B4 RTR - how competitive at club level?
 

I am looking for an inexpensive way to do some club racing and so I've been considering the B4 RTR.

How competitive is it out of the box? I'm not talking nationals here, nor regionals for a good while either. I've got a decent charger, but nothing else (everything I have is too old to be useful), so apart from cells, a RTR would have everything else I need at a low starting price.

My driving is rusty having not raced for years so my driving would be the limiting factor initially, but I'm sure I would get back into it soon. How long before I started getting frustrated with the car/electronics do you think?

I'm sure someone will correct me, but I believe the RTR comes with a steer wheel transmitter, would that be an issue?
At club level I would say yes it would be competitive, at my club there are still some B3's racing and they're competitive.

There are a couple of recomended upgrades, that I've seen posted on here somewhere. The only one I can recall is getting the alloy front wishbone brace to replace the kit plastic one.

It does, I'd prefer stick as that's what I've raced with in the past, but I've been using wheel for while bashing with my micro and I'm getting used to it.

If the electronics suit your clubs rules it would be fine.

The car itself is super-competitive and will work just as well as the more expensive versions. There are a couple of guys here in Germany who run the RTR version right up to German championship level (albeit with different electronics) Some aren't even that slow ;)

It's a good bundle for the price.

At least if you can get used to the wheel you'd have more & cheaper options if you want to upgrade the radio gear. I'm far too stuck in my ways to get away from sticks!

as others asy, the rtr is easily competitive at club level. its all the same geometry as a standard b4 just with slightly comprimised parts (dogbones etc)

and a cheap way of getting back into it.

although if it was me, and a had the extra cash, i would buy a standard team kit and a brushless combo from the start (there are a few cheaper options these days), just to save hassle a bit further down the line. You could buy a decent 40 meg tranny second hand cheap enough (like a gemini 2 or something like that). or even buy a budgrt 2.4 gig setup?

Lol, then i guess its not so cheap anymore.. but in the long run it is

but yeah, rtr is still raceworthy

Not only will it be competative but tuned right with a good driver it will win. The B4 is still what other 2wd buggies strive for. Just look at how every manufacturer has almost copied the B4.

On the radio it never fails to amaze me every time I run with some of my European friends when they come over (like Robin Schumacher) and they are useing a stick control. I tried Robins once I was a hazard out there even more so then normal. Those that can really control a car with a stick have real respect from me. I sure as hell cant do it.

the b4 rtr is very competitive out of the box just don't put expensive after market alloy bits everywhere and you will be just fine. I remember at don valley one of the guy just starting again decided to do this as he was breaking the car each round ended up breaking the chassis!:eh?:

The only thing i would probably recommend is strip it and rebuild the kit yourself to familiarise your self with how the car works and what needs maintenance and how to fix it quickly.

This is one thing that is putting me off, I'm now erring towards a kit for this reason and second hand electronics.

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

There's loads of options for second hand electrics popping up in the for sale forum as many people are going for the brushless option.

Great idea getting back into racing, I've recently done it after a 5 year break, it makes you wonder why you ever gave up!