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
4318LikesU.S. Vintage Trans-Am Racing Part 2
11-28-2017, 03:53 PM
11-28-2017, 07:27 PM
11-28-2017, 07:41 PM
Anyone run the J-71 and compare it to the newer protoform VTA shells handling wise?
11-29-2017, 05:27 AM
You know, I just love the Tamiya Mini Chassis (M03, M05, M-04, M06, etc)....and I wish I could race them again, as my local track has gone to the Traxxas Latrax Rally Cars as their spec Mini car of choice....why on Earth, I have no clue..(I refuse to buy one)...
Anyway, back to my point...I was reading some of the history of the Original Trans Am Series, and I learned 2 things, 1)The first race was in 1966 and was won by a Dodge Dart, and 2) the "under 2-liter class" ran at the same time with the V8 cars.
The under 2 liter cars, were
Alfa Romeo GTA
Ford Cortina Lotus
BMW 1800TI & 1800 TISA (looks like the old 2002)
BMC Cooper S (Mini Cooper)
Volvo 122S
Fiat Abarth 1000 TC
not to mention, one of my favorites, the Datsun 510 in the 68/69 years...
Most of these Bodies are available for the M-Chassis cars.... and I would love to run these in VTA....along with the Mustangs, Camaros, Trans-ams, etc...
thoughts?
Anyway, back to my point...I was reading some of the history of the Original Trans Am Series, and I learned 2 things, 1)The first race was in 1966 and was won by a Dodge Dart, and 2) the "under 2-liter class" ran at the same time with the V8 cars.
The under 2 liter cars, were
Alfa Romeo GTA
Ford Cortina Lotus
BMW 1800TI & 1800 TISA (looks like the old 2002)
BMC Cooper S (Mini Cooper)
Volvo 122S
Fiat Abarth 1000 TC
not to mention, one of my favorites, the Datsun 510 in the 68/69 years...
Most of these Bodies are available for the M-Chassis cars.... and I would love to run these in VTA....along with the Mustangs, Camaros, Trans-ams, etc...
thoughts?
11-29-2017, 06:27 AM
The only difference that MIGHT be noticeable to good drivers is the weight. Some are lighter than others. This allows for more weight to be put lower on the chassis for a lower CG. Again this is a big MIGHT, and only to drivers that are very consistent.
I don’t mean this to be rude, but if you are asking what is the “best” for anything (bodies, motor, ESC, battery, chassis) in USVTA then you are missing the point of the class. Yes everyone wants to have a fast, well handling car and be a winner. But if you are wanting to race for the win with “the best” equipment out there, then that is not what USVTA Racing is about.
Last edited by theproffesor; 11-29-2017 at 08:16 AM.
11-29-2017, 06:53 AM
I don’t mean this to be rude, but if you are asking what is the “best” for anything (bodies, motor, ESC, battery, chassis) in USVTA then you are missing the point of the class. Yes everyone wants to have a fast food handling car and be a winner. But if you are wanting to race for the win with “the best” equipment out there, then that is not what USVTA Racing is about.
What you're saying is VTA should be a TUB Chassis only class am I right?
11-29-2017, 07:35 AM
I have my fav like my TC3, but I dont run it cause Ive run out of parts, and when I do find them people ask way to much, cause they know you need them.
What everyone has to remember is yes VTA is fun,fair,cool, and all the "things" we have labeled it...but lets not forget its still RACING. No matter the speeds body esc servo motor rules ect, its a racing class where guys race and compete for all sorts of rewards, incl trophy money bragging rights or personal gain.
Right now VTA is a great class to be in for multiple reasons....and I really believe if given the chance we will see this class expand even farther than ever before.
#USVTANation #USVTA4life
11-29-2017, 07:47 AM
Hey, Bronson....
Whats is "a fast food handling car"??!!
Whats is "a fast food handling car"??!!
11-29-2017, 07:48 AM
Does it demand $15 per hour for an entry-level position.....
Hey, you might have hit on something here!!
Hey, you might have hit on something here!!
11-29-2017, 07:49 AM
with HPI getting back in the game, I can only imagine the class growing even more...more bodies and tire/rim choices.
I highly doubt the rules will go to a single tire or rim company, even if HPI doesn't produce any new tires/rims, there are still plenty of racers with these brand of tires. I cant see the USVTA dumping on them cause they have these.
Time will tell and as long as we keep supporting the USVTA classes, more things will come. The RC companies are watching and making VTA a class with the most in bodies and options.
in the mean time....
#USVTANation
I highly doubt the rules will go to a single tire or rim company, even if HPI doesn't produce any new tires/rims, there are still plenty of racers with these brand of tires. I cant see the USVTA dumping on them cause they have these.
Time will tell and as long as we keep supporting the USVTA classes, more things will come. The RC companies are watching and making VTA a class with the most in bodies and options.
in the mean time....
#USVTANation
Myron, you know how much I love USVTA.
But, on our outdoor asphalt track (untreated) the HPI tires are 0.5s faster per lap. The new guys can't find HPI tires (easily) and the hobby shop carries the PF tires. So they are getting discouraged because they know right off the bat they can't win.
As long as one guy still has/runs HPI tires, the rest of us who want to be competitive have to follow suit.
What do we do?
MC
But, on our outdoor asphalt track (untreated) the HPI tires are 0.5s faster per lap. The new guys can't find HPI tires (easily) and the hobby shop carries the PF tires. So they are getting discouraged because they know right off the bat they can't win.
As long as one guy still has/runs HPI tires, the rest of us who want to be competitive have to follow suit.
What do we do?
MC
Yeah that really doesn't happen
Now if the majority have HPI's then reverse the situation. Loan the one or two guys a set of HPI's.....its club racing and you need to help each other to be on the same page.
I have both, and I have not seen a difference in them other than the PF last a lot longer. I have a set of PF that would be killer on asphalt. And the only secret to them was SXT and running them...nothing more nothing less.
We have to work together at the local and regional level. That way we are more prepared at the National level. Run either or both, but if you have that one odd situation, help each other by letting them try the other brand.
11-29-2017, 08:05 AM
With the USVTA announcement about tires, our local track has decided to follow it and only PF tires will be allowed after 1/1/2018.
Problem solved. It makes sense for this track since it also has a hobby shop attached to it and has only been able to get the PF tires, and that's what the new guys have.
MC
Problem solved. It makes sense for this track since it also has a hobby shop attached to it and has only been able to get the PF tires, and that's what the new guys have.
MC
11-29-2017, 08:39 AM
Why are poeple running very high end chassis? Cause MERICA that’s why. I wasn’t saying I don’t want those chassis in the class, I run a TC7.1 myself (which is actually just about the lowest priced “modern” full race chassis out there). And like I also said this is racing and everyone wants the win.
I know and am friends with guys that have these super high end chassis. After they got everything they could out of there previous cars because they are that good. They really could run circles around most everyone with a Losi street weapon or HPI RS4. They enjoy VTA over other classes and want to see what that can get out of it. But they aren’t worried about “the best handling” body or batteries. Hell one of them still uses a duratrax charger and 5000mah pack with deans plugs and a HW JUSTSTOCK ESC.
What I was trying to get at with my statement was that when people are looking at VTA for the first time or are still new to it and are aiming for .2 seconds per lap from a body with more steering, only painting one translucent coat on a body to keep it light, or the difference between HPI and PF tires, dropping nearly $1k on a chassis, $200 on a motor, 70amp charging on batteries, etc., to race the absolute slowest class on the track right now seems counter to what the spirit of this class is supposed to be.
I know and am friends with guys that have these super high end chassis. After they got everything they could out of there previous cars because they are that good. They really could run circles around most everyone with a Losi street weapon or HPI RS4. They enjoy VTA over other classes and want to see what that can get out of it. But they aren’t worried about “the best handling” body or batteries. Hell one of them still uses a duratrax charger and 5000mah pack with deans plugs and a HW JUSTSTOCK ESC.
What I was trying to get at with my statement was that when people are looking at VTA for the first time or are still new to it and are aiming for .2 seconds per lap from a body with more steering, only painting one translucent coat on a body to keep it light, or the difference between HPI and PF tires, dropping nearly $1k on a chassis, $200 on a motor, 70amp charging on batteries, etc., to race the absolute slowest class on the track right now seems counter to what the spirit of this class is supposed to be.
11-29-2017, 08:54 AM
If one guy has a set of HPI's, and you guys truly believe they are faster, ask him not to run them for the event/series races. If he doesnt have the funds for purchase, loan or give him a set. I do it all the time.
Now if the majority have HPI's then reverse the situation. Loan the one or two guys a set of HPI's.....its club racing and you need to help each other to be on the same page. Run either or both, but if you have that one odd situation, help each other by letting them try the other brand.
Now if the majority have HPI's then reverse the situation. Loan the one or two guys a set of HPI's.....its club racing and you need to help each other to be on the same page. Run either or both, but if you have that one odd situation, help each other by letting them try the other brand.
11-29-2017, 09:00 AM
With the USVTA announcement about tires, our local track has decided to follow it and only PF tires will be allowed after 1/1/2018.
Problem solved. It makes sense for this track since it also has a hobby shop attached to it and has only been able to get the PF tires, and that's what the new guys have.
MC
Problem solved. It makes sense for this track since it also has a hobby shop attached to it and has only been able to get the PF tires, and that's what the new guys have.
MC
11-29-2017, 09:56 AM
Our track stopped racing VTA about a year ago due to lack of the HPI tires. It was sad to see it go since it was always so fun. They added a Scale GT class that is neither USGT or USVTA but a real simple class. The rules are very loose but similar to USGT except the tires can be anything rubber on a spoked rim. The motor needs to be any 25.5, and the body should be anything but a TC or "Bubble" body. This allowed anybody with an older VTA, USGT, or really anything to race in the class. I particularly enjoy the "realistic" looking bodies. I have a USVTA car that is per USVTA rules and still love to run it. I also built a Scale GT car out of an old TC6 chassis I had and added a 25.5 motor I got on Ebay for $50. I run it with a bunch of old and cheap parts and electronics just to have something else to play with. However the cars, both VTA and USGT, with better rubber slicks are faster overall so when the majority has Scale GT cars I run that, but when its VTA I run that. If my goal is to win I run the fastest car I have. If my goal is to have fun (which it usually is) then I run what the pack has.
The long winded point is that I will run whatever the majority is running. I still have two sets of new HPI tires in a bag that I was hoping for a return to a USVTA specific class. If such a class was re-instated at my track I would think allowing only the new PF tires would be fine since its what the shop has and everybody can get them. I also love the idea of only one tire choice in any spec class and wish they all would have a spec tire. It takes the guesswork and expense out of the equation for the casual "retail" racer.
The long winded point is that I will run whatever the majority is running. I still have two sets of new HPI tires in a bag that I was hoping for a return to a USVTA specific class. If such a class was re-instated at my track I would think allowing only the new PF tires would be fine since its what the shop has and everybody can get them. I also love the idea of only one tire choice in any spec class and wish they all would have a spec tire. It takes the guesswork and expense out of the equation for the casual "retail" racer.