R/C class education 101

[Brian Stonecipher]

RTR (Ready-to-Run or Ready-to-Race) means that it is pre-built and is almost ready to go right out of the box (charge that battery).  The RTR vehicles generally includes slightly less quality products than the kits.

Kits.  This will require some building on your part.  The kits generally include some better quality parts than the RTR, and may also require you to buy additional components such as a radio controller, speed controller, motor, and pinion gear.

The lists of model suggestions below are in no way comprehensive or should be interpreted as the best options for that class.  Some people are very opinionated about manufacturers, so I’m not trying to start a Ford vs Chevy fight.




OFF-ROAD
Indoor off-road racing is on a carpet surface and includes small jumps.



1/18 Off-road Open
Good class for beginners and intermediate racers.  These cars are inexpensive, required little maintenance or tuning, and are 4 wheel drive.  You can get in for <$200.  There are no limitations to upgrades, but the RTR is good enough to compete right out of the box.

Some of the model options you can use in this class:
Team Associated RC18T  (stadium truck)
Team Associated RC18B  (buggy)
Team Losi Mini-T (stadium truck)
Duratrax Vendetta ST (stadium truck)
Duratrax Vendetta EP (Buggy)


1/10 Off-road Open
This class is for intermediate or better racers.  You’ll need to drop $300+, and the number of hop up and mods are numerous.  At this time, it will include both 2WD and 4WD vehicles, but these could separate in the future as 4WD should have a little advantage.

Some of the model options you can use in this class:
Team Associated RC10T4  (stadium truck)
Team Associated RC10B44 (Buggy)
Team Losi XXX-T (stadium truck)
Team Losi XXX-CR (buggy)
Traxxas Rustler (truck)
Traxxas Bandit (buggy)


1/10 Off-road Stock Slash
This class is limited to 1 vehicle, an RTR Traxxas Slash, which runs about $200.    You are only allowed changes are body, radio system, battery, shock oil, pinion gear .  The battery is limited to  the Traxxas 7 cell RTR battery, or any 6 cell 3000 mah or lower.  You must use the stock motor, servo, tires, spur gear.  This serves two purposes: 1) the racing is more fair since the differences between vehicle performance is, in theory, much smaller than it will be in the “open” classes.  2) the racer costs are small, since the upgrades are limited.

This is a great class for beginners and better.

 


ON-ROAD
Indoor on-road racing is on a carpet surface.



1/18 On-road

Some of the model options you can use in this class:
Team Associated RC18R
Duratrax Vendetta Rally Car


1/10 Touring Car / Sedan

This is not a beginner class.  You will need to spend about $400, and can easily go above that.  You will spend much more time tuning this car than you will cars/trucks in the beginner classes.

Some of the model options you can use in this class:
Team Associated RC10TC5



 

[Brian Stonecipher]

I'll add Legends and 1/12 pan later.  Feel free to give me some info, especially about on-road info and model options.

[Cain]

For touring car based classes, here are some cheaper brand new options that people are running successfully in classes like RCGT and VTA, which are spec classes that limit motor, battery, and tires. 

Ofna JL10 GT Sedan (price est: $125)



Hot Bodies Cyclone S ( price est: $150)


HPI Sprint 2 RTR


Academy STR4 Pro II Sedan (price est: $220)


Team associated TC4 RTR (price est: $225)

[Cain]

Here are some common less price intensive brushless power plants out there that fit into spec classes like VTA and Super Stock:

LRP A.I. Brushless Reverse Digital ESC & Eraser Brushless Motor Combo (13.5T) (price est: $150)


Novak Havoc Spec Brushless ESC/SS Pro Brushless Motor Combo (13.5T) (price est: $150)


Novak Havoc Spec Brushless ESC/SS Pro Brushless Motor Combo (21.5T) (price: est $150)


Novak Havoc Spec Brushless ESC/SS Pro Brushless Motor Combo (17.5T) (price: est $150)

[gotcha]

I'm new to R/C racing so please bear with me.  I'm just kinda wonderin what the rules will be for racing? Such as motor size, types of vehicles, batt. size etc. etc. Will KRC have there own set of rules our will it follow like a R.O.A.R. set of rules.  Maybe I missed something and it's already posted.  If so could someone direct me.  Our is it still in the makings.  The reason for my askin is I want to know what I'll need when it gets up and going.  Also wanted to ask if there will be open times for people to practice.  Will it be an hourly fee? A membership fee of some sorts? Anything along those lines.  If I 'm jumpin the gun and this stuff is not set up yet I apologize.  Just startin a conversation more than anything.  I currently have a Slash 4x4 with a MMM 2200kv combo on 4s, but I'm guessin I'll have to tone it down for racing.  I still have my stock motor to put back in and some 2s lipo's. I'm excited to see the place:)

[Cain]

When the rules are ready for each class, they are going to be posted in the class section based on what Kevin has stated.

As for the other information concerning fees, you may want to send Kevin an email.

[kevin]

Lots of questions, and I do understand your concerns. We are working on the rules and will start posting them ASAP. I have some idea of what the fees at KRC will be, but do not want to positively state them yet. Evening racing with 2 heats and a main will likely be $10/$6/$4... Weekend non-event races with 3 heats and a main will likely be $15/$10/$5... Practice days will have both an hourly or a day rate that will be cheaper for the total hours available. What will happen for practice is you come in, set up your pit station and get your models ready. BEFORE you can place a model on the track, you must register and pay your fees. If you pay for one hour, it starts as soon as you pay. If you get a day pass, you can run until closing.

Your Slash 4 x 4 will only be legal in 1/10 4WD class. To start, you will be running with any other 4WD 1/10 models including buggies and trucks. 4WD 1/10 is an "Open" class. You can run any ROAR Legal brushed motor or Brushless Motor System. You can also use and 6-cell ROAR-Legal NiCad or NiMH pack or Sport pack made of Sub-C cells. Any ROAR approved 7.4 Volt, Hard-Cased, LiPo is also allowed, but must be removed from the model and placed in a LiPo charge sack any time it is being charged.

I will post more about our work setting up KRC Raceway in the KRC Raceway forum section. It will be a while yet before it can be opened, but it is going to be great!

[Cain]

does the practice entry fee include any lap counting?  I know at pingree that turn on the computer so you can hear the laps you are turning while practicing.  Its a nice thing to have so you can see if your setup change made any difference.

[kevin]

Yes, provided you have your own transponder. Using the KRC Rechargeable ones will add a fee. Printouts of lap times will also have a fee to cover printing costs.