View Poll Results: what's your tire choice?
Protoform
46
30.67%
HPI
104
69.33%
Voters: 150. You may not vote on this poll
4394LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am Racing Part 2
10-24-2012 | 05:01 PM
#2281
just to remind you USVTA racers that race VTA and want to come to a USVTA event, that the Hotshot crew in Georgia is hosting the ....
***2012 G.O.R.C. Presented By HotShotRC***
Hello everyone, we at Hot Shot RC are proud to present the 2012 Georgia On Road Championship, G.O.R.C., Saturday November 3rd!
We already have several sponsors lined up including, BOCA Bearings, Solaris Tires, & SXT Traction Compounds.
Classes will include USVTA, USGT, F1 21.5, TC 17.5 Sportman, 1/12 13.5 Spec.
We will be post registration on RCSignup soon, as well as the race schedule & rules, plus more details on the event.
Please feel free to post any questions for the event here on this thread.
So everyone, lets get those race cars together and ready to race!
http://www.rctech.net/forum/georgia-...hotshotrc.html
***2012 G.O.R.C. Presented By HotShotRC***
Hello everyone, we at Hot Shot RC are proud to present the 2012 Georgia On Road Championship, G.O.R.C., Saturday November 3rd!
We already have several sponsors lined up including, BOCA Bearings, Solaris Tires, & SXT Traction Compounds.
Classes will include USVTA, USGT, F1 21.5, TC 17.5 Sportman, 1/12 13.5 Spec.
We will be post registration on RCSignup soon, as well as the race schedule & rules, plus more details on the event.
Please feel free to post any questions for the event here on this thread.
So everyone, lets get those race cars together and ready to race!
http://www.rctech.net/forum/georgia-...hotshotrc.html
Man is my wife gonna want to kill me again lol
10-24-2012 | 05:11 PM
#2282
its going to be a good show....alot of good competition in all classes...but VTA will be the tightest class with alot of top guys going for the championship
This is your chance to race against me as well...come on its ATL...plenty to do
This is your chance to race against me as well...come on its ATL...plenty to do
10-24-2012 | 05:32 PM
#2283
10-24-2012 | 06:31 PM
#2284
I'm braking the news to the wife tomorrow over dinner boys wish me luck
Roflmao
Might have to get a bottle of GOOD wine for this one
10-24-2012 | 07:14 PM
#2286
Yes you are. Our track only allows Black Can Paragon Ground Effects. Soaking the tires in a bag overnight helps to get the mold release off and soften the rubber comparable to a set of tires that have about 8 to 10 runs on them. This just accelerates the break in process some to get the tires more consistent sooner.
10-24-2012 | 07:19 PM
#2287
Tech Apprentice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 76
From: NW OHIO
10-24-2012 | 07:20 PM
#2288
A few final thoughts about tires...
I posted (and others) some tire prep techniques in case people were not aware of them. All of my tips are inexpensive and the supplies can be purchased at any Walmart for less $10. Also items like sand paper and adhesive removers (Goo Gone) can also be used on other projects around the house.
I will acknowledge some may feel using chemicals to clean tires before racing may go against the "spirit" of the class. As far as how I use sand paper, I am basically just "cleaning" the tire. I will try to post a before/after picture of this process the next time I mount a new tire. Again some might feel this is against the "spirit" of the rules, which is understandable.
However, one tip I posted is free and can be used by anyone. Find a patch of rough concrete sidewalk or concrete pavement and do a short-burnout to scuff the tires. At one indoor carpet track I race at (that allows Paragon), if you don't scuff the tires you will basically be driving a drift car until the tires break-in (which could take several rounds even applying Paragon liberally). We use the sidewalk scuff (on new tires) to ensure that everyone is able to have a driveable car and have a good day at the track. Again this is on a carpet track. This step wouldn't be necessary on prepared pavement tracks as those are normally abrasive enough on their own to remove the glaze/shine from new tires after a few laps (and is basically the same as scuffing tires on a concrete patch).
----------
I do have one more mounting tip which is similar to what Darkside does. When I mount the tires to the wheels I make sure the tire is seated properly into the channel in the wheel. I do this by rolling the tire on a hard surface (table) with my hands until I feel the tire is fully seated and even around the entire wheel. While performing this step, I also make sure the foam is seated evenly inside the tire.
I posted (and others) some tire prep techniques in case people were not aware of them. All of my tips are inexpensive and the supplies can be purchased at any Walmart for less $10. Also items like sand paper and adhesive removers (Goo Gone) can also be used on other projects around the house.
I will acknowledge some may feel using chemicals to clean tires before racing may go against the "spirit" of the class. As far as how I use sand paper, I am basically just "cleaning" the tire. I will try to post a before/after picture of this process the next time I mount a new tire. Again some might feel this is against the "spirit" of the rules, which is understandable.
However, one tip I posted is free and can be used by anyone. Find a patch of rough concrete sidewalk or concrete pavement and do a short-burnout to scuff the tires. At one indoor carpet track I race at (that allows Paragon), if you don't scuff the tires you will basically be driving a drift car until the tires break-in (which could take several rounds even applying Paragon liberally). We use the sidewalk scuff (on new tires) to ensure that everyone is able to have a driveable car and have a good day at the track. Again this is on a carpet track. This step wouldn't be necessary on prepared pavement tracks as those are normally abrasive enough on their own to remove the glaze/shine from new tires after a few laps (and is basically the same as scuffing tires on a concrete patch).
----------
I do have one more mounting tip which is similar to what Darkside does. When I mount the tires to the wheels I make sure the tire is seated properly into the channel in the wheel. I do this by rolling the tire on a hard surface (table) with my hands until I feel the tire is fully seated and even around the entire wheel. While performing this step, I also make sure the foam is seated evenly inside the tire.
10-24-2012 | 07:34 PM
#2289
I do have one more mounting tip which is similar to what Darkside does. When I mount the tires to the wheels I make sure the tire is seated properly into the channel in the wheel. I do this by rolling the tire on a hard surface (table) with my hands until I feel the tire is fully seated and even around the entire wheel. While performing this step, I also make sure the foam is seated evenly inside the tire.
10-24-2012 | 08:23 PM
#2290
nothing wrong with a little begging and pleading...on bended knee always works...and the credit card...lol
10-25-2012 | 07:50 AM
#2292
Tech Adept
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 102
From: Las Colinas, TX
Here is a brief history of the USVTA class (as I've experienced it- feel free to correct)
Originally VTA started out as a class where racers could use an old 4wd TC chassis that was no longer competitive in the current classes. Some of these racers also raced 1/12 scale classes, so they wanted to use their existing equipment (4-cell NiCad/NiHM batteries & brushed motors). They discovered that the 4-cell/27turn brushed motor combo & 4-cell/17t brushless combo was a good speed for door to door racing with the HPI bodies and VTA tires. At this point speed controls were open and all was good.
However, as the class was starting to grow the end was near for the 4-cell "round" NiCad/NiHM batteries and 2-cell Lipo/21.5 motors were introduced to VTA. Initial testing on some tracks proved that all 3 battery/motor combos were competitive. Eventually as more people improved their VTA setups and discovered how to best gear the 21.5 motor, it was apparent the lipo/21.5 combo was a bit faster but still good for side by side racing . Eventually the 4-cell/27t & 17.5 options were phased out. At this point there were no boosted speed controls or motors with massive timing adjustments so all was good.
Next we enter the speed control "wars". When LRP introduced the SPX, it had a profile that increased boost at full throttle. Even on small tracks the LRP appeared to have an overdrive gear - and did have an advantage. Then Tekin introduced their RS speed control with computer adjustable timing and free firmware updates. We now had a situation where racers with fixed timing speed controls were at a disadvantage. The other result was speeds of cars on a long straight were significantly different - which created poor racing. All was not good.
We now enter the era of lipo/21.5 open speed controls but limited profiles. Initially this was a good fix. The people with more advanced speed controls were required to use profiles/settings that were equal to the older/fixed timing speed controls. Unfortunately since most tracks assume racers will honor the rules without tech and some racers are not honorable, there was cheating going on. Additionally, at large events tech in VTA became difficult as volunteers were required to know how to determine if different brands of speed controls were in the legal mode (This was before the current ROAR "blinky" rules). A class that should have been simple was getting overly complicated. All was not good.
Now we enter the current era of VTA. USVTA outlawed the speed controls that were giving racers an advantage. They also switched to the Novak 25.5 motor (no other 25.5 was available at this time) which slowed the class down to a speed that was more in line with the original intent of the class. The racing on the track was better and most racers were please with the results of the changes. All was good again.
----------
The end result is that USVTA has evolved into a class were any TC chassis built in the past 10 years can be competitive. We are running the same tires/bodies since the class started (no control tires needed for big races). 5000 Mah limit means previous year's batteries are still competitive with the latest/greatest. Single motor manufacturer eliminates the need to buy additional equipment to be competitive.
In the end VTA rules may not suit the needs of some racers. However the intent of the rules was to create a specific racing experience that many racers do enjoy. If there are new ways to enhance that experience, the people responsible for the rules have gladly added those options.
Originally VTA started out as a class where racers could use an old 4wd TC chassis that was no longer competitive in the current classes. Some of these racers also raced 1/12 scale classes, so they wanted to use their existing equipment (4-cell NiCad/NiHM batteries & brushed motors). They discovered that the 4-cell/27turn brushed motor combo & 4-cell/17t brushless combo was a good speed for door to door racing with the HPI bodies and VTA tires. At this point speed controls were open and all was good.
However, as the class was starting to grow the end was near for the 4-cell "round" NiCad/NiHM batteries and 2-cell Lipo/21.5 motors were introduced to VTA. Initial testing on some tracks proved that all 3 battery/motor combos were competitive. Eventually as more people improved their VTA setups and discovered how to best gear the 21.5 motor, it was apparent the lipo/21.5 combo was a bit faster but still good for side by side racing . Eventually the 4-cell/27t & 17.5 options were phased out. At this point there were no boosted speed controls or motors with massive timing adjustments so all was good.
Next we enter the speed control "wars". When LRP introduced the SPX, it had a profile that increased boost at full throttle. Even on small tracks the LRP appeared to have an overdrive gear - and did have an advantage. Then Tekin introduced their RS speed control with computer adjustable timing and free firmware updates. We now had a situation where racers with fixed timing speed controls were at a disadvantage. The other result was speeds of cars on a long straight were significantly different - which created poor racing. All was not good.
We now enter the era of lipo/21.5 open speed controls but limited profiles. Initially this was a good fix. The people with more advanced speed controls were required to use profiles/settings that were equal to the older/fixed timing speed controls. Unfortunately since most tracks assume racers will honor the rules without tech and some racers are not honorable, there was cheating going on. Additionally, at large events tech in VTA became difficult as volunteers were required to know how to determine if different brands of speed controls were in the legal mode (This was before the current ROAR "blinky" rules). A class that should have been simple was getting overly complicated. All was not good.
Now we enter the current era of VTA. USVTA outlawed the speed controls that were giving racers an advantage. They also switched to the Novak 25.5 motor (no other 25.5 was available at this time) which slowed the class down to a speed that was more in line with the original intent of the class. The racing on the track was better and most racers were please with the results of the changes. All was good again.
----------
The end result is that USVTA has evolved into a class were any TC chassis built in the past 10 years can be competitive. We are running the same tires/bodies since the class started (no control tires needed for big races). 5000 Mah limit means previous year's batteries are still competitive with the latest/greatest. Single motor manufacturer eliminates the need to buy additional equipment to be competitive.
In the end VTA rules may not suit the needs of some racers. However the intent of the rules was to create a specific racing experience that many racers do enjoy. If there are new ways to enhance that experience, the people responsible for the rules have gladly added those options.
10-25-2012 | 11:59 AM
#2294
Here is a brief history of the USVTA class (as I've experienced it- feel free to correct)
Originally VTA started out as a class where racers could use an old 4wd TC chassis that was no longer competitive in the current classes. Some of these racers also raced 1/12 scale classes, so they wanted to use their existing equipment (4-cell NiCad/NiHM batteries & brushed motors). They discovered that the 4-cell/27turn brushed motor combo & 4-cell/17t brushless combo was a good speed for door to door racing with the HPI bodies and VTA tires. At this point speed controls were open and all was good.
However, as the class was starting to grow the end was near for the 4-cell "round" NiCad/NiHM batteries and 2-cell Lipo/21.5 motors were introduced to VTA. Initial testing on some tracks proved that all 3 battery/motor combos were competitive. Eventually as more people improved their VTA setups and discovered how to best gear the 21.5 motor, it was apparent the lipo/21.5 combo was a bit faster but still good for side by side racing . Eventually the 4-cell/27t & 17.5 options were phased out. At this point there were no boosted speed controls or motors with massive timing adjustments so all was good.
Next we enter the speed control "wars". When LRP introduced the SPX, it had a profile that increased boost at full throttle. Even on small tracks the LRP appeared to have an overdrive gear - and did have an advantage. Then Tekin introduced their RS speed control with computer adjustable timing and free firmware updates. We now had a situation where racers with fixed timing speed controls were at a disadvantage. The other result was speeds of cars on a long straight were significantly different - which created poor racing. All was not good.
We now enter the era of lipo/21.5 open speed controls but limited profiles. Initially this was a good fix. The people with more advanced speed controls were required to use profiles/settings that were equal to the older/fixed timing speed controls. Unfortunately since most tracks assume racers will honor the rules without tech and some racers are not honorable, there was cheating going on. Additionally, at large events tech in VTA became difficult as volunteers were required to know how to determine if different brands of speed controls were in the legal mode (This was before the current ROAR "blinky" rules). A class that should have been simple was getting overly complicated. All was not good.
Now we enter the current era of VTA. USVTA outlawed the speed controls that were giving racers an advantage. They also switched to the Novak 25.5 motor (no other 25.5 was available at this time) which slowed the class down to a speed that was more in line with the original intent of the class. The racing on the track was better and most racers were please with the results of the changes. All was good again.
----------
The end result is that USVTA has evolved into a class were any TC chassis built in the past 10 years can be competitive. We are running the same tires/bodies since the class started (no control tires needed for big races). 5000 Mah limit means previous year's batteries are still competitive with the latest/greatest. Single motor manufacturer eliminates the need to buy additional equipment to be competitive.
In the end VTA rules may not suit the needs of some racers. However the intent of the rules was to create a specific racing experience that many racers do enjoy. If there are new ways to enhance that experience, the people responsible for the rules have gladly added those options.
Originally VTA started out as a class where racers could use an old 4wd TC chassis that was no longer competitive in the current classes. Some of these racers also raced 1/12 scale classes, so they wanted to use their existing equipment (4-cell NiCad/NiHM batteries & brushed motors). They discovered that the 4-cell/27turn brushed motor combo & 4-cell/17t brushless combo was a good speed for door to door racing with the HPI bodies and VTA tires. At this point speed controls were open and all was good.
However, as the class was starting to grow the end was near for the 4-cell "round" NiCad/NiHM batteries and 2-cell Lipo/21.5 motors were introduced to VTA. Initial testing on some tracks proved that all 3 battery/motor combos were competitive. Eventually as more people improved their VTA setups and discovered how to best gear the 21.5 motor, it was apparent the lipo/21.5 combo was a bit faster but still good for side by side racing . Eventually the 4-cell/27t & 17.5 options were phased out. At this point there were no boosted speed controls or motors with massive timing adjustments so all was good.
Next we enter the speed control "wars". When LRP introduced the SPX, it had a profile that increased boost at full throttle. Even on small tracks the LRP appeared to have an overdrive gear - and did have an advantage. Then Tekin introduced their RS speed control with computer adjustable timing and free firmware updates. We now had a situation where racers with fixed timing speed controls were at a disadvantage. The other result was speeds of cars on a long straight were significantly different - which created poor racing. All was not good.
We now enter the era of lipo/21.5 open speed controls but limited profiles. Initially this was a good fix. The people with more advanced speed controls were required to use profiles/settings that were equal to the older/fixed timing speed controls. Unfortunately since most tracks assume racers will honor the rules without tech and some racers are not honorable, there was cheating going on. Additionally, at large events tech in VTA became difficult as volunteers were required to know how to determine if different brands of speed controls were in the legal mode (This was before the current ROAR "blinky" rules). A class that should have been simple was getting overly complicated. All was not good.
Now we enter the current era of VTA. USVTA outlawed the speed controls that were giving racers an advantage. They also switched to the Novak 25.5 motor (no other 25.5 was available at this time) which slowed the class down to a speed that was more in line with the original intent of the class. The racing on the track was better and most racers were please with the results of the changes. All was good again.
----------
The end result is that USVTA has evolved into a class were any TC chassis built in the past 10 years can be competitive. We are running the same tires/bodies since the class started (no control tires needed for big races). 5000 Mah limit means previous year's batteries are still competitive with the latest/greatest. Single motor manufacturer eliminates the need to buy additional equipment to be competitive.
In the end VTA rules may not suit the needs of some racers. However the intent of the rules was to create a specific racing experience that many racers do enjoy. If there are new ways to enhance that experience, the people responsible for the rules have gladly added those options.
I think the switch to 25.5 came with the phasing out of the other power options. That was in 2010 and Robk had not had the reigns from Doug for very long. He alerted us to the rule change almost a year in advance. It was a brave bold move for him and I still commend him for the guts it took and the grief that he got for it. Everything you have stated did happen. Its just the why and when that I am not absolute about.
Thanks for writing this detailed description. I was just too lazy to go that far into detail.
10-25-2012 | 12:30 PM
#2295
Tech Elite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,010
From: Brownsburg, Indiana
I have found over the years that went I go to events, I spend money and even track my purchases on a little sheet of paper in my wallet. I try to eat cheap and sleep cheap. Then, I get home, look at the credit card bill a month later and find out my wife was out SHOPPING while I was gone to the event and usually has spent far more than I ever thought about...with NO permission!
Morale of the Story. Go to the damn event and enjoy yourself!
(I've been married to the same woman for 28 years, and I approve this message.)
Morale of the Story. Go to the damn event and enjoy yourself!
(I've been married to the same woman for 28 years, and I approve this message.)