getting back into the hobby

[medved]

hi there,

i'm after some advice as i'd like to get back into the hobby after a 14 year break and get my kids involved too.

having had a good trawl through the forums and some other internet sites things seem to have changed a bit and there are lots of RTR and then elite racing kits. tbh i havent got a clue which is good and bad. i used to race a stock RC10 B3 back in the late 90's

i'm looking to get a 2WD car for racing at club level that is enough to race with but also let the kids crash it regularly and come back for more.

total racing budget is around £200, but i'm guessing i will need a couple of battery packs and spare tyres and spring sets, alongside some spare gear parts. this needs to be factored in.

what kits and brands do people recommend? a few new faces like FTX and ansmann alongside the RC10 and schumacher and Losi that i remember from when i raced.

should i be tempted by the FTX edge and mad rat as they are sub £100 or should i aim for more like a schumacher cougar sv? i cant really afford to go full out with super batteries and a motor that will make the car go splat into the nearest hard object.

any advice from racers is very much appreciated, my local club is Eden Park Raceway

thanks,

Stuart

[B3.is.King]

im looking at getting back into the sport and i am just going to use a 13 year old car, id say that its more about the driving style than what car you have.

get a half decent power plant and learn how to drive it then race... you will win more race and be higher up the table, having a half decent motor and being able to drive it to the max (consistant driving). Rather than having a beast of a motor and not being able to tame it and use 100% power.

id say that the ftx 's and mad rats for £89 RTR would be a fine starting point with a slight motor upgrade.

£89 or less for a RTR mad max or ftx or one of the lPR cars (slightly more £119 but come with better electrics and motor)
Maybe a motor i still run mod brushed £6 - £35
wouldnt bother with springs
lipos ace gens ar brill from giant cod and the C ratings have been tested and actually perform better than advertised! £17 for a 4000mah 25C



my two cents..... oh plus if you do have an underdog car and start winning due to consistant driving it also looks better

[rondoolaa]

a good 2wd car still is the team associated rc10B4

my 7yr old son has one and bashes it and comes back for more,

and if you do break anything the parts are readily available and cheap as chips,

he even broke my little toe with it a while back and drove away laughing, little buga, lol

i'm actualy gunna get one too as the speed they deliver is astonishing even with a brushed setup..

anyway, thats what i recommend, a b4

[B3.is.King]

or even a B3, which is what i have dug out of the attic...

i have seen thm go for £30 on ebay but that a rolling chassis

[JCJC]

Spares for B3 can be found, B4 was a big step up, you will find good secondhand B4's and they may be stronger than the cheaper plastic Rats but they won't be cheaper. Lots of B4's are now mid motor wonders much liked on UK tracks (astro or grass not dirt).
There is a list of approved motors & batteries, may not apply at club or bashing level but at regional & national meetings it will. Brushless is almost fit & forget so a good investment (RTR mostly have mild motors suitable for starters, upgrading will involve a new esc as well as motor). lipo's can be run, charged (less than 1 hour) and run again, you can almost manage with one battery, they do need respect and looking after.
2.4g radio gear is now cheap & common, no more crystals. You will use up tyres & break a few wishbones, you & the kids will have fun and they may well be quicker than you expect.
At a club like Eden Park you will may need a transponder to record lap times & will need BRCA membership sooner rather than later.

This is the best forum but real best is asking question trackside, and you can look at the kit. Lipo batteries and brushless motors have made it easier, cars are now overpowered and driving skill and setup is what you need.

[jim76]

an ansmann mad monkey RTR kit would do you fine. just pick up some second hand alloy shocks to upgrade with, then you have a pretty competitive car on a cheap budget. spares are also very cheap. It's more than a match for the elite cougars and b4's.