World GT at 2011 IIC in Las Vegas

So the World GT class was orginally put together by Scotty Ernst. One of the most enthusiastic guys in racing, and the only man I know who can give Kris Kennedy a run for his money for pumped up race commentary.

World GT was first run at the Internation Indoor Championships (IIC) in Las Vegas. So I still consider that meeing the home of the class.

We have since adopted the rules as a GT10 class in the UK, to give us a wider choice of bodyshells. The World GT rules focus on front engined + rear wheel drive GT cars, and in Europe we have more mid-engined and also four wheel drive GT cars.

I raced World GT in the 2009 IIC meeting. Perhaps it was a mistake to run in the 10.5 Pro class, which made for a steep learning curve. However the meeting is outstanding, held in the ballroom of the Rivieria hotel and casino on the Strip.

Last year plans didn't work out for a return to what was sadly announced as the last IIC. Some equipment thefts has made the meeting struggle to break even. I did however realise another r/c racing ambition by going to the Snowbirds....that's another story for another thread!

However with the help of sponsors it is back for 2011. And I'm going to race.

Mrs B has booked the flights and hotels and we're waiting for class details and the entry to be opened up. I'll be doing one of the World GT classes...hoping for 13.5 with open speedos, but willl race whever Scotty puts together.

This is something I would absolutely love to do.....when I can afford it!!!

I have already started a little pot to start saving for next year, just hope it runs next year!

I will be following it closely on the web, hopefully you will doing another postcard from...

chris_blakey wrote:This is something I would absolutely love to do.....when I can afford it!!!

I have already started a little pot to start saving for next year, just hope it runs next year!

I will be following it closely on the web, hopefully you will doing another postcard from...

It is well worth saving for and simply the best on-road carpet meeting running at the moment. The 1998 On Track World Championships run by the BRCA up in South Sheilds is the only one I've been to that matches it.

Scotty has the whole thing sorted. His team are well drilled, and the US racers give us a warm welcome. Somehow Scotty manages to pull together an amazing goodie bag for every racer...I'm still using most of it from back in 2009

The theft of the equipment for the IIC meeting after both the 2008 and 2009 meetings was nearly the end of it all. Hence Scotty called last year's the last...with poker themed "all in" t-shirts to match. I'd resigned myself to special memories of my one visit.

From what I hear sponsors have persuaded Scotty and are supporting him to keep the IIC going. That includes secure storage in Veags for the kit, which avoids trailers to transport it. So we should be ok for the future...fingers crossed!

There will definately be a "Postcard from..." thread. I've got the wi-fi in and around the hotel sussed (hotel's own is too pricey, other local providers are better, McD's over the road is free).

Keep saving

haha I was at the 1998 on track worlds, granted I was a spotty 14 year old watching from the side lines wondering if I could get my mardave that fast.

Sods law but I have just found out that my sister in law will be in vegas when the IIC is on! Going to send her to get me some freebies.

Started saving and planning now!

chris_blakey wrote:haha I was at the 1998 on track worlds, granted I was a spotty 14 year old watching from the side lines wondering if I could get my mardave that fast.

I was proud to have qualified by rights for that meeting after a strong performance at the previous year's Touring Car nationals. There were some reallocated spaces so it was a large British team.

The Touring Cars were at that point an unofficial Worlds known as the ITSC. It was run as a massive Reedy Race format with 120 drivers, of which 60 were factory team drivers and 60 were non-factory.

That format meant every round was a race rather than qualifying. You got to race everyone at some point. I got to run three practice runs with Joel "Magic" Johnston. And marshalled that stunning Masami/Spashett heat where Dave just got him on the last lap. You can just see me applauding on the video

I finished 75th out of 120 and beat a number of the factory drivers. There were a couple of heats where I should have done better, but remember it fondly as an awesome meeting.

We should run more meetings to the Reedy format!

So I checked back on my photos from the 2009 IIC meeting in Vegas. As it was the start of a memorable month long trip with the now Mrs Burgess, there are few racing photos and lots of Vegas. That's what happens when you only race twice a day, and have five hours between rounds

However these will give a feel for the track, which is laid out in a large casino ballroom. They leave the air con running so temperatures are stable, which makes for consistent grip levels. Tech is done before your race (very professional as well). So tech, then race, then marshall, then back to the pits.

The meeting is run on CRC carpet, laid on boards over the ballroom carpet. So its pretty much bump free, and the grip builds up as rounds complete and more laps are run on it. The layout is designed to suit Touring, 12th and World GT. This makes for a good GT track, with flowing corners and a couple of decent overtaking spots.

I decided not to take up space with a pit towel (this was a month long trip!). Turned out to be a good move as a Vegas beach towel was well priced, and is still my pit towel of choice to this day. Shame a casino trip makes a good 3mm ride height guage...good for 12th, but not for World GT running to 4mm ride height.

Control tyres were Jaco Lilacs on the carbon effect rim. Scotty hooked us up with a new friend and we got them trued down to a smaller size (I had taken a set for practice). We were all given a small Jack the Gripper tin, as the control addtive for this meeting. A few rounds in the black line had really come up, and we ended up flashing the addtive on and wiping off in literally a couple of minutes. And super gluing the outside edge of the tyre to reduce grip roll.

What did I learn?
1) Only run Pro class if you're really on the pace!
2) The Sophia shell was the only one to run. Mine was left at home to save space And none available from the shop on site.
3) The onsite shop was good for kit at US prices...enough said!
4) A boosted speedo was the one to go (Tekin now for me).
5) Don't worry about taking a tyre truer...you can hook up and borrow one there.
6) Paint will dry in 5 seconds if held up to the sun in Vegas

Nice one mark . . . any more pics please. . .

so awsome, that track looks so so so nice

Gazza wrote:Nice one mark . . . any more pics please. . .

Lots of photos of casinos and downtown Las Vegas yes. No more GT photos from that meeting...I have got a mightly impressive pinion for unboosted racing (70t 64dp).

I do have more from the Snowbirds this year. When I've got a bit more time I'll post a summary and some pics from that legendary meeting.

Mark

gazag wrote:so awsome, that track looks so so so nice

It was very good to race on yes. Amazing when you consider the wide range of classes that ran that year.

There is a time-lapse video of the track being built, run and broken down at the end. Its a top class build using the kit you'd want to race on.

I was very impressed with the masks used to spray paint sponsors logos onto the carpet. They picked offline sections for this which really stood out from the rostrum and the seats around the track.

Much as I loved Scotty's IIC track design, I actually thought this year's Snowbirds track was even better. It's the first track I wished I'd taken a 12th car to race on...and it was darned good for World GT too

Scotty Ernst is a busy boy - aside from the many US race meetings he runs, he also comes over for the ETS touring car series in Europe with pappa Rehinard (yes Marc's dad). And runs his track. And announces at a number of World and international meetings.

So as I know this I'm patient when it comes to IIC details, as I know he'll get there and the meeting will be well worth it. Back in 2009 the now Mrs Burgess and I were planning a month long trip around the IIC, and let's just say she's a lot less patient!

So Scotty has announced classes for the 2011 IIC.

World GT will have two classes:
- 13.5 with non-advancing "blinking" speedos
- Pro class 10.5 with advancing speedos

I only want to race one class as it is less gear to take, and gives Mrs B and I longer to explore Vegas. And after racing the Pro class last time, I wasn't keen on having to work that hard on keeping up with Josh Cyrul, Mike Blackstock, Mike Dumas, Dumper and the like.

However I know 10.5 with advancing speedos really well from 12th and GT racing in the UK. Got a great Tekin set up, an awesome GM 10.5 motor and a quick car set up. Means I can focus on other things than gearing and driving style.

The World GT class at the Snowbirds was 13.5 with advancing speedos. I worked hard to get a Tekin speedo set up, and ended up in a good place. And bought a very impressive EPIC Duo 13.5 motor over there which I was planning to use again in Vegas.

Trouble is blinking speedos means working out a gear ratio that workis without advance. It means work on both car set up and driving style to carry even more corner speed. So a weekend or two's practice would help. The Maritime F1/GT meeting isn't the place to test as it's 10.5 with open speedos, so 13.5 "blinking" would be well off the pace.

Mrs B and I have a busy summer planned, and little time for a practice weekend somewhere. I don't expect any sympathy at this point For example we're at the Goodwood Festival of Speed just before the Maritime meeting. And I've got three Touring car Nationals to run.

Living in Norwich and working in London during the week makes mid-week practice at either Ardent or Maritime tricky. And if I'm going to lean anything it has to be on a carpet with a reasonable amount of additive on it.

So...which class...the 10.5 I know and "man up" to racing with the Pro's, or take on the learning curve of 13.5 "blinking"? What do you think guys?

Well done mark you are doing some cracking write ups just what the site needs

Well if you going all the way there and not much track time . . . .stick to what class you know best Mark

Man up Cheese and go Pro. You don't have a big enough pinion for 13.5 blinky!

Jason

jasonb wrote:Man up Cheese and go Pro. You don't have a big enough pinion for 13.5 blinky!

Jason

lmao

jasonb wrote:Man up Cheese and go Pro. You don't have a big enough pinion for 13.5 blinky!

Jason

If I've had to bet what your advice would be Jason, I'f have got it spot on with "man up"

Given I ran 70mmpr for 10.5 blinking speedo (c), it would be a very small spur and big pinion combo. Especially as the tyres will be trued down small (40 plus heats makes for a lot of additive laid down, and therefore grip roll).

On the plus side when we went over in 2009 I did 10.5 without a Tekin or GM speedo. Not an issue this time

You have a point Gazza - I mulled it over during my trip to London this morning. Even if I do get UK practice in, there will be a different additive (IIC runs control additive BTW, usually Jack The Gripper) and a Jaco control tyre. Lots to learn, four practice runs to sort it so maybe reducing the learning curve would be wise.

Here's the scoop from Scotty:

Here are the classes that will be offered at the 2011 IIC:

AMATEUR SPEC 17.5 MOTOR NO BOOST
STOCK TOURING 17.5 MOTOR NO BOOST
SUPER STOCK TOURING 17.5 MOTOR BOOST ALLOWED
MODIFIED TOURING

1/12TH SCALE STOCK 17.5 MOTOR NO BOOST
1/12TH SUPER STOCK 13.5 MOTOR BOOST ALLOWED
1/12TH MODIFIED

WORLD GT 13.5 MOTOR NO BOOST
EXPERT WORLD GT 10.5 MOTOR BOOST ALLOWED

Class registration information

We will again be doing registration live online from the www.intchamps.com website.
Registration will go live on July 13th at 8:00 P.M. EST, which is 5:00 P.M. PST.
You will need a Credit Card or Pay Pal account to register online but you will also be able to sign up via normal mail and mail your entries in. I always reserve some spots for mailed in entries so there is no need to worry if you plan to mail it to us.

Registration fees for this year’s IIC are as follows:

Amateur Class is $180.00. This includes 1 Brushless Motor and 1 set of Handout Tires.

For all other Handout Tire classes, Touring 17.5, Touring Modified, World GT or Expert World GT as your first entry it will be $160.00. This will include 1 set of Handout Tires. If this class will be your 2nd or 3rd class the price will be $90.00 and this will also include 1 set of tires.

For 1/12th classes as your first class the entry fee will be $145.00.
If this class will be your 2nd or 3rd class the entry fee will be $70.00.
Here is what your registration fee gets you at the IIC

* Upon Check in, the great IIC Goodie Bag. Which consist of many great items from our sponsors totaling close to $100.00 in goodies.

* Discount coupons at the Rivera for shows and souvenirs

* Great event T shirt designed by Dusty Kemp.

* Professional ID Badge commemorating the 2011 IIC.

* Tuesday Drivers Meeting Buffet Dinner in the Ballroom at the top of the Riviera.
This has been a tremendous hit the past years giving everyone a chance to relax, socialize away from the track and fill your gut with all the great food you can eat.

* Wednesday night Sponsor Meet and Greet with more free food and Free BEER, YES FREE BEER! For those of legal drinking age of course. Last year’s event was crazy! Everyone had a great time and it was a perfect way to wrap up practice.

* A race venue that is second to none in the world of RC Racing located right on the Strip.

* Tech inspection managed by Jamie Tennies who is one of the most experienced and well respected guys in the business.

* The Staff at the IIC will bring you the best, most on time race program you have ever attended. Each day when you arrive at your pit, there will be a time table listing exactly what time your race will be on the track. If it says you’re in race 12 and it will start at 10:30am. You can be assured it will start at that time. This allows the racers and families the chance to plan your day so you don’t have to stay at the track the whole day, you can go out and win a lot of money in the casino if you’re lucky or you can explore all that Las Vegas has to offer.

So as you can see, your entry fee includes so much more than just the right to race in the event. You get great gifts, great food and the best scheduled event possible. And when you compare this to what other events charge, you can see that the IIC is a great deal.

2011 IIC SCHEDULE

SUNDAY OCT 2ND
6:00 PM 2ND ANNUAL IIC “ALL IN” POKER TOURNAMENT

MONDAY OCT 3RD
EVENT REGISTRATION AND CHECK IN AT NOON
12:00 – 6:00 P.M. SPONSOR PIT SET UP
4:00 – 6:00 P.M. RACER PIT SET UP

TUESDAY OCT 4TH
7:00 – 8:00 A.M. OPEN PRACTICE
8:00 A.M. 2 ROUNDS OF HEAT PRACTICE
8:00 P.M. DRIVERS MEETING BUFFET AT THE TOP OF THE RIVIERA

WED OCT 5TH
7:00 – 8:00 A.M. OPEN PRACTICE
8:00 A.M. 2 ROUNDS OF HEAT PRACTICE

FOLLOWING PRACTICE IS THE SPONSOR MEET AND GREET

THUR OCT 6TH
7:00 – 8:00 A.M OPEN PRACTICE
8:00 A.M. 2 QUALIFIERS

FRIDAY OCT 7TH
7:00 – 8:00 A.M OPEN PRACTICE
8:00 A.M. ROUNDS 3&4 OF QUALIFYING

SAT OCT 8TH
7:00 – 8:00 A.M OPEN PRACTICE
8:00 A.M. MAINS

The IIC runs to World GT rules, which are pretty similar to ours in the UK. The bodyshell list is a touch more limited and the intent is to run front engined rear wheel drive GTs. As most run the Protoform Sophia here and in the US it makes no real difference.

As Jaco sponsor the meeting, it is a fair assumption that the World GT class control tyre will be from them. In 2009 this was the Lilac, and I think this was changed to Yellows which caused some fun.

The entry fee includes one set (fronts and rears) of the control tyres, which are marked up when you get them. There is the option to buy more. I made one set last for all the qualifiers and final in 2009...but will get a second set this time (pretty cheap btw).

The motor and battery rules are ROAR but with some flexibility for rules run outside the US. The ROAR and BRCA 1S battery lists are almost identical, so that's ok. The GM motors we use in the UK aren't on the ROAR list, so it's handy to be able to take our motor list and be able to run it.

The Snowbirds runs to ROAR battery and motor lists alone. But as a result I found out how cheap motors and batteries were in the US!

The goody bag is amazing. We also got a free Parma shell in 2009 as well. Plus an IIC even t-shirt. And a small tin of the control additive...Jack the Gripper.

So the class prices look expensive, but you get a lot of racing and a lot of stuff thrown in.

Scotty also lays on two free evenings entertainment...one with free food, the other also has free beer.

WiFi is expensive in the hotel. However there are lots of other wi-fi proviers around Vegas, plus free wi-fi in the McDonalds just across the Strip. So there will be updates

Classes are posted on the IIC website now. Registration will go live at 8:00 P.M. EST, 5:00 P.M. PST...this is not a meeting that fills up on day one, so I'm not staying up into the early hours of the UK morning to book it. Next day will do fine.

The World GT tyre is listed as a Jaco control. That may be the 2010 IIC tyre which was Lilac with a yellow stripe in it. Or back to the carbon rims for the original Jaco Lilacs. Either way I'll have a set of trued Lilacs with me for practice, and will buy an additional set or two to cycle them for the two practice days + quallys + final.

US meetings are heavier on practice and qualifying, and build up to the main event with a single big final. It's different to how we'd run longer meetings elsewhere with multi-leg finals. I rarely enjoy a lot of practice running and prefer to race, so will need a plan of things to test to keep me interested.

There is the possibility that an F1 class will be run at the IIC, to the US F1 rules. If Scotty gets 20 plus racers who will commit to it then it will be on.

If I was up for a second class then it might be a tempting alternative to the 12th classes I'd udually consider. There are a number of reasons why it's one class and World GT for me. Vegas is a long way to go to run a completely new class, and I would struggle to get the time to sort out an F1 car to run on rubber tyres and new rules.

My mind is made up....Expert 10.5 World GT class is the one for me

good for you and good luck Mark

IIC entries opEntry was opened up last night...8pm on the US East Coast, which is scary o'clock in the UK.

Unlike the Snowbirds entries there are no prizes for the first ten to book in (TQ'd that and got a very nice personalised 12t camber guage). And the IIC won't fill up overnight, so chilled about leaving a bit.

However all bought and paid for now. Entry pages were simple to complete, and a quick and easy PayPal hook up for payment (other payment options are available).

Which class?

Well I did "man up" and I'm in for the Pro 10.5 World GT class

Viva Las Vegas

Good works fella, show'em how it's done

Jason

markb wrote:You have a point Gazza - I mulled it over during my trip to London this morning. Even if I do get UK practice in, there will be a different additive (IIC runs control additive BTW, usually Jack The Gripper) and a Jaco control tyre. Lots to learn, four practice runs to sort it so maybe reducing the learning curve would be wise.

Just don't for get what the yanks let slip about running Jack at the worlds in Germany, if you can't remember you best give me a call

Jason

Eeeek - so we set off for Vegas at 5am a week on Saturday

Entry numbers for the IIC are up over 300 now with a top class entry coming from around the world. The top Touring and 12th classes should be well worth watching...MooreSpeed, Reinhard, Hara (who will always be Dave O'Hara after the Cotswold National last year), the 12th WC Nakano, Volker, Hupo and of course the US stars.

The entry numbers for World GT Pro are currently around 10, and I expect that to double before the event. Shame as I fancied listing "World GT A-finalist" as a career highlight!

F1 numbers are hard to tell as most have been made directly with Scotty who as usual has been tavelling the world to call the big races. I suspect 20-30 entries. The minimum width has been increased to 185mm, which still rules out my F109. Will be interesting to see how the controlled tyre rule works out.

My poor 10R5 needs some time spent on it, which will have to be next weekend now. Fran and I had a great weekend away around Weston-Super-Mare last weekend, and great to catch up with Gaz and Minny Dyson. That means a couple of days left to get my car sorted...as Ardent left it a bit battered and bruised.

On the list to do:
- Sort out the connector on my LiFe Rx pack which decided to fall before the last final
- Repair tape on the red+white Sophia shell (Trick Gavgrafix shell saved for qually and finals)
- Some Doris cunning with the front bumper and foam
- Putting the rear shock back together
- Giving the front end the once over
- Finding a set of Jacos to practice with
- Thinning down my racing kit and spares to fly with (half the tools, spare 10.5 motor, limited LiPos as only two runs a day)
- Pack kit and racing shirts in hard suitcase (hard ABS case been to Thailand, Vegas and Florida so doing well)

Fran is getting very excited about the two other hotels we're staying at before and after the Riviera. We also know the deal in the Riv which is the IIC hotel...freen wi-fi in the McDonalds over the road, decen resturant next door, walk to the mono-rail to get to the south end of the strip. And as we pit in the ballroom, no need to use the table in the room to pit from!