R/C Tech Forums - View Single Post - Peoria New On-Road Club?

11-10-2009, 06:32 PM

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RCGaryK

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jland

I have a few questions and I am looking for some input from fellow racers and people who are in the Central Illinois area around Peoria.

I moved to the area 2 years ago and have been into RC for 20 years on and off. My real passion is on-road electric and can’t get myself into off-road. I have experience in Virginia working at a Hobby-town and running parking lot races. I also spent a few years over in England racing on road while in the service and learned alot from them on running a club and also did a national touring series over there (BTCC) along with some 1/12 nationals. I came back to the states and moved to Peoria. I raced a few nitro on-road races last year but the travel got too much.

There is a definite lack of (or should I say non existent) on-road tracks in the area. Has there ever been an on-road program in the Peoria area in the past? I know this would be a real tough road to go down, but with the help of a few people or the interest of a few, I am looking at maybe trying to start a racing program.

I know the current top of the line touring cars are very expensive and it is not cheap to get into it. I would love to get 15 guys running 13.5 but in reality, it is not going to happen. There are some good options with RTR’s, the new Trans Am class and F-1 classes.

I am not looking at running a carpet track, but I think if I bring it back to basics, where touring cars started, find a nice 100 X 50 ft piece of a parking lot some where, grab some pvc pipe, fire hoses, get access to a lap counter, and get something going in the spring. If you build it, they will come..lol

The Vintage Trans Am class would be a great way to get new people in the hobby, and there might be a few of you that have an old touring car lying around that would enjoy something like this. We could even run some oval. I think the most important part would be to keep it simple, and don't get it so there are 10 classes with 2 or 3 people running in them, again, use the KISS method. It would be great to have a fun atmosphere, help people get into the hobby and promote the hobby etc.

I am willing to spend a-little to get this going and spend some time organizing the program. I have some ideas and I think I can make this work. If you guys have any inputs, ideas, or would like to help that would be wonderful, please let me know. You can pm me or e-mail me at [email protected].

Here is a link to the VTA class rules.
http://www.usvintagetransam.com/

Thanks,
Justin

Justin, I moved to this part of the country about 5 years ago and will tell you the on-road scene is pretty limited around here. Coming from one of the best carpet tracks in the country (S&N's Trackside Hobbies) to down here was a culture shock to me. By and large this area seems to be pretty much "All Nitro/All The Time" where 1/8-scales are pretty much the main racing class. There was a track in Bloomington when I first got down here but they closed down in early-to-mid 2006 I think it was. There is a track outside of Danville that runs from mid-November to the end of March/Early April but they're more of a foam track than rubber tire.

There was also a track in Mahomet until the spring of this year called the RC Shack. They've moved the shop to Decatur but there's no track associated with it right now. They've talked about getting an on-road parking lot deal going but so far nothing has happened.

Finally there was another track just outside of Springfield. It was actually a really good size, good competition and good layouts. However they pulled the carpet up and are now just running Mini-Late Models and Sliders on the asphalt/concrete that was below.

I wish I could understand why there's such a lack of on-road interest around here. It's frustrating for me. I know a few guys go up to Underground RC in Chicago, The Track north of Great America or even up to Trackside. I bought a new sedan about 2 months ago and have yet to even start building it. I look at it now and it just makes me more and more frustrated. My wife asked me last weekend if I wanted to go racing this upcoming weekend. I'd love to if I had someplace to race, and driving 90-miles to Danville just isn't worthwhile to me.

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