1/8th On Road Losing Popularity?
 

What's going on with the F1 of RC racing? It seems that 1/8th scale on road is and has been in decline.

Case in point, I started a thread on the 1/8th Worlds (2 weeks from now in Italy) a couple of days ago and thus far 27 people viewed the post and no one responded. Had this been the 1/10th nitro or electric seden worlds there would've been a thread a month ago filled with pages of posts by now.

I subscribe to the Evolva thread and there are seldom any posts; Serpent just came out with the 960 and days go by without a post. Again, had this been a new 1/10th seden there would be like a page of new posts everyday.

At the tracks there are usually 2-3 times as many people racing 1/10th. It seems that every race we see less and less 1/8th sign-ups and mains.

I say hell to 1.8 on road.

The price is way to much for my taste.

$600 for a car, $350-500 for an engine, your talking well over $1000 for a complete setup.

1.10 touring cars are much more affordable and just as fun.

I would've agree with you mostly until I tried them last week. The higher speed and better handling is very addicting.

The speed is awesome, the handling is like they are rolling on rails, but damn, the bodies look sooo ugly that I have been thinking for over 2 months now ''Should I get a 1/8 or not?''. Also the other point is, when you go on the track with a 1/10 TC, there is always couple of ppl you can race against but with a 1/8 most of the time you will be on your own. Also the cost is another issue, to pay around 1000 $ just for the car and engine (probably another 500-1000 USD for spare parts and hop-ups), way too much. Rather buy another 1/10 TC. BUT: If the bodies would look better, maybe kind of 1/10 TC sedan bodies, I am sure there would be much more demand for this class. I know at least 5-8 friends of mine, who also got the money but don't buy an 1/8 just because of the looks.

The body is fine with me. I actually thought it better looking than all the sedan bodies. It certainly looks more like a race car than a 4 door sedan.

I also do not think the cost is that much different. A RRR WCE or a Mugen Prospec is $400-$500 compared with $500-$600 for 1/8th. You could get 1/8th engines for about $200 as well. It gets expensive if you want the modified engines but then a JP full option FX-03 for 1/10 can cost $450 or more.

After 3 or so years of running tourer ( MTX 3 ).I decided to go 1/8 on road and yeah the number at our local club have been slowing up a bit. But It's the same in the touring cars as well. The cost well there is not that much difference. The way touring car motors and chassis prices are going. 1/8 scale is way more fun. That's just my 2 cents worth.

i think that racers feel like their sedans are basically 1/8's anyways nowadays. the v1r mtx3 and 710 all look like their bigger brothers, with the same technology, features, even more hopups, and the abiliity to bash with radial tire setup and the appeal of detailed production car bodies. also, at least where i'm from, they closed down the only 1/8 open track which totally sux. i'm probably only going to get to drive twice a month when roar sets up a track. that said, i've actually ditched my sedan in favor of a 1/8 just cuz i like them that much. in my opinion they are easier to drive than sedans, have more steering, and are faster. but yeah, too bad...it does seem like their popularity is fading. hopefully the likes of the budget rtr xr80 and xr8 will spark interest. so far it doesn't appear that way.

I think because of the tire of the 8scale are very expensive compare to 1/10 touring.

I would think 200mm would be more popular around the world but a few weeks ago at the Great Lakes Challenge I think there were close to 20 more entries in 1/8 than 200mm. Also at our club races and Midwest Series races 1/8 has more entries. Might just be the area. Maybe the reason for less posts in 1/8 than 200mm threads is most 200mm racers are just starting out and have more questions than someone that maybe more experienced in 1/8. Just a thought.

Paul

I`m playing with 1:10 scale all the while and i saw the 1/8 scales . they really are very fast. Unfortunalty, in isn`t very popular over here.

Cost , i believe is the main reason keeping most away from this scale. it`s just very very expensive. :(

Yeah but you get so much more traction!!!

I think Chicky hit the nail right on the head as far as posts. 8th scale cars are typically more expensive, but now there's the XR80 option. RTR, under $400. If you're already into racing, you can quickly swap out the AM radio, throw in a decent steering servo, and bingo, 8th scale race car.... It seems to me part of the reason 8th scale is shrinking around here, is because we need BIGGER TRACKS. What feels great, and chalenging to a 10th scale car, feels tiny and restrictive to these beasts. If only I lived in Europe... ;)

As far as the bodies are concerned, you can find sedan-like bodies for them(porsche 962 comes to mind), but there's a reason they typically run Lola style...Performance. You simply can't get the same downforce, and airflow over the engine as you can with a real Race Car style body. I like the look of a real racer, and these are the F1 of RC cars. Don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal of production car looks, I have three 10th scale cars too(those are the bigger classes around here). I enjoy driving them, but they simply pale in comparison for performance...

1/8th= A Mega ZX .21 is less than $400 with a good tuned pipe set.

1/10th= A top of the line .12 will run you that much easily along with a tuned pipe set.

1/8= A XP4, MRX4 or a new 960 will run you from $500- $600.

1/10= a top of the line TC will run you up to $400+ (RRR, MTX-3 Prospec, 710, etc..)

yes, an 1/8th scale will eat a few more dollars in tires and clutches, but for me it's well worth the added driving experience. I can get a full set of four 1/8th scale tires for $35 shipping included vs. $20 for 1/10th. shop smartly and the bill for 1/8th scale is not much more than 1/10th.

1/8th scale is not dying. I would venture a guess that it is going to overtake 1/10 as a major RACING class. Big events are drawing more 1/8th than 1/10th. Look at the GLC and MWS. I bet the WinterNats are the same next year.

Bashing and clubbing are a different story....

I am new to on-road and just purchased an R40 after going to several races. They just started 1/8th at the local club track which is fairly big (180 x 240) I beleive is the setup for the ROAR race last weekend. After watching the 1/8ths I am sure I will be getting one for next season.

Toledo/Detroit area
 

1/8th scale here is on the rise.
We get new faces all the time.

Look at the Midwest series. Record numbers.