Potential new racer?

[AlexBruv]

Hi,

Went down to Pegasus models in Norwich to look at a few cars.... (got 3 atm)
and whilst i was there they mentioned the Norfolk buggy club and i was quite intrigued to find out more, so searched up on Google and found you're website, read through it all.....

Now i read that only 1/10 buggies are allowed on grass, so i assume that 1/8 aren't?
Are both 1/8 and 1/10 buggies allowed on dirt?

Now as i used to race a TC down at Trowse i have a fairly good understanding on how it works, i.e get there, sign in, charge batteries, get transponders, race, then marshal?

Its coming Christmas and I have been looking at getting a 1/10 buggy to buy,
Maybe be cheap but saw an Ansmann Mad Rat in Pegasus picked it up and to be fair it felt rather rigid and strong compared to the reviews i have read... as it is so cheap i will more than likely buy 2, 1 to race and 1 for spares, is this a good starting point with the ESC, Motor and Battery combo for a starter (i am quite confident driving and racing) as i will probably buy a spare car for parts?

For the motor and speed controller i have chosen a hobbywing xtreme stock esc with an x-car hobbyking 10.5t sensored motor, and (already owned) 2s turnigy 5000mah lipo batteries, would this be a good combo as i have asked a few people already and they have told me that off road sensored is as good as on road sensored?

Now for tires i have read that i can use anything except spikes?
So i have gone for the Fastrax H pattern tires... now will these be fine for dirt and grass or just one surface, i plan on using the stock tires until they wear out and then replace, is this a good choice in tire or is there a better tire such as the bow tire ETC???

And last question, is there anything i should know, like what do i need to race i.e member ship ETC?

Thanks

[Dandare]

Hi & welcome.

We run RallyX 1/8th & 1/10th electric (majority 2wd) on the dirt & 1/10th electric only on the grass. I would say also the grass layout is too small for 1/8th anyway.

The structure for racing is quite casual & certainly friendly, no transponders though. Depending on numbers, Dave may set up his laptop for lap timing etc & maybe get mains power for the sheltered pitting area for re-charging, lighting etc if it's windy, cold, wet etc.

I'll be bias regarding Ansmann as i run my x2c (mid motor) & a Mad Rat as a back up. They're great cars for the price. Might be worth looking at the Mad Monkey too (equivalent to Mad Rat but mid motor), generally seen as better on high grip ie, grass or astro. Rear motor Mad Rat slightly better on loose surfaces ie, dirt. May also be worth considering 2nd hand. Certainly a Rat or Monkey are cheap enough to get another for spares, though i'd rather get 2 or 3 of the parts which break the most & maybe upgrade too instead of having one of everything, some parts of which you'll maybe never use. Either way, you'll want to upgrade with a set up bearings to replace the kit bushes & maybe an uprated idler gear ,or both for the Mad Monkey, especially with brushless/lipo's.

We've had a few guys with Associated B4.1 brushless RTR buggys which go well too, proven design, better shocks, 2.4Ghz radio etc: http://www.modelsport.co.uk/associat...products/35112

2wd 1/10th tyres, i've found the Mad Rat/Monkey front kit ribs work well on our dirt track, or Schumacher Stagger Ribs. On the rear we generally use the Pro Line Bow Tie M3's. On grass it's Schumacher Mini Spike yellows on the rear & greens if wet, & Stagger Ribs on the front.

The kit rear tyres aren't really ideal for either track tbh, if anything they may work better on dirt than grass.

Can't comment on choice of electrics, i'm sure the other guys more clued up will offer good advice.

That's it, just turn up with your gear, lunch, warm clothes etc. £3 per meeting for electric, i think £4 for nitro RallyX.

Hope some of this helps,

Dan.

[AlexBruv]

Thanks for a good detailed reply,
I have read about upgrading the stock idler gears to a nylon idler gear, or i think it is the firestorm idler gear.
is this right?

I will try and get hold of a pair of pro-line Bow Tie M3 tires and Schumacher Staggers.....
I'll be sure to bring a 12V car battery for power just in-case all my spares, tools, and my trusty soldering iron ETC.....

am i right in thinking the next meet is on january 15th?
If so i'll be looking forward to it

Thanks

[racingdwarf]

Hi

Well dan has just about covred it. As he has said we are a bit more relaxed than a sunday evening at trowse. I think you would be fine with eather a mad rat or monkey,but as also said if you can spend a little more the B4.1 or the losi 22 are both good rtr packages,and are a slightly better quality car.(pegasus can order both in). your choice of electrics looks fine, we tend to stick to sensored brushless, only thing I will say is if you can aford a speed controler that will go down to at least an 8.5 it may pay off in the long run, as you have driven before you will soon get the hang of offroad,and want that bit more power.

As said, 10th on grass, tyres are schumacher yellow compound mini spikes,2wd mini spikes on the front or stagger ribs on the front, also if it's a bit wet a set of ballistic buggy spikes in green compound can be good to have.

On the dirt we run control tyres on the rear, these are the proline bowtie(on the shelf at pegasus) and any rib on the front also allow the schumacher stagger rib.

pop any questions you like at us,I hope we are all more than happy to help, and look forward to meeting you trackside

Dave

[racingdwarf]

Yep, you will need to replce the ansmann idler gears, but ansmann do some good nylon or metal ones, I will find the part No's up for you

yes I think 15th jan is next, on the grass track.

[AlexBruv]

Thanks...

I have looked around and the Firestorm Flux idler fits But its not too smooth, but as long as it doesn't strip i think it should be fine

Xtreme Stock ESC, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1807571901...ht_1932wt_1270

2s lipo, lowest of 8.5T
60A, 380A burst
Sensored and Sensorless
Has a Turbo boost timing aswell, I have seen the ESC in action on a TC and tbf its a very good ESC, i wil take your word on wanting more speed though :P

So here are the tires i will order (just to clarify)
For Grass - Pro-Line Bow Tie M3, Schumacher Stagger Rib
For Dirt - Schumacher Mini spike yellow, front and rear?
And for wet Grass what about Schumacher Blocks for the rear?

[Dandare]

Part No. for the Ansmann nylon idler is AR28T.

Dry grass, Mini Spike yellow on the back.
I use front Mini Spikes yellow on a rear motor car or Stagger Ribs on mid motor config.
Wet grass use Mini Spike greens instead of yellows.

Dirt, go for rear Bow Tie M3's on the rear & either ribs or Stagger ribs on the front.