[Ashlandchris]

What a great thread!!

I started out with a Grasshopper back in the early 80s, which I used to run on the field behind my house (council used to keep grass nice and short as it was used at weekends for football). I began racing at Batley and they even had a 380 class for beginners. I don't recall doing too badly, but nothing to set world (or even Batley) on fire. After a while I moved up to converting it to a Hornet, but all the problems of the Grasshopper were still there - bouncy suspension, easily snapped bits etc. I can't remember whether I went via a 2nd hand frog, but I recall that I eventually switched to a Hotshot when they came out after pestering parents in the run up to a birthday. The difference was massive, although I also remember it being a pain to work on due to the enclosed chassis. This was solved when it was discovered that the chassis was the same width as the box section square plastic drainpipes and suddenly a roaring trade in custom made drain chassis sprung up. That did me for a while and I did OK with it, but I can still remember the first time I saw an Optima. So around comes another birthday and I was lucky enough to receive an Optima which I built and raced and loved. That said, this was just the era of the RC10s starting to arrive and I can remember with awe the first time a saw and RC10 go over a jump - wow - real damping rather than bouncy springing!!
The RC10s blew most things away due to their speed and handling, but I still loved my Optima so stuck with that.
Eventually, in around 1986ish I decided that I wasn't going to be able to carry on as I was also playing lots of ping pong and most tournaments were on a Sunday, same as Batley race day, so I sold up and didn't have another go until approx. 4 months ago when my son suddenly asked if he could have a proper RC car. I think I am more keen than him, but had genuinely forgotten how much fun it is. I had also forgotten the constant grubby fingers I used to have!!

Back in the day, Batley used to race at Batley sports centre over the winter and the Hare and Hounds pub over the summer as the Landlords son (Tim) was a keen racer. I remember thinking how cool it must be to own a pub and a racetrack. Who could ask for anything more?

I have posted an old photo on the Batley forum page - any more old Batley members from mid 80s out there?