Rule Change #1 – Wheel Material
Rule(s) Affected: 0.07, 1.07, 2.07, 3.07, 4.07
Old rule: Wheels may be plastic or metal
New rule: Wheels may be made of any material for Class 1, 2, and 3. Class 0 must still run plastic or aluminum (no brass) wheels.
This allows the use of wheels made of carbon fiber and any other material.
Rule Change #2 – Maximum wheel size for Class 3
Rule(s) Affected: 3.07
Old rule: 1.2” maximum diameter wheels
New rule: No limit on maximum diameter wheels
This rule allows the use of the new 1.8” super size wheels. This change is for Class 3 only.
Rule Change #3 – Tire Construction
Rule(s) Affected: 0.08, 1.08, 2.08, 4.08
Old rule: Not previously addressed
New rule: Tires for class 0, 1, and 2 must be constructed of a single piece of rubber as originally manufactured. Tires must retain stock markings on the side including brand, model, etc. Tires may be trimmed, vented, etc. There are no limits for tires in class 3.
This rule allows competitors in Class 3 to construct their own tires if desired, including, but not limited to “cut & shut” tires and 3d printed tires. This type of construction is not allowed in Class 0, 1, and 2.
Rule Change #4 – Winching
Rule(s) Affected: 5.07, 5.08
Old rule: Self winching incurs a 3 point penalty. Using a winch stick incurs a 5 point penalty
New rule: Self winching incurs a 2 point penalty. Self winching may only winch to terrain. Using a winch stick in any fashion remains a 5 point penalty. Competitors must provide their own winch stick. “Self winching” is defined as using a winch attached to the vehicle that is carried for the entire run and winch line is attached to the terrain of the course. Using a winch stick is defined as any use of the stick at all, no matter if the winch is attached to the stick or to the vehicle. Using a hand, shoe, or other non-terrain to hold a winch line of any sort is not “self winching” and is subject to the same 5 point penalty as using the winch stick.
The overall consensus from clubs running RCMCCA rules is that a winch stick gives a significant advantage over self winching because of being able to place the stick exactly where the driver wants it versus having to find a place on terrain that works for self winching. Penalty points have been adjusted accordingly.
Rule Change #5 – Gate Direction and points clarification
Rule(s) Affected: 5.01
Old rule: Progress is when vehicles pass through a gate in the intended direction.
New rule: Progress is when vehicles pass through a gate with the vehicle traveling in the direction indicated on the gate. Progress points are awarded even if a driver touches one or both gate markers. Once a driver has passed through a gate and progress points are awarded the driver may then pass through that gate in any direction without penalty, but gate markers remain live until touched and will incur a penalty if the vehicle touches them.
This rule clarifies the rules involving gates. To score progress points the vehicle has to pass through the gate in the direction the gate indicates. The vehicle may be driving forward or backward as long as the direction it is moving is the same as indicated on the gate. If the driver needs to go back through the gate to move further on the course for whatever reason, they may do so with no penalty once they have successfully progressed through the gate the first time. Gate markers remain live until touched though.
Rule Change #6 – Bodies for Class 1
Rule(s) Affected: 1.01
Old rule: Any lexan or hard plastic body that resembles a full size, highway-capable vehicle. Bodies must cover battery, receiver, speed control, and motor when viewed from above, and must extend past the front edge of the front axle and rear edge of the rear axle. No tube chassis. Body must be trimmed along stock cut lines. The widest part of the body must be wider than the entire inner edge of all 4 tires.
New rule: Bodies may be constructed of any material (lexan, ABS, 3d printed, etc.). The width of the body at the doors of the cab must be wider than the inside edge of all four tires. Bottom edge of front grill and rear tailgate/trunk must be below the top edge of all four tires when the vehicle is at rest on flat ground. Bottom edge of bodies must be at a height where the transmission is not seen when viewed from the side. Front and rear of body must extend past the front edge of the front tires and rear edge of the rear tires. This may be accomplished with chassis mounted bumpers if the body itself does not meet requirements. Lexan bodies must have a front windshield and rear window. Bodies with roll cages instead of cabs (such as the Axial Deadbolt) do not need to have windshields or rear windows.
This rule helps to clarify the intent of the rule, and removes wording such as “stock” that can be open to interpretation.
Rule Change #7 – Frame rails for Class 1
Rule(s) Affected: 1.02
Old rule: Must use a chassis that consists of two vertical rails or bars in similar configuration as stock chassis. Rails may be carbon, aluminum, titanium, 3d printed, etc. No tube chassis or stick style chassis. Chassis must use a 0 degree skid plate. No angled skid plates.
New rule: Same as above but adding the following verbiage – Chassis rails must extend past the centerline of both front and rear axles.
This rule mandates that chassis rails cannot be cut back farther than the center line of the axles of the vehicle.
Rule Change #8 – Windshields in bodies
Rule(s) Affected: 1.01, 2.01
Old rule: Not previously addressed
New rule: Lexan bodies for class 1 must have a full front windshield and rear window. Lexan bodies for class 2 must have a full front windshield. Windshields are not required for class 3. Side windows may be removed in all classes. Bodies with roll cages in place of windshields such as the Axial Deadbolt are exempt from this rule.
This rule requires bodies to run windshields in order to make vehicles more closely resemble full size vehicles, and reduce advantages gained by weight reduction.
Rule Change #9 – 4 wheel steering
Rule(s) Affected: 0.09, 1.09, 2.09, 4.09
Old rule: 4ws vehicles allowed in Class 3 only
New rule: Vehicles with 4ws may compete in classes other than Class 3 as long as rear steer is not used at any point during the run. Vehicles must still meet all other rule requirements for the class they want to run.
This rule allows vehicles with 4ws to be used in other classes as long as rear steering is not used.
Rule Change #10 – Maximum wheel size for Class 2
Rule(s) Affected: 2.07
Old rule: Maximum wheel diameter 1.0″
New rule: Maximum wheel diameter 1.3″
This rule allows vehicles that come with 1.3″ wheels stock, or that require them to clear portal axles to be used in class 2 or 3.