1LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am Racing
03-30-2009, 03:48 PM
#4621
I saw first hand what a Novak 21.5 can do before and after it was used with a programable ESC. Absolutely unbelievable.
The VTA mantra "It's not about technology, it's about car set up and driver skill" is turning into a pretty funny cliche - almost as bad as when a woman says "size doesn't matter..."
Have fun.
The VTA mantra "It's not about technology, it's about car set up and driver skill" is turning into a pretty funny cliche - almost as bad as when a woman says "size doesn't matter..."
Have fun.
I've been running Tekin RS ESCs for a while in 17.5 RCGT. Because of the timing boost capability I've gone from running 3.6 FDR with "conventional" gear to running about 4.1 FDR. Moreover, both bottom-end and top speed are superior to what they used to be.
Based on that experience, I would imagine that with a 21.5 I'd end up running an FDR in the upper 4s. The 4.2 FDR limit would be completely meaningless as I'd never want to run that tall anyway.
The only solution I can see is to mandate an FDR range instead of just a limit on one end. Something like "FDR must be between 4.2 and 4.4" or whatever. Not that that's a perfect solution, but it's something.
03-30-2009, 05:33 PM
#4622
Thanks to the founders of USTVA! We had a great TA race yesterday, last indoor season race. Great turn out! and some great racing, very close. I duno all the details on the chassis/motor/batttery combos but I know they are all different but doesn't matter as the USTVA founders got the rules right! ..Just look how close the top 5, 10 & 20 lap averages are. We had some excitment/hacking in lap 1 and was basically the difference in finishing laps/times though Melvin is very consistent! Next time I want his car TECH'd!!! LOL. 
Driver Name Pos Car# Laps Race Time Fast Lap Q# Top 5 Top 10 Top 20
Melvin Lee 1 1 36 08:07.9 12.994 1 13.077 13.137 13.267
Robert Dirla 2 2 35 08:03.7 12.966 2 13.033 13.118 13.229
Donald Martin 3 6 35 08:05.6 13.113 6 13.176 13.251 13.369
Driver Name Pos Car# Laps Race Time Fast Lap Q# Top 5 Top 10 Top 20
Melvin Lee 1 1 36 08:07.9 12.994 1 13.077 13.137 13.267
Robert Dirla 2 2 35 08:03.7 12.966 2 13.033 13.118 13.229
Donald Martin 3 6 35 08:05.6 13.113 6 13.176 13.251 13.369
03-30-2009, 07:32 PM
#4624
That mantra thing was a joke. I hope the VTA philosophy has more to do with a friendly "car guy" atmosphere and doesn't turn into that ultra-competitive TC foam BS I suffered through a few years back.
Keep having fun, everyone.
03-31-2009, 06:39 AM
#4625
*I'm 100% usvta complaint!
It's what we call our local TA racing that is based on the usvta rules but allow 6cell or lipo w/ limited FDR on 27t & 17.5 motors. Most of the regulars & fast guys are running 21.5 & 100% usvta rules but this allows newbies to join in w/ current gear(6cell/lipo). The FDR's that were determined are actually spot on w/ the official rules motor/bat combos and are VERY equal. they also allow more bodies. All that is just to help newbies get into it and help EASE them into the official rules after they get up to speed.
I've always wanted usvta rules but it actually works well for us & new folks so don't hate.
It's what we call our local TA racing that is based on the usvta rules but allow 6cell or lipo w/ limited FDR on 27t & 17.5 motors. Most of the regulars & fast guys are running 21.5 & 100% usvta rules but this allows newbies to join in w/ current gear(6cell/lipo). The FDR's that were determined are actually spot on w/ the official rules motor/bat combos and are VERY equal. they also allow more bodies. All that is just to help newbies get into it and help EASE them into the official rules after they get up to speed.
I've always wanted usvta rules but it actually works well for us & new folks so don't hate.
03-31-2009, 08:27 AM
#4629
Here is a breakdown of qualifying from Indy Slots last week. I haven't been keeping track of speed controls, but I've put down what I can from memory. On our small indoor track with 2x4 barriers you gain more from clean driving than timing boost. I've seen all different types of speed controls win. I have won using a GTB, a XBR, and a LRP TC. I know other drivers are using the new Tekin, but I don't notice that they have any advantage at our track.
Here are the qualifying results for Friday 03/27/2009 - The Main finish is before the drivers name. We bump up the winner of each main.
Here are the qualifying results for Friday 03/27/2009 - The Main finish is before the drivers name. We bump up the winner of each main.
Indy Slots VTA (On-Road) qualifying order after 2 heats
Pos...Laps.....Time.....Main..Name
....1....34...5m03.190..(A1).Cody Woods (FT TC4 - LRP Sphere TC)
....2....34...5m03.247..(A7).Greg Hallenbeck (TC5 - Tekin Pro)
....3....34...5m05.561..(A4).John Cole (FK04 - LRP Sphere)
....4....33...5m01.964..(A6).Mark Lyons (TC5 - LRP Sphere TC)
....5....33...5m03.298..(A8).Bob Cordell (TC5 - Tekin Pro)
....6....33...5m03.750..(A2).Brian Smith (TC3 tub - LRP Sphere TC)
....7....33...5m06.027..(A3).Bob Peterson (RDX - Novak SS)
....8....32...5m05.985..(A5).Brian Shaw (TC4 tub - GTB)
....9....32...5m06.091..(B2).Greg Cobb (TC5 - Tekin)
...10....32...5m07.745..(B4).Chris Russell (Diggity TC - uses TC3 drivetrain)
...11....31...5m01.419..(B5).Brock Lyons (TC4 - LRP Sphere TC)
...12....31...5m02.111..(B3).Charlie Auterburn (FT TC4)
...13....30...5m05.657..(B9).Bob Yelle (Diggity TC - LRP Sphere TC)
...14....30...5m07.125..(B6).Steve Martin (TC5 - LRP Sphere)
...15....29...5m01.631..(B8).Steven Donaldson (? )
...16....29...5m02.530..(C5).Chase Spitzer (? )
...17....29...5m02.927..(C2).Kenny Jarvis (TC5 - LRP Sphere TC)
...18....29...5m09.786..(C4).Rusty Schafer (? )
...19....28...5m03.516..(C3).Brent Whitlock (? )
...20....28...5m03.942..(C9).John Armuth (TC5)
...21....27...5m01.295..(C6).Cam Gomez (Tamiya TT-01 - Havoc)
...22....27...5m03.488..(C7).Justyne Cole (? )
...23....26...4m48.177..(B7).Miguel Gomez (Losi XXX-S - Havoc)
...24....26...5m07.936..(D2).Steve Larracey (TC3 tub - XBR)
...25....25...5m00.057..(D3).Bill Pennington (TC4 tub)
...26....23...5m10.552..(D7).Jason Ewers (TC4 tub)
...27....13...5m04.719..(C8).Aaron Johnson (TC4 FT)
...28....09...2m03.056..(D4).Zach Pennington (TC4 tub)
...29....02...0m36.707..(D6).David Johnson (TC4 FT)
Pos...Laps.....Time.....Main..Name
....1....34...5m03.190..(A1).Cody Woods (FT TC4 - LRP Sphere TC)
....2....34...5m03.247..(A7).Greg Hallenbeck (TC5 - Tekin Pro)
....3....34...5m05.561..(A4).John Cole (FK04 - LRP Sphere)
....4....33...5m01.964..(A6).Mark Lyons (TC5 - LRP Sphere TC)
....5....33...5m03.298..(A8).Bob Cordell (TC5 - Tekin Pro)
....6....33...5m03.750..(A2).Brian Smith (TC3 tub - LRP Sphere TC)
....7....33...5m06.027..(A3).Bob Peterson (RDX - Novak SS)
....8....32...5m05.985..(A5).Brian Shaw (TC4 tub - GTB)
....9....32...5m06.091..(B2).Greg Cobb (TC5 - Tekin)
...10....32...5m07.745..(B4).Chris Russell (Diggity TC - uses TC3 drivetrain)
...11....31...5m01.419..(B5).Brock Lyons (TC4 - LRP Sphere TC)
...12....31...5m02.111..(B3).Charlie Auterburn (FT TC4)
...13....30...5m05.657..(B9).Bob Yelle (Diggity TC - LRP Sphere TC)
...14....30...5m07.125..(B6).Steve Martin (TC5 - LRP Sphere)
...15....29...5m01.631..(B8).Steven Donaldson (? )
...16....29...5m02.530..(C5).Chase Spitzer (? )
...17....29...5m02.927..(C2).Kenny Jarvis (TC5 - LRP Sphere TC)
...18....29...5m09.786..(C4).Rusty Schafer (? )
...19....28...5m03.516..(C3).Brent Whitlock (? )
...20....28...5m03.942..(C9).John Armuth (TC5)
...21....27...5m01.295..(C6).Cam Gomez (Tamiya TT-01 - Havoc)
...22....27...5m03.488..(C7).Justyne Cole (? )
...23....26...4m48.177..(B7).Miguel Gomez (Losi XXX-S - Havoc)
...24....26...5m07.936..(D2).Steve Larracey (TC3 tub - XBR)
...25....25...5m00.057..(D3).Bill Pennington (TC4 tub)
...26....23...5m10.552..(D7).Jason Ewers (TC4 tub)
...27....13...5m04.719..(C8).Aaron Johnson (TC4 FT)
...28....09...2m03.056..(D4).Zach Pennington (TC4 tub)
...29....02...0m36.707..(D6).David Johnson (TC4 FT)
Last edited by IndyRC_Racer; 03-31-2009 at 09:10 AM.
03-31-2009, 08:27 AM
#4630
*I'm 100% usvta complaint!
It's what we call our local TA racing that is based on the usvta rules but allow 6cell or lipo w/ limited FDR on 27t & 17.5 motors. Most of the regulars & fast guys are running 21.5 & 100% usvta rules but this allows newbies to join in w/ current gear(6cell/lipo). The FDR's that were determined are actually spot on w/ the official rules motor/bat combos and are VERY equal. they also allow more bodies. All that is just to help newbies get into it and help EASE them into the official rules after they get up to speed.
I've always wanted usvta rules but it actually works well for us & new folks so don't hate.
It's what we call our local TA racing that is based on the usvta rules but allow 6cell or lipo w/ limited FDR on 27t & 17.5 motors. Most of the regulars & fast guys are running 21.5 & 100% usvta rules but this allows newbies to join in w/ current gear(6cell/lipo). The FDR's that were determined are actually spot on w/ the official rules motor/bat combos and are VERY equal. they also allow more bodies. All that is just to help newbies get into it and help EASE them into the official rules after they get up to speed.
I've always wanted usvta rules but it actually works well for us & new folks so don't hate.
03-31-2009, 08:44 AM
#4631
I should clarify that we normally don't get that many VTA drivers, but we have been averaging about 20 cars over the last 5 weeks and 15 cars for 2009.
As far as the breakdown of chassis/speed controls, we have found that our budget minded and novice VTA racers really have enjoyed using the XBR or Havok 21.5 system. Even though the XBR and Havok systems didn't place very high at our track last Friday, that is more an indication of skill than an inability of the speed control to compete.
I have won numerous times with an XBR at our local track. The main reason I switched to the LRP Sphere was to save some room on my tub chassis TC3. I also wanted a blue speed control to match the other blue parts including my $30 blue Traxxas servo.
The XBR and Havok have plenty of adustability for VTA including minimum drive settings that really help the launch from a dead stop or out of tight corners.
As far as the breakdown of chassis/speed controls, we have found that our budget minded and novice VTA racers really have enjoyed using the XBR or Havok 21.5 system. Even though the XBR and Havok systems didn't place very high at our track last Friday, that is more an indication of skill than an inability of the speed control to compete.
I have won numerous times with an XBR at our local track. The main reason I switched to the LRP Sphere was to save some room on my tub chassis TC3. I also wanted a blue speed control to match the other blue parts including my $30 blue Traxxas servo.
The XBR and Havok have plenty of adustability for VTA including minimum drive settings that really help the launch from a dead stop or out of tight corners.
03-31-2009, 08:46 AM
#4632
Question for those of you running TA club races:
If I showed up using some of the various "old school" bodies from Bolink, the ones say 1960-1975 and raced with you, would that irritate you or any of your racers?
Would it be acceptable for a club race?
If I showed up using some of the various "old school" bodies from Bolink, the ones say 1960-1975 and raced with you, would that irritate you or any of your racers?
Would it be acceptable for a club race?
03-31-2009, 08:48 AM
#4633
Filled in the blanks for me (2nd)
Thanks Cody,
I just wanted to get an idea who was running what.. so for any one that wants to debate TransAm...
1st:
Camaro
FT TC4 (no chassis spline, running standoffs)....
LRP Sphere....
Orion 4800 LiPo....
Good 'ole ball diff....
2nd:
Camaro
TC3 - tub
LRP Sphere
Checkpoint 4900 25c
Metal Ball Diffs (front/rear)
3rd:
Cuda
RDX
Novak SS
MaxAmps
Spool
4th:
Cuda
FK04
LRP Sphere
SMC 4800 24C
Spool
Interesting ...
I just wanted to get an idea who was running what.. so for any one that wants to debate TransAm...
1st:
Camaro
FT TC4 (no chassis spline, running standoffs)....
LRP Sphere....
Orion 4800 LiPo....
Good 'ole ball diff....
2nd:
Camaro
TC3 - tub
LRP Sphere
Checkpoint 4900 25c
Metal Ball Diffs (front/rear)
3rd:
Cuda
RDX
Novak SS
MaxAmps
Spool
4th:
Cuda
FK04
LRP Sphere
SMC 4800 24C
Spool
Interesting ...
03-31-2009, 08:48 AM
#4634
I'd like to try it on mine and be able to tell our racers who have them what to do to try it.
03-31-2009, 09:09 AM
#4635
Here is a link to the Havoc Spec setup instructions which is the speed control that comes with the Havoc/21.5 combo(http://www.teamnovak.com/download/in...prog_instr.pdf)
With the transmitter on and speed control on, hold down the setup button to change to the different programmable options. For Minimum Drive, keep holding the setup button until only the AMBER setup light is on. Release the setup button. You should see the AMBER light flash. This will tell you what setting the Minimum Drive is at. More flashes/higher number results in a punchier/more aggressive feel. To change the setting, press the setup button as many times as you want. The Havoc Sport only has 5 settings and the default is 1. Once you are happy with the settings, hold down the setup button for about 1-2 seconds and you will see all the setup lights flash and go off. This will save your setting. To adjust other parameters, you will have to repeat the process.
When I was running my XBR, I bumped up my minimum drive to 3. I felt that the car was better from a dead stop, but not so touchy that it was hard to drive. The Havoc has a few more adjustments than the XBR, but both are a good option for VTA.
With the transmitter on and speed control on, hold down the setup button to change to the different programmable options. For Minimum Drive, keep holding the setup button until only the AMBER setup light is on. Release the setup button. You should see the AMBER light flash. This will tell you what setting the Minimum Drive is at. More flashes/higher number results in a punchier/more aggressive feel. To change the setting, press the setup button as many times as you want. The Havoc Sport only has 5 settings and the default is 1. Once you are happy with the settings, hold down the setup button for about 1-2 seconds and you will see all the setup lights flash and go off. This will save your setting. To adjust other parameters, you will have to repeat the process.
When I was running my XBR, I bumped up my minimum drive to 3. I felt that the car was better from a dead stop, but not so touchy that it was hard to drive. The Havoc has a few more adjustments than the XBR, but both are a good option for VTA.