Jammer

Hi Andy, I'm not sure what the club's policy is on uncased LiPo packs, I'll check and get back to you. Cheers James

Hi Tamiya Monkey and Andy, It'll be great if you can both make it this Saturday...there should be a good crowd of us this week now that the Bank Holiday weekend is out the way. Andy, your Hot Dog will be good competition for my mate's 6 gear RC10. What set-up you planning on running? James

Saturday's first meeting went well, helped by the glorious sunshine. The old buggies were well received by drivers from other classes who remembered the racing from the 80s. It was nice to see two youngsters in the heat racing with the HRCCC club Mardave Cobras - the retro class gave them the opportunity to enjoy racing that they wouldn't get from a typical 2wd buggy heat. As for me - my Frog was a hand full to begin with due to excessive grip roll, but I made a number of changes throughout the day and got use to easing the car through the corners. Speed wise, I think the decision to limit the series to silver can motors was right - I found my Frog had good torque out of the corners and a fair pace down the straight. To put the performance into perspective, my overall time in the final would have placed me second in the 2wd buggy C final, just 1 second behind the leader - not bad for a buggy designed in 1983! Racing aside - the important thing was that I went home with a big smile on my face and lots of happy thoughts to see me through the week ahead. Looking forward to next week's meeting when the series starts in earnest. Photos from the meeting can be found in my showroom http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...11&id=14357 If you're wondering what to do next Saturday, dust off a buggy and come and join us for some vintage racing fun... Cheers James

Just a reminder to everyone that Retro Racers starts this Saturday (2nd May) at Hinckley RCCC, Leicestershire... We suggest people start arriving from 11:30 to get booked in, set-up and help lay the track markings. Racing is intended to start at 13:00 and finish about 18:00. Format of the meeting will be 4 rounds of qualifying and a final. Duration of the races is 5 minutes. The track surface is grass. You'll need to bring a 12v DC supply with you to charge your cells. Please also bring spare sets of crystals if you have them. Gazebos and tents are welcome. Race fees are £6 for members £7 for non-members (membership fee is just £4). We anticipate there will be a total of 30 - 40 drivers racing 2WD, 4WD and Retro classes. For more information and directions, please visit: http://www.hinckleyrccc.co.uk/index.htm All are welcome....so remember to bring your mates. Look forward to seeing you all there... Cheers James

Just a quick up-date on the retro racing class at Hinckley... Due to popular demand the season will now start a week earlier on Saturday the 2nd May. I've had quite a few PMs from people interested in racing their vintage buggies, but could do with firming up some number for the club. As such I'd be grateful if you could contact me ASAP. As an incentive for you all, everyone running a vintage buggy at HRCCC will get complementary Retro Racers stickers... You can see pics of my Frog in Retro Retros livery in my showroom (see link) Retro Racers Frog Looking forward to hearing from you... Cheers James

Hi Folks, I've got a number of off road nitro buggies and trucks for sale that have just been lying around...priced to clear. 1) HPI MT2 1/10 truck - used for one race meeting - some flaking on the shell - engine will need a tune - no elecs. £40 (+ P&P) 2) Thunder Tiger EB4 S2 Pro 1/8 buggy - partially built kit - v.minor split on front g/box case - no engine or elecs. £70 (+ P&P) 3) HB Lighting Stadium 1/8 truggy - chassis in good condition (with some mods) - STS .28 engine (used for one race meeting) needs setting up/general attention - no elecs - sold as spares or repairs. £40 (+ P&P) ****NOW SOLD**** 4) RB S7 .21 engine, pipe and manifold TOTALLY NEW - great engine - ideal for racing - v.reliable and good power. £120 (+ P&P) 5) Laro Diablo D4 1/8 buggy - rare buggy in the UK, but spares still available from Mantua Models - good condition roller (no engine or elecs) with new and unpainted shell. £50 (+ P&P) 6) Thunder Tiger 1/10 4WD monster truck - quick - little use - no elecs. £40 (+ P&P) Choice of P&P to suit the buyer. Estimate typical P&P cost per car to be around £10. Payment by PayPal (gift) or personal cheque. UK only please. If you have any questions or if you want to make an offer, please PM me...photos available on request. Cheers Jammer

Will do Mr ED...

Following on from Richard's post... Inclusive is the theme and, in my mind, the Subaru Brat and other non-buggy bodied off road cars are very much in keeping with the spirit of vintage racing. The mission is to get as many vintage cars off the shelf and onto the track where they belong. James

Hi Andy, Small world indeed... Any of those cars would fit in just fine. I've had quite a few PMs now from TC members expressing an interest in racing at HRCCC...the class should be well attended. I'll keep you informed of progress. Catch you later... James

Hi igbandy, You're from Tamworth hey...I work in Amington. Yeah...rebuild your classic Schmachers...what you got? ...XLS? ...Cougar? HRCCC will be running three classes this outdoor season; 2WD, 4WD and Vintage (2WD/4WD mixed together). The vintage class is a great opportunity for people to run their classic or re-released racers in a fun, fair and competitive environment. The class is ideally suited to vintage buggy enthusiasts and newcomers alike who want to compete in a less demanding setting than offered by modern buggy classes. The three requirements of the class are intended to be as inclusive as possible, practical and in tune with product availablility. For instance, the motor rule is hoped to achieve the following: 1. assist levelling the performance differences between buggies 2. minimise drive train stress and wear 3. provide racing speeds that are more controllable for newcomers 4. help keep equipment costs as low as possible Other than the three running requirements - anything else is acceptable i.e. chassis mods, modern wheels/tyres, esc etc. Hopefully that gives you the gist of what the class is about... So if you're interested in dusting off one of your Schmachers and reliving the good ole days...you'll be more than welcome to join us at HRCCC this summer. Cheers James

Hi there Bud... There's a small racing fee of £6 for a non-member or £5 if you join the club. At the moment we're running indoors on carpet - the classes are: Touring Car - Stock Touring Car - Mod Mardave V12 - Stock Mardave V12 - Mod 1/12th Pan Car From the 9th May, we'll be going back outdoors to run: 2WD electric buggy 4WD electric buggy 2WD/4WD vintage elec. buggy (aka Retro Racers) If you've still got your Hornet or Madbull (or anything similar) you'd be more than welcome to join in with the vintage class. However, if you didn't want to use your own car - the club is currently talking about buying some club owned cars that can be hired out. If you'd like to know more - just drop me a PM and we can have a proper chat Cheers James

Hi Richard, In my experience, Hinckley is one of nicest clubs in the Midlands. In the top touring car finals, you've got a very high standard of racing - Andy Moore was racing a few weeks ago. But there's a good mixture of abilities and age groups and the club is very accommodating of newcomers... Most touring car racers at the club are running either the HB Cyclone or Xray 008 chassis...but I wouldn't worry about turning up with a TB01 or TT01...a chap turned up the other week with an old Traxxas 4-tec. Alternatively, there's a big following for Mardave (about 3 or 4 full heats per week)...that's always a good laugh - if you're interested in trying Mardave, I could lend you a car. Send me a PM if you fancy coming along - I'm there most weeks. Cheers James

Hi there Chap, Thanks for your response... I reckon there's going to be a good heat full to begin with - hopefully more if the word can be spread. Talking to the Chairman today at racing, HRCCC is thinking about buying a couple of re-released Mardave Cobras so that newcomers can 'try before they buy'. The natural choice would be for these Cobras to run in the Vintage class. It would be great to see an old Ultima running again...my mate will be running a 6 gear gold tub RC10 and I'm racing a modified Frog. Come and join us...it'll be fun. Everyone is welcome...so bring you mates. Cheers James

Cheers for the advice Dan. James

Hi Folks, I'm finally getting around to building my DB01 for the summer racing season and have bought some up-grades including the TRF 501 X diff set. Just a quick question - I know from various posts the stock DB01 diffs balls are rubbish - is this the same for the TRF 501 X diff balls? Should I buy aftermarket ceramic ones? Cheers James

Looking Good... If you do up-grade to oil shocks, I found the chassis handles better if you stiffened up the front and soften the rear...that should held reduce grip roll and wheelies; especially with a 16T LiPo powered set-up. I used to run mine with a 13T... Oh...on the issue of wheelies...you'll find the standard bar isn't much cop...perhaps think about making a dual wheel bar for added stability, otherwise you'll be scratching that nice blue paint job. Cheers Jammer

Hi there, Further to Glancyguy's post, the Dynamite Tazer speedo is a good choice. Not sure where you're based, but you can get a 12T motor limit version for under 30 in the UK - check out ModelsportUK. Also been very pleased with the Novak XRS (have a few) and Robitronic's Speed Star 2 12T ESC. Cheers Jammer

I've been building a Wild One from new parts; decided to go with the day glow green rims. Split the first pair of fronts trying to fit ball bearings (thought it was just a tight fit). Any one else noticed this problem? Cheers Jammer

Hi Tramsnod This is what a FAV/Wild One box should look like (follow link)...is this the same as your one? http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=81420 The link also has some useful tips on how to make the transmission reliable. Got any pics of the diff, box housing etc. that might help me or someone else identify what you've got there? Cheers Jammer

Real hard choice...both are cool. Dodge Van vs. Flareside truck... I think the LB just wins due to the customising potential...most Pumpkins seem to be box art.

Thanks for the response guys... Really don't see the harm in providing a bit of pre-event notification...surely this is in the spirit of the Community. Notwithstanding my views...I'll abide by the rule from now on. Jammer

I've just had my showroom post deleted for raising awareness of a forth coming vintage buggy racing series at a local club. The post was intended to generate wider appeal to the TC community on the main site that you don't get in the forum. My point is that you see events posted on the main site all the time for various meets, venues and items of general interest. Take these recent posts for example: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...71&id=20877 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...241&id=5414 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...26&id=24931 http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...4922&id=280 They have sponsors details, dates of forthcoming events, club references and even plugs for non-RC related events. Furthermore, we even had a recent post that turned into a political debate about the state of the global motor industry. How was that one allowed? I appreciate and fully support the need for rules, but I don't really understand how these posts are acceptable subject matter for the main site and mine isn't. Replies welcome... Jammer

Retro Racers - 1/10 Vintage Electric Buggy Racing From Saturday 2nd May 2009, Hinckley Radio Controlled Car Club (HRCCC) in Leicestershire will be hosting a new series for vintage (inc. re-released) 1/10 electric buggies as part of its weekly off road summer season. The class, called 'Retro Racers', has just 3 simple requirements*: Any make and model of 2WD/4WD 1/10 electric buggy - pre 1996. Mabuchi RS540 motor - either kit supplied or Mardave G1/G2. 7.2V NiCd/NiMH or 7.4V LiPo cells *Usual club rules applies Retro Racers is intended to be a cost effective, fun and inclusive series providing a competitive racing environment for vintage and re-released buggies. In addition to vintage buggy racing, HRCCC will be running 2WD and 4WD classes and is delighted to be hosting a round of the West Midlands Regional 2WD championships on 24th May 2009. Q&A Q. Can I modify my buggy? A. By all means do - either with off the shelf or home-made parts. Q. Can I run an esc? A. Sure can. Q. Why can't I run a modified motor? A. A decision was made to only permit Mabuchi motors to help level the performance difference between buggies, assist with reliability/maintenance/cost and encourage newcomers to racing. Q. I'm interested in racing, how can I find out more about the club? A. Follow the HRCCC link: http://hinckleyrccc.co.uk/index.htm If you have any further questions please contact me. Thanks James