Goodbye 2023 - What did you learn this year?

[Mad Ax 10141]

I've learned that I enjoy racing, if I

1. take care to build a car that has the potential to be good on track
2. really put the effort into prep, practice and car setup
3. pit with a big group of mates so I can join in with tool-lending, setup tips and pit bander

After years of turning up with half-prepped rubbish cars that fall apart in first practice, throwing on whatever tyres I have lying around, and pitting out of the way from the back of my van being billy no-mates, this has been something of a revelation.

[Ray_ve 1165]

How much work is required to build a custom car. 

Changes in geometry, custom decals, 2 steps forward one step back. Very time and effort consuming. 

[RC_FunLand 172]

I think I've learned a couple of things this year.

 

1) this hobby is much more expensive than it looks (hop-ups especially!!!!!!)

2) always have a nice supply of titanium hex screws for NIB builds unless you like rethreading your chassis (or possibly cracking it) later down the line when you need to make repairs

3) 3D modeling ain't that hard! Just takes a caliper, trial and error, and a half-decent printer! I've made quite a few model parts at this point; might as well make it my New Years resolution to upload the files to Thingiverse...

4) Horizon Hobby is a scummy company that I should never again do business with.

5) racing is a ton of fun when you're with nice, knowledgeable people. Thanks @87lc2 for getting me into racing this year. I'll be back on the track with my rebuilt TT-02 when the weather gets a tad warmer. Thanks for all of your advice and suggestions!

[Kowalski86 4076]

7 hours ago, Raman36 said:

I agree and always push for it. Unfortunately the competition poisons realism.

It starts with, which is the best body for this class. If there is one that offers a perceived edge, everyone runs it.  

Yea...I'll never understand that aspect of racing. Takes me back to when I played videogames online and everyone did the same "tricks" and ran the same cars. Things get way too serious.

Then you have 1:1 racing where aerodynamics and CoG are significantly more important. Yet note the brick in the background, maybe he should have bought a set of aluminum lugnuts?

 

[F-150 540]

 

Rc cars are awesome and beer....all still awesome. 

And air brushes...first time, quite awesome 

[Twinfan 1834]

23 hours ago, Twinfan said:

I've learned that the old and/or basic stuff isn't really my bag - I'm looking at you Hornet/Grasshopper/Rising Fighter etc.  But I absolutely ADORE the Lunch Box.  Go figure.

I've also learned that I don't get to drive all that much so the build is the key thing for me, as is collecting NIB kits.  And their associated Hop-Ups.  Again, go figure.

Finally, I've learned that when it comes to painting less paint per layer and having more layers is better than fewer, thicker layers with drips.  Who knew, eh?  

In addition, after today's building day, I'd like to add that the ORV chassis is unnecessarily complicated and I'll add it to the Hornet/Grasshopper/Rising Fighter list!  

[Killajb 1594]

I learned that you can soak nicely glued tires on wheels in paint thinner for over a day to erode the tire and re-use the wheel with a bit of tidying up.

[bavee 1093]

To set and stick to a hobby budget.

[technics 3183]

1- It pays off to chip away at projects even if not super motivated in the moment, no more than 2 at a time. But if only 1 and you tend to rush.
2- Taking breaks is ok and helps motivate. 
3- Finishing projects feels fantastic. 
4- It’s nice to have projects in queue but quickly can get into funny numbers, prioritize!

 

[chris.alex 1083]

1. I experienced the friendliness and expertise of the forum — thank you!

2. The usefulness of thread forming taps.

3. The real benefits of a finely tuned suspension.

4. Drifting can also be fun.

5. In turbulent times, I have learned to appreciate the value of our hobby anew. 

[87lc2 2833]

2023 started out as same old for me - racing solid axle monster trucks as much as possible, building new trucks, rebuilding old ones, and having fun with old Tamiyas in between.  

That all changed in August when a segment of the hobby just came out of nowhere and became my new obsession - on road racing.  Starting with the TCS event in NJ I've been hooked since and now regularly run 3-5 classes every chance I get with plans for more.  It's given me an excuse to buy/build more cars (we all love that of course), and its really just clicked with me as far as the car prep, maintenance, and even the driving.  Absolutely love it and will continue racing carpet all winter and move outdoors again in the Spring.  Really glad I found another area of the hobby that will keep me going for a while.