X11, who, what where and how ! [Archive]

andys

10-03-2008, 01:40 PM

Just read a few threads about the X11 and the new drivers. Not managed to really pick the bones out of it all as I haven't raced for pushing on a year, and I don't know all the names on this forum... anyway.

I was thinking about ordering a X11, to get back into some racing soon. I'm a bit confused though as to what's happened, and why I should hand over £339.00. Someone correct me if i'm worng, but it look slike all the Pred's i'd be racing against are now 'team' drivers. I know Northy has moved away from the Pred, which is a shame as he helped me with my old X10, and wasn't shy with helping out with the odd spare part ! I'd be rather annoyed to turn up at a meeting running a personally fully funded Pred, to be racing against mainly 'team' Pred drivers. It would be even more annoying if I beat them all !

Now i'm not against 'team' drivers, or giving people an opportunity. Generally the team drivers I have known, are A:very, very good drivers and B: Helpfull and ambassadors for their respective sponsors. Does Team Extreme not realize that they may alienate potential customers by helping some and not others of similar ability ? I know I may be totally wrong and out of line, so let me know if I am as i'm having to think long and hard about a Pred now.....

Nick Goodall

10-03-2008, 01:45 PM

I was just thinking about this and posted in another thread:

I can't help but look at this whole sponsorship as a way to gain drivers and still make money as they've given people a chance to feel like they're sponsored but haven't ACTUALLY sponsored anyone (in my book, sponsored really means an A-Team drive where you don't pay for things) - i'm not saying there's anything wrong with it at all, but they've probably managed to get people to drive the car that otherwise wouldn't have due to them offering them "sponsorship" so to speak - Quite clever really!

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 02:05 PM

Hi there

After reading your posts I have to say that I am disappointed that a select few think that way.:thumbdown: Many other manufacturers sponser 'trade' drives. Our way of thinking was that we would sponser drivers that were not necessarily the top in the country, so that they would have a chance to improve. Let's face it you aren't going to notice an A finalist making the A. But you might if a driver were to progress from a D final to a C final.

Also we would gain feedback across the board, not just top driver feedback. Which is what our drivers are doing. We are choosing people that we think will do that, and improve and mostly be enthusiastic.

We are happy in what we are doing, and obviously can't please everyone. If it's not this it would be something else. The X11 is 100% authentic, original, unique and our own design and we are just trying to show that, anyone can drive it.

It's also the only car on the 4wd market that has the most suspension travel and the fastest aerodynamically! (just thought I'd point that out:))

Yanina
Team Xtreme

andys

10-03-2008, 02:28 PM

Yanina.

Just a thought, orange type on a grey background is really, really hard to read.

Anyhow, thanks for the reply. I don't need convincing how good the X11 will be, I had an X10 ! Only gave up racing due to family commitments, and now looking to get racing again.

Your post doesn't really address my key point though, the X11 is one of the most expensive cars available, and I for one will fell annoyed that i'll probably be the only one whos paid list price for one in my region (do correct me if i'm wrong, but my old skool sponsorhip understanding = partly, or fully funded)

If you want to simply see more Preds racing, then if the price was nearer say a B44, for 'everyone' that would go a long way towards increasing their poularity. What i'm suggesting, is that by helping out a few local drivers in my region, you are actually alienating other potential customers who possibly feel like I do ?

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 02:42 PM

Obviously that isn't our intention. We can't offer everyone drives. We have sold a lot of X11's at RRP in the U.K and worlwide. The price for the car reflects on quality. We have it all made in the U.K and inspect parts every step of the way. I'm sure if you looked at one you'd see the difference to a cheaper a car.

The cost also reflects the design I'm positive that I could make a 'standard' car quite cheaply and sell it for what they cost now. Although it is a 4WD it isn't the same as the rest on the market. But it's still the best.:thumbsup:

I hope this answers your query

Yanina:)

super__dan

10-03-2008, 02:51 PM

It's also the only car on the 4wd market that has the most suspension travel and the fastest aerodynamically!

As a slight aside, I don't actually understand either of those points?

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 02:57 PM

Quite simple:
The shock system provides the most suspension travel than any other 1/10 off-road buggy on the market (for sale)

Aerodynamically it is the fastest car on the 4WD Market. Due to it's design.
:)

Wraggy

10-03-2008, 03:06 PM

Aerodynamically it is the fastest car on the 4WD Market. Due to it's design.
:)
have you tested every other car on the market to make such bold statement ???
and we race off road , so fast isnt always good ! and is generally down to the motor and not the car your using

jimmy

10-03-2008, 03:09 PM

so fast isnt always good !

haahahhaahahahahaahhahaa:lol: I've seen your car go! if you were allowed to strap a rocket on the back I'm sure you'd have 10!!! :woot::D

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 03:11 PM

I didn't say it was always good thing. I just made a point. Which was actually off another post that was nothing to do with the actual car. Thats all it is

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 03:14 PM

and is generally down to the motor and not the car your using

I'm aware of this, but the car's design has a lot to do with it.

If you put the same engine into a Ferrari F50 as in a Hummer, which would be quicker?:thumbsup:

Yanina

jimmy

10-03-2008, 03:16 PM

off road it would be the hummer :woot: but that's a little off topic! :) lets get back to the pred X11 ! :)

super__dan

10-03-2008, 03:17 PM

I'm sorry this is dragging off topic, I'll look forward to Gary showing me about the first point.

The second is surely meaningless, I mean anyone in this day and age can just motor up to go as fast as they like. It might have the least drag, but again I don't actually see this as a massive advantage these days. I'd much rather have perfect jumping balance in the air with a little more drag for example.

On Topic, Andy hope to see you racing soon.
Edit
Arse, it looks like I'm labouring this point now but at the current speed I type about 5 replies came in after I started my reply.

Chris Doughty

10-03-2008, 03:21 PM

I think people need to give Xtreme/Pred a big of a break here.

they actually come onto the forums and answer questions, give 'regular' drivers help with their racing and what do they get for it?

I have read many threads and listened to many conversations about how people should 'help the younger ones, give support to the regional stars' etc... and 'we never hear anything from them on the forum' etc etc... (im sure you have all had similar converstaions.)

from what I can see, the new drivers seem to have gone out of their way to extend a hand to people that will be running the car to offer help and advise on the forum.

I have read many manufacturer 'claims' on boxes of cars and adverts that if you pick them to peices may not be 100% correct. its called marketing.

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 03:21 PM

Just to clear things up I said fastest aerodynamically. That point is true.

(my reply has also come through a bit late:))

(thanks for your kind words doughty (makes a change):D)

Wraggy

10-03-2008, 03:35 PM

Chirs i wasnt having a go at anyone , and have never commented on the driver situation or the company as i think it can only be a good thing .
i was just making an observational comment on one of the points made by the company.

Chris Doughty

10-03-2008, 03:40 PM

I am not pointing at you directly Paul.

it just seems like the 'cool' thing to do to have a pop at them, and everyone seems to be having a go whenever they can. (for whatever small reason they can find)

lets go racing instead :thumbsup:

footey

10-03-2008, 03:52 PM

well said doughty:)

rcracer

10-03-2008, 03:56 PM

well said doughty:)

Ditto :)

franki

10-03-2008, 04:09 PM

Well said buddy lets hope thats the end of it now

ben

10-03-2008, 04:43 PM

Well said doughty. Good luck team extreme drivers. :)

Wraggy

10-03-2008, 04:55 PM

Lee

10-03-2008, 05:09 PM

I knew you would:woot:

Give dan 20 mins and he might agree too:thumbsup::lol:

Cooper

10-03-2008, 05:10 PM

In my eyes a company has benefits by sponsering 2 kinds of drivers

1) top drivers, every 4wd company wants them, and look how many 4wd cars there are... Most of them do their job great and support the car. But you don't see them alot on the internet.

2) enthousiastic, social drivers who attend many race meetings and who support the car maybe more than a A-driver (on the internet and on the track). Their minus side is that they aren't top drivers and don't know as much about racing/setups as A-drivers do.

of course there are variations, there are A-drivers who know 'nothing' about setups but drive like a god and there are people who are technically good but don't drive very good.

So what team Xtreme has done is go for option 2, give people a 'trade' sponsership, and let them race their car, support it, help other people, learn about predators and their specific setups. etc etc
If that specific driver progresses well he will still be sponsered the year after and might get a bigger contract. If the driver doesn't support his product he won't have his contract the next season.

Nick Goodall

10-03-2008, 05:11 PM

I think to be fair everyone's got a valid point to a degree - the original posted of this was just saying that he feels a bit "unsure" at paying full RRP for a car when potentially all the young lads at his club could be "sponsored" as it's put when he has had to go out and pay full price....

I think basically due to them asking people to write in and apply for sponsorship it can come across as a little Jim'll fix it or something - and maybe seems *(to some)* that all these people with "sponsorship" may not fully deserve it (again this is aimed at nobody in particular as i don't know any of the lads running the cars) - just saying how it may seem to new people on here that are thinking of going for an X11.

The point i was trying to make is that i think it's a clever way of getting people to run the car that may not have otherwise if they hadn't been offered "sponsorship" - nothing bad about that at all, as i'm all for the X11 doing well and i still love the cars - i'm just saying that i remember as a youngster it was all about getting sponsored so as the opportunity came up to get a supported drive with someone i think a lot of people have jumped at the chance as it's really exciting for them. Not saying they don't deserve it personally, just that a trade drive is a no risk situation for a manufacturer whereas Schumacher, Losi and Associated back in the day had A Team (All Free) and B Team (50% off) - That's just the way i think of a sponsored drive being.

Hope that doesn't come across as patronising at all, i'm just trying to explain how i think others have seen it and that basically i can understand where people are coming from.

Good luck all anyway, would be good to see it take off and start getting in those A finals again.

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 05:21 PM

I think Cooper has understood the idea, well done!!:thumbsup:

In my opinion all those who have been offered a drive have deserved it. I am pleased so far with the decision I've made regarding drivers.

Yanina:)

Lee

10-03-2008, 05:27 PM

I agree Nick 100%, Personally having been sposored in the past (on-road) i really wouldn`t tie myself to a certain car/manufacture/package for less than a 50% deal, a trade drive for me has no benefits. It is just like you say marketing to get people to drive the cars and get them seen at clubs throughout the uk. I have nothing against this in anyway but how many will we see in the nationals?

Southwell

10-03-2008, 05:30 PM

I agree Nick 100%, Personally having been sposored in the past (on-road) i really wouldn`t tie myself to a certain car/manufacture/package for less than a 50% deal,
That was me exactly, a trade drive wasn't enough for me as i like to be involved in a team and testing new bits etc, o well :)
Good luck to all in the coming year.

Ian

Wraggy

10-03-2008, 06:38 PM

1) top drivers, every 4wd company wants them, and look how many 4wd cars there are... Most of them do their job great and support the car. But you don't see them alot on the internet.

i disagree with that, you see most A team drivers on here.
and will all offer advice on here if you ask them ..

footey

10-03-2008, 06:41 PM

think he ment the actul companies wraggy not the drivers

DCM

10-03-2008, 06:56 PM

I have always told people, some deals cost you more money than if you weren't sponsored, but it is up to them in the end. It all depends what you want.

Some people just enjoy knowing they are part of something, but as you been in the game a while, you feel you want to be more than just a discount driver.

Chrislong

10-03-2008, 06:59 PM

Nah I read it as drivers too like Paul did, and there are a couple we never see in any forum or make themselves easily available to all, but the majority of team drivers (at any level) do grace the forums and are available any time of the week for any question. The ones who aren't are doing nothing wrong, perhaps they work shifts, perhaps they don't have internet, but they do offer plenty when at the track.

Tom3012

10-03-2008, 07:09 PM

I totally agree with cooper, and i think what team extreme have opted to do is a very good thing for racing!

I think by offering people a "b" team drive they are showing that its not all about wining races and thats its more about drivers progressing and giving them the confidence to do so.

The opportunity for a team drive was open to anyone who wanted to apply, those that didnt apply cannot be contacted in with regards to a drive so whats the problem?

I am a huge predator fan, and am really gutted i myself cant take up the "b" team opportunity, im not an amazing driver but to be offered such a position was simply an honour.

I was also reliably informed that as a "b" team driver you will get the chance to try new parts for the car, and also input your own ideas..

So basically, in my eyes, good luck team extreme and all your new drivers, hope you have a successful season, may the predator live on for many years to come :thumbsup:

andys

10-03-2008, 07:16 PM

Lee

10-03-2008, 07:18 PM

The opportunity for a team drive was open to anyone who wanted to apply, those that didnt apply cannot be contacted in with regards to a drive so whats the problem?

Did anyone get knocked back for a drive:confused:

Southwell

10-03-2008, 07:20 PM

Cheers Nick, you've got it bang on there fella. I'm still none the wiser as to what's actually happened with the Pred and it's old & new drivers. I do really fancy a Pred X11, In a moment of madness I bought a B44, with all the required bits, but it's still in it's unopened box, as I feel I should have gone for the X11, having driven the X10. Then I see Northy's jumped ship, some other drivers i've never met have apparently left, and now newer, or less experienced drivers in my region are getting them in some sponsored capacity !

I'd feel like a chump attending a regional and being the only person there running a Pred who's paid for it in full !

I wouldn't say G 'jumped ship' he has been driving preds for years and obviously just wanted to try something new. There are plenty of people, me included who have driven preds and can help with anything you need.

XTREME RC

10-03-2008, 07:30 PM

Northy did not jump ship, he had been with the Pred for years and wanted a change. We understand that, why can't everyone else?:confused:

Also what 'newer' drivers have already left?

Tom also has it bang on.

Garry Driffill

10-03-2008, 07:31 PM

The thing is Andy alot of the "B-Team" trade drivers have taken this on for a solid full year. Yes a trade drive does include some discount and its not like they have got the car "Cheap" instead of youreself looking at the kit at RRP price. There is more to it as you can understand than just getting it at a cheaper rate, but id like to steer clear of this trade drive discusion becasue its starting to look like a few people have sent e-mails to get cheap kits, This isnt the case at all, and im not saying that you are saying this, But would like to steer away from that.

Now Northy and other "Senior" drivers may have mooved on for there reasons and may not be there to give you the support they did, Doesnt mean that us other lads with these cars may not be able to help you. Yes if you dont have a part at track side and we are there come see us and im sure we will be more than happy to help you out in anyway we can im sure.

With you running the car previously you will have some understanding of how things work and what set-ups work for you, Now as you are more than aware there are a good few things changed with Xtremes new X11 towards the X10 but these parts are there to help you be faster and aid more tunability. Not diggin or having a go in anyway andy mate :), just trying to offer my 2 cents on This discusion.

Like the other lads have said we are in this to learn alot and for our racing to grow through-out this year bouncing ideas of each other on the car.

Garry

andys

10-03-2008, 07:58 PM

Northy did not jump ship, he had been with the Pred for years and wanted a change. We understand that, why can't everyone else?:confused:

Crikey, it's only a 'turn of phrase' I didn't mean he'd betrayed you or anything sinister like that :)

Anyway, i'm still undecided what to do for the best. I'm only an occasional racer, and will be very 'occasional' for a while yet. I appreciate all the info and opinions, I trust people in the know, or in the 'loop' or sponsored in any capacity understand how frustrating these things can be for the 'self-funding' driver, I think it's very easy to comment sometimes when your not in the same boat. For most club drivers cost (of anything..)is a major limiting factor, something which is often overlooked my many in our hobby.

P.S. Good luck to everyone running the car, in whatever capacity !

Northy

10-03-2008, 07:59 PM

I've tried to keep out of this, but I feel I must say something now.

Yanina is correct, I didn't "jump ship" (and I also know Andys well enough that he probably didn't mean that as harsh as it sounds). I had been driving a Pred for 9 or 10 years (so long I can't exactly remember how long!). I felt it was time for a change, but let me tell you, it was not an easy decision!

I hadn't know Lewis or Yanina very long, but they did everything within thier power to help me at a very difficult time for themselves (taking on a new business, moving shop premises, moving home etc..). They are a small company, with that come some negatives, there are not as many people to get things done sometimes, but with it come lots of positives too!

Running the Pred you will learn sooooo much, give it time, don't fall out with it in the early days, but more importantly learn its strengths on the track and use them. No car is 100% on every part of every track.

I am really enjoying running my new 4wd, and I am back to the point of learning new things again! It's great, I just need more track time (better get it now before the baby comes! :woot:).

I wish the best of luck to all the new Xtreme drivers and to Lewis and Yanina - as they did to me when I told them I had decided to change my ride.

I think enough is enough guys.

G

(You can pop the cheque in the post in the morning Yanina ;) ) :lol::lol::lol:

andys

10-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Northy, your right, see my post that just sneaked in before yours !

Hell, just read your post again.. baby.... congratulations ! 2 more of those and you'll be ahead of me....

Tom3012

10-03-2008, 11:44 PM

Did anyone get knocked back for a drive:confused:

im not entirely sure, however, is it bad thing if nobody did? i dont think so at all:)

rcracer

11-03-2008, 01:19 AM

Just remember those who have jumped onto Chris’s response and thanked him , we live in a society were people have an opinion and are allowed to express it either verbally or in a written sense .
That’s why these forum’s exist and are here to create a discussion, so don’t be offended when negative things are written or spoken.

P.s
yes I do also agree with Chris on some of what he says , just to clarify . :thumbsup:

Just to get my point across paul why "I" agreed with chris's comment was that i felt his comment reflected on the other threads on oople that have been started and are not realy worth been called anything less than piss taking , i agree with you fully that people can and should be allowed to express there thoughts on things negative or positive but some posts on other threads havent even got anywere near been worthy of a disscusion and if someone has negative issues with the pred then fine but they shouldnt take this out on the drivers, there has been some nasty stuff been said and done over the last couple of days and its realy got my back up.

nuff said whinge over..:yawn:

Zedman

16-03-2008, 09:46 PM

Hiya, finaly got my pred assembled, took a week i would love to go down to the factory and blag sponsorship in return for some input + sort out all the niggles with the kit ( its an awsome bit of engineering but some stupid flaws ( steering assembly catches chassis to name but 1 ), It looked so f***ing mean I was scared to turn it on, but i did, sat it on blocks and slowly opened up the throttle, sheesh the tyres deform at maxs revs at sensible revs tyre profile is -----, at max /--\, took it out in the dark for 5 mins cos it was late, well impressed, but think i have diff slip (

rcracer

16-03-2008, 10:03 PM

was it you at york last night mate ? :)

XTREME RC

16-03-2008, 10:14 PM

Hi Zedman
We are not sure what problems you had with the kit as the X11 doesn't need dremeling at all. It may have been built wrongly. Feel free to call us if you need to, we will be happy to help.

Team Xtreme:)

Garry Driffill

16-03-2008, 11:56 PM

Hiya Zedman !

Glad you got sorted out mate. Me and Andy where glad to be of help on Saturday we look forward to seeing you at york in a few weeks to race ! :D.

As for the slipping Just turn the diff screw fractions of a turn ever so slightly and check for slip, But make sure youre slipper clutch is set correctly !

Sure do look mean dont they ! :D brilliant use of the english LOL !!