BSCRA Motor Approval Policy

Updated April 2007

 General

A review of the current motor approvals has been undertaken by BSCRA and, based on member feedback, it has been decided to define the motor approvals policy, applicable to controlled motor classes.

 In defining it's motor approvals policy BSCRA has to consider several issues, in particular the fundamental requirements of the various BSCRA classes raced from the driver's perspective.  In this respect the approvals policy is different for the following categories: 

• 1/32 Novice Production
• 1/32 Super Production
• 1/32 Saloon, Club Team Championship
• 1/24 Production
• 1/24 Open Group 12

 BSCRA also has to consider the availability of products on the market and the ability of manufacturers to satisfy the needs of our main racing categories 

This policy will be reviewed periodically based on changing market / product availability and obsolescence.  The review period will also consider decisions made by USRA as BSCRA approvals will be dependant on prior USRA approval.

Scope of Application

The approvals policy only applies to motors used in the following BSCRA classes: 

Class 4A            -            1/32 Super Production
Class 8             -            1/24 Production
Class 3             -            1/32 Saloon
Class 5             -            1/32 Club Team
Class 6             -            1/24 Open Group 12

 In addition this policy applies to the motor, raced in BSCRA Class 4 – 1/32 Production.
NOTE The process for changes to this motor is different from the other motors – see the BSCRA Constitution.

USRA Approval

USRA is the main governing body for slot car racing in the US and it is important to note that it is a US organisation operating in the US market.  It is also important to note that most of the motors and motor components raced in the UK are manufactured in (or for) the US market. 

USRA operates a bi-annual approval process whereby products are added to it's approved product list for particular classes of racing.  These racing classes are USRA classes not BSCRA classes.

The various motors and motor components used in the classes covered by this policy are manufactured to technical specifications governing various aspects of component design and construction and in approving products USRA has to ensure that the products comply with the required technical specifications.  

BSCRA will adopt USRA approval as confirmation of technical specification compliance for motors and motor components.  

USRA is also concerned with other issues including retail price and product availability specifically for manufacturers, in order to protect the interests of racers.  

In adopting USRA approval, BSCRA is ensuring that racers in the UK are protected to some degree in these areas.  BSCRA will not, however, interfere with the pricing policy of the various UK distributors. 

Definitions

Motor             -        Comprises can (with bearing), magnets, endbell (with bearing), armature, brush hoods/buss bars, brushes and springs)

In classes where the complete motor must be from a single manufacturer, at least the can, endbell and armature shall be made by, or exclusively for, the manufacturer (see also note below regarding armatures).   Magnets shall be of original manufacturer equipment, as supplied from the factory.

The main motor components are defined as follows:

Can                -        C can type, dimensionally specified.  Made by, or exclusively for, a particular USRA approved manufacturer.

Armature        -        Rotating part of motor governed in terms of stack dimensions (length and diameter) and windings (turns and wire gauge).  The armature must be made and wound in house by the USRA approved manufacturer.

Magnets         -        Must be ceramic type containing no rare earth material as defined by USRA.  Dimensionally controlled in terms of length and height.  

Endbell           -      Motor end cap to which brush gear is attached.  Made by, or exclusively for, a particular USRA approved manufacturer

Brushgear       -      Comprising brush hoods and buss bars for lead wire connection

Other terms relevant to this policy:

Manufacturer   -        Must be USRA registered and selling USRA approved product.  Manufacturers may be using sub suppliers for some of their products i.e. manufacture may not be entirely in house.

                             Manufacturers list product by part numbers which are listed in the USRA rulebook, where approval has been obtained.

Blueprinting

Blueprinting refers to the process of refining a motor to improve it's performance.  This involves several operations including can straightening / alignment, fitting matched magnets, armature rebalancing, magnet honing……. and so on.  Blueprinting does not change the technical specification of a motor – it simply improves the build quality.

Most racers will carry out blueprinting to some extent before using a motor – it could be simply aligning brush hoods and running brushes in.

Several recognised US based blueprinters are also USRA approved and produce USRA approved products including complete motors e.g. Fastones, Best O' the West….

                       In producing products, these blueprinters will always refer to the original manufacturers component e.g BOW Proslot Group 12 armature, Fast Ones RJR Hornet…..  Importantly the original manufacturer is declared.

Blueprinted products are allowed provided the finished product complies with the rules applicable to the class in question.

Technical Specifications

The following table defines the technical specifications applicable to C can motor components:

Motor Eligibility

Motor eligibility for the various BSCRA classes is described in the following sections.  Please refer to the eligibility table for a summary and list of approved products / manufacturers

BSCRA Class 4 - 1/32 Production

The  permitted motor and the allowed modifications are stated in BSCRA Rules

·         Armature shaft may be shortened

The approval process and timescales are stated in the BSCRA Constitution.

BSCRA Class 4A - 1/32 Super Production

Complete “C” can motors supplied by USRA approved manufacturers of complete motors only who supply, at least, the can, armature and endbell and package the motor complete.  These components must be made by, or exclusively, for the manufacturer.  Specifically the armature must be wound by the manufacturer "in house".  Magnets are supplied as original manufacturer equipment.

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

No mixing of manufacturer’s parts is allowed in this class.

BSCRA Class 8 - 1/24 Production

Complete “C” can motors supplied by USRA approved manufacturers of complete motors only who supply, at least, the can, armature and endbell and package the motor complete.  These components must be made by or exclusively for the manufacturer.  Specifically the armature must be wound by the manufacturer "in house".  Magnets are supplied as original manufacturer equipment.

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

No mixing of manufacturer’s parts is allowed.

BSCRA Class 3 and Class 5 - 1/32 Saloon and 1/32 Club Team

“C” Can Group 12 motors assembled from parts supplied by the USRA approved manufacturers listed for Class 4A and Class 8:

The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.

Approved components:

·           Can

·           Armature

·           Magnets

·           Endbell

·           Brush gear

 Mixing of manufacturer’s parts is allowed.

BSCRA Class 6 - 1/24 Open Group 12

 “C” Can Group 12 motors using any USRA approved C can motor components.

 The approved Manufacturers, and permitted modifications are listed in BSCRA rules.  

BSCRA Product Approval Process –

 Motor and Motor Component Approval Form

Introduction

Many classes of BSCRA racing are restricted to BSCRA approved motors or motor components, and BSCRA welcomes the submission of new motors or motor components from any party (‘the submitter’) 

It is the submitter’s responsibility to understand, and demonstrate to BSCRA that the new product complies with, BSCRA approval criteria  

Product that is close to the limits of acceptability is likely to need closer scrutiny than product that is clearly inside or outside the requirements, so the decisions on “close to the limit” products are likely to take longer.  

You must complete this form, provide sample product as described and abide by all guidelines, rules, terms and conditions in order to use the product approval service.

1 Motor / motor component name and part number ……………………….

2 Motor / motor component manufacturer ………..

3 Is the motor / motor component USRA approved? (Not applicable for 1/32 production)…..

All above information is needed for BSCRA to consider a motor / motor component. 
Submissions must be accompanied by a sample motor / motor component.

Terms and Conditions

1 BSCRA does not expect any consideration for providing this service. BSCRA has no liability for any costs to any parties arising from it, for example and not limited to correspondence, product development, manufacturing, marketing, write off, postage, resubmission or any other costs involved. 

2 BSCRA does not give advice on meeting approval criteria.  Any comment or lack of comment by one or more BSCRA officials that may be construed as advice to a submitter is that individual’s personal view. 

3. The onus is on the submitter to provide evidence that the motor / motor component meets BSCRA requirements.

4 The approval process for a particular motor / motor component  ends with an approval or rejection decision: 

The BSCRA Competitions Secretary will send the submitter a formal approval or rejection email. In the event of acceptance, BSCRA will then publish the product approval through its channels. 

In the event of rejection, BSCRA will inform the submitter of reasons for rejection. Rejection will be for one or more of five reasons, and the submitter will be informed:

where the motor / motor component does not meet the dimensions required

where the motor / motor component does not meet the physical construction required. 

where the motor / motor component is not made from the materials required

where there is insufficient evidence that the motor / motor component is USRA approved. 

where insufficient examples of the product will be available to meet demand 

BSCRA reserves the right to inform its members of rejection decisions

5 Product can be resubmitted once reworked or with further clarifying information, the submitter following the approval process from the start. 

6 BSCRA reserves the right to change its constitution, rules, policies and approval criteria and may approve new products from a variety of suppliers. This may affect product marketability.  BSCRA has no liability for any costs to any parties arising from these changes, for example and not limited to correspondence, product development, manufacturing, marketing, write off, postage, resubmission or any other costs involved.

Confirmation of terms and request to submit

I request BSCRA to consider making the above motor / motor component eligible for BSCRA racing. 

I accept BSCRA’s terms and conditions.

Name                                                               Date

Please send this form to productapprovals__ AT *_ bscra.co.uk You will then be contacted with details of where to send the motor / motor component.

* The e mail address is shown in this way to cut down spam, please replace the __ AT *_ with @

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