NetsmithUK Kidderminster Countdown Blog: T-4

[netsmithUK]

Thought I do this for fun and keep a daily dairy of my tasks and thoughts in the run up to Kidderminster - it'll be interesting if others do the same, just to see how we compare (and how badly organised I am)

Basically I'm just going to edit this one post and update it as the week progresses. Here goes

Kidderminster: Saturday 21st T minus 7 days

Large part of today was given over to going to a friends wedding. Nice do with lots of food[] I was a bit distracted though as last night I got an email from the guy that looks after the Kidderminster track saying he had a few 'issues' he needed to discuss.[8)] Instantly bad thoughts are going through my head - was he going to call the event off? Was the track submerged under 2 foot of water from all the recent rain? etc etc Turns out he just wants to check we are all still coming and give me the bad news about the vandals. I talked to Paul for about 90mins - he certainly knows his stuff when it comes to off road racing. I think he might be a bit shocked when he sees us turn up with all our old school kits and rag bag assortment of batteries, radio gear etc. When he started advising me about the best compound tires I should be using and battery set-up for the circuit, it dawned on me that he's never been to a tamiyclub event before[]

So far I've:

sorted out all my batteries and discharged those that need it and got the others lined up for charging over the next few days (2 chargers charging two batteries overnight each night)

Sorted out my tool box, taking about half of the stuff in it out, because it was basically rubbish. Its much lighter now which is good.

Sorted out my crystals. Got all the 27mhz frequencies, but for the first time I'm going to try and run mainly 40 mhz - discovers I had 6 diff sets of crystals.

Sorted out my transmitters

1 x 4 channel for the 3 speeds

2 x 2 channel 40 mhz

2 x 2 chan 27mhz (1 wheel 1 sticks) BTW I've always like the retro look of an old white Futaba Attack SR set I got from somewhere but it was very grubby so I took all the electrics out and stuck it in the dishwasher and its come up all shiney and new like. Well pleased.

Thats about it for today. Lots more to do.

[TWINSET]

Saturday 21st

22:37

Just read post, am sat watching Die Hard in the Lake District. The old gal's gone to bed, I've been banished to the couch for snoring too much

Anything r/c is approximately 240 miles south.

Still trying to figure out what to bring...........

[netsmithUK]

Kidderminster: Sunday 22nd T minus 6 days

Started early. First project get my Super Champ road worthy again after killing the steering servo. Straight forward job, aprt from the bit where I slash my thumb with the screwdriver.

Too much of what I took to Snett last time was not working when I got there for various reasons or too much of a pain to sort out quickly before a race I've decided to try and standardise this time. Chrystals yesterday velcro to day. All cars fitted with the soft side of the stuff and all ESC and receivers fitted with the prickly side (hooks) This should prevent the situation where there is 2 mins to go before a race and I have a receiver and a car both fitted with the same softside of velco[]

All my brownie points used up by about 11am, so off to earn some more. A few smoke alarms fitted, bulbs changed and the lawn mowed and I'm back 4hrs later - even managed to agree a place where I can stack all my stuff on the ground floor ready for the event.Super champ, tourag, gecko, Ford Ranger and Monster beetle tested and ready to go. 959 needs some work. While getting cars out of the loft I spot my Dynastorm and realise its not as built as I thought [8)] Bang goes the next couple of hours finishing it off. Just got the body to do now - that'll be tomorrow after getting some more masking tape. Great kits these BTW.

Decided i'm taking no Nitro this year. Shame but they are big and take a lot of space in the car with all their spares, fuel etc etc.

So coupled with the fact that we are not going to be allowed to run them on the track anyway - decided to leave them at home.

Watch a bit of Olympics - well done to the american chap that won the 100m, no posturing, no showboating, just turned up and did the job.

10pm now and I'm off to do the tickets - got something cool in mind, but I've got to get them to the printers for tomorrow to get them back in time [8)]

Chris

[netsmithUK]

Kidderminster: Monday 23rd T minus 5 days

Work[V] The only good thing about this is my Mod Jugg truck finally arrived after a long and winding journey. First job when i got home was to fix the broken bits, which meant salvalging bits of other trucks and ended up taking most of the evening. Still got tires to swap and then actually test it runs. Its a big thing to take all the way to kidderminster to find out it doesn't actually work.

Been back and forward to the printers today 3 times with the tickets and they've still managed to *** it up. Now got to go back tomorrow.

Envelopes are all addressed, stamped and ready to go. If I don't get the tickets back tomorrow from the printer you may just get an empty envelope which will have to double as your ticket.[8)]

Coming up for August bankholiday and the weather is pants - my family pretty much had fleeces on all of today and the central heating! Hope it gets better. I'm trying to avoid long range forecasts in the hope that if i don't hear bad news it won't happen.

Camera batteries charge and sim cards formatted and ready to go.

Took a first stab at a running order and its obvious it needs work!

Version 2 hopefully online tomorrow.

Chris

[netsmithUK]

Kidderminster: Tuesday 24th T minus 4 days

Work again [V] but besides that its been a good day []

Picked up the tickets today and I think they look great (but I would say that) Spent my lunch sitting in a car park stuffing them in envelopes, (left over from wedding invites if you are wondering). Anyone that order tickets before midday today should get theres tomorrow. As ways a good feeling when they go out[]

Had a problem with flat tires on my monster truck the other day and someone (sorry can't remember who as I type this) suggested putting them in hot water for a while. Tried it and now they are lovely and round again. Top Tip.

Masked off and started painting an old fox and a brand spanking new Dynastorm this evening - both looking great so far. Off to do ones last coat before calling it a day. Was surprised to find the dynastorm body didn't come with the usual overspray film on the outside which was a bit of a pain. Fox will be up for sale when at Kidderminster if anyone wants it, nice cheap and cheerful runner.

Tamiyaclub decals come back from the printers today. They are just generic type, to use maybe one or two on several different cars as opposed to all of them on one - which would look very bad. Not sure I'm going to mass produce them - half of these are spoken for already the rest will probably go to those that deserve them - racers etc.

Kidderminster was just the excuse I needed to get myself a GPS option for my pocketPC. Its great, verging on being spooky, when you get voices telling you where to go and the wifes not in the car[]

more batteries on charge...

Weather looking bad[V]

[TWINSET]

Still a good 4 hour drive from anything fun.

Been raining a lot here, am considering evolving gills, but seems like a long, drawn out process.

Beat the wife twice

at scrabble.

Was also on the winning team for a quick game of trivial pursuit too, which was nice.

Had lamb chops for dinner[]

[Sonic]

[]

Sounds like your living life to the max while your away mate [xx( .

[Wireless]

Spent yesterday (Tuesday) matching electronics to my different cars. Basicaly this transpires as nothing more glamorous than tearing out ESC's and Receivers from my on-roaders and sticking them into my off-roaders. Tested the King Blackfoot first and all seemed well, until the battery went dead in under 2 minutes...! Hrm, serious problem here. Checked out the motor and it seems the overgearing and abuse has taken it's toll on my Trinity 11x2. In a word, it's knacked. Time to put a high-torque lump in that KBF I think, but I haven't got any more motors (I'm not cracking into NIB Dynatechs / Technipowers or Technituned's either...!). Ooh, hang on. I might have a Technigold lying around somewhere. Wonder if it works...? Best have a look today.

Second up for the test was my Falcon. New wheels and tyres thanks to Moosey and a bit of superglue on the busted wheel 'hexes' and off we went. Nice period Revolution modified in this and it goes well. Plenty of grip and good handling thanks to the Egress shocks up front and You-G's on the back. I must have the only Falcon ever that squats under acceleration...! Happy with that one. Primed and ready to take a beating off Moosey's Fox...!

Third on the test was the Gravel Hound. Just lobbed a nice new LRP ESC in there and hadn't tested it yet. Works perfect with massive punch from that Tamiya RZ motor. 500gcm of torque...! Should go well at Kidd but need to raise the ride-height a bit. Yep, happy with that one too.

Just need to install a servo for the steering in UKClaire's Monster Beetle and we're ready to go. Doesn't look like my Savage parts will be here in time. Crappy HPI distributors just don't give a monkeys. It's been over 2 weeks since I ordered them and they do have them in stock (allegedly).

Arranged to pick up a 12v Gel Cell and charger from Stewart Golf in Stroud, so will be there Friday afternoon to collect.

Bought some new DV tapes from ASDA ready for the weekend. Don't expect any movies online after this one though - my satellite broadband may be about 4MBit/s downstream [8D] but it's a 33.6k modem upstream []

Spent last night pasting my dad on GT3. Had some close races. Great fun.

Need to pick up a couple more sets of 40MHz Xtals to cover me for any collisions, but not desperate. Got 20 AA NiMH's charged up for Tx's and Digital Camera. Just need to buy a load of drinks to stick in the car fridge and ready to roll.

Yay...! Tickets just tipped up. Nice job Chris [8D]

[Muddybaldboy]

Nearly ready to roll[]

Finished painting the Pajero shell for Fury Dices Runner, nice colour combo.

Installed EVX (twin cells) ESC into TXT, i'm now struggling to keep the front wheels on the ground[:0][](or rear wheels when in reverse)

New centurion clod has had 2 17doubles fitted, just the wiring to do.

Made up a 7 cell pack to give the clodzilla a bit more ooomph[xx(]

New rear shocks on Frog, smooooth as Kylie & Danii in a bath of baby oil[]

Just the electronics to go in my Super Champ and couple of decals to apply.....CAN'T WAIT[]

[fury_dice(2)]

quote:Originally posted by Muddybaldboy

Finished painting the Pajero shell for Fury Dices Runner, nice colour combo.

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Woohoo! Can't wait to see it [] Drop me a mail with how much I owe you and I'll make sure I bring the dosh (unless I can tempt you with a set of chrome Scorcher/Frog rims [] )

You guys' preparation sounds like a military operation! All I've done is to buy some plastic storage boxes with lids to put everything in and start charging batteries. Hopefully the cars themselves will behave []

Might sound silly, but what are people going to do about food? Kidder has a reasonable town centre (at least it did when I was last there many years ago), but we don't want to be shlepping off miles to eat.

Might drop by on Friday pm to say 'suckers', er, 'hello' to the campers before carrying on to me mum's for the night.

[fatboyslim]

quote:Might sound silly, but what are people going to do about food?

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I've got a little gas stove but hot-dogs and super noodles for 2 days??

Anyone know if there's a chippy or mickeyD's/burgerking/KFC or kebab hose nearby??

[quincey]

AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! ITS FRIDAY!!! Chargeing batteries all last night till 10pm(charger refused to work alltogether!![!]) quick trip to father in laws to borrow his all bells and whistles effort,1 1/2 hrs later back home to charge nimh's up till 1am chargeing and rebuilding cars[xx(],up this morning at 6am more chargeing and testing the clod(i must be mad!)3/4 of my kit now boxed up makeing a brew for wife at 7.30 am,greeted by wife with eyes like p holes in snow,back down stairs to check on handset batt's still not done yet.

cars all done just need range testing in street(have to wait until 9am for everyone to go to work) now on here to see whats going on[]