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Old 13-10-2018
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Default Late 80's Racers - Your Thoughts

Good Morning All

My last race was 1989, I caused carnage in one of my hear race when the mechanical speed controller on my Optima Mid jammed on full throttle at the White Hart pub meet Calow, Chesterfield

On a recent trip to Lincoln I listed a model shop and saw some of my childhood cars for sale, Tamiya Frogs and Boomerangs and it brought back some great memories. 3 Days later after an evening of way too many Gin & Tonics and a session on ebay a the postman way trying to push a Schumacher K2 Roller through my letter box

Love to hear from any late 80's racers about you experiences , thoughts about racing and any pitfalls to avoid.

Last edited by Spanky855; 13-10-2018 at 07:36 AM.
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Old 13-10-2018
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If your on fb look for ‘Nottingham rc clubs’.
It’s a page for Broxtowe,Bingham Model raceway and West Bridgford clubs,lots of people willing to help out and talk about the old days👍🏻
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Old 13-10-2018
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If your still into your old school cars there’s also a page called ‘IconicRc.com’
They have meetings every so often where you can only run vintage cars,none of the new stuff
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Old 13-10-2018
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I raced al Calow too, an old quarry wasn't it? I remember a sofa being unearthed somewhere on the track

We have a Worksop meeting tomorrow if you're interested, did you ever go?
Robin Hood Raceway is the new name for Blyth/Worksop outdoor club.
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Old 13-10-2018
Yorkiebar Yorkiebar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James View Post
I raced al Calow too, an old quarry wasn't it? I remember a sofa being unearthed somewhere on the track

We have a Worksop meeting tomorrow if you're interested, did you ever go?
Robin Hood Raceway is the new name for Blyth/Worksop outdoor club.
Calow was behind a pub. Would the quarry one have been Tansley? I never got there so not sure.
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Old 13-10-2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James View Post
I raced al Calow too, an old quarry wasn't it? I remember a sofa being unearthed somewhere on the track

We have a Worksop meeting tomorrow if you're interested, did you ever go?
Robin Hood Raceway is the new name for Blyth/Worksop outdoor club.
Calow was a pub and I could walk there from my house albeit it like a pack horse carrying a Leisure Battery I may be have been on your CCTV a few weeks ago James , apologies, i nipped under the gate to look at your amazing track, I have to say somewhat daunting to me too.
Im not up an running yet so may take a look at Worksop tomorrow .
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Old 13-10-2018
Yorkiebar Yorkiebar is offline
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As a 13 year old kid in 1985 I used to stand in Beatties on a Saturday watching the Tamiya promo video over and over, and basically be a pest asking to look at and bounce all the cars on the counter. Parents couldn't afford a kit so I saved up all my paper round money and bought a 2nd hand Tamiya Frog with radio and battery for £80 from a kid at my local race club, Brinsworth Buggy club.

I was the solo kid that turned up on his own, 3 buses each way and half a mile of walking carrying a car battery in one hand and a Beatties bag with my buggy, tools, spares, radio and nicads in the other. Mum couldn't drive, and Dad was an arse.

I quickly realised the Frog was way behind everything else there so saved up and bought a 2nd hand Hotshot off another bloke at the club. This was pretty crap too, always breaking front knuckles and popping driveshafts out - not to mention the chocolate diff bevel gears.

After this I bought a 2nd hand 1st gen Optima off another bloke at the club. Better than the Hotshot but that ladder chain was a PITA. Also, who in their right mind thought the optional 19T front diff housing (with 18T rear) was a good idea?! Asking the front to spin faster with no centre slip was asking for trouble. Had a Demon 19T quad in that and it was fast.

Eventually managed to get a 2nd hand gold pan RC10 off the same bloke, again off paper round money. Brought my driving on quite a bit that did. Around the same time I finally got my first ESC, a Futaba MC108 which looking back at the specs says it was only good down to a 27T single, but it happily ran a 16T triple in the RC10 without catching fire!

Lastly I had a 2nd hand PB Mini Mustang which I adored. I don't recall ever breaking anything on it.

Radio wise I started with original Acoms stuff which stripped servo gears for fun, then a Futaba 2MR (wide one with built in carry handle and aerial at the side), and lastly a Futaba Attack R which I used to run in 60/40 throttle mode as I preferred it. It was supposed to be for nitro cars but I liked how it felt.

Sold the lot in 1990 as I was at college and needed fuel money for the motorbike and beer money for me.

A brief play with an 1/8th nitro buggy in 2003 was the next time I had any interest in it, that was an impulse purchase from a model shop in Stoke somewhere whilst I was on a job. Soon got bored of just bashing it at the local park so gave it away to a good friend who had always wanted one, and had done me a huge favour whilst I was living abroad.

Present day - last year in an attempt to lure the stepson away from the sofa and PS4 I bought him a Tamiya DT03 for us to build on holiday. Still on NiMh and a silver can, I took him to our local track for a practice day and he loved it, so started racing. Earlier this year after another breakage we decided to buy him something more robust, so a 2nd hand Yokomo BMax2MR was bought, and after seeing the same bloke was also selling an XB4 I bought that for me!

Since myself coming back in March this year I've gone from a 45 second lap to a 29 second lap but still crashing quite a bit. I've also changed back from wheel to sticks and seen improvement again.

I'd definitely say start racing again, see if you can get on a practice day first to just get a feel for it if it's astro, it handles very different from grass.

Pitfalls to avoid? Take spares! Have a read up or ask about common parts that break on the K2. Also having the right tyres for the track and conditions helps loads, my first race was on completely bald mini spikes as I couldn't afford new ones for me, so bought some for the nipper. You don't need new ones every race / heat / final as the top boys do, I'm on the same dart rears from 5 meetings ago and they still work ok for me - and they were 2nd hand when I bought them!

Most importantly, have fun.
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Old 13-10-2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorkiebar View Post
As a 13 year old kid in 1985 I used to stand in Beatties on a Saturday watching the Tamiya promo video over and over, and basically be a pest asking to look at and bounce all the cars on the counter. Parents couldn't afford a kit so I saved up all my paper round money and bought a 2nd hand Tamiya Frog with radio and battery for £80 from a kid at my local race club, Brinsworth Buggy club.

I was the solo kid that turned up on his own, 3 buses each way and half a mile of walking carrying a car battery in one hand and a Beatties bag with my buggy, tools, spares, radio and nicads in the other. Mum couldn't drive, and Dad was an arse.

I quickly realised the Frog was way behind everything else there so saved up and bought a 2nd hand Hotshot off another bloke at the club. This was pretty crap too, always breaking front knuckles and popping driveshafts out - not to mention the chocolate diff bevel gears.

After this I bought a 2nd hand 1st gen Optima off another bloke at the club. Better than the Hotshot but that ladder chain was a PITA. Also, who in their right mind thought the optional 19T front diff housing (with 18T rear) was a good idea?! Asking the front to spin faster with no centre slip was asking for trouble. Had a Demon 19T quad in that and it was fast.

Eventually managed to get a 2nd hand gold pan RC10 off the same bloke, again off paper round money. Brought my driving on quite a bit that did. Around the same time I finally got my first ESC, a Futaba MC108 which looking back at the specs says it was only good down to a 27T single, but it happily ran a 16T triple in the RC10 without catching fire!

Lastly I had a 2nd hand PB Mini Mustang which I adored. I don't recall ever breaking anything on it.

Radio wise I started with original Acoms stuff which stripped servo gears for fun, then a Futaba 2MR (wide one with built in carry handle and aerial at the side), and lastly a Futaba Attack R which I used to run in 60/40 throttle mode as I preferred it. It was supposed to be for nitro cars but I liked how it felt.

Sold the lot in 1990 as I was at college and needed fuel money for the motorbike and beer money for me.

A brief play with an 1/8th nitro buggy in 2003 was the next time I had any interest in it, that was an impulse purchase from a model shop in Stoke somewhere whilst I was on a job. Soon got bored of just bashing it at the local park so gave it away to a good friend who had always wanted one, and had done me a huge favour whilst I was living abroad.

Present day - last year in an attempt to lure the stepson away from the sofa and PS4 I bought him a Tamiya DT03 for us to build on holiday. Still on NiMh and a silver can, I took him to our local track for a practice day and he loved it, so started racing. Earlier this year after another breakage we decided to buy him something more robust, so a 2nd hand Yokomo BMax2MR was bought, and after seeing the same bloke was also selling an XB4 I bought that for me!

Since myself coming back in March this year I've gone from a 45 second lap to a 29 second lap but still crashing quite a bit. I've also changed back from wheel to sticks and seen improvement again.

I'd definitely say start racing again, see if you can get on a practice day first to just get a feel for it if it's astro, it handles very different from grass.

Pitfalls to avoid? Take spares! Have a read up or ask about common parts that break on the K2. Also having the right tyres for the track and conditions helps loads, my first race was on completely bald mini spikes as I couldn't afford new ones for me, so bought some for the nipper. You don't need new ones every race / heat / final as the top boys do, I'm on the same dart rears from 5 meetings ago and they still work ok for me - and they were 2nd hand when I bought them!

Most importantly, have fun.
Excellent YorkieBar I too started with a FROG ! Im going to Worksop in the morning to have a look at the event and see what info I can pick up form the guys and girls their. I noticed tyres seem to be a big thing nowadays.
I guess with all the new technology we have more speed and battery power than we need, the challenge it getting the car to use it hence the detail on setup so it will be interesting to get some views on this.

Lee
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Old 13-10-2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brooksy View Post
If your still into your old school cars there’s also a page called ‘IconicRc.com’
They have meetings every so often where you can only run vintage cars,none of the new stuff
Thanks mate, all info is very much appreciated.
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  #10  
Old 13-10-2018
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Lee1972 Lee1972 is offline
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Used to race in the eighties, retiring in 1989 aged 17, first off road buggy was a Mardave Meteor, at sixteen when I started working bought a second hand RC10 and sold everything the following year.

Started back up again at 38 with my eldest, who was twelve with an Associated B4 Factory Team, was amazed at the progress in the cars, lipo batteries that would complete a five minute race and brushless motors that didn't require cleaning and rebuilding between rounds.

Eight years on we're still at it, my lad is rapid and this year has done his first national series finishing middle of the pack, my second eldest son has started as well now with another two potentially in the pipeline, if that day comes where they all want to race it'll be time for me to hang up my sticks met some great people and had some great laughs over the years and some really good and some poor races.

Recently convinced my mate to get his son involved which he has and absolutely loves it. Would recommend the hobby / sport to anyone thinking about wanting to race as it can be a great family hobby and can also helps juniors with their confidence, socialising with other children and adults.
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Old 13-10-2018
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You’ll be in for a treat tomorrow at Worksop,some of the best drivers in the country are in attendance...and Europe!
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Old 13-11-2018
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Hi Guys

I started out with a Tamiya brat in the mid 80s, quickly converted to a frog with no diff (bashing duties), I then bought a hornet from beatties in Nottingham, that car was awesome on our local bmx track. I then found out about racing from a school mate who went to a local in swanwick in Derbyshire, so I got my dad to take me down to see what the crack was. I quickly went out and bought a second hand boomerang and went racing. the buzz was amazing. unfortunately I got banned from the club about 4 weeks later because the club chairman had an argument with my dad, thought my dad swore at him. LOL. so we went and joined Mansfield club in march 1987 on only it's second meeting. Wow how well was that run. Any way, I them purchased a mardave meteor with all of the option parts(less than £100) and ran that for while before getting a PB Maxima, that I ran for about a year before I got a Schumacher cat xls second hand, that's where my love affair for all thing schuey spanned from.
this got replaced by a procat, god what a good car that was. Decided after about 18months to go 2wd. So my dad got me a cougar 2 team car. What a learning curve that was coming from 4wd to 2wd(never looked back). After that I bought, after that I got a black chassied stealth rc10(which I still have) that brought me on leaps and bounds, awesome car(looking a bit sorry for it's self at the mo).
In about 95 I got fed up with constantly buying new motors and batteries and decided to go IC racing at Tibshelf, so I bought a second serpent impact and away we went, after 5 years or so racing I decided to give up and give away all of my atuff(big mistake). That's when kids arrived.
10 years later my son found my rc 10 and asked if we could get it running, I said NO because of the lack of spares, but I will buy you your own car. So I got him an LRP blast from PBM and took him to broxstowe club to have a watch. He then decided he wanted to race. We went racing and I got itchy thumbs so bought one also. I set a budget for the year(which disappeared within 6 weeks) because I went back to 2wd with a schuey sv. Then I seen a TM 2, what a car that was, so I bought 2, 1 for me and my son (Christmas present) still have both. ran them for 3 years. Then I decided to buy a schuey KF, great car totally different to drive. converted it to a kf2 and ran it once before giving to my son to use, I had bought a KC , what a difference this car was. And now I have a K2, KC, B6, K1, 2 TM2's, MY original Stealth rc10, my 80s boomerang.
But yes the biggest surprise to me when I came back was brushless and lipo, what was this wizardry? Low maintenance etc and loads of power and duration. But I personally think the biggest change is 2.4ghz radio technology, no more interference as in the old days.
My local clubs are Mansfield, broxstowe, west bridgeford, BRM, robin hood, A1.
I don't race enough at the moment because of work, but hopfully will get back on it. Love it
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Old 13-11-2018
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I raced a Tamiya Rough Rider followed by a Meteor & then a Hirobo Zerda. Gave it all up in ~ 87. Fast forward to 2014 - started again. Gobsmacked by the speed - lipo's and great motors. Cars are great as well. Costs are also higher. Just enjoy it.
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Old 14-01-2019
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I stopped racing in 1989 but was fairly competitive up until then, used to travel around to some of the national open meets but mostly raced at club level with the Chiltern model car club, started at the horse and jockey and eventually moved to poplars garden centre near junction 12 on the M1. Some of my best memories were from the model holidays that used to be hosted at Brean Sands and Primrose Valley though, really happy times!

Just been sorting through all our old Schumacher gear whilst clearing out my dad's loft, my grandad used to race too, we all ran 2wd and 4wd for a while but I ended up focussing on 2wd in the end with an original cougar. First buggy I had was a PB mini mustang but dabbled in 1/8 i.c. on road before that and still got an old alpha too.

Really pleased to have found this forum and see that there's a bit of interest in all the vintage stuff, I guess we're all getting to that age where we're getting a bit nostalgic! I remember wanting the fastest servos and motors back in the day but doubt my thumbs would keep up these days!
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Old 14-01-2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by covertfox View Post
I stopped racing in 1989 but was fairly competitive up until then, used to travel around to some of the national open meets but mostly raced at club level with the Chiltern model car club, started at the horse and jockey and eventually moved to poplars garden centre near junction 12 on the M1. Some of my best memories were from the model holidays that used to be hosted at Brean Sands and Primrose Valley though, really happy times!

Just been sorting through all our old Schumacher gear whilst clearing out my dad's loft, my grandad used to race too, we all ran 2wd and 4wd for a while but I ended up focussing on 2wd in the end with an original cougar. First buggy I had was a PB mini mustang but dabbled in 1/8 i.c. on road before that and still got an old alpha too.

Really pleased to have found this forum and see that there's a bit of interest in all the vintage stuff, I guess we're all getting to that age where we're getting a bit nostalgic! I remember wanting the fastest servos and motors back in the day but doubt my thumbs would keep up these days!
The Vintage scene is growing fast , significantly helped along by Schumacher re-releasing old cars. Many meetings now hold heats for vintage, I race modern Schumachers, I was not good back in the day and now everything is super quick , fast or slow crash and burn , it really does not matter as long as you have fun and I’m having a blast !
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