Scotlands most popular Off-Road class?

[Shorty]

Hello All,

I recently found my old 1990s electric Kyosho car (the 4x4 Optima Mid) in my Dads loft and had thoughts to get back into RC cars again.

All the new cars look amazing since the battery and motor technology has come on leaps and bounds!

I found out about the plans to build an off-road track called NORA in Dunfermline which would definitely suit me.

I've never raced but I'm thinking that would make the hobby even more fun. So to get a good race I'd need a car in a popular class....

So I'm talking electric. 1/10 Scale. Dunfermline club.

I'm not sure about 2wd or 4wd, brushed or brushless? Which of these classes are the most popular?

Quite like the challenge of a twitchy, bouncy, crazy 2WD, but not if it's too frustrating to stop spinning out or fishtailing everywhere. But then 4wd drifts look great fun too!

Any thoughts appreciated!

Shorty

[Mr Eccleston]

Either class is enjoyable, 4wd will almost certainly be the most popular by numbers, but 2wd tends to be more rewarding with close racing.

You will almost certainly go down the brushless root, either car. I would suggest either 6.5 in a 4wd, or 8.5 in a 2wd as a starting point for the majority of tracks in Scotland.

If your interested pop along to the club, Sunday nights at Lochgelly, we've a few cars running now.

[Shorty]

Thanks for the reply,

Are any off road buggies running at Lochgelly on Sundays?

Would a basic stock kit be competitive, such as the 2wd Thunder Tiger Phoenix BX, or are most people starting at brushless with say the Phoenix XB? The XB seems a good price for a brushless model at around £175

Similarly in 4wd with most manufacturers there seems to be a base model, and a better equipped second version. I think your saying it would be best to enter at the better spec brushless versions.

I mention that brand as it seems reasonable and my local model shop stocks the spares. Other brands seems better built, but I'd have to order spares online at perhaps a higher cost. Cheapest running costs would be most attractive!

Any difference between buggies and trucks? Most manufacturers seem to make almost identical models with a different bodyshell being the only difference along with skinnier front tyres and seperate wing on the buggy or fatter front tyres and body mounted wing on the truck. Is the ride height also different?

Do there cars run together in races? Are there any competitive differences?

Sorry for all the questions!

[Mr Eccleston]

I would suggest going down the brushless route. The car you mention looks very simliar to the Associated B4, perhaps some parts would be common, which could potentially help if you break anything whilst racing, as the B4 is a popular model.

It's a very valid point re where you can get spares, if you can get them locally that's a bonus.

Regarding trucks, they are a different class, you could be racing in your own class until more like minded people come along. I would suggest stick with either 2wd or 4wd buggies where there is a healthy number of racers already, and you can race the most. You might find you would have to race your truck amongst buggies anyway, which would be fine at club level, but to take part in any bigger competitions you may be more limited.

[S400]

Hi Shorty

If you are looking for suggestions then have a look at the Associated B4.1 brushless, 2.4ghz Ready to Run package.

http://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?CategoryID=9900&SubCategoryID=990010&ManufacturerID=2&ChassisID=730

You will need a battery & charger on top of this deal but it does represent excellent value for money, it is plenty quick enough to begin with, its a popular car which is easy to get spares for, there are plenty of setup tips on this forum, it handles as well, its readily upgradeable when the need or finances allow.

Colin
:D

[Shorty]

Thanks Guys.

The Associated RC10 B4.1 brushless does seem to be a wise choice.

If I was to invert and start competing at the soon to be built NORA off-road track in Fife, would the stock motor and gearing suit that track and be legal for competition?

It has a 2.6:1 ratio gearbox for its Reedy 3300Kv motor. Not sure of its turn rating though?

I guess this might be hard to say just yet, before the track is laid, but it will be astroturf style surface I believe?

I think I understand it's easy and cheap to change the pinion gear, to get different feel and performance from the car. Just beginning, so I'd prefer something easier to drive than extreme competitiveness!

[Mr Eccleston]

The kit motor will be fine for a long time, like everyone you will eventually want to go faster, and then you will get a faster motor, just make sure the speed controlelr can handle the power. It's the same with the Thunder Tiger.

you'll just need a selection of pinions (more teeth = faster), but you will get an idea for which ones you require once we start racing. Pop along on the 5th Feb when we're working on the track, the more the better, plus you will see just how big it is.