Greetings QSAC members,
Approximately one week ago, Christian Hogue (WCM Co-Owner) posted a couple of images of new body work and new wings that would be offered by a company that is new to quarter scale community; JB R/C-Sports (note: JB R/C-Sports offers numerous 1/10th sprint car related pieces, but this is their first entry into the quarter scale market place).
Since that posting, we (QSAC) have received communication from numerous members as well as a couple of manufacturers bringing to question the legality of these new wings and pieces of body work being offered. We have received calls, emails, and messages this past week regarding this topic. n turn, doing our best to provide answers to these questions, we have had reached out to the manufacturers involved as well as our National Tech Director to discuss these questions and concerns. The concerns, as we understand it, revolve around the addition of “ribs” on the top wing surfaces (both top wing and front wing) as well as “ribs” in the front nose piece. The arguments, as we understand them, revolve around the wording “must resemble” and whether or not the addition of the ribs deviates from this wording, or if they are intended to provide an aerodynamic advantage over a wing that does not include “ribs”.
After taking in as much information as possible, and evaluating the questions and concerns that have been levied, we have reached a conclusion regarding the concerns of legality. At this time, we do not take issue with the wings as they have been presented. The primary take-away that we have is that the ribs are intended as structural reinforcement as these wings are Lexan in construction. In addition, we do not believe these new wings and body work will in any way obsolete the other current offerings available to quarter scale racers. In complete fairness and in the interest of being absolutely transparent, we debated and went back and forth about this topic and the questions that were presented. At the heart of this, we do feel this is very much a gray area and that there is a potential for a boundary to be pushed. As a follow-up, we will be reaching out to all of the quarter scale manufacturers to discuss the possibility of putting further boundaries and constraints on our rules in the interest of not opening Pandora’s Box in the future.
Since JB R/C-Sports is new to us (and most likely the majority of our membership), we felt the need to talk with JB. We reached out and spoke with JB and asked a few questions about his wings and his intentions as he and his company are new to the ¼ scale community. Regarding his choice for creating a wing with ribs, JB stated “The only reason for the ribs is to make it stiffer like the internal ribs in a real car wing. I like to use .030” material, so that they are light. Then when you pull it, it gets thinner in places. “We also asked about availability and whether the wings would work on other sprint cars. JB responded with “The mounts are made for the WCM so we may have to get some measurements for the other production cars to make mount for them. But, yes, I plan on all my stuff to be available for anyone to purchase either from me or WCM. If other manufacturers of cars want me to form parts for them as well I am definitely willing to talk to them. The wings should work on any car, just may have to make mounts for them. I love designing new stuff and making parts more than I do racing myself.”
As with any choice where there are two polarizing different sides, we understand and accept the fact this ruling may not sit well with all parties. We can assure you that we both gave careful and thoughtful consideration regarding the questions and concerns that were presented to us.
We appreciate the members and manufacturers that reached out to us with their questions and concerns. We also appreciate JB and WCM responding to the questions and concerns that we shared with them in our effort as we evaluated matters.
Thank you,
Denny Andrews Jr
Todd Bishop
QSAC Co-Chairs