nexxus

iTrader: (315)

I think the rule setters need to step back and let the classes run as they are, over here there were some proposals to impliment control motors in 21.5 and 13.5 blinky TC which got a fair few noses out of joint, the proposals were voted down by the clubs but as the 21.5 proposal was only 'just' defeated there is chatter that it will resurface, and the feeling I have is that it will continue to do so until they push it through. I know from people I race with it's discouraged people from 21.5, 2 years ago we were at 10-15 cars at a major event for the class, now we're down to maybe 7 or 8 at best and for some the reason is these continually changing rules. Having tested the proposed control motors, dyno'd them against the usual motors we'd run, it'd make for a very depressing race. Lap times were 4-5 seconds a lap slower and with the enforced FDR the motor got hot as it was at max rpm 10 metres into a 200-300m straight. On the dyno, a Motiv 21.5 yields around 110W @ 2s, a basic Trackstar V1 21.5 is around 100W, the latest and greatest motors push 120W, the Justock 21.5 (which is the only real control motor option) is just on 80W. That's a lot of power to give up.

Let the guys race, let those that race the class make the rules, don't leave it to a modified driver to draft rules for sportsman etc. Encourage juniors / new entries, discourage sponsored drivers particularly in control or lower tier classes. Sorry but if you're good enough to be sponsored (and I mean sponsored in ANY sense where you are thanking a brand on your acceptance speach to having them on your rctech signature) then you should be running the top class period. Make it clear at drivers briefings what the rules and expectations are. But above all the emphasis should be on fun, this is a hobby but a hobby which seems to be becoming more and more commercially influenced on a daily basis, we need to have clubs run by members for members, If a member of committee A is sponsored by store B, then they should exclude themselves from any decision where said store can be seen to be making a gain (ie selection of control tyres for an event etc) Clubs need to have total transparency, any member should be able to request committee meeting minutes to educate themselves as to what goes on, it's not "secret business" if they feel included they may feel more likely to contribute.

Just my nonsensical ramblings, you may agree / disagree.

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

What were the proposed control motors? I thought the proposal just stated that there would be a control motor, they didn't get as far as specifying a particular motor. And what track has a 200-300m straight? I believe your local track (WCMRC) has a ~60m front straight and ~40m back straight according to the website.

Also, that proposal was only for AARCMCC events, not club racing which this thread is discussing. I don't think they considered (at least publicly) what impact it would have on club racing.

rccartips

iTrader: (3)

Fun environment

evochick

iTrader: (5)

seeing as the rules have actually been stable for a fair few years regarding motors that cant be the reason for the loss, so it might be that some people are put off at having the motor of the month to be competitive (not that this actually needs to be the case because the good drivers will win no matter what motor they are using)

dropping the whole FDR thing, the NSW club series will show everyone that a control motor will either work or not. Time will tell.

bertrandsv87

iTrader: (2)

200-300 feet maybe, but not meters....

nexxus

iTrader: (315)

I get M and F muddled

Whoops!

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

Billy Kelly

iTrader: (9)

I used to think the Apex would be a good start. It's too fast. I did watch s brushed Vaterra run a USGT based class. Did better then most expected. But would only work running against itself.
I just stepped into TC racing last summer. Only once so far. We've been running a casual 1/18 racing for past 3 years. Simple 5 lap sprints. If you crash your out till next round. Only 5 laps.

MontanaMaxx

iTrader: (12)

If you run with fast guys it essentially forces you to be faster yes as new drivers you will get passed but try to follow the lines of faster drivers and you soon will make them work to get around you. If you are the faster slow guy are you really pushing the pace as if you were among faster drivers? If I didn't run with top drivers I doubt I would be doing any where as good as I am though I have a ways to go yet

TryHard

iTrader: (4)

I'd love to know which proposed motors you ran... as the proposals had absolutely ZERO reference to any specific motor. So you've basically tested something on your own, as there was no way to test a control motor, as none had been specified.

And as Beth has said, the motor rules for the past three years plus have been stable across all classes. And given the control motor proposal only emerged in October last year, really doubt that is the cause for the decline in racers.

So if a kid gets free bodyclips for his car from a store, he has to run mod, cause that's sponsered? riiiiiiight....

However I don't disagree with the transparency thing, and clubs do need to make more effort to engage with their racers, and potential racers. Certainly here in NSW there are moves afoot at many clubs to do this, and the XRS is also helping.

TryHard

iTrader: (4)

Actually, it was considered. Part of the reason we proposed the model we did was because it would have had the least effect on club racing... let me explain, although this is going a little off topic...

With a control handout motor, your not forcing anyone to buy a motor to compete at an event. So racers can still use their invested motors at club days, non-sanctioned events etc. Now obviously over time there may be a move by some towards using the same motors at club races to prepare, but thats natural, and not a pre-requiste for a club to setup for. Guys who don't do sanctioned events wouldn't be affected, and clubs wouldn't have needed to run control motor classes, as people using the control motors could easily be incorporated into existing motor classes. (and the intention was to have selected motor and gearing that would have actually not been to far off existing performance... but that appeared to be lost in translation/ignored!)

With the buy your own model (one where you purchase a motor to run at events), racers have to invest up front, and then want to make sure they are getting the most from the motors. That would push clubs to running controlled classes faster than a handout... or split club classes down further.

Now that wasn't the only consideration for control.. but there was a depth of thought to the proposal that some didn't consider.

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

Fair point. I didn't hear that reasoning in the open debate, so either it wasn't made public or I just missed it.

luda

iTrader: (6)

We have had some success with enticing racers from different categories to race a second class which we called "GT". The rules for GT were fairly basic but we used a control motor (muchmore 17.5 fixed timing) control tires (Volante 36) and fixed gearing. Chassis is any 4WD 1/10 touring ESC is open but must be blinky spec and the body had to be a late 90's/2000's two door GT style race car. So no LTCR etc allowed. This has turned out to be quite popular and sometimes even fun.

I'm personally for a control motor for events as the $ spent and the length people go to for the "fastest" legal motor can be too daunting for newer racers. That said though it does mean that companies may not support events where running their motor is not an option so works against us from that perspective.

cplus

iTrader: (11)

Easy to miss.

just like people jumping to conclusions over exactly what motors were possible.

Yeah, the HW Justock *is* an option. but there are many others, including custom builds.

there were comments, for example, about the ETS 13.5 Muchmore being "too slow" - but then we could easily fit a TypeS stator, stronger rotor and stick on the "zero timing" (it's actually more like 20deg) rear end on it. Dunno if it would be able to catch a well tuned $200 Fantom or R1 - but then thats not the actual point is it.

sdunnmcp

These are the most ridicules reasons I have ever head. I have never in my 30+ years of racing heard that long straights plague larger tracks. I have also never heard that a longer straight put motors at a premium.

I bet you think the new guy should go into TC, that has 4 rubber tires, 2 sway bars and 4 shocks and think he is going to understand what the heck is going on.

Steve