Carpet Track w/jumps setup needed for FT B4

[Bob_Zahn]

Recently got back into 2wd offroad here in Canada and looking for a good setup for carpet track with big jumps. Most of the track is setup with rollers, table top and a big triple jump. Traction is very high but I learned very quickly that getting a good balance is not an easy task.

I have joined the group of racers already running Schumacher minipins (not spikes) in rear (yellow) and stagger rib fronts (yellow). I have been on the track for one club race and was having a problem getting a balanced car that would actually steer.

Looking for a setup to start with that will get me close.

Thanks in advance

[Bob_Zahn]

Any suggestions at all?

I found this on Petit R/C and it looks like a good place to start.

Front:
35 wt, #2 piston, silver spring, middle on tower, outer on arm
1-A link with one washer, 25 deg blocks -1 camber

Rear
35 wt, #2 piston, silver spring, inside on tower, outside on arm, 1-B link with no washers, 2 deg antisquat, -1 camber.

Ride height set low with front arms below level and rear dogbones at level or slighly below level.

Setup recommended no foam inserts in front stagger ribs. My tires currently have foam and I will need to test with and without as removing the foam inserts in the fronts may give me some additional steering I'm missing now.

Also would changing from Yellow to Blue rear tires be something that you do on carpet tracks on your side of the pond?

[blue_pinky]

In terms of tyres on indoor carpet (Primatrack carpet in the UK, not sure if that's the same everywhere or not?), I've always run minipins or minispikes all round...and always yellows, with inserts all round.

I've always found mini spikes are more forgiving if your setup/driving isn't so polished. When the setup is good and driving is more practiced mini pins are my first choice for 2wd, as they tend to be more grippy.

That's the general theory on mixed carpet/polish offroad tracks I'm running on anyway.

Never tried stagger ribs so can't really comment on those.

From memory running the oil slightly lighter in the rear is another option...on my X6 I use 35wt front and 30wt rear...which is what I used in the B4 before that as well I think. I do remember that I was always trying to dial the steering out rather than increasing it on the B4...and often cut off the inner and outer rows of minipins to tune the steering response with new tyres.

Can't really remember the other setup details I ran, I'm sure someone will be able to help out better than me on that...but ride height sounds about right from memory....maybe a touch higher depending on the track style. Have a chat with the other guys at the club your running at, no doubt they'll be able help out too.

Not sure what the current thinking is on weights with a B4 and lipo...I always ran a strip of lead over the battery and a small amount in the front and rear bulkheads to help with the balance/grip.

Hope it helps!

[Buggy Driver]

Is it the Fastcats track? Looks quite familiar to our "winter tracks" over here.
If you need more steering, you could try:

- front shocks on inner hole on the a-arm > way more low speed steering

Should do it. And/ or try:

- slicing the Staggers, so each rib becomes two > a bit more steering
- take well worn rear tires and cut the inner and outer row of pins > easier rotation > more steering
- batteries in front and put about 30 - 40 gr around the servo > tames down initial steering a tad, but way more on-power steering (check ride height again afterwards, not too low)

The rest seems fine so far. Just use the Staggers the next time without inserts and no blue Minipins. They work, but yellows are better.

There´s more you could do, but try these things first.

[GRIFF55]

I ran a similar setup at the players meeting just gon. Only #1 rear piston and 30wt.1 deg antisquat too. The car also had rymart racing front and rear bulkheads. Yellow minipins on the front also, but these are an easy thing to swap and feel differences.

[Bob_Zahn]

Originally Posted by Buggy Driver

Is it the Fastcats track? Looks quite familiar to our "winter tracks" over here.
If you need more steering, you could try:

- front shocks on inner hole on the a-arm > way more low speed steering

Should do it. And/ or try:

- slicing the Staggers, so each rib becomes two > a bit more steering
- take well worn rear tires and cut the inner and outer row of pins > easier rotation > more steering
- batteries in front and put about 30 - 40 gr around the servo > tames down initial steering a tad, but way more on-power steering (check ride height again afterwards, not too low)

The rest seems fine so far. Just use the Staggers the next time without inserts and no blue Minipins. They work, but yellows are better.

There´s more you could do, but try these things first.

These suggestions all sound practical and I will print them out to bring with me on the next practise night or club race. It is indeed the Fastcats track and glad to hear there are tracks in the UK that are similar.

I would love to borrow some setups from the locals but the Amain is currently dominated by RB5's with one or two B4's mixed in. I have no doubt I will get it close but nice to hear other's suggestions too.

Thanks again

[MiCk B.]

Try Lee Martins set-up from the Petit race. That's what I'm running here on a carpet track, can't fault the car.

MiCk B. :-)