Okay---earlier in the thread--someone asked for updates on my lap times with the two cars. I've had three races now to really get to know them. The older EVO 4 car is VERY good and faster than the new EVO 8 because it has the proven modified "Tom Bowlin" motor in it. It's got a LOT of power, and doesn't use too much fuel to get it done!!
The EVO 8 has a bone stock 23cc Zenoah motor in it. Three races ago---brand new and barely broken in. Now it's got some time on it--it seems to be picking up a little more power and RPM. But you can really tell the difference in the two motors. I'll soon pull it out--and send it of to Tom for his "Magic" touch to wake it up!!! I've purchased a new stock motor for a "back-up" while the run-in motor gets the Bowlin touch. Tom tells me it's better to have the motor run-in before he rebuilds them as the "heat cycles" help everything settle in and seat better even for his rebuild.
However, now that I've gotten a little better driving these cars, I'm starting to be able to take advantage of the better handling of the EVO 8!! In my last qualifiers on Saturday-- I ran 11 laps in the high 19 second range and could not manage to dip into the 19's with the older car even with the faster motor!! It handled really well, and set TQ in it's class--but the STC Class is MUCH faster--and the EVO 8 could handle the track enough better to make up the advantage the 4 car's motor gave it!! Interesting huh??!!! Of course, that was still only good enough for 7 on the grid---but I guessed right for the final setup-- (It was right near sundown and the track was getting colder)
and the car was really good to drive.
Others had a more aggressive setup--and it cost them the ability to drive their cars hard enough to run fast. I was able to move up to 4th position for my best finish ever in the STC class!! All in all---a very good fun weekend for me and the new EVO 8!!! It's living up to it's billing as a very good car-- and I hope I can learn to get faster with it!!
The pics below just show how LOW the cars need to be to run well--low--but NOT touching the track in the turns or under hard braking!! Also--another tip -tow IN on the rear tires ---tow OUT on the front tires is standard setup !!!
FWIW
T