I absolutely agree with your point about having the extra motor on a big track matters, but I race on small indoor tracks and I never need more than a 17.5. So its just not worth the struggle to run a mod motor for me. I feel like a bigger problem (at least on tracks Ive been to) is that they cater their tracks to what the pro guys want and not what the beginners need and/or want. my example is when my track started sugaring the track to give the PRO guys traction and advantages and it wasnt a huge deal for them to blow through tires cause they had sponsors and could get tires for nothing. Guys like me really suffered because of the tire wear and I actually stopped going for awhile cause it was just too expensive. The expert guys fought for the sugar to stay but I think the owner saw a drop off in attendance and stopped sugaring. The pros are here to stay, they will race no matter what but I think the beginners who pay full price and keep the tracks open should priority one for the tracks.

Personally, I think that new/more novice drivers can gain TONS of knowledge racing with the fast guys. Try to follow their lines, look at how they drive, and why they run the setups that they do. PICK THEIR BRAINS!

To the fast guys, there's no need to be pretentious or a prick. The more you help others, the more competition you're likely to have on the track. That's why we're all here, right?

Good Stuff!

Though a lot of people have (their own) wonderful justifications for their beliefs, telling others what they 'should' do or 'should' enjoy simply does not work in a voluntary activity. Class growth and diversification occurs for reasons contrary to consolidation.

IMO, the goal is to develop an environment that continually draws new racers. There is a natural turnover, some will leave (regardless) others will be hooked for life (also regardless). A consistent influx of new participants equals more 'lifers' over time.


Back to the topic at hand. We've been running 48 pitch gears in our gearboxes for 25+ years. With the improvements in materials and assuming a reasonable level of reliability, is there any reason not to be using 64 pitch throughout?

Assuming that one can seal out the dust and grit, the only reason I can think of is the 48 Pitch teeth are beefier than the 64 pitch and can take the jolt of a hard landing/crash. BTW Does anyone make 64 pitch pinions for 5mm shaft motors?

I agree that the tracks should cater too the hobbyist, which most of them do. But racing is racing, if someone quits because they can't win, that's fine with me. You have to put your time in like everyone else.

We started 17.5 blinky at our local track because guys were getting discouraged running mod and feeling like they were always in the way. Now we have a few heats of stock and everyone is close and having a lot of fun. But the problem is now some of the fast mod guys (who were making fun of us for wanting a stock class calling them Baby Buggies) are now running stock and its turning into mod all over again. We have a large group of people who race for the fun of it and to hang out with their buddies and could care less if they win. They are the ones who joined stock as well as myself. But now you have the fast guys yelling at the "average" people for being in their way. We don't run high dollar stuff. I am running $29 shorty packs and a $59 venom 17.5 and keeping up for the most part. Other guys are doing the same. Like I said, our stock class is somewhat competitive but people run it to have fun mostly.

I just can't wait to get back outdoors and run the 1/8th scale again as I am getting burned out on all this 2wd buggy crap real quick.

That's what happens when "stock" racing kills the mod class. Oh, and tell the mod guys to stop being babies. There's always somebody faster. Making room for a faster driver doesn't have to be a big "to-do" either. Don't stop in the middle of the track, don't go barreling out of control trying to match the faster driver's pace. The faster driver isn't just faster around the track, they're also patient. The proper thing to do is to give them the optimal line. This can be as simple as leaving an extra foot or so on the inside of the next turn. It's also very much appreciated when your intentions are announced, yelling out "next turn" is more than enough.

It is very easy to get out of somebodys way, it is also easy to be in everyones way.

That's the thing though, there's still 3-4 heats of mod too, so it's not like they don't have anyone to race.

If I could run 2 2wd buggy classes... I'd be all over that.

**************** Team Associated has taken the B4.2 out of the sale section of their website, Amain is out of stock tower out of stock stormer has it listed at $229! Looks like the B5 or something is about to drop!

Team Associated's very own Flavor Flav in da house!

I am just about done with my build. I am noticing there is a somewhat noticeable amount of play in the ball cups. Is there another brand that feels a bit tighter?

BTW, I have been driving RC for many years, but only started really getting into the track and racing about a 2 years ago with limited clay track time. I have a lot more fun with mod, both of my buggies (2wd and 4wd) have mod motors. I have driven stock, it isn't as fun to me. I know stock is all the rage, but I am there to have fun, it isn't a dick contest to me and don't mind knowing there is guys a lot faster than I am, I am still having fun.

RPM ballcups are a MUST. I didn't even build my kit with the stock cups.