Wet Astro set up for C4.1

[ejw]

Evening All

New to racing so have limited know-how when it comes to set up etc, raced Sunday at Stotfold (Astro) and decided to start with the below/attached set up (Paul Bradbry Tallywain) in the hope that the astro would be at least similar in grip level etc.



Sunday turned out to be a fairly wet start to the day and i arrived to a difficult track where one corner would provide reasonable grip followed by another that was like ice causing a spin out if any hint of power was put down and huge understeer if i tried to turn in off power.

Started on Yellow Minispikes and using Green Minispikes seemed to aid very little and a fun but very frustrating day was had. Can anyone provide any insight into best things to start with in terms of looking for more all round grip, even general non Centro specific advice would be appreciated, when things are more slippy than anticipated where do you start?

Please Help!!!

[tony12795]

On slippy astro tracks we usually start with Ballistic green rears for max traction.

[ejw]

Thanks Tony

Haven't used ballistics, will have to look into getting some for coming months outdoor stuff, front and rears?

[Skye]

Hi mate, I was at Stotfold on Sunday as well. I was running the RB5 Vega. I have endured weeks and weeks of the pain you are feeling now and unfortunately there is no miracle cure. Ballistics help, but the difference is minimal so they are not the difference between having grip or not. For me, the things that helped me most were moving my rear camber links in one hole on both the hub and the shock tower and buying the optional rear hubs to add more toe in.

The main difference for me though is practice. I have been trying to lay the power on gently from day one, turning in gradual, avoiding sudden movements, braking gently and only when approaching a corner but before turn in to try and keep the back end in line.... everything I thought would help basically but to no avail. This sunday though I finished third in all 3 heats (PT failed in the final ) and things felt more under control. I was still two laps down on the winner, but Simon is an F1 status driver so there is no shame in that for me as three weeks ago I was coming last week in week out

So, whilst you can make some changes which will help (never driven a b4.1/c4.1 so cant comment on specific set up changes) the biggest difference will come from you learning the track and practicing.

From my experience, assuming the track layout is as was on Sunday then turn 1 at the end of the straight is ok to coast round at speed, turn 2 you have to be very gentle on the power after the small rumble strips/jumps unsettle your balance, turn 3 into the tabletop is slippy, turn 4 after the tabletop is ok as the camber helps you, turn 5 is awful - next to no grip, turn 6 is the opposite - lots of grip by comparison, turn 7 which takes you up the hill was medium grip, turn 8 into the wall was quite slippy if you werent carrying sufficient forward momentum, the wall itself (turn 9) was ok, as was turn 10 back into the straight.

Once you learn what each part of the track is like then this in itself will help you to drive accordingly.

[carpenterdean]

When it's wet or slippery i always turn my throttle exp down on my trany this helps alot

[ejw]

Skye,

Hello mate thanks for the advice. I noticed you were going well and didnt seem to be suffering in the corners as badly as i was. Tried hard to control my throttle finger but you know how it is, as soon as someone gets close get all over excited and punch it which invariably just spun the car 360 degrees.

Very frustrating watching the 4wd's power through every corner wet or dry!

But like you said Simon was flying so it can be done, it's difficult when your inexperienced to know if your just a bad driver which I can live with or whether you are fighting a badly set up car!

I was running 0degree hubs on the rear and do have option of 0.5 degree in my box so might try that next time.

Turn 5 was just silly, had to turn in 3m from apex and just coast in and still ran wide and getting on the power coming back onto the straight had me spinning all over the place.

[ejw]

Originally Posted by carpenterdean

When it's wet or slippery i always turn my throttle exp down on my trany this helps alot

Thanks carpenterdean

I did dial down my esc to make car less brutal on the acceleration etc but didn't think of adjusting tranny so will definatley give this a go.

[Toyman]

sorry

[blue_pinky]

Only been to Stotfold twice with nationals so don't have the best local knowledge but...

Another factor in it is the astro itself....Stotfold is interesting...there is a section of astro that's laid in a different direction...meaning that the grip changes in this section...something that is more apparent in the wet...and for 2wd's!!!

Maybe this is something your finding out?!?!

If you walk the track and look at the way the astro pile lays you'll see it....there is a section to the left as your stood on the rostrum, inside the main straight and first corner/end lane that it is most noticable!

Depending on how the track is laid this patch always proves more tricky for grip for me.

Biggest way to deal with it is in your driving...just be more cautious in those areas where grip is lower. The best setup needs to work to give you the best time around an entire lap...not just that lower grip section!

[blue_pinky]

Another thing to try is adding weight for wet conditions...

...I used to add (even more) weight in the X6 in the wet to help generate more grip, the Centro may also benefit from the same...play with adding weight in different places in the car to give the best balance.

Slightly softer shock setup may also help...I know some of the team drivers have separate wet and dry shocks setup ready to go for changeable conditions. This helps get more weight transfer, and therefore more grip...something that tends to be dialed out for dry running to prevent grip roll!

[ejw]

Blue pinky,

You are right about the astro direction I noticed that at the end of the day while marshalling, would explain the extreme difference in grip between two corners only a few feet from each other receiving the same amount of sun/shade.

I did change from silver to green springs on the rear for the final but this was counteracted by the evening moisture that had already started to settle on the track, but I was right to try softening up the end the end i thought was lacking most grip so that's potentially a move in the right direction.

[Skye]

I would also agree with just about everything else that has been said on here, I have the softest springs on the back with 25wt Losi oil, and have everything turned down on the ESC, so all the throttle curve, start power, timing etc, but also my initial brake force is lowered so that it's more progressive and not so 'grabby' with the back wheels.

The point about the way the astro lays is spot on and turns 5 & 6 highlight it perfectly. In turn 5 when you brake you lay the astro flat so it's becomes smoother and more sloppy whereas in turn 6 you are going against the grain so it has more friction against the tyres, so it's definately worth checking this out on the track when it's damp.

As for the throttle finger, I still get it wrong all the time too. Over the weeks you will just develop a better feel for it though do it does become less of a problem.

You will get there mate, I know how frustrating it is as I am still a long way from being good but I am getting better and so will you.

[gainsy]

ejw
Many thanks on sunday for keeping my 4 year old occupied, sure he didn't help much with getting your car sorted
If you ever need any help mate just come ask, 1 thing about stotfold i have found is the excellent people who race there & their willingness to help out
Shame the turnout was so poor on sunday, get yourself booked in for the winter series round 3 in december, no doubt some of the big boys with their c4's will be there to offer great advice
Stu

[ejw]

Originally Posted by gainsy

ejw
Many thanks on sunday for keeping my 4 year old occupied, sure he didn't help much with getting your car sorted
If you ever need any help mate just come ask, 1 thing about stotfold i have found is the excellent people who race there & their willingness to help out
Shame the turnout was so poor on sunday, get yourself booked in for the winter series round 3 in december, no doubt some of the big boys with their c4's will be there to offer great advice
Stu

Ha ha, no worries mate, like i said I've got two like him at home, never stop, never get tired, he was no bother and at one point was actually insisting that it was dust on my shell that was the main contributing factor to my overall crap performance, If only it was that simple, ha ha.

Appreciate the help and advice and I will definatley try and get down for the winter series meeting.

Elliott

[gainsy]

Dust!!! love it
Normally he is trying to cover his lunchbox or my grave digger(sure he thinks this is his also) in as much mud as possible, have got him a madrat rtr for xmas to see if he is ready for the next level, he will probably be beating me soon enough
See you up there soon mate