All the years I have been reading about Proxies, but never really had an idea what they are.
Now, after having started off one myself I know at last what they are.
I refer to this one here and to similar ones I have read about in certain 43rd scale threads and forums.
The only exception as far as I know having been the U2 – Trans Am Proxy.
- They are simply and solely fun. They are a kind of a game. Not more, not less.
- Proxies can´t by no means replace real races.
- They are never ever a competition, and they are never ever a race.
Races and competitions have rules to classify the participants´ cars, to provide an opportunity for realistic comparison.
I´ve been taking part in vintage rallyes myself for a long time and there run most different cars ( age, size, power, speed etc.).
But they are classified.
Imagine a T- Model Ford from the Twenties would have been compared with my almost 300 hp car from the Seventies...Who will have the monopoly on being the winner???
But that´s just what more or less constantly is being done with proxies. Cars that are totally uncomparable run successively on a lane and who was fastest is the winner.
The winner of what ???
The term “winner” is not well - received by me.
The “fastest car of the game” – yes. But not more.
And: Please tell me what rules are for, if they aren´t observed consequently ?
Everyone reads the rules and can decide ex ante if he is able and willing to build a car that conforms them or not.
If not, isn´t it unfair then to bring a car of which one knows in advance that it is not correct ?
Too low clearance, tiny wheels not even a patch on scale, protruding rear wheel, no driver in an open car. ( Well the rules didn´t demand drivers implicitely, but sorry – in an open car should be a driver, shouldn´t it ? )
So what is my conclusion of this last run – for me, of course :
It was fun to see all these nice little cars, it was interesting to see the totally different ways to skin the cat and it was a really worthwile experience to drive them all.
I have learnt a lot about 43rd scale slotcars, about what is useful and what isn´t. This way I am now able to avoid quite a pile of “trial and error”.
All in all something really worth doing, but not with intend to create a “winner”.
Have a look at the photo and make time for reading my tech chart and you ought to agree, why not.
BUT – if the race ( even as a proxy ) is as open as the wing cars or Eurosports, only regulating a few main dimensions, tyre material, the silhouette and possibly the motor –
AND if all participants stick to the rules...
then we could call it a race and create a real winner.
I know, the majority of people don´t take part in Proxies to win. They simply want to see their gems run. They like to design and build.
And yes, no one is forced to build tiny cars instead of “winners by geometry and c.o.g.”.
But since no one is forced into a specified direction, there can´t be a winner as well.
Give prices if you need them, but please for a concourse, anything else is actually not fair.
Best regards,
Roland