1LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am Racing
11-11-2008, 03:19 PM
#3151
Hey guys,
There isn't anything set in stone, because I'm happy with the ability to adjust on the fly with the USVTA, if needed. However, we won't be going to ONLY a 21.5/LiPo spec until at least the next winter indoor carpet season. It may happen next summer (after the Nats) to give a transition and preparation time for everyone to adapt, but we're nowhere close to that.
Now, concerning the 21.5 ROAR approvals. I have been told that the rules should be tentatively ready for the 2009 ROAR Rulebook and open to 21.5 approval submissions on January 1, 2009. At that time, there will be a lot of other Trans Am things becoming visible, as well.
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
As much as I would personally like the opportunity to run a Putnam or Tekin or Speed Passion 21.5, I think this would be a catastrophic move for the class for this indoor season (Winter 2008/2009).
So here's the rough and loose plan. This indoor season will hold the current rules until at least after the 2009 USVTA Nationals this coming April. No changes will be made to the motor/battery rules—with the exception of maybe some minor FDR alterations at some point.
At some time in mid-to-late 2009, this class will probably move toward a 21.5/LiPo formula. Whether it stays a single spec motor or is open to any 21.5 remains to be seen. I need to assemble a group of racers at tracks around the country to independantly test a collection of available 21.5 motors so that we can generate reasonable data make the best decisions for the class.
Whatever happens, I can promise you one thing. The decisions made on the future of this great class will always be done with what is BEST for this class and it's loyal racers and supporters. It's not about companies, sponsors, free stuff or who races for whom. That crap is what got us to this point in the first place. There may be growing pains at some point, but in the end it will be a better class for it.
doug
There isn't anything set in stone, because I'm happy with the ability to adjust on the fly with the USVTA, if needed. However, we won't be going to ONLY a 21.5/LiPo spec until at least the next winter indoor carpet season. It may happen next summer (after the Nats) to give a transition and preparation time for everyone to adapt, but we're nowhere close to that.
Now, concerning the 21.5 ROAR approvals. I have been told that the rules should be tentatively ready for the 2009 ROAR Rulebook and open to 21.5 approval submissions on January 1, 2009. At that time, there will be a lot of other Trans Am things becoming visible, as well.
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
As much as I would personally like the opportunity to run a Putnam or Tekin or Speed Passion 21.5, I think this would be a catastrophic move for the class for this indoor season (Winter 2008/2009).
So here's the rough and loose plan. This indoor season will hold the current rules until at least after the 2009 USVTA Nationals this coming April. No changes will be made to the motor/battery rules—with the exception of maybe some minor FDR alterations at some point.
At some time in mid-to-late 2009, this class will probably move toward a 21.5/LiPo formula. Whether it stays a single spec motor or is open to any 21.5 remains to be seen. I need to assemble a group of racers at tracks around the country to independantly test a collection of available 21.5 motors so that we can generate reasonable data make the best decisions for the class.
Whatever happens, I can promise you one thing. The decisions made on the future of this great class will always be done with what is BEST for this class and it's loyal racers and supporters. It's not about companies, sponsors, free stuff or who races for whom. That crap is what got us to this point in the first place. There may be growing pains at some point, but in the end it will be a better class for it.
doug
11-11-2008, 04:19 PM
#3154
Check this out!
I build custom vintage Mustangs for a living, and one of my buddies from that world is Miles Cook, who is the Tech Editor for Mustang Monthly magazine. He used to race RC a lot back in the 80s and I've been letting him race my Mustang in VTA and I've been running my Camaro.
He also writes on the Mustang Monthly blog and he just posted this:
Mustang Monthly USVTA Blog
It'll be interesting to see what kind of response it gets!
He also writes on the Mustang Monthly blog and he just posted this:
Mustang Monthly USVTA Blog
It'll be interesting to see what kind of response it gets!
11-11-2008, 05:42 PM
#3157
Sounds good, GP has them back in stock and Im sure Horizon will as well. That means all the LHS's should have them within a couple days...Hopefully the supply will keep up with the demand.
11-11-2008, 05:49 PM
#3158
Call me crazy....
But why is everyone worried about which combo is faster or which 21.5 motor is faster?
I thought the point was to slow things down and have fun. Now everyone is worried about going faster....
Maybe people should take a deep breath and remember why they are racing USVTA instead of or in addition to Stock and Mod Touring Car.
Case in point, VTA seems to be dead in Florida because they wanted to run 17.5/lipo instead of the rules. Yes, i'm envious of you guys running VTA on a regular basis!
But why is everyone worried about which combo is faster or which 21.5 motor is faster?
I thought the point was to slow things down and have fun. Now everyone is worried about going faster....
Maybe people should take a deep breath and remember why they are racing USVTA instead of or in addition to Stock and Mod Touring Car.
Case in point, VTA seems to be dead in Florida because they wanted to run 17.5/lipo instead of the rules. Yes, i'm envious of you guys running VTA on a regular basis!
11-11-2008, 06:16 PM
#3159
This is posted on the RJ Speed website (www.rjspeed.com):
I realize that Parma/PSE makes a 70 Mustang and Pegasus makes a 70 Mustang (looks like a 69). But they both look terrible (and yes I own one of each).
I realize that Parma/PSE makes a 70 Mustang and Pegasus makes a 70 Mustang (looks like a 69). But they both look terrible (and yes I own one of each).
11-11-2008, 06:25 PM
#3160
11-11-2008, 06:29 PM
#3161
Hey guys,
There isn't anything set in stone, because I'm happy with the ability to adjust on the fly with the USVTA, if needed. However, we won't be going to ONLY a 21.5/LiPo spec until at least the next winter indoor carpet season. It may happen next summer (after the Nats) to give a transition and preparation time for everyone to adapt, but we're nowhere close to that.
Now, concerning the 21.5 ROAR approvals. I have been told that the rules should be tentatively ready for the 2009 ROAR Rulebook and open to 21.5 approval submissions on January 1, 2009. At that time, there will be a lot of other Trans Am things becoming visible, as well.
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
As much as I would personally like the opportunity to run a Putnam or Tekin or Speed Passion 21.5, I think this would be a catastrophic move for the class for this indoor season (Winter 2008/2009).
So here's the rough and loose plan. This indoor season will hold the current rules until at least after the 2009 USVTA Nationals this coming April. No changes will be made to the motor/battery rules—with the exception of maybe some minor FDR alterations at some point.
At some time in mid-to-late 2009, this class will probably move toward a 21.5/LiPo formula. Whether it stays a single spec motor or is open to any 21.5 remains to be seen. I need to assemble a group of racers at tracks around the country to independantly test a collection of available 21.5 motors so that we can generate reasonable data make the best decisions for the class.
Whatever happens, I can promise you one thing. The decisions made on the future of this great class will always be done with what is BEST for this class and it's loyal racers and supporters. It's not about companies, sponsors, free stuff or who races for whom. That crap is what got us to this point in the first place. There may be growing pains at some point, but in the end it will be a better class for it.
doug
There isn't anything set in stone, because I'm happy with the ability to adjust on the fly with the USVTA, if needed. However, we won't be going to ONLY a 21.5/LiPo spec until at least the next winter indoor carpet season. It may happen next summer (after the Nats) to give a transition and preparation time for everyone to adapt, but we're nowhere close to that.
Now, concerning the 21.5 ROAR approvals. I have been told that the rules should be tentatively ready for the 2009 ROAR Rulebook and open to 21.5 approval submissions on January 1, 2009. At that time, there will be a lot of other Trans Am things becoming visible, as well.
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
As much as I would personally like the opportunity to run a Putnam or Tekin or Speed Passion 21.5, I think this would be a catastrophic move for the class for this indoor season (Winter 2008/2009).
So here's the rough and loose plan. This indoor season will hold the current rules until at least after the 2009 USVTA Nationals this coming April. No changes will be made to the motor/battery rules—with the exception of maybe some minor FDR alterations at some point.
At some time in mid-to-late 2009, this class will probably move toward a 21.5/LiPo formula. Whether it stays a single spec motor or is open to any 21.5 remains to be seen. I need to assemble a group of racers at tracks around the country to independantly test a collection of available 21.5 motors so that we can generate reasonable data make the best decisions for the class.
Whatever happens, I can promise you one thing. The decisions made on the future of this great class will always be done with what is BEST for this class and it's loyal racers and supporters. It's not about companies, sponsors, free stuff or who races for whom. That crap is what got us to this point in the first place. There may be growing pains at some point, but in the end it will be a better class for it.
doug
.1) My kid is 10, he's having a great time w/ the brushed, 4 cell. I can get both dirt cheap and other kids his skill level are running the same thing. Part of the reason he is racing vta is because the other classes are WAY too expensive, and fast. Hell even M18's have gotten crazy in the thirst for speed.
2) Cost, i'd like to keep racing. With all these blasted kids (yes i know we didn't have to have them all but we did and we like racing as a family) it's expensive to do lipo's. It is also expensive to go fast, the faster he (me too) goes the most stuff breaks.
3) Saftey, i'm not that worried about the lipo's blowing up when i use them, as lazy as i get sometimes i am careful w/ them. But ... he's 10, (my other new racer is almost 4) and i've yet to see him cause a meltdown w/ reversed polarity or shorted nickle's.
4) the whole idea of limited speed is what brought me to the class to begin with. I have to be honest i spent a good deal of money to be "competitive" in vta recently, now this whole thing w/ tire tread being a certain height is adding another expense. I started in vta w/ a used tc3 brushed and cells. After getting stomped by high dollar current tech touring cars and 21.5/lipo i upgraded/side graded my current touring car (a losi type-r) bougth a novak 21.5 and stuck a tekin rs in my vta, total bill 500$ total bill for a ready to run tc3 125$ with parts and batteries
. You tell me ... which would you rather? Keep the class slow, if people don't like it they can go back to touring or that new worl gt class that i see popping up. There are tons and tons of fast classes out there for people who want speed to choose from, keep vta close to it's roots.
Anyway just my 2 cents, really, cause that's all I have left after paying the cc bill from
the start of the indoor season hahaha. 
11-11-2008, 06:49 PM
#3162
Apex, I aplaud you on your efforts with VTA and I like the fact that there is no commitee to dilute the rules. I am starting to get concered though that the speeds are getting up there especially with the 21.5 options. Is this somthing you are taking into consideration?
11-11-2008, 07:13 PM
#3163
As a racer and a dad of a current racer and 2 up and coming racers (lots and lots of rc stuff at my house) i'd like to ask, petition, beg that you don't make it 21.5 lipo only. Funny thing is i run 21.5 lipo .
1) My kid is 10, he's having a great time w/ the brushed, 4 cell. I can get both dirt cheap and other kids his skill level are running the same thing. Part of the reason he is racing vta is because the other classes are WAY too expensive, and fast. Hell even M18's have gotten crazy in the thirst for speed.
2) Cost, i'd like to keep racing. With all these blasted kids (yes i know we didn't have to have them all but we did and we like racing as a family) it's expensive to do lipo's. It is also expensive to go fast, the faster he (me too) goes the most stuff breaks.
3) Saftey, i'm not that worried about the lipo's blowing up when i use them, as lazy as i get sometimes i am careful w/ them. But ... he's 10, (my other new racer is almost 4) and i've yet to see him cause a meltdown w/ reversed polarity or shorted nickle's.
4) the whole idea of limited speed is what brought me to the class to begin with. I have to be honest i spent a good deal of money to be "competitive" in vta recently, now this whole thing w/ tire tread being a certain height is adding another expense. I started in vta w/ a used tc3 brushed and cells. After getting stomped by high dollar current tech touring cars and 21.5/lipo i upgraded/side graded my current touring car (a losi type-r) bougth a novak 21.5 and stuck a tekin rs in my vta, total bill 500$ total bill for a ready to run tc3 125$ with parts and batteries. You tell me ... which would you rather?
Keep the class slow, if people don't like it they can go back to touring or that new worl gt class that i see popping up. There are tons and tons of fast classes out there for people who want speed to choose from, keep vta close to it's roots.
Anyway just my 2 cents, really, cause that's all I have left after paying the cc bill from the start of the indoor season hahaha.
.1) My kid is 10, he's having a great time w/ the brushed, 4 cell. I can get both dirt cheap and other kids his skill level are running the same thing. Part of the reason he is racing vta is because the other classes are WAY too expensive, and fast. Hell even M18's have gotten crazy in the thirst for speed.
2) Cost, i'd like to keep racing. With all these blasted kids (yes i know we didn't have to have them all but we did and we like racing as a family) it's expensive to do lipo's. It is also expensive to go fast, the faster he (me too) goes the most stuff breaks.
3) Saftey, i'm not that worried about the lipo's blowing up when i use them, as lazy as i get sometimes i am careful w/ them. But ... he's 10, (my other new racer is almost 4) and i've yet to see him cause a meltdown w/ reversed polarity or shorted nickle's.
4) the whole idea of limited speed is what brought me to the class to begin with. I have to be honest i spent a good deal of money to be "competitive" in vta recently, now this whole thing w/ tire tread being a certain height is adding another expense. I started in vta w/ a used tc3 brushed and cells. After getting stomped by high dollar current tech touring cars and 21.5/lipo i upgraded/side graded my current touring car (a losi type-r) bougth a novak 21.5 and stuck a tekin rs in my vta, total bill 500$ total bill for a ready to run tc3 125$ with parts and batteries
. You tell me ... which would you rather? Keep the class slow, if people don't like it they can go back to touring or that new worl gt class that i see popping up. There are tons and tons of fast classes out there for people who want speed to choose from, keep vta close to it's roots.
Anyway just my 2 cents, really, cause that's all I have left after paying the cc bill from
the start of the indoor season hahaha. I have to agree with YmeBP. I would hate to see the Brushed combo thrown out to soon. Being on a budget and having an 11 year old racing as well I am not able to convert everything at once. While I know Matthew and I will not be as competitive with our set ups as with the 21.5's we still are having fun.
I also think that having the brushed option will continue to draw in new people because they can continue to start racing at a low cost because they can buy equipment from people who have jumped to BL 21.5 lipo and a newer chasis. Once the Newbie gets hooked they will then upgrade as they will learn fast that BL 21.5/lipo is the cheapest/easiest combo in the long run and also will want a newer chasis now that they are hooked.
11-11-2008, 07:32 PM
#3164
Hey guys,
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
doug
It is the general consensus around here, and the track owners/managers that I have talked with, that the initial tests have shown that almost ALL of the 21.5s on the market currently (albeit non-regulated) are considerably faster than the current Novak 21.5ss that we are currently mandating. It is my personal opinion that at this point, allowing all other motors in the middle of the season might not be the best thing for the class as a whole. It would be completely unfair to instantly devalue EVERY Novak 21.5 motor running in the USVTA today, if all other non-Novak motors are as fast (or faster) as they appear to currently be.
doug
As a racer and a dad of a current racer and 2 up and coming racers (lots and lots of rc stuff at my house) i'd like to ask, petition, beg that you don't make it 21.5 lipo only. Funny thing is i run 21.5 lipo .
1) My kid is 10, he's having a great time w/ the brushed, 4 cell. I can get both dirt cheap and other kids his skill level are running the same thing. Part of the reason he is racing vta is because the other classes are WAY too expensive, and fast. Hell even M18's have gotten crazy in the thirst for speed.
2) Cost, i'd like to keep racing. With all these blasted kids (yes i know we didn't have to have them all but we did and we like racing as a family) it's expensive to do lipo's. It is also expensive to go fast, the faster he (me too) goes the most stuff breaks.
3) Saftey, i'm not that worried about the lipo's blowing up when i use them, as lazy as i get sometimes i am careful w/ them. But ... he's 10, (my other new racer is almost 4) and i've yet to see him cause a meltdown w/ reversed polarity or shorted nickle's.
4) the whole idea of limited speed is what brought me to the class to begin with. I have to be honest i spent a good deal of money to be "competitive" in vta recently, now this whole thing w/ tire tread being a certain height is adding another expense. I started in vta w/ a used tc3 brushed and cells. After getting stomped by high dollar current tech touring cars and 21.5/lipo i upgraded/side graded my current touring car (a losi type-r) bougth a novak 21.5 and stuck a tekin rs in my vta, total bill 500$ total bill for a ready to run tc3 125$ with parts and batteries. You tell me ... which would you rather?
Keep the class slow, if people don't like it they can go back to touring or that new worl gt class that i see popping up. There are tons and tons of fast classes out there for people who want speed to choose from, keep vta close to it's roots.
Anyway just my 2 cents, really, cause that's all I have left after paying the cc bill from the start of the indoor season hahaha.
.1) My kid is 10, he's having a great time w/ the brushed, 4 cell. I can get both dirt cheap and other kids his skill level are running the same thing. Part of the reason he is racing vta is because the other classes are WAY too expensive, and fast. Hell even M18's have gotten crazy in the thirst for speed.
2) Cost, i'd like to keep racing. With all these blasted kids (yes i know we didn't have to have them all but we did and we like racing as a family) it's expensive to do lipo's. It is also expensive to go fast, the faster he (me too) goes the most stuff breaks.
3) Saftey, i'm not that worried about the lipo's blowing up when i use them, as lazy as i get sometimes i am careful w/ them. But ... he's 10, (my other new racer is almost 4) and i've yet to see him cause a meltdown w/ reversed polarity or shorted nickle's.
4) the whole idea of limited speed is what brought me to the class to begin with. I have to be honest i spent a good deal of money to be "competitive" in vta recently, now this whole thing w/ tire tread being a certain height is adding another expense. I started in vta w/ a used tc3 brushed and cells. After getting stomped by high dollar current tech touring cars and 21.5/lipo i upgraded/side graded my current touring car (a losi type-r) bougth a novak 21.5 and stuck a tekin rs in my vta, total bill 500$ total bill for a ready to run tc3 125$ with parts and batteries
. You tell me ... which would you rather? Keep the class slow, if people don't like it they can go back to touring or that new worl gt class that i see popping up. There are tons and tons of fast classes out there for people who want speed to choose from, keep vta close to it's roots.
Anyway just my 2 cents, really, cause that's all I have left after paying the cc bill from
the start of the indoor season hahaha. I have to agree with this. I thought the whole point of the class was to have fun.
Apex, I aplaud you on your efforts with VTA and I like the fact that there is no commitee to dilute the rules. I am starting to get concered though that the speeds are getting up there especially with the 21.5 options. Is this somthing you are taking into consideration?
Apex, I aplaud you on your efforts with VTA and I like the fact that there is no commitee to dilute the rules. I am starting to get concered though that the speeds are getting up there especially with the 21.5 options. Is this somthing you are taking into consideration?
I have to agree with YmeBP. I would hate to see the Brushed combo thrown out to soon. Being on a budget and having an 11 year old racing as well I am not able to convert everything at once. While I know Matthew and I will not be as competitive with our set ups as with the 21.5's we still are having fun.
I also think that having the brushed option will continue to draw in new people because they can continue to start racing at a low cost because they can buy equipment from people who have jumped to BL 21.5 lipo and a newer chasis. Once the Newbie gets hooked they will then upgrade as they will learn fast that BL 21.5/lipo is the cheapest/easiest combo in the long run and also will want a newer chasis now that they are hooked.
I also think that having the brushed option will continue to draw in new people because they can continue to start racing at a low cost because they can buy equipment from people who have jumped to BL 21.5 lipo and a newer chasis. Once the Newbie gets hooked they will then upgrade as they will learn fast that BL 21.5/lipo is the cheapest/easiest combo in the long run and also will want a newer chasis now that they are hooked.
This class was about fun, cost and slower speeds. Novak has seen the demand and made ajustments, leave it the NOVAK motor. Look at all the
complaints currently saying that the other 2 motor options can't keep up.
If you move to faster 21.5s, you'll just lose a lot of the people your were originally trying to attract with the class.
