Kelly 16D motors

[rmick15]

I have a question regarding the Kelly 16D motors. How did they ever become legal? Someone must have been paid off, or someone is friends of someone. I started racing a bit on and off again. So I thought it might be fun to race Nascar’s on Friday nights. So I went down to the track to get some parts to build my car. A kid named Duran showed me his car, the first thing I notice was the motor. I asked, is that legal he said yes. I said wow, this has to be the way to go due to weight, hardware, and so on. So I went to the counter to purchase this and I was told we don’t have a complete motor just the parts, so I went ahead and purchased them. Not to mention it was the most I ever spent on a 16D motor. When I got home I tried to put this thing together. First problem was the endbell is warped, well it’s a 16D I’ll make the most of it. After hurdling that task, I proceeded to install the magnets. Little to my surprise they don’t fit, the magnets are to tall for the setup. I called the local track and he said, oh ya you have to grind them to make them fit. I question the rules about grinding the magnets and he said its ok since they don’t fit. After hurdling another task, I found I wasn’t able to get a proper air gap. The legal limit is .575 and this wasn’t even close. Once again I called the track to find out its ok to grind them to fit. Now I question the USRA about letting such a motor into a class, such as Nascar. This is supposed to be “ entry level class “. Yes I’m aware of the expert and novice class but get serious here. For a person to race expert Nascar’s they have to be an experienced motor builder, this should do well for the class, NOT. Or they need to purchase a motor already built, which drives the cost of racing up. Slotcars are doing bad enough, are you people trying to kill it off completely? The motor doesn’t meet the specs. It seems no one can purchase one from Kelly assembled for $11.75. The magnets need to be modified to fit. I feel this is an outrage, Parma seems to obey the rules and keeping the prices down. Some please give me a good reason for these poor decisions.

Thanks,
Mickey Johnston

[[email protected].]

... that we don't know who you are or that you are a helpless beginner.

That said, I agree with you on most of the points you make. I'm just a motor builder who is willing to build for the public. I am not the USRA, and while I do build Kelly C can motors every day, I've done exactly ONE Kelly D motor, and I was dissappointed too.
You are also well familiar with Duran and his credentials. He is tough to beat in NASCAR classes no matter what motor he runs. At the recently concluded USRA Div.II Nationals, he was beaten in both 4" and 4.5" classes, by motors based on the Parma setup. He didn't even make the main in 4", quite a surprise actually. My point is, you DO NOT need the Kelly 16d setup just to be competitive.

As far as legality goes, I think the USRA dropped the ball on this one because Amateur classes at the Nats were all handout motors, and will be next year as well. Luckily, to make furthur protest at either the SoCal level OR the National level, you need contact only one person, Chris Radisich. His contact info can be accessed through this site via the SoCal website. If the link is hard to find, you can also find the same link at my website, www.bestothewest.com .


As for me, I do this for a modest living. So far, I have had NO requests to actually build someone a Kelly D motor, but I can tell you that if I do, it will cost the customer exactly what the C motors cost, $73 a pop. I agree that this is too much for the given classes. Just so you know, I continue to have healthy enough sales of D motor using the Rotor setup, so the racing world seems to be voting its wallet.

[rmick15]

My point isnt if I can build the motors. Let me give you an example. I remember when the strap motor first came out. In all classes the motors were blowing up. But it came to a point you had to run them or be out classed. In time the Kelly motor will be the motor of choice. And the beginners will have to build like a wing car racer or pay an outrageous amount for a 16D motor. Look at int 15's, if you didnt run a strap you were out classed. Look where that class is now. I'm not complaining on my part, I feel I'm a pretty good motor builder, I'm worried that 16D motor building will become combersome. That will lead to discouraged racers. I still havent seen a production motor from Kelly!!!!!!! I should race the USRA and if I get beat by a Kelly motor I then should protest it. Grinding on magnets is illegal !!!!!!

[sprayglueracer]

Takes money to go fast..................

[thurows]

Racing any class but open shouldn't require a person to throw a ton of money into it. If you want you're car to go as fast as an open car, race open cars and don't drive the cost of racing up in the “standardized” divisions.

I speack as a new comer to slot car racing.

[sprayglueracer]

like i said.........................