458LikesCarpet Off-road Thread
03-25-2024, 02:16 PM
#1591
Went to Underground RC in Syracuse NY this past saturday for my first race on carpet in a couple of years. Track surface was interesting, surprisingly less grip than the soft clay track that I'm used to. the track is inside a mall and apparently CRC carpet doesn't meet the fire safety requirements needed so they used a different low pile black carpet that's not crazy high grip like I was expecting. Both my mod buggies weren't all that great, mostly due to being on the wrong tires. I was using used tires for the day since I was just using it as a practice day before the trophy race they're hosting this saturday and am saving my new set of tires for that.
My stadium truck on slicks actually worked really well though, I was running silver compound smoothie 2s and they had good grip and also just felt nice to drive. I'm used to carpet setups generally being tight with a very locked in rear end but with these slicks the truck could actually slide around corners a bit which is how I like to drive. Fastest lap was within a few hundredths of the fastest time on that layout and I managed to TQ and win the class. I'll have to wait and see how it handles on actual carpet tires this weekend but if I were to race here regularly then I think I would just run slicks so I'm not wearing out tires every 2 weeks. Even if they're a tenth or two off pace I'd rather run slicks for club racing just to save on tire costs.
My stadium truck on slicks actually worked really well though, I was running silver compound smoothie 2s and they had good grip and also just felt nice to drive. I'm used to carpet setups generally being tight with a very locked in rear end but with these slicks the truck could actually slide around corners a bit which is how I like to drive. Fastest lap was within a few hundredths of the fastest time on that layout and I managed to TQ and win the class. I'll have to wait and see how it handles on actual carpet tires this weekend but if I were to race here regularly then I think I would just run slicks so I'm not wearing out tires every 2 weeks. Even if they're a tenth or two off pace I'd rather run slicks for club racing just to save on tire costs.
Carpet is another world these days. I'm starting my re-learning curve on CRC black carpet that appears to be sticky as hell as my car with JC Concepts pins and carpet fronts has as much grip as I need. Initially I had too much toe in dialed up front and it was darty and grippy as hell, dialed in some adequate toe out and it is much smoother and predictable.....but each carpet apparently varies just like dirt.....what works in one place may not work in another. It's always a tire game.....$600-700 in the car then $250 in tires lol......
I was contemplating running my TLR on both carpet and the other local-ish) packed clay indoor but the thought of dialing in a. carpet setup then swapping things back and forth has me thinking perhaps I will go 4wd for clay with the 22X-4.......these are the twisted thoughts I have.
03-25-2024, 02:50 PM
#1592
Tech Initiate
I was contemplating running my TLR on both carpet and the other local-ish) packed clay indoor but the thought of dialing in a. carpet setup then swapping things back and forth has me thinking perhaps I will go 4wd for clay with the 22X-4.......these are the twisted thoughts I have.
03-25-2024, 03:27 PM
#1593
Tech Prophet
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Awesome !!!
Carpet is another world these days. I'm starting my re-learning curve on CRC black carpet that appears to be sticky as hell as my car with JC Concepts pins and carpet fronts has as much grip as I need. Initially I had too much toe in dialed up front and it was darty and grippy as hell, dialed in some adequate toe out and it is much smoother and predictable.....but each carpet apparently varies just like dirt.....what works in one place may not work in another. It's always a tire game.....$600-700 in the car then $250 in tires lol......
I was contemplating running my TLR on both carpet and the other local-ish) packed clay indoor but the thought of dialing in a. carpet setup then swapping things back and forth has me thinking perhaps I will go 4wd for clay with the 22X-4.......these are the twisted thoughts I have.
Carpet is another world these days. I'm starting my re-learning curve on CRC black carpet that appears to be sticky as hell as my car with JC Concepts pins and carpet fronts has as much grip as I need. Initially I had too much toe in dialed up front and it was darty and grippy as hell, dialed in some adequate toe out and it is much smoother and predictable.....but each carpet apparently varies just like dirt.....what works in one place may not work in another. It's always a tire game.....$600-700 in the car then $250 in tires lol......
I was contemplating running my TLR on both carpet and the other local-ish) packed clay indoor but the thought of dialing in a. carpet setup then swapping things back and forth has me thinking perhaps I will go 4wd for clay with the 22X-4.......these are the twisted thoughts I have.
Overalll the Fuzz bite tires work on every black carpet track.
03-25-2024, 03:29 PM
#1594
Fair points.
Good to know the setups weren't totally different.
I also have enough I'm trying to do by diving into he 2wd buggy world and the TT-02 world at the same time as those 2 platforms open up the most racing options locally with the others being dirt oval and 4wd buggy.
Might as well focus on getting my collective crap together on those before talking myself into another car lol
I also have enough I'm trying to do by diving into he 2wd buggy world and the TT-02 world at the same time as those 2 platforms open up the most racing options locally with the others being dirt oval and 4wd buggy.
Might as well focus on getting my collective crap together on those before talking myself into another car lol
03-25-2024, 04:27 PM
#1595
Tech Prophet
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Good to know the setups weren't totally different.
I also have enough I'm trying to do by diving into he 2wd buggy world and the TT-02 world at the same time as those 2 platforms open up the most racing options locally with the others being dirt oval and 4wd buggy.
Might as well focus on getting my collective crap together on those before talking myself into another car lol
I also have enough I'm trying to do by diving into he 2wd buggy world and the TT-02 world at the same time as those 2 platforms open up the most racing options locally with the others being dirt oval and 4wd buggy.
Might as well focus on getting my collective crap together on those before talking myself into another car lol
I did on road also for the previous 3 years. It will definitely improve your off road driving skills. But also can drive you crazy. Consistency is still important, but only gets one so far. I did 44 on road races last year, with 64 carpet off road races. This year I’ve done 1 on road. Being 4-5 laps down took the fun factor away
03-25-2024, 04:48 PM
#1596
I’m sure most other would change all kinds of thing track to track. I’m just not good at tuning. I don’t charge much for grey carpet, or even the occasional turf track. I’m used to running vehicles the few that have tried struggled to run a single lap. But I can run consistent, not try to chase a fast lap. Stay on 4 wheels and out place plenty with faster/and properly set up buggy.
I did on road also for the previous 3 years. It will definitely improve your off road driving skills. But also can drive you crazy. Consistency is still important, but only gets one so far. I did 44 on road races last year, with 64 carpet off road races. This year I’ve done 1 on road. Being 4-5 laps down took the fun factor away
I did on road also for the previous 3 years. It will definitely improve your off road driving skills. But also can drive you crazy. Consistency is still important, but only gets one so far. I did 44 on road races last year, with 64 carpet off road races. This year I’ve done 1 on road. Being 4-5 laps down took the fun factor away
That's a good amount of events......good for you, make the most of it!!!!!
03-26-2024, 12:35 PM
#1597
I cut off almost a full second when I spent 1/2 the day driving my 21.5 buggy around the track. The 17.5 seemed like a rocket ship in comparison, but with good throttle control and easing into the speed is what made cutting that second possible. Through most of the turns and rhythms, the 21.5 and 17.5 are almost identical. A good smooth turn onto the straightaway with the 21.5 was just as fast as a the 17.5 twitching around the turn. A smooth turn onto the straight with the 17.5 was FAST. Practicing, noting, and really controlling my inputs (throttle AND steering) made me faster. I also took time to practice taking different lines. I found my fastest line and noticed other people starting to take the same line 
. I'd like to think the other guys are giving me little tips here and there to coax more competition out of me. With a baby, time is a luxury :/ but I still manage to find some time. With less time on the track, my cars are in REALLY good tip-top shape :P
. I'd like to think the other guys are giving me little tips here and there to coax more competition out of me. With a baby, time is a luxury :/ but I still manage to find some time. With less time on the track, my cars are in REALLY good tip-top shape :P
03-26-2024, 01:15 PM
#1598
Tech Prophet
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Yeah I am going to go with the consistency approach for the buggy......smooth is fast, pick good lines and when I'm in the groove open it up a little more, but honestly from my practice session yesterday, the difference between really goosing the throttle in the short to medium straights and possibly overcooking a turn and getting off line vs. running a smooth line with good pace but not pushing it is negligible right now for me. I would rather concentrate on smooth lines and let the speed come........in theory I can slow the parts consumption as well.........emphasis on "theory".
That's a good amount of events......good for you, make the most of it!!!!!
That's a good amount of events......good for you, make the most of it!!!!!
I tend to have to react to my buggy. Sometimes the same turn is never the same. But after running in multiple states, I’ve found CRC carpet can be very different track to track. This also affects how I run. Track A I might have very limited brakes, track C I can also spin out from brake grabbing.
I hate DNF. And I’m not crashing, or breaking parts just to get that fast lap. And far too many I’ve seen can’t seem to go more then one heat without wanting to completely change everything. Never seen to give a change a chance
I race faster than I can practice. Practice is just learning the layout. Since I try to not run the same layout twice.
03-29-2024, 04:17 PM
#1599
Current track layout
04-01-2024, 12:20 PM
#1600
04-01-2024, 12:28 PM
#1601
Planning to drop by PDX RC Underground this weekend as part of a roadtrip for spring break. Father and son will be driving B6.4s for fun. Thinking about a few packs. Didn’t get a chance to get my B7 painted.
Anything I should know? Any setup tips? Preferred tires? I have Pin Swags, Fuzz Bites and rear Sirens on hand.
Anything I should know? Any setup tips? Preferred tires? I have Pin Swags, Fuzz Bites and rear Sirens on hand.
04-02-2024, 06:48 AM
#1602
Anyone know of somewhere in the US to buy these?
https://www.1066rc.com/product-page/2wd-slim-tyre-jig
https://www.1066rc.com/product-page/2wd-slim-tyre-jig
04-04-2024, 10:19 AM
#1603
Tech Prophet
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Took back to back weekend off, unplanned. A number of tracks I’ve gone to run dual programs. Some change layout completely between on and off road. Some run the same with just minor adjustments. This one worked for both. And both my TC and buggy had similar problems in the same spots
04-04-2024, 10:52 AM
#1604
Planning to drop by PDX RC Underground this weekend as part of a roadtrip for spring break. Father and son will be driving B6.4s for fun. Thinking about a few packs. Didn’t get a chance to get my B7 painted.
Anything I should know? Any setup tips? Preferred tires? I have Pin Swags, Fuzz Bites and rear Sirens on hand.
Anything I should know? Any setup tips? Preferred tires? I have Pin Swags, Fuzz Bites and rear Sirens on hand.
04-05-2024, 11:49 AM
#1605
Fair assumption that most folks are running sway bars of some level when running on carpet?
I just added a set and chose the thickness based on an existing setup sheet for the same chassis but was curious what others are running.
I just added a set and chose the thickness based on an existing setup sheet for the same chassis but was curious what others are running.