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08-22-2005, 01:04 PM
getting cars ready consists of actual racing. It takes some track time to prepare race cars. Just a thought.
I didn't want you to "prepare" all winter just to end up disappointed because your rc's don't handle for poo on the track. Another thing to think about is that practice makes perfect, prepping RC's at your house helps on race day for sure but it's not what places you on the podium. A good driver could get used to any setup/tires, a bad driver still can't drive no matter what car/setup.
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08-22-2005, 01:20 PM
Tex, good advice for sure.
Don't get me wrong. I don't plan to bench-race the cars, I just need to get them running better and setup for better handling and reliability, which I can do without taking a Sunday to go to a track just to be in the way. I do spend a fair amount of time driving our cars and truck so I do know when it's me and when it's the car that's not performing. Getting on a track surface will undoubtedly make the cars handle better than the lots we run on, so I'm confident that I can adjust to MORE traction easier than LESS (parking lot). Our 2 car family races have been major slide-fests with the tires and setups we had. I didn't want to invest in racing foams just to grind them off at WalMart! Now that I have tried them I can see that I will need to invest in more varied shores (and traction compound) to get the cars handling their best. I am bummed that we didn't get more time this season to get setup and out to run on tracks. It always seems like something "more important" gets scheduled for the Sundays. We only get so many of these precious summers and when they are gone there's no getting them back. I guess I can credit RCDad for lighting an OnRoad fire under me to get more serious about wanting to race the sedans. My son is dying (settle down George) to race the Revo, but after some park-layout racing this weekend I see he needs more wheel-time before we go out to take on the likes of you'all. As for upgrading the Revo, there are plenty of track tested upgrades that I see as must-haves to go faster than stock, not that stock is slow. But better tires, springs, and steering speed are definately in the plans before we hit any tracks. |
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08-22-2005, 01:30 PM
I've been there and done that comparred to where you are in your hobby. 2 years ago I hadn't raced....ever.
Another huge thing about track time is it helps you get a feel for what breaks and what falls apart during normal races (without major crashing). A parking lot (where you go now) is a start but it's nothing comparred to the abuse a race track will dish out on your car. You will notice certain screws that like to back out and so fourth once you get some track time in. I've been in your shoes, I preparred, preparred, and preparred more at home for a race and didn't even make it past the first heat! Track time is where it's at for being a reliable front runner. You could prepare for 1000 years at home/parking lots and it wouldn't equal the experience of one weekend at Tinley.
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08-22-2005, 01:40 PM
Again, more good points that I agree with 100%.
I do need to get on the track. I won't be there this weekend. I won't go there until I'm convinced I have a car will handle to my expectations. Track work will show what needs changing, but I won't go into it with a car I know I can't control well. And, right now I don't even have a track shell prepped! My factory Viper and Acura are major hinderance to handling. I NEED to get the new shell on and see how the cars handle. Without the race body on, I'm wasting time to try to run on the track. I'm hoping that we see some racing before winter, but if we don't, we'll be ready in the spring. |
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08-22-2005, 01:49 PM
I've been thinking of looking for a few hundred small cones to setup a track in a parkinglot on off-race days. If I can make it around there without knocking down a cone it would be great practice.
In the winter we'll be able to race at Leisure right? I'm not sure what they have for on-road. |
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08-22-2005, 02:05 PM
I have what you want!! My neighbor gave me a stack (prolly like 50) small orange plastic cones that are used as protective covers on sprinkler heads during installation of the systems. Before they turn on the system, they pull off these covers and toss them out. He saw us racing in the field and gave us a stack. I'm sure I can ask him for more. I'll let you know. The only drawback is they are very light and windy days will blow them around. I suppose you could weight them with ????.
Indoors racing....I don't own an electric sedan. I would consider an electric truck, maybe like an RC18T/MT |
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08-22-2005, 03:08 PM
Quote:
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