Hmm... you'd think that more people would see that difference and we'd not have the unnecessary but good for the soul discussions
E

Hey Michael,

Was this testing done at the same weight (865g or thereabout) or were the LiPo cars being allowed to take advantage of weight savings?

Thanks,

Scottrik

Hi Guys,

13.5 Lipo is about 2-3 tenths quicker than 4-cell 17.5. That's with the Lipo car at 730 grams and the 4-cell at 865.

When we first started testing, it seemed like they were pretty even, but as we've tweaked on the Lipo cars (both electronically & chassis set-ups), they are definitely quicker than 17.5 4-cell now.

No, we didn't want to put a cinder block on the lipo car, there would be no point in that. The lipo cars were less than 730g, the 4 cell was less than 865g, but both were in their respective ballparks. Personally, I like my 4 cell car, but that is not reality, 1 cell will be the new standard.

Out here we race 1/12th outdoors on parking lot tracks a lot with low bite during the summer. T bar cars are what we like for these conditions, so a 1cell set up will be tested. I would hate to relegate 1/12th racing to indoor carpet only, my first tests with 1 cell would indicate that it will be great on our parking lot tracks also

(originally directed at SpeedMerchant, but Michael chimed in while I was "writing")

Yes, but it really seems like you're comparing apples with oranges with that much weight disparity. Would adding 135g to the LiPo cars weight bring the lap times back to more or less parity? I fully acknowledge that adding weight gives up a lot of the "nice things" going to lighter LiPo cars gains (livelier feel, less tire wear, "softer" impacts, etc) but many of us are looking at CAN there be reasonable parity AT THE CLUB LEVEL for the transitional period?

What (very) little "testing" (and it really is notable only for a) it's absolute brevity and b) didn't "explore" much beyond what an undergeared LiPo 13.5 car would do against a well-driven, well-sorted 4-cell 17.5) gives me hope that we can find that here but we plan to schedule a couple real live test sessions before making any sort of decisions for our next season.

Hey Eric,

True, you are so right, but good for the soul is, well, good for the soul, yes?

Agreed, but the lipo car is what it is, and the 4 cell the same. There are more issues than just the weight disparity. I wouldn't argue with anyone trying to find parity during the transitional period, but I don't think that it will last very long (the transitional period) the way things are going.

Agreed...my thought is the "transitional period", at least at the national level, will pretty much be over Dec. 31. I'm pretty sure 2009 will see the last National-level races with brushed motors and I'll not be surprised at all if the last round cells are seen this year as well. ROAR have made provisions for both classes (round cell and LiPo, and as separate classes) in the rules for next year, but I think most can see the writing on the wall.

yes

at our club it seams that the transition is happening pretty quick. in the last 2 months we went from all 4 cell cars to this past weekend we had 15 pan cars and only me running a 4 cell in stock. and that is because I could not find another pack anywhere before the weekend.

I think the tracks with low turnout will transition faster because well, there are less people with round cells. and it brings people back out to race to see what the hype is all about. for the seasoned tracks with lots of pan car drivers, the transition maybe a little slow. our club has descided that we will run motor for motor and eventually all the racers will be on the same power plant. so I think this past weekend will be our last test of round cells to lipo. at one point we thought about running separate classes. But in reallity the guys that go to the big races were the only ones that were holding on to the round cells. now that ROAR and IIC have gone lipo, that transition happened the night scotty posted the IIC rules. Or at least that is what it seams like.

one thing I did notice was the line for the round cell and the line for the lipo cars were completely different. so even if you find a partity with lap times, how a racer attacks a corner will be different and may make for more disparity then parity on the track.

+1

But what do you know?

With the battery flat on the chassis, there is no where to route wires through the cells to have that 'clean' look you are famous for. I think you are just stumped on how to hide the wires now that there aren't any gaps under the cells...

OK, link boy-its on now!

Actually, I have solved that problem but its top secret at this time

Don't give me any trouble or I'll send Tim back down there

ok, ok. you keep tim and I will give you no lip.