I also run on a budget and I started with the TC4. It's a decent starter car but it's not really up to date with current design. Because of that I ended up switching to Spec-R. They are very good cars for the money and you can upgrade the S car into the R car over time or just make use of certain upgrade parts. I HIGHLY recommend looking into the S2, or even the R2 if you are able to drop a bit more cash on start up. After building my new R2 I'd say it's a considerable upgrade over my R1
Another car you could look at would be the Sakura XI Sport. Also a very capable and price friendly car.

I agree with this recomendation. I have the Sukura Ultimate that I run in USVTA. Fit and finish are extremely good, and the car runs up front, but their Front A-arms and steering knuckles are designed poorly and are a definate weak spot.

In addition to any kit you decide on, I would strongly suggest you get 2 of these shim kits, or another set like them:
http://www.tqrcracing.com/shop/produ...w.asp?p_id=534
.... to be able to adjust your role centers, anti-squat and other setup changes that will need to be done to the car to make it competitive.

I have four of the various Spec-R models. I agree, they're the best option on a budget. Much better than the TC4.

In addition to the metal shock bodies, my other must have upgrade is the HD gear diff for the front. You'll need some plastic blades if you switch to the gear diff from the spool.

http://www.tqrcracing.com/shop/produ....asp?p_id=5234
http://www.tqrcracing.com/shop/produ....asp?p_id=7746
http://www.tqrcracing.com/shop/produ....asp?p_id=1669

I also, added the aluminum steering rack and aluminum center pulley, but those are not immediate needs.

One more thing, I found with the short shock towers on the S2, it was a lot easier to get down to 5mm ride height with the correct droop if I used short springs.

These work well:

http://www.tqrcracing.com/shop/produ....asp?p_id=1684

picked up a couple of XRay T3 2012s used, not cheap mind you, but from what I can tell there is definitely some serious quality there, and with xray doing a once a year version it seems, can get some good deals.

Any chassis can work well when setup properly for USGT. My advice is to visit your local track and see what chassis are supported there. Spare parts availability and others guys with the same car always play a huge factor in your enjoyment. If you buy a car just because it's cheap, and there is no local parts support, you could be caught going home early some race nights. But if the local track and racers have a common chassis, there will always be setup help and spare parts galore. If you have to pay a little bit more than you wanted at first, it may be better in the long run.

My local track supported VBC racing, so I went with a Ghost. The budget version of their high end car.

Thanks for the responses, the next race at my local track is Wed. so I'm excited to check it out. The track has a small hobby store so I'll make sure to see what cars they have part support for.

Correct ;)

Special US spec formulation for Exotek contains 100% nylon with no fibers for just right rim flex and increased traction on asphalt or carpet.

Our wheels are a little softer (not too soft) than the Speedmind version.

Your wheels are the best. :nod:

I am working on prepping my HB TCX that has been sitting for some USGT action. I found out the guys at my local track usually run between a 3.4-3.6 FDR for the class. My car is currently setup for 17.5 blinky with a FDR around 4.0 so I have a few pinions around the 45-47T (64P) range. In order to use those pinions in USGT, I would have to drop the spur from 96T to somewhere in the 81-85T range. Does anyone run spurs that small? Would there even be enough adjustment range to properly mesh that range of gearing? I know buying bigger pinions is probably easier, I'm just curious if people have tried this in the past.

i currently run a 88t in my tcxx.. but i've had as small as a 84 and 86 in the car - that got me down in the lower 3 FDR

Presently running a TC6.2 at my indoor carpet track med traction...

Im wondering if there are big adjustements needed to race on asphalt...

USGT Asphalt
 

The first one that comes to my mind is ride height. Talk to the guys at the track for set ups and pick one that feels good to you. Outside of ride height and you may wont to fool with that ride height will be higher and suspension will depend on your tracks level of grip? Best to ask...

Probably not as much as you might think. I running TCXXs in USGT and VTA on asphalt with virtually the same setup as the TCXX cars that do very well at the Gate and were in the A Main at Cleveland Indoor Nationals. Most notable exceptions are ride height (I'm at 6 to 6.5mm depending on how rough the track is) and FDR.

thanks for the info... will be a whyle till we get to ride outside up here...
-18C/-1F outside today... :cry:

Just finished this HPI Nissan 350Z body for myself. This is the GReddy version: http://www.hpiracing.com/en/part/17218 It comes with a really nice rear spoiler and the standard lexan version too.

Everything is Faskolor except the Novak sticker. Yep, I like orange. I still like the 350Z body most of all for USGT. Looks good on the track and the nose seems to take a beating since its mostly just rounded. Handles well too.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1423014854

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1423014854

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1423014854

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1423014854

http://www.rctech.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1423014854