GeekSpeed

So, I had an idea the other day. It seems to me that there are lots of people who are interested in cheap, fun racing. I personally dropped out of TC racing because of the extremely high cost to be competitive. It got to the point that racing was just not fun. Hunting around on Tamiya's website, I was inspired by the TCS Spec series. However, why not try it with rally-spec vehicles? I think it would be a blast to do a rally series based on the Tamiya TT-01 cars with only limited mods. It would keep the racing inexpensive and would put a premium on driver skill. Here is what I came up with:

GeekSpeed

Oops, accidentally hit submit. Anyway, here is what I came up with:

Basic rules will follow the TCS Spec class, with the following exceptions:

Must use proper rally-spec tires; no knobbys. Manufacturer is open.
Must run proper rally shell (no touring or sports car shells). Manufacturer is open.

And that is basically it. The format for the races could be conducted either as the traditional stage rally, with one car at a time, or as a rallycross (the European kind), which would basically be a standard multi-car race. We could also add a class for the M-chassis cars.

What do you guys think? Any interest? I would be more than happy to get this kind of thing going.

AWK

iTrader: (9)

I am all for that class! TCS used to have a race where it was TT-01s I think, but they ran on tarmac, but used radial tires. I wish I had seen what that class was like, but seems like it would have been fun. And there were no slicks, and had to use rally bodies. I think it was about the time they re-released the TT-01 Ford Escort.

I would like to see something that mixed tarmac and dirt. The TT-01 is a little weak for true rally IMO, but I think if they still had the TB-01, or maybe the TL-01s would work. For all out Tamiya rally (jumps, dirt, etc), the TB-01 was by far the best.

minijosh

iTrader: (1)

I'll take on any rally course or car with my TB01 with my Mamba Max in it. My body won't take the beating but the chassis will hands down.

studysession

I think this is a great idea. I would love to race my TT-01 on the same off road course for 1/8 scale buggies with small jumps.

What would you do to cover the internal areas to keep the dirt out and not mess up the electronics?

Have you seen this thread where we've been talking about the HPI RS4 rally car?
http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174054

Hawk6

iTrader: (52)

Trackside (Milwaukee, WI) runs a Tamiya rally class as an add on class during its TCS races. TT-01, TL-01, TB-01 or TB-02 chassis, limited hop-ups. I didn't race it, but I took a few pics.

Hawk6

iTrader: (52)

Here are the rules Trackside uses:

Special Rally Event!!!
TrackSide Hobbies has their very own indoor off-road track. To mix things up a little, there will be a special Rally class that will take place during the two day event. Rules for this will be posted shortly............

The Rally Rules are here!
Special Rally Class Details:
The Rally Class will be run on the TrackSide off-road indoor dirt track. A special layout will be constructed. If you wish to participate in this class don’t worry about the two-class limit rule. If you would like to enter the Rally Class as a third class it will be permitted. Sign ups for the Rally Class will take place at the track.

Chassis permitted:

TB-01
TB-02
TL-01
TT-01
TL-01 LA

All cars must be tub chassis. No double deck plate cars are permitted. To keep things simple and cheap no option parts are allowed.

Rally Rules:

1. Rally Block tires only.
2. Foam inserts only.
3. Plastic oil filled shocks only.
4. Stock silver shock springs only.
5. Ball bearings are permitted.
6. The stock gear ratio for the above chassis cars will be the only gear ratio allowed.
7. Oil and pistons in shocks can be changed.
8. Car must be built per the instructions.


That's it for the rules, here's what I saw for protecting the electronics:
TL-01 chassis can be duct taped shut to protect electronics.
Tub chassis' can be protected from above with half of a 2 liter soda bottle to form an inner body shell.

tony gray

iTrader: (7)

Two Words RALLY MINI! we've been doing it for some time now. AWESOME fun....

Hawk6

iTrader: (52)

I think the fun factor of rally would be high. But, if I were going to push forward on this, I wouldn't limit it Tamiya. Just keep it simple: any plastic chassis, bearings and oil shocks OK, no carbon fiber, any rally tires, and rally body, stick pack batteries only.

Have fun.

mep

iTrader: (40)

Digging up an old thread due to recent local interest...

A few of us locals are working on a new rally class right now, and Hawk's previous post almost exactly sums up our idea on setup. Our idea is to run them on rugged terrain, but not on a typical dirt track with jumps... we want to run them through woods, worn out grass, & rough pavement, ie realistic WRC-type rallying.

I've also had the idea to incorporate an asphault rally class into our local road course events to increase the popularity, & limit the class to any plastic chassis, stick packs only, & a rally body. Shoot, even mixing in some Minis would probably be cool too. This would give folks the chance to drive without the typical TC stress & competition... sort of the same essence as M-chassis. I honestly think this would be more popular than stock or mod Touring Car around here.

My choice of car is the TB-02, with no hop-ups other than motor & a range of tires to choose from to suit the track surface. We will probably just use 27t stock motors such as EPIC monsters & CO27s. I think a mild brushless motor would be perfectly suited to the class too though, due to the lack of maintenance.

Any other input would be appreciated