[stuart slmcc]

POST EDITED REASON GOT DETAILS WRONG
Reference: Batteries and Motors used at 1/10 Off-Road BRCA Regional events.

1/10 Off-Road Regional events are BRCA Sanctioned events, which have been sanctioned by the Off-Road Section.
Therefore as a Sanctioned event by the Section, these events have to comply with all the BRCA Off-Road Section rules, with the exception of those rules that are allowed to be varied by the Region (rules in this category are listed on the first page).

The rules governing Batteries and Motors are not Regional variation rules. Therefore at Regional events, Batteries and Motors have to be shown on the EB lists. (Rules 24 & 25)

We are aware that some Regions do not do these checks comprehensively, often due to lack of manpower. However the 'spirit' of these rules should be applied and it is not the case that "open" use of Batteries and Motors is allowed.
(We would accept if some waiver was allowed to any person completely new to the sport of RC Racing, entering their first Regional event. But this should be at the discretion of the Regional Rep.).

We have to assume that some competitors are 'on the ball' and know the rules. This could likely lead to a protest at an event if they notice other drivers using non-approved Batteries or Motors. Then the Organisers and the Regional Rep. have the problem of disqualifying times and the unpleasantness associated with this action.

The LiPo batteries that we use in current times can give some concern. They can be very volatile, especially if not charged, used and stored correctly. When they 'flame' there is no stopping them.
For each battery submitted, I get up to 40 pages of documents including UN Test Reports to study. The fact that the manufacturers have to submit this information to gain approval, makes them aware that "we are on the case" and performing checks in an effort to minimise any failures of a safety nature.

Not withstanding the above, I still get reports that some have 'flamed'. In the majority of cases this is caused by competitor miss-use.
Whilst the checks that we do cannot guarantee safety, (as accidents are often the cause of driver miss-use), we do our best given the information we have.

Best regards,
Paul Worsley

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