Raced the Tekno at yesterdays JBRL event. Setup was basically stock with 5/5/5 and I went up to 45wt/40wt because temps were projected to be 100+ but this turned out to be a huge mistake on the extremely rough Proline track. Arrived late so I didnt have a chance to change the setup between the couple minutes of practice time and the 1st qualifier because I was wrenching on other things.
Buggy was such a handful during the 1st qualifier with the terrible setup decision I made at 1am the night before. To make matters worse, I was having engine issues as well. Back in the pits I started checking out the engine and noticed a lot of oil around the back plate so I pulled the engine to take a peak. The o-ring looked to be in good shape but it must have dried and shrunk down on me. We recently moved back from Japan and all of my equipment is on the slow boat so I had to ask around the pits if anyone had a replacement. One of the Losi guys helped me out and I was able to get that problem addressed. The setscrew for the pipe hanger on the chassis had backed out so I had to track one of those down as well! Matt Wolter saved the day with the setscrew and I was ready for the second qualifier just as the cars were heading out onto the track (ended up finding the original screw under the fuel tank, go figure).
With all the other work that was going on I still wasnt able to address the shock oils and had to fight the setup again. I dont think all four tires were on the ground for a single moment of the day! The clutch bell came loose during the second qualifier so it was back to the pits. The screw didnt back all the way out because it hit the tank but the bell chewed it up and I'd have to make another run through the pits to scrounge up another. Once again, the TLR guys saved the day and hooked me up with a replacement (big thanks to Jose Castelan!). Buy the time I was done replacing the clutch, checking the tank, fuel lines, and grabbing something to eat, it was time to get back on track for the main, yet again with an ill handling buggy.
My buddy and I ended up in the same main so we had to find somebody to start and fuel us. Jerry Gerue and another TLR driver helped us out, rescued again! There were only five of us in the C main and I was able to take the win and bump in a pretty uneventful race. The C and B were only separated by one race so I wouldnt be able to address the shock oils for that either
I started 11th in the 12 buggy field and had moved up to 6th by lap four but would DNF due to another clutch bell failure.
It was still a great day of racing and we truly appreciate all the racers that stepped up and helped out. I would have been done after the first qualifier if all these great guys hadnt hooked us up.
On another note, anyone have ideas on why the screw on the bell keeps backing out? I raced the 8ight for two years and never had this problem. I have quality tools and even used loctite the second time around.
My impressions of the buggy are pretty positive. It has a ton of steering like everyone has already mentioned. It was a fairly loose but driveable. Had plenty of tumbles during the day and although I havent torn the car down for cleaning and inspection yet, everything seems to have held up great.
Oh, one more thing. The brakes are more like an on/off switch right now with a small window one way or the other (quite a bit of deadband and then bam, full brakes). Any ideas on how to correct this? Also, when I push the car backwards, the brakes drag. It looks like the front rotor binds up. Not really an issue but was just curious if this happens to other people.