Off-road RC Racing

[tailchaser]

So... any of you guys take part in this?

For those that don't know, there's a track in Garland with a dirt track and races Friday and Saturday nights... They also run events on the paved road course from time to time.

The urge to return to my days of breaking ball joints is building. Helped a co-worker set up an HPI MT2 the other day... Big mistake. I'm a sucker for light-weight, good handling vehicles.

[Titus]

So... any of you guys take part in this?

For those that don't know, there's a track in Garland with a dirt track and races Friday and Saturday nights... They also run events on the paved road course from time to time.

The urge to return to my days of breaking ball joints is building. Helped a co-worker set up an HPI MT2 the other day... Big mistake. I'm a sucker for light-weight, good handling vehicles.

Hey TC... I have a gas powered "stadium truck" sitting in a box in the garage somewhere. You are welcome to mess around with it and try to get it running if you want.

[EvilSpeeder]

I've always wanted to. I've got an RG10GT stadium truck and an HPI RS4-3 touring car that I play around with from time to time. I've always wanted to play with others. I'm just worried that my competitive itch will cause me to spend lots and lots of money on it.

[tailchaser]

Hey TC... I have a gas powered "stadium truck" sitting in a box in the garage somewhere. You are welcome to mess around with it and try to get it running if you want.

I'll be glad to take a look at it. If I get it running, you'll have to come race it, though.

[Titus]

I'll be glad to take a look at it. If I get it running, you'll have to come race it, though.

I also have a 3/4 complete Gas powered boat that will be finished SOMEDAY. Between fatherhood and the Miata, many projects now gather dust in the garage.

[blackzx3_13]

I have always been interested in dirt oval rc racing. However I have a Williams bmw f1 car right now(for sale ) that I would like to get rid of so I can get the Tamiya NA that just got re-released. A 1/8 scale nitro buggy would be fun

[sammm]

I've got an old Tamiya Hornet that I built a long time ago. It's electric so the battery pack will last 5-6 minutes at best. I've always wanted to build a gas RC car!

[Treibenschnell]

Sounds like fun!

I'm just worried that my competitive itch will cause me to spend lots and lots of money on it.

You and me both.

[tailchaser]

Sounds like fun!

Lots of money

You and me both.

That's why I took up autocrossing... OTOH, you can get a lot more cheap track time with the models...

[fwMiata]

i have spent about the same on r/c cars in the past, as i have with my miata and mods, including the car itself.

[Titus]

i have spent about the same on r/c cars in the past, as i have with my miata and mods, including the car itself.

[Treibenschnell]

I've heard the same about RC boating!

[Titus]

I've heard the same about RC boating!

I have had several boats through the years and they never have been that big of a drain, but I could see where they could.

The worst I have seen as far as money pits has to be RC Sea Planes. My dad's friend was really addicted to them, and always had 3 or 4 in flying condition at any one time. The scarry thing with them is that a mistake is a COMPLETE loss. There is no salvaging engine and radio parts from the accident scene... they are all at the bottom of the lake. Poof... $1000 gone. Next. I saw him down 2 in one weekend. I got a lecture from my Dad afterwards about how I was never to repeat any of the words "Uncle Don" yelled, screamed, or mumbled.

[Treibenschnell]

RC Sea Planes.

I've never actually seen one... that might be a blast to mess around with (except, of course, for the $1k down the drain part.)

[Titus]

I've never actually seen one... that might be a blast to mess around with (except, of course, for the $1k down the drain part.)

You really need to have done regular plane first, unless you have tons of money to throw away. Once you have it down, you just buy a set of floats, bolt them on to your plane in place of the landing gear, and run a line for the rudder.

[Treibenschnell]

You really need to have done regular plane first, unless you have tons of money to throw away. Once you have it down, you just buy a set of floats, bolt them on to your plane in place of the landing gear, and run a line for the rudder.

Sounds crazy...

Out here in Frisco, off of the Tollway, there's a field that used by RC pilots. I've often wanted to stop in and just observe.

[sammm]

I built an RC 'Trainer' plane around 15 years ago. I never got to fly it because we were moving back north at the time. I sold it and all its stuff instead of messing with moving it.

One of my brothers is big into RC boats, but they don't really do anything for me.

[tailchaser]

I have an RC sailboat. Lowest $$$ per smile of any toy I've ever owned. Charge battery, insert boat in water, scare ducks, wait patiently for wind to die when boat is precise middle of pond.

I'm leaning toward an OFNA 1/8th buggy - probably the Hyper 7 PCR, moving the better radio gear out of my currently wounded RS4-2, and putting the crap radio from the OFNA into the RS4-2 in case I ever get around to buying it a new front suspension. Also leaning heavily toward picking up one of the Airtronics radios with synthesized tuning and multiple model memories...

The MT2 stadium truck is alluring - especially being $150 or so cheaper, but there appears to be a lot more competition in the 1/8th buggy crowd around here, and the local indoor tracks seem to be tuned more for the 1/8th buggies. Not real keen on the dirt ovals as that has GOT to be hard on engines, though I could be wrong.

[POS Racing]

I've got an RC tug my Grandfather made me years ago, it has become more of a static display. Looks like this one!


I also have a Traxxas T-Maxx, need to get that one back up and running it had a tragic accident with side of my house, and the house won.

[Titus]

One of my brothers is big into RC boats, but they don't really do anything for me.

Many of the faster boats will roll if you try to take a sharp turn at WOT, so you need to find the apex and learn to let off the throttle just the right amount at just the right time when you are into the turns. The slightest bit of wind or waves can affect this formula, so you find yourself taking more and more risks, trying to find the edge of the table without falling off. There is no tire squeal to warn you, and your butt isn’t in the seat to feel any breakaway. You just have your eyes to watch for subtle signs of the boats lack of stability.



Having two or more 3 foot long boats screaming around a course at 45mph (Which is faster than many 18’ family boats are capable of) can be quite exhilarating. A lot of rubbing goes on, as you jockey for position into the turn. The relative durability of the boats tends to allow drivers to be pretty rough with them. A course is cheaper to lay out then you would think, as a coffee can, some cement, and a piece of rebar make a nice anchor, and the orange 1 gallon Tide detergent jugs make great cones.



I know it isn’t for everyone, but I suspect you would really enjoy it if given the proper setting. NOTE: The proper setting doesn’t include any of the underpowered plastic boats found in the tower catalog.