True I do have a CDC-7. It actually isn't all about me. I was just using me as an example of how people could be affected.

If you think the brushed motor is just as competitive then you weren't at the Maitland Cup. True two of us did make the A but it wasn't thanks to our motors.

Also, the legislating bodies have said that both brushed and brushless will be legal next year. They've made overtones to the effect that it won't remain that way for long without saying so directly.

Sure, we update our gear all the time. But they are incremental updates. If I updated my speed control a year ago then I could on-sell my old one to a new guy to the hobby. Now, who is going to want to buy it - it's old tech. So, whereas in the past when I updated my stuff I could recoup some of my costs by selling my well looked after gear now that's not the case.

These changes are different because they don't represent an evolution of the current technology but rather a revolution - new technology that means you have to update more than one piece of equipment at a time.

Brushless motors have actually been around for a long time. The reason RC car racing has been slow on the uptake is the initial cost of buying a new speed control and motor at the same time. Now we have finally decided to take the plunge - great, better in the long run. But to make a similar change to LiPo at the same time and give no consideration to what other rules could be tweaked to ease the cost seems impetuous and ill-advised.

Note, I'm not saying don't legalise LiPo or Brushless or anything else. All I'm saying is change the weight limit at the same time we introduce LiPo.

I was there.

You made the A - your point is valid and correct you dont need BL to be competitive, same as you dont need the latest anbd greatest cells or speedy.

Just have one less crash over 5 min and you will gain more than new cells could ever give you

it will all change next year for stock anyway - 17.5 will no doubt be the stock BL motor and Brushed will be on par.

Touché.

Though, if you remember the first final, I was having to defend my line 2m before the corner because Rob Sheppard was so much faster at the start and end of the straights (but strangely not in the middle).

Your point is well made. That will provide parity.

hey Ben

yeah im not sure which cars will and wont be affected,, i dont know how heavy an x-factory is (Tom, can you help?) but XXX4 is light also, cat 3000 is close to weight if anyone still runs it, kyosho not sure. im assuming BJ4 and D4 weigh in simliar to the B44 and yes the xx4 drivers will be affected, me being one of them, but hey minority groups make changes to things all the time

It would be suprising to me if the legal weight limits weren't changed by roar, but i didnt think our weights were the same as the rest of the world anyway (in off road at least) and its not like too many international visitors come here that would be affected if we were different, and just becuase the septics haven't thought of it, doesn't mean its a not good idea, i guess we've given food for thought to those who will make these decisions, i just dont think i should be disqualified for running packs that others can run without adding weight to their cars, i'll petition for a xx4 exemption

Mikey,

The XX4 was designed to run close to minimum weight whereas other cars have been designed around the heavier batteries so at minimum weight shouldn't that mean that the XX4 would still have an advantage as the newer cars were not designed to run that light and will probably need weight placed back into them.

So as you can see there is no way of pleasing everyone as we all have different views on how it will effect the cars. Back in the early nineties there always cars that were lighter than others that needed to add weight and it is no different today. It was never an issue back than so it shouldn't be an issue today. We have a weight limit that has worked over time for all different weight batteries so why change it now.

PS: Shouldn't we be catering for cars that are still in production and not vintage cars. :lol:

Well, if the old XX4 cant win on a level playing field, and the only way it can win is by having weight advantage, then send over the petition and I'll sign it.. :nod::nod::nod: I'm always willing to put my hand out for a charity case..:lol:

I mean, How much lighter is the XX4 over its heavier competitors ?? 20 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams?? What?

One thing though.. What happens to the driver(s) that still want to run NiMh packs next year if we lower the legal weigh limit by 150 - 200 grams..

excellent point!

Pretty close to the XX4 actually, the newer squared is roughly 20g heavier with the thicker chassis. Yeh pretty light!

As for people who want to run NIMH next year onwards, I guess they have to weigh it up... Lets see

2 x lipo packs (which will last a good year or more before becoming practice packs) Vs 6+ NIMH packs (which will last 6 months ABSOLUTE MAX before becoming practice packs)

Good balance charger for your new lipo packs roughly $150....

What's the arguemunt FOR NIMH????:lol:

Well, IMO there isnt one, with the exception of any "newbies" that may want to move up from a "basher" to a "racer".. (Oh, and that XX4 drivers will loose their weight advantage.. lol.)

The chances of a "newbie" having (ROAR Approved) LiPo packs to use is pretty slim.. I would say many would only have NiMh packs at best.

you would be surprised. all the new guys at our track have been advised to run lipo and they have all made that purchase. no need for noobs to be running NiMh - they wont be running a sanctioned event in the short term

You beat me to the punch Ben!:)

Why would a noob purchase a NIMH pack over Lipo? Unless they are misinformed?

Seeing alot of RTR packs now come equiped with Brushless Systems I guess its only time that will tell how long till the manufacturers see the light and throw in a LiPo pack with a cheap charge/balancer. It makes sense really, LiPo + Brushless = longer run time and in a RTR package means more FUN time for the market these items are aimed at.

Gee can I patent that! I should get a job in marketing!:lol:

yeah well said.... give them a month I say :)

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is where has brushless left the art of tuning? Stock guys would spend hours getting their motors just right. This was kind of negated with inhouse "techs" taking a standard motor and doing all the hard work like trueing, balancing, adding better brushes, zapping magnets etc etc, but now that art will be gone.

It's a good thing in the sense that maintenance has been drastically reduced, but it does take away from those who put the time in.

my bet is we will find other ways to utilise our time at the track.... I am sure there will be something we can do! balance wheels, build perfect shocks, read the paper.... :)