Racers Return

[adam_u]

Hello all,

This is a bit of a scatter-gun effect post really, after a break of around 15 years from the hobby (discovered girls and beer ) I am looking to get back in to it whilst struggling slightly with the leaps in technology!

When I left the hobby SCRC cells were the latest technology, I ran 40 MHz radio gear with a KO FET servo and a Tekin 410K (one that worked - most of the time and which I thought was the absolute business, and actually still do ) I ran both a Schumacher CAT 2000 EC which had every conceivable modded part on it and a Cougar 2000 which was regularly trounced by the then fairly new LOSI XX. Brushless motors were (for the sport at least) a brand new technology being used only in exotic speed record attempts. Back then I favoured the 4wd class over the 2wd but the 2wd was far more popular attracting a much bigger field of competitors

Which leads me to my first question - is 2wd still more popular as I think initially I would like to try 4wd again first? (Don't think there was much buggy racing in the UK at that time and I'd never heard of Truggies or short course until I began looking recently)

My most likely home clubs will be either Ledbury or Swindon neither of which I've had a chance to visit yet...Any readers here from either of these clubs?

What would be a good all rounder motor choice for a 4wd off road buggy? Something like a 6.5T?

Also the 2.4 GHz radio gear seems like an absolute no-brainer these days, any recommendations there? Sticks are a must!

As above with the LiPo batteries - a no-brainer! These sound great, so how many sets should a club racer have in his armoury? I seem to read that the same set can be used for an entire day - wow!

Car-wise I am very interested in the Team Durango, but would definitely opt for the cheaper DEX410R as I don't think my creaky old reflexes would warrant the extra outlay for the super race-spec version...

Well thanks for taking the time to read my ramble - all advice very gratefully received

cheers,

Ad.

[wacattack]

4 years ago I came back from a 10 year absence and couldn't believe how much things had progressed.

I too was all too familiar with 1700 scrc cells, I'd moved from the tekin 410k to the mtroniks 900vhf. Looking back, in terms of concept the 410k was so far ahead of it's time, the holding reverse for 5 seconds then turning your transmitter off would also turn your car off idea was genius.

As far as today's equipment is concerned, I have 2 packs of lipos, one for 2wd and 1 for 4wd. 4wd is probably more popular these days, probably because you don't have the worry of your car lasting the 5 minutes in a race.

You also don't have any motor maintenance now with briskness motors/speedos, the cars are also much more powerful than when you last raced. I tend to run nostrum motors and speedos.

As for 2.4gz radios, yes they offer big advantages but they aren't without their limitations. I know quite a few racers that have actually moved back to 40mz due to the issues they've had with 2.4. I run 40mz with a ko tranny, my bro on the other hand runs 2.4.

As for the car, I'd def recommend the 410R, no doubt about it

[wacattack]

Ps typos are from the predictive text from my iPhone

[RogerM]

Adam,

firstly welcome to oOple and we hope you enjoy your stay

I am SO pleased to see somebody else from my neck of the woods, I think that makes a grand total of 2 of us from Cheltenham on here now, although there are a couple of Gloucester lads too. I will PM you my mobile number and I am more than happy to help and advise as much as is possible, hell lets head to the track and you can run my cars and see what is what before you spend a bucket load of cash!

Brief answers to your questions, we can always flesh it out further later.

LiPo .. I'll put my personal feelings to one side and stay with the positives. They have made the sport simpler and cheaper, no question. You need 2 packs of decent LiPos and I would advise buying saddle packs as they can be made to fit everything where as stick cells only fit certain cars. Here is the list of approved cells for racing

http://www.brca.org/BRCA/elecboard/n...0v1%20pdf6.pdf

Add to that a decent charger and your sorted. Now Lipo chargers seem to come in 2 main flavours, as in the elcetronics inside them are based primarily on 2 chips. I know a lot of people who use the PowerPal (as indeed I do) and that is a great unit for the money although anything similar will be fine. No longer do you NEED to spend a fortune to look after your cells, £50 should see you right ... a little more if you want mains power too.

Motors ... again brushless has made things simpler and cheaper in the long run. There are loads of different performance characteristics across the brands but IMHO the Speed Passion stuff is the smoothest (think of it as a quad wind), the LRP probably the most agressive (think of it as a single) but there is that much adjustment it's possible to affect the feel of any of them with in reason. A 6.5 is a good choice in either 2wd or 4wd, a 5.5 if your a speed monster.

http://www.jespares.com/electric-mod...tegory_id=1274

2.4Ghz again makes life easier, There are stick sets for under £100 (such as the core unit) if you look but I still believe that a decent radio can make the difference so will always use Futaba or KO myself.

Now for the real personal prefernce thing .. the cars!

I'd say try to get a drive of a few and see what you feel most comfortable with!

I'd say look at the Kyosho cars, unbeatable build quality, durability and so so so adaptable in terms of handling they can be anything you want them to be! I will be honets and say that I am supported by Kyosho but equally before I was I ran Kyosho anyway! As I say come and have a drive of mine, i promise you won't be disapointed.

Other than that I'd say that there are no "bad" cars out there now but some suit certain driving styles more than others, for example I don't like the way the Associated cars feel personally but nobody can say they aren't good cars and are rightly very popular. It really is a case of personal preference and nothing more.


Now when it comes to where to race we have a little problem. Cheltenham is right in the no-mans-land between the Mid-West and Mid-South regions, no mater which you race in you will be traveling lots I am afraid.

I have always traditionally raced in the Mid-West region and continue to do so, clubs include Ledbury (grass), Coventry (astroturf) and the mighty Kidderminster (absolutely everything you can think of surface wise) and this region is very active over winter with the Midlands Astro Masters series

http://www.brca-midwest.co.uk/

Anyway, I hope we get chance to speak soon and rest assured there has never been a better time to get back into 1/10th off-road!