. This is usually accomplished by the use of five (5) NiCad or NiMh cells or four alkaline cells. Slightly higher voltages (Maximum 6 NiCad/NiMh cells) may be used for direct receiver power but this can result in an increased risk of receiver failure by over voltage. Receiver and servo power for electric vehicles may
come from an electronic speed controller equipped with Battery Elimination Circuitry (BEC) or from a separate battery pack used for this purpose only. (See rule 1.5.18)

5.2.3 The use of traction control sensing devices, active suspension devices, and steering control devices aided by gyroscopes or accelerometers (G-force sensors) of any kind is strictly prohibited. Sensors may be used for the purpose of passive data recording but not for adjusting the performance of the vehicle while in motion.

5.2.4 No roll-over antennas are allowed unless noted in the class rules. Roll-over antennas are defined as any vertical antenna strong or stiff enough to support the weight of the vehicle when resting on the tip of the antenna and one side of the vehicle.

5.2.5 Multiple speed transmissions are not allowed unless noted in the class rules.

5.2.6 Any material used to add weight to a vehicle in order to comply with the minimum weight requirements for the class must be securely attached to the vehicle chassis. If such ballast falls off the vehicle during a race for any reason, and the vehicle is under weight at the post race technical inspection, the vehicle will be disqualified for that run. For all fuel classes, chassis weights must be securely mounted with solid mechanical fasteners such as bolts or screws.

5.2.7 No hazardous bumpers, nerf bars, chassis extensions, or other objects protruding from the vehicle are allowed.

5.3 CLASSES

5.3.1 Vehicle class definitions:
5.3.1.1 For the purpose of establishing specific rules, vehicles used in ROAR competition are divided into various classes according to the following criteria:
* Scale
* Drive configuration
* Type of power
* Track surface and configuration
* Body style

5.3.1.2 Scale Definition:
* 1/12 scale
* 1/10 scale
* 1/8 scale
* 1/5 scale

5.3.1.3 Drive configurations definition:
* Two wheel drive (2WD), where power is transmitted to the rear wheels only, and
* Four wheel drive (4WD), where power transmitted to all four wheels. Vehicles that are driven by the front wheels only are classified as four wheel drive.

5.3.1.4 Type of power: Vehicles may be powered by electric motors or by fuel engines. Electric motors are further classified as stock or modified. Fuel engines are classified primarily by fuel type, and then by engine displacement.

5.3.1.5 Track surface and configuration: Authorized surfaces include carpet, dirt, and pavement. Configurations include ovals and road courses. Surface and configuration can be combined in many ways to provide a variety of racing venues.

5.3.1.6 Body style: A wide variety of bodies are authorized for use in ROAR competition. These are covered in detail in the Body Rules section.

5.3.1.7 ROAR reserves the right to specify what classes of drive, power, and body style can be used on the various track surfaces and configurations.

5.3.1.8 Provisional or Demonstration classes are those being raced where the level of interest or participation does not warrant National Championship status. Rules may be provided for these classes, and they may be run at all levels, unless specifically prohibited. Cost controlled classes are authorized and encouraged. See Cost Control Rules.

5.3.2 Driver categories:
5.3.2.1 Drivers may also be categorized according to various criteria. Juniors and Masters categories are encouraged, as well as Novice and Beginner’s categories. Any driver category may be linked with any vehicle class. Drivers not qualifying for these categories compete in an open category.

5.3.2.2 When Juniors and Masters categories are run, the following rules will apply:
* Juniors must be 15 years old or younger on the final day of the event.
* Masters must be at least 40 years old on the first day of qualifying.
* At level 4 events, proof of age is required for entry in the Juniors or Masters categories. Proof of age for Juniors is provided by means of a Birth Certificate, and for Masters by means of a government-issued ID or Driver’s License.
* At Level 4 events, Juniors and Masters may enter other classes in the open category, but not in the same vehicle type.

5.3.2.3 When Novice or Beginner categories are run, the following rules will apply:
* The definitions used to determine Beginner and Novice must be clearly stated on the event entry form or otherwise publicized before the event.
* Beginner and Novice categories may be offered at events up to and including level 3 only.
* Drivers entered in a novice or beginner category may not enter other classes in other categories, but may enter multiple classes within their category, if available.

5.4 TECHNICAL INSPECTION

5.4.1 Each vehicle should satisfactorily pass a pre-event technical inspection before being allowed to compete.

5.4.2 All rules must be strictly adhered to. No vehicle will be allowed to race until it has been cleared to do so by the Technical Director. Any violation must be corrected before the vehicle is raced.

5.4.3 All vehicles must pass technical inspection prior to or after every race, or both. For A Mains both pre and post race inspections are required. Any vehicle found to be illegal during a pre-race inspection will not be allowed to race in that condition. Vehicles found to be illegal during a post-race inspection will be disqualified from that race.

5.4.4 Technical inspections include but are not limited to checking the vehicles height, length, width, and minimum weight (with personal or handout transponder installed).

5.4.5 Except in the case of 2.4GHz DSM/DSS systems, the technical inspectors will ensure that the driver’s radio is on the proper frequency.

5.4.6 During width measurements, vehicles must roll freely in the tech box at ride height. This will be verified by lifting the rear of the box to 45 degrees above horizontal, and the car must roll forward under its own weight.

5.4.7 All dimensions or other specifications quoted as “maximum” include all manufacturing or other tolerances. No further tolerance is allowed above any maximum specification.

5.4.8 Bodies must remain as originally approved. Flaring front fenders or making any other aerodynamic modification is not permitted.

5.4.9 The minimum vehicle weights listed in the Class specifications include transponders. No distinction is made between personal and “handout” transponders.

5.4.10 All vehicles must have the correct numbers.

5.4.11 The Designated ROAR Official, Technical Inspectors and the Race Director have the right to subject any vehicle to mechanical or visual inspection or impound at any time. It is the driver’s responsibility to tear down a vehicle for inspection if required to do so.

5.4.12 The Race Director has the right to limit admission to any area in which inspections are being made.

5.4.13 During post race inspection, the effects of normal wear and race distortion or damage should be taken into consideration. For post-race inspections, a “cooling-off” period of no more than 10 minutes may be allowed to eliminate any temperature effects on sizes, capacities, etc.

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