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dualdigger

I'm thinking about trying out racing this winter.

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I'm a scale guy first and I love to build but I run everything I own and I run them hard. I am considering racing indoor off-road this winter but I'm not really sure where to start. My closest track is about an hour away and the classes are 1/10 2wd and 4wd buggy, 2 and 4wd short course and stadium trucks. I have been leaning towards racing 2wd buggy as they are simple and I'm familiar with the platform. Are 4wd buggies/sc easier to drive? I think I want to keep this venture as cheap as possible because I live far away and I'm not sure if I'm going to like it. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Maybe describe the differences between 2 and 4wd buggies on the track?

I do own a nicely hopped up Sand Viper but really doubt it would be much fun racing against 22's and b4-5's. Is there any Tamiya I should consider? The new trf201 looks a little much for a beginner. Racing starts in Oct. so I need to figure this out.

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The Sand Viper will get you started, and should do ok indoors. From what I can tell the TRF201 is a Japanese B4, so pick up a used B4! An older chassis but cheap, spares are readily available (& cheap) and more than capable of competing with 22s etc.

This advice is based on my own experience with my son this past year. We started with a Desert Gator, moved to a B4 and now have a C4.2 & B44.1. Check-out my thread 'Diary of a Pit Dad' in the RC Racing sub-section.

Good Luck!

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Every iteration of the TRF201 is basically Tamiya trying to keep up with newer competition, except they are still at least one model generation away.

For Tamiya fans its a nice build in stock form, but you need to shell out for all the upgrades to have half a chance. The Losi 22 and Durango 210 are better cars out of the box, for a third of the price.

The Durango has the benefit of being either mid or rear motor mounting, so can be set to suit different surfaces - you should be able to find a used 210 for under £100 easily - I bought mine new for £100 as a part assembled kit. By the same token there are plenty of Associated B4s around at that price too.

Check the classifieds on Oople forum - always good used cars on there, 90% being sold by racers so they will be hopped up and have been cared for between race meets.

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I will give you the same advice that I would to someone asking this same question on my local RC Clubs forum..

Turn up at one of the race meetings and have a look around for yourself.. Meet the clubs officials, and talk to the drivers and pit crew, and ASK any QUESTIONS that you may have..

Watch the racing, see if any one class (2wd, 4wd SC truck or Stadium truck) appeals to you more than another.. Ask the club officials if they have a "Rookie" or beginners class, and if they do, ask what vehicle is required to run in that class.. Also, ask what motors are used in each class..

If you are looking to limit costs, have a look around and see if any club members may have a good used vehicle for sale, especially if your undecided about what class to run, or even if racing is for you..

If you wish, on your second visit, take your Sand Viper (if you haven't purchased another vehicle) and see if they can fit you into a class, and have a run with them and try and get a feel for "racing"...

WHEN you have decided on a class that you would like to compete in (e.g. 2WD) look at buying a chassis that is quite common within the club, as this could be an advantage later on for help with car setup, and also for spare parts.. Also consider spare parts availability, i.e. does your local hobby shop carry that brand, when selecting a brand of vehicle..

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my advice is to start with stock class, its slower but wayyyyyyyyy cheaper than modified with much reduced crash damage , 4wd can be fun but you have two diffs extra drive shafts etc to wear out and keep adjusted correctly , the most important part of club racing IMO is to have fun , dont race other drivers , race the track and set personal goals such as consistently getting your lap times down a little at a time by getting smoother and cleaner , try not to get sucked into the ' spend more to go faster' trap , take any old 2wd buggy that the club will allow before you buy anything new , durango's are nice but hate high traction surfaces , until you know the track you wont know what chassis will be best , talk to the regulars and look at what they drive and what seems the smoothest and most consistent , i have seen guys with old mardave cobra's beat guys with fully hopped up 22's B5's etc ,

again , the most important thing is to have a blast , if you really get into it then you start to spend money wisely with some experience to give clever ,informed decisions .

have fun

:)

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Thanks for the advice guys, the track opens this weekend and they have a fun run going on Sunday, I think I will try and get down there for the day and check it out.

Thanks Jedward, I have read your diary and it's been inspiring as I have a 7 yr old boy that might want to get into this in the future.

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sir run my sand viper against losi's schuies and b4's/b5's beat a fair number of them normally in B final in place 1 or 2 . race for the fun not for the win way i look at it

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That's just it, last winter lasted 6 months so I just want to get out and have some fun. I just pulled my Sand Viper off the shelf and I'm having a good look at it, it was prepped last year to race against my hb2010 but the area I was building the track was to rocky for my buggies. I wish we had a dt-02 challenge here in Canada but it seems Tamiya is not a popular choice here.

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Where is this track in Ontario? I would be amaze if your 7 year old son take to RC with children now a days likely wants to play with PS or similar or what ever his friends are playing. 1 hr there and 1hr back from the track is a lot driving. I guess once a week is OK? I would likely go to any shopping mall, school or church parking lot and just run the rc without any worry of crashes, mind you is not a exciting as racing someone else. But hey you can do all kinds of donuts, power slides, figure 8s, reverse spins. Tamiya seems not to be very popular anywhere maybe except for Japan and I think is because no new and wow factor model has come out from a long long time other than re-re. I think Tamiya needs new blood in company to make it exciting again.

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I'm in the same boat as the OP, and also about to start racing this winter...found a friendly local track and plan for me and my lad (6) to have a go over the next few weeks.

We'll be running a Sand Viper each, not madly hopped up for now...both ball raced, oil shocks, front suspension brace. My lad will be running a 'silver can' 540 and I've decided to have a crack with a 540 Sport Tuned.

Like alfagta said, not planning on worrying about position, but want to gain some track time, start learning how to set up the cars, find the racing lines and master control of the car by getting clean laps in that should start to get quicker.

I'm planning to start a thread in the Racing section once we've got going this weekend. In the meantime I'm prepping the cars up (one is a HB2010 conversion, the other needs converting from rolling chassis to runner).

All good fun, and as long as it stays fun, we're in! :)

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Where is this track in Ontario? I would be amaze if your 7 year old son take to RC with children now a days likely wants to play with PS or similar or what ever his friends are playing. 1 hr there and 1hr back from the track is a lot driving. I guess once a week is OK? I would likely go to any shopping mall, school or church parking lot and just run the rc without any worry of crashes, mind you is not a exciting as racing someone else. But hey you can do all kinds of donuts, power slides, figure 8s, reverse spins. Tamiya seems not to be very popular anywhere maybe except for Japan and I think is because no new and wow factor model has come out from a long long time other than re-re. I think Tamiya needs new blood in company to make it exciting again.

NorthernRC in Barrie, I've done lots of bashing and my son even has a Tamiya(Dualhunter). But I'm the one that wants to race. I have no problem driving an hour each way if I like it and it most likely it wouldn't be more than once a week.

I did did not visit the track last weekend but I did get a response from the track owner. He said 2wd mid motor buggies are popular with motors ranging from 10.5 to 13.5. Still lots of time...lol:)

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Yeah that 1 hr drive ain't so bad considering TO folks drive 1hr or more to the ski hills in Ontario and will be cheaper than paying for the lift ticket and buying those top notch food from them. (Better to bring your own cheese, sausages, wine and hot soup).

RC is still cheaper than getting fitted out for skiing or snow boarding.

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