RC

[mayk]

While in Columbus, Ohio this weekend, stopped in a hobby store to check out some model RR supplies (Marklin), but my son kept telling me to come over and check out the cool cars. Of course, not really 'Other Forms of "real" Racing', but it is competitive racing...and when I lived in Plymouth Michigan, would go to one of the hobby stores at watch some serious racing in the parking lot of electric and gas RC racing. I purchased a kit electric racer and of course, true to mayk form, was over my head instantly and had the store put it together for me...I raced a few races and got so discouraged as these guys had equipment that was simply amazing.

At first, I would complain it was my GTP body that was causing me to ram into the rails, but alas, it was the driver.....

Point to this thread?
Anyone else race RC cars? I did purchase an RC magazine this weekend and took the car out to race up and down the street......(dog loved chasing it!)

mayk

[John Thawley]

ah... Ken, Ken, Ken. Not a "real" other forum of racing? I can probably introduce you to some people that would beg to differ. These folks are SERIOUS... to the point of full factory rides, chassis tuners, motor men, PC based dynos running off a lap top, mosfet electronic speed controls, variable tire compounds including "dual compound," carbon fiber, titanium, unobtanium and everything else you can conjure up in the way of go fast equipment.

May I introduce you to the 1989 Michigan 4 Wheel Drive Off Road State Champion and runner up 2 Wheel drive champion... eh em... yours truly. LOL

And, as Administrator of the national organizing body, I hosted two World Championships with drivers from 28 different countries and over 30 National Championships. I organized the largest off road event in the history of the "sport" with 630 entries. The 1990 World Championships was a 10 day affair.. in which we raised $50K in sponsorship. The "Worlds" were the culmination of three national sanctioning bodies, (US, Europe and Asia) forming an International organization to oversee the rules. They were held every other year, with each body taking their turn as host. So, they would only be here in the states, every six years. Each driver was selected via a qualifying process outlined by each sanctioning body. But, it was by invitation only.

And if you have any doubt that it's real, consider one Japanese manufacturer came to my warm-up race six weeks prior to the event and actually took back dirt samples from my track so they could figure out tire "spike patterns" and compounds. Serious enough for you?

JT

[mayk]

It has been awhile since I was interested in this type of racing (there, feel better? LOL) and was amazed how much "stuff" on a wall for the cars....everything in these small little bags for building your racer from a chassis on up.....Ryan wanted me to purchase a F1 car that was already built but held off for now.....

JT: Did you ever race at the store in Canton? They had trucks there at times I think, but was mostly in the parking lot with boards for Kwall..... One of the neat things was watching these kids just fly around beating up on us dads!

mayk

[John Thawley]

The store was Ryder Hobbies. The group there (at the time) was a spin-off of the local club I ran and help found, SEMROCC. South East Michigan Radio Operated Car Club. We had one of the largest clubs in the country.. 250 members or so at its peak. We build an off-road track at Freedom Hill Park in Sterling Heights and we had an indoor track that we co-operated inside a local hobby shop. You mentioned Plymouth, we hosted the 1988 1/12 Scale National Championships at the Plymouth - it was the first time the Nationals were ever run indoors. 1/12 scale is very difficult to drive.. very quick.. GTP style bodies.. very precise driving.

Great stuff.. really.

[John Dagys]

Wow, I was also involved in R/C racing (although nothing at the pro level). It just ended up getting too expensive for me. I started off in Electric 1/10 scale Pan car racing, which was a lot of fun. Ran every Saturday (it was NASCAR style) with a bunch of guys in a parking lot. It was fairly laid back and fun. I was always one of the quickest ones which made it fun too..

After a few years with that, I then got a touring car 1/10 electric again. But I tackled racing in a more professional setting. But after a few races, I found myself in the C main everytime, running near the back. I just didn't have the equipment (or knowledge to adjust the car) to its maximum. I also had a few off-road trucks and ran a few races here and there at another local track but never was too serious about it.

Overall, I really miss the racing, but it just ended up getting way too expensive. Another thing I regret is not getting into Nitro cars. I came close to getting one.. But once one of the tracks closed up, I ended up deciding to just get out of it. I sold all three cars last year.. If I had the chance to go back racing, i would love to do it with the pan cars.. But everyone's now either in off-road or touring car racing around here so there's no place to race like that anymore.

[mayk]

John,
The one RC car I have is 1/10 electric....the only thing I did to it was upgrade on the battery and tires....I had a blast racing it, but really, had no idea (nor patience) to set it up. There was this 'young kid' who worked in the store, that set my car up and I raced it. As 'compensation' to him, he was able to use the car when ever he wanted and to add to it.....It was back in 2000 I did this and with two young kids and one on the way, really never had the time to get real serious.

There is a club here in E-Town, but what is really big here, is RC Airplanes, hell, we even have an airport for just RC planes....pretty wild to see them race.

KM

[mayk]

John D:
Funny reading your post, it is exactly what you hear in the paddocks of ALMS and GARRA...the cost of racing becomes prohibitive for some, and what was once fun and affordable, is taken over by the professional teams....Go figure.....just like GARRA (IMHO)

KM

[HORNDAWG]

Ya, I have a couple of Losi XXT's that I have won a few trophys with. But just local stuff.

[John Dagys]

Originally Posted by mayk

John D:
Funny reading your post, it is exactly what you hear in the paddocks of ALMS and GARRA...the cost of racing becomes prohibitive for some, and what was once fun and affordable, is taken over by the professional teams....Go figure.....just like GARRA (IMHO)

KM

LOL yep.. Just like John T said.. It's a lot more Serious than you think

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Ya, I have a couple of Losi XXT's that I have won a few trophys with. But just local stuff.

Losi's built nice cars. Wonderful family... Gil Jr. and Gil Sr. - I ran the On Road World Championships for them at the old Ranch Pit Stop in Pomona. Gil Sr. was a real character. Junior just went to work over at Kyosho USA... the Losi company was sold to Horizon Hobbies... last I heard.

JT