Mod racing getting silly

[johnboy]

Following on from the 17.5t too fast thread. Mod racing at York has become near on dangerous now with its silly speeds in that hall. Take last sat night someone got hit in the nuts whils there were on the rostrum. The speeds of the cars are far too much for most racers at the club. Yes I had a 6.5t in my 4 wd but did say that it was far too quick. Look at the American style of racing they race what they feel comfortable and if its too fast they don't run it. If 13.5 turn is there most popular class then that must be for a reason? How can people learn to race properly when they are going from one crash to the next as the cars speeds are too high due running fast motors. A few year ago it proposed at the agm for limits on the motors but was shot down. I think it needs it still. Now before you reply with it won't work ect ect. Think about costs of slightly slowing down tyres last longer and the biggest factor racing gets better as people have time to think about how to overtake not that I caught the car in front so fast did t have the time to avoid hitting them.

[450kid]

I think I might start racing turtles!

[footey]

john i do agree in away but for them to do this i think it is inpossible i think it has to be down to the indivual to realise that there car is to fast and slow it down acordingly

[450kid]

I agree with footey if the driver can't realise there car is too fast it's there fault! Slower is faster because they can drive easier. Anyone wanting to run a13.5 or 10.5 class I will join them this week if people want?

[johnboy]

Trouble is some quite a few drivers don't realise it's too much for them. I'm just putting my opinion across from what Ive seen over the last couple of times being at York.

[daz]

john i do agree in away but for them to do this i think it is inpossible i think it has to be down to the indivual to realise that there car is to fast and slow it down acordingly

Bang on the money there Shane. Worst case is the first 4wd heat at York, the standard of driving is sometimes appalling as the cars are ridiculously fast, spoke to one guy in the heat who was a fairly new driver was running a 5.5, as thats what his mates told him to run. Wtf, I run a 7.5 in 4wd and thats quick enough. Another example is our resident batty boy Col, who has gone down to a 10.5 and is now going quicker.

[johnboy]

Bang on the money there Shane. Worst case is the first 4wd heat at York, the standard of driving is sometimes appalling as the cars are ridiculously fast, spoke to one guy in the heat who was a fairly new driver was running a 5.5, as thats what his mates told him to run. Wtf, I run a 7.5 in 4wd and thats quick enough. Another example is our resident batty boy Col, who has gone down to a 10.5 and is now going quicker.

There you go my point proven col using a 10.5 and going faster

[daz]

There you go my point proven col using a 10.5 and going faster

To be fare tho mate, my son with his remote control Thomas the tanks engine train could go faster than Col :woot:

[neallewis]

Oh we all laughed at the car in the nuts, but it was painful for Chris and could have happened to any of us. I don't think it had anything to do with the motor spec and could have happened equally with a 17.5 or 13.5 motor.

The issue was how close the big jumps were to the "rostrum". A slight misjudgement in when to apply the power was the fault, but I maintain, if it wasn't so close to the rostrum, then it wouldn't have happened.

I run a 10.5 in my 2wd, and can make it as fast as a 6.5 down the straight with speedo timing advance, boost and gearing if i wish. At another smaller club I race at, I just turn down my throttle end point and generally go much faster than when I run at 100%.

Slower is faster to a point, and this was proven by Brett. I raced alongside him in the 4wd qualifiers, him with his saturn 20, me with a new 7.5 (in a new 4wd car only used once previously). Sure enough his was faster by being much more consistent, I had too much power for the slippy, so made errors and lost time, but felt it was fine on the carpet. He got in the A, me in the B finals. When he got there, it was totally out gunned.

I'm just a visitor to the club, rather than a paid up member, but I do enjoy your club and coming to the meetings when I can.

I agree with the sentiment of close competitive racing, but racers will always try to go faster to win no matter how it's limited, restricted, or managed.

[johnboy]

I agree that driver judgement comes into it but if a club was to enforce some rules ie blinky mode on esc which is easy to police then that helps Alittle. I'm not wanting to spoil any racing but sooner or later someone will get hurt quite bad by the speed of the cars in a hall of York size. Touch wood it ain't happened yet but never say never.

[ericd2477]

:thumbsup:Hi all, although I have never raced at your club I can understand the problems you are having because we have exactly the same problems at Ribble Valley in Leyland(Preston).
We had someone injured last week when a buggy became airborne and shot through a family of visitors at shoulder height then hit a member on the forearm - large bruise and gash.
The 1/10th buggies are too fast with just any motor in but what do we do ?

I think it is time to restrict motor sizes when indoors before someone gets seriously hurt.

Eric

[footey]

again same as 540 class { running brushed only } in this class just limit motors to say 10.5 SIMPLE and easty to police where blinky isnt

[johnboy]

again same as 540 class { running brushed only } in this class just limit motors to say 10.5 SIMPLE and easty to police where blinky isnt

Blinky is easy to police Shane.

[neallewis]

again same as 540 class { running brushed only } in this class just limit motors to say 10.5 SIMPLE and easty to police where blinky isnt

But I can make my 10.5 as fast as I want, faster than lower turn motors.
And I could still drive it at the "rostrum" off the jumps, and hit myself in the nuts if I wanted.

To me making it safer is about thinking about where the jumps are placed, marshal positions and ensuring drivers don't rev up when being marshalled.
Limiting motors or insisting on blinky doesn't make it safer.

Blinky is easy to police. Telling little Jonnys dad they can't race today because the bargain speedo and motor combo they bought isn't complaint with the rules is a different matter though. It just helps with pricing people out of a class/club.

I run blinky at other clubs in my supastox, but I've also seen the resistance to implementing it, when people have already invested in kit that isn't compliant with the rules.

[footey]

what happens if the escs your running dont have blinky and surley making cars slower is making it safer as for where the jumps are thats down the 2 or 3 people who build the track as all the others just sit there in the pits lol

[Richard Lowe]

I do agree with the position of the main 'feature' being close to the rostrum not being ideal, I usually put it there to make it easier for people to judge - especially for some of the younger members who don't have as high a vantage point as the rest of us big kids :bored:
We can try it toward the back of the track or even somewhere in the middle if people want next meeting, it would definitely help stop people trying to sterilise Chris!

Also I 110% agree with most of the cars people drive being over powered too. One of the things I noticed when I went to the US to race for the first time was the complete lack of vaguely guided missiles in the lower heats flying off in random directions, the American's do seem more disciplined than most UK club drivers in driving a car they can handle. For most people I think a 10.5 is a nice balance of being fast enough but still controllable, there are a couple of members who have recently switched their monster motors for 10.5's and are more than happy :)

You have to also look at the other side of the coin though, for the drivers that CAN handle big power having a 10.5 motor limit could be a real pain. Having to swap motors out every week would not only be annoying but constant soldering would eventually give internal dry joints on the motors and make them go bad sooner. Additionally (and this might just be me) but driving a 10.5, especially in 4wd would have me bored rigid. Yes you can add timing to the ESC that gets some of your top speed back but you lose torque, which just makes the car feel like you're running a badly matched set of nicad's and a cell or two has dumped :thumbdown:

It's a tough one...

[Gray01]

I am not suggesting anything needs to change as I am just a newbie who struggles with a 17.5 at the moment.

Now I am sure the more experienced will explain why his wouldn't work, but could instead of 540 /2wd mod / 4wd mod could you just a 'motor limit'?

For example you could have races 'up to' 17.5 / 10.5 / unlimited, irrespective of 2 or 4 wheel drive, yet still run the 2wd and 4wd classes within in these races and score accordingly. While your sharing the track (time) with cars in other classes, your not actually competing against them.

Kinda like full scale GT racing if that makes sense?

Would that work, or cause more problems that it would potentially solve?

G

[Moss Models]

Richard has hit the nail on the head. I couldn't be arsed to swap motors all the time.

Is there another way the kids could have a higher vantage point on the rostrum in order to see better? This would then open up the scope for the jumps in different areas. My son does have real trouble seeing all the track sometimes as they can be head height with everybody elses transmitter. Even I can't see all the track sometimes and I am 12 foot tall.

I think Neal was right about the jump but what caused problems was the stepped nature throwing the cars off line before hitting the jump, but it has to be a challange or it will be boring.

[footey]

mixing classes would make a lot more hassel as fast 4wds would be in with slower 2wds just wouldnt work

[Moss Models]

I am not suggesting anything needs to change as I am just a newbie who struggles with a 17.5 at the moment.

Now I am sure the more experienced will explain why his wouldn't work, but could instead of 540 /2wd mod / 4wd mod could you just a 'motor limit'?

For example you could have races 'up to' 17.5 / 10.5 / unlimited, irrespective of 2 or 4 wheel drive, yet still run the 2wd and 4wd classes within in these races and score accordingly. While your sharing the track (time) with cars in other classes, your not actually competing against them.

Kinda like full scale GT racing if that makes sense?

Would that work, or cause more problems that it would potentially solve?

G

Good idea in theory but I think the 2WD people would get anoyed, unless your Rich Lowe who would still make us look silly:)

[Gray01]

It wouldn't matter though if Rich 'beat' your 2wd if he were driving a 4wd because even though your on the same track at the same time, your actually in a different race.

Now if Mr Lowe was constantly beating your 4wd with his 2wd *that* would get annoying, as well as being soul destroying:lol:

Seriously though I understand it wouldn't be ideal and it may be complicated to set up the system. Just a random thought....

G

[robpearce255]

I do agree with the position of the main 'feature' being close to the rostrum not being ideal, I usually put it there to make it easier for people to judge - especially for some of the younger members who don't have as high a vantage point as the rest of us big kids :bored:
We can try it toward the back of the track or even somewhere in the middle if people want next meeting, it would definitely help stop people trying to sterilise Chris!

Also I 110% agree with most of the cars people drive being over powered too. One of the things I noticed when I went to the US to race for the first time was the complete lack of vaguely guided missiles in the lower heats flying off in random directions, the American's do seem more disciplined than most UK club drivers in driving a car they can handle. For most people I think a 10.5 is a nice balance of being fast enough but still controllable, there are a couple of members who have recently switched their monster motors for 10.5's and are more than happy :)

You have to also look at the other side of the coin though, for the drivers that CAN handle big power having a 10.5 motor limit could be a real pain. Having to swap motors out every week would not only be annoying but constant soldering would eventually give internal dry joints on the motors and make them go bad sooner. Additionally (and this might just be me) but driving a 10.5, especially in 4wd would have me bored rigid. Yes you can add timing to the ESC that gets some of your top speed back but you lose torque, which just makes the car feel like you're running a badly matched set of nicad's and a cell or two has dumped :thumbdown:

It's a tough one...
I'll admit, when I set up the jump on saturday, it was a little close to the rostrum, maybe a bit too close. But there was still plenty of room to dismount the rostrum. I agree with Rich's point, we almost always do the jump there to provide the best view of it and the angle of your approach to the up ramp. I think judging the angle and position of the car approaching the jump would be very tricky with the jump at the other side of the hall to the rostrum, or in the middle of the track would obstruct the view of other parts of the hall, potentialy causing more incedents! It is very rare that anyone gets hit, it was just unfortunate that Jamie miss judged his angle after coming off the rippled section. I was in the same race and stood next to him as it happened in fact, luckily at the other side of him. The car actually hit Jamie himself, but unfortunately as he tried to kick it away from the rest of us, it spun in and caught chris in the nuts. The motor speed had nothing to do with it, it was the rippled run up. I setup the the jump to include a smooth down ramp and kick up off the end, which could easily be down ramped at reasonable, not excessive speeds. I disagree with any limiting to modified class, as it's been said before, it's down to the individual to realise they can go faster by having a slower motor and being more in control. Limiting the class would only spoil things for the top drivers, Rich actually cleared the jump a number of times safely to jump lapped cars.

[johnboy]

On the subject of jumps then why is it always a massive pointless jump the. The rest is touring car track. For Example Batley club do small
Jumps dotted around the track not a recreation of the alps. Big air is not always the way to go.

[johnboy]

On the subject of top drivers no offence to them but why cater for the few when making rules for the majority to have good racing. Watching the 2wd mod on sat would say only 2 of 3 of the 11 drivers were able to get round looking in control the rest well going round from one crash to another. Was the same in 4wd too

[robpearce255]

On the subject of jumps then why is it always a massive pointless jump the. The rest is touring car track. For Example Batley club do small
Jumps dotted around the track not a recreation of the alps. Big air is not always the way to go.

Utter rubbish! It is not always a massive jump, we sometimes create it as a table top corner. And I also made use of the little ramps (the only others we have!) on another section of track to make things more interesting. The jump that night was about skill of catching the down ramp I put in mid jump, not big air! Rather than bleeting about it on oople why not have some positive input and come to help the very few of us that build the track and take it down every week!! I was the first through the door after mike, got my stuff in and had the jump half built by the time the next person walked in! To everyone at YORCC, please get down early, get your stuff ready then help with the track! If you're unsure what to do, just ask how you can help. If you have positive ideas for layout let us know and we'll include them where feasable. Also please help with packing away where possible (those with small children, or incapable of lifting are excused ofcourse) but there are a lot of racer that pack up and leave without a care for those that do all the packing away! Please help us!!

[AC199]

I can see the pro's and cons of all the ideas posted, but I'll draw your attention to one simple thing.

The committee.

Nothing has ever moved fast when it needs to be decided on by committee, and this will not be an exception... No matter what we think needs to be done, it will have to be decided on by the committe and they arent going to change anything.

Any changes to the way 540 works will mean that committee members have to drive in the mod class, and thats not going to happen...

Any changes to the motors allowed, means that there will be more classes to run, and that means we wont get through the races, either that or every single heat will be 10 man heats instead of just 2wd mod... Thats not going to happen...

Basically, you can come up with whatever ideas you want, but its not going to get past the committee as its worked for the last 20 years so why bother changing?

M2P

AC

[johnboy]

Utter rubbish! It is not always a massive jump, we sometimes create it as a table top corner. And I also made use of the little ramps (the only others we have!) on another section of track to make things more interesting. The jump that night was about skill of catching the down ramp I put in mid jump, not big air! Rather than bleeting about it on oople why not have some positive input and come to help the very few of us that build the track and take it down every week!! I was the first through the door after mike, got my stuff in and had the jump half built by the time the next person walked in! To everyone at YORCC, please get down early, get your stuff ready then help with the track! If you're unsure what to do, just ask how you can help. If you have positive ideas for layout let us know and we'll include them where feasable. Also please help with packing away where possible (those with small children, or incapable of lifting are excused ofcourse) but there are a lot of racer that pack up and leave without a care for those that do all the packing away! Please help us!!

Fella over the years I've done my fair share of track building at the club. I remember times it only ever only being 2 or 3 people building the track so don't even go down the well help out route and also I told you sat night that jump was crap. This thread has gone off subject about speeds of modified.

[Richard Lowe]

I thought the jump was really good! It was easy to dribble over safely for the less experienced racers, but if you wanted to get over it quickly it needed a little bit of talent to land in the middle on the downslope and give it a squirt to jump out. It was only the odd nutcase (hello :D ) that was able to clear the whole thing :)

[paulc]

All this said it's up to the York committee to decide what to do about slowing the cars down without pissing to many people off if they have to buy new stuff im guessing this won't happen till the next agm whenever that is

[robpearce255]

I can see the pro's and cons of all the ideas posted, but I'll draw your attention to one simple thing.

The committee.

Nothing has ever moved fast when it needs to be decided on by committee, and this will not be an exception... No matter what we think needs to be done, it will have to be decided on by the committe and they arent going to change anything.

Any changes to the way 540 works will mean that committee members have to drive in the mod class, and thats not going to happen...

Any changes to the motors allowed, means that there will be more classes to run, and that means we wont get through the races, either that or every single heat will be 10 man heats instead of just 2wd mod... Thats not going to happen...

Basically, you can come up with whatever ideas you want, but its not going to get past the committee as its worked for the last 20 years so why bother changing?

M2P

AC
I agree, it probably won't get past the committe, because things do work fine as they are! It was simply a 'racing incedent' that unfortunately caught you in the bollocks, a one off accendent that was dealt with on the night with a shake of hands between you and jamie, and laugh it off. There are committee members that do mod already actually, Jerry and myself are both on the committee so any further problems/ideas can be reported to us. As far as I can see though this is over and done with now, no changes required, simple as that.

[johnboy]

I agree, it probably won't get past the committe, because things do work fine as they are! It was simply a 'racing incedent' that unfortunately caught you in the bollocks, a one off accendent that was dealt with on the night with a shake of hands between you and jamie, and laugh it off. There are committee members that do mod already actually, Jerry and myself are both on the committee so any further problems/ideas can be reported to us. As far as I can see though this is over and done with now, no changes required, simple as that.

Sorry but your deluded. Wait till someone gets hurt then say nothing needs changing.

[paulc]

Totally agree with that John but it seem what your saying is falling on deaf ears with some of the committee

And Rich your not to bad at controlling toy cars !! if all the people who race there tryed to clear the jump in one go it might not end with quite the same result and people will get hurt at some point

[AC199]

I did get hurt. Nothing needs changing cos its a freak accident, and the first one i've seen in 15 months racing, indoors and outdoors...

[paulc]

What happens if somone gets hit in the head then will any thing get changed ?

[robpearce255]

Sorry but your deluded. Wait till someone gets hurt then say nothing needs changing.
In regards to that the main thing I want to get changed is the marshalling situation. I went to batley the other week and noticed the kids only marshall if they're with an adult at the marshall point. They're the ones most at risk of getting hurt so I believe we should opperate the same policy. Most accidents to us big kids can be rubbed better easy enough certainly with use only doing 1:10 electric. The most risky area is the straight, and with Jerry's drivers breifings things are already getting better, advice on not bumping but being patient to overtake or lap, calling lapping and also calling car on the straight. This has reduced high speed incedents, the use of carpet rolls and foam does the job of catching most of the out of control cars. I saw on another club section earlier, they were talking about the same poblem and suggested netting. Maybe we could use the orange netting we have normally only used on big evens, strung between the 2 mat trollies to catch out of control cars.

[robpearce255]

I did get hurt. Nothing needs changing...
EXACTLY!!!! Like I just said! Us big kids can rub things better! A little plastic car isn't going to break my leg, it'd smash to pieces before it would! 1:8th scale have this to worry about, not us!

[johnboy]

EXACTLY!!!! Like I just said! Us big kids can rub things better! A little plastic car isn't going to break my leg, it'd smash to pieces before it would! 1:8th scale have this to worry about, not us!

What a stupid comment

[robpearce255]

There has only been one injury I remember in years! That was only because mike(or maybe ben, I can't remember exactly) rilley stepped on my brother's car while marshalling and did his ancle in as he slipped over.

[racingdwarf]

Interesting reading this, I don't race at your club, but do run a club now and also been involved in quite a few over the past years. The thing that has changed enormously in only the last few years in tenth is lipo and brushless, not that long ago it was much harder to get a car to go seriously fast and last 5min, but now anyone can get a 4wd to go at speeds that tbh a tenth car just can't handle, add to this mini pins and carpet and an enclosed space and things are going to happen!
Now in the world of 8th we have had to consider marshal safety when building tracks, most of all the jump sections for quite some time.This is something 10th is going to have to consider more now the cars are getting faster, i have raced at some indoor meetings in the last couple of years that give no consideration to marshals at all, and in many cases marshals are under attack from many directions with nothing but a chair for cover:lol:
I think the problem you had is quite simple, the jump was in the wrong place!

I think I kinda aree with richard also, If things are getting to fast, slow the track down,polished floor, ripple sections etc, make people slow down.But having run clubs this I realise this comes with a problem, most racers only enjoy their meeting if they can go flat out all the time, if you make them slacken the slipper off, change the profile, or even need to reach in the box for a far slower motor they don't come racing anymore!

[paulc]

Thats ok then if there's been one accident allready there won't be anymore

Like i said in a previous post it's up to the committee if they want to do anything about the speed of the cars.....

[robpearce255]

Thats ok then if there's been one accident allready there won't be anymore

Like i said in a previous post it's up to the committee if they want to do anything about the speed of the cars.....
You can wear a cup and a helmet to racing if you like! That doesn't have to pass inspection of the committee! haha I simply believe it was a one off rare accient and it's over and done with. We did try to slow the run up to the jump, that was the whole idea of the ripples, unfortunately it backfired as it caused jamie to spear off into us. I am already discussing the next layout on facebook chat with Rich and we are planning to change things up a bit to make things safer. So it hasn't fallen on deaf ears, we are considering what's been said and are going to plan and build this weeks track accordingly.

[Steve]

If you have any ideas or concerns please can you raise this to a member of the committee rather then putting this on a public forum or send me a PM.

Best Regards

Steve Pierce

[robpearce255]

If you have any ideas or concerns please can you raise this to a member of the committee rather then putting this on a public forum or send me a PM.

Best Regards

Steve Pierce

I agree, any issues shouldn't be raised on here. I'm a committee member myself and welcome any input from other racers, whether I agree or not, but the issue should have been raised to one of us before going public and getting out of hand (sorry john). We will use the ideas to alter the track for this week to make it safer. The motor limiting issue is unlikely to get very far but can still be raised to the committee for discussion at a committe meeting or by yourself at the agm. Jerry is the driver's rep but any of us can pass on your thoughts.

[spud31]

The comment about toy cars not breaking legs or causing injury is silly, ask rich lowe about off road wars at maritime 2 years ago when a person got hit in the head and was knocked out the car being launched by a innocent looking foot high tabletop!
Be careful as the ambulance chasers love our sport for a claim the legal wording being a duty of care to your members.
This is what brought in the hi-vis jackets for marshalling etc

[footey]

what a load of BOLLOCKS 10th cars dont brake legs rob ask my dad this question as he chipped a bone in a accident at york with a car coming over a jump and hitting his shin you are speaking aload of rubbish and need to get a grip IF U WANT I CAN RUN MY DURANGO AT YOUR FOOT AND YOU CAN WATCH MY DURANGO SMASH INTO PEICES LOL AND YOUR FOOT BE OK


as for the building of tracks i help infact im 1 of only a very few that do ive always said big air jumps are stupid and i also think somthing does need doing about the speed as if a car its you down the straight then they WILL brake a ancle

shane foot

[James Pickard]

I wouldn't usually comment on threads, but this one does raise some interesting points about our hobby.

It is true that the cars can go very fast now, but too fast basically comes down to the skill of the individual driver. Nobody is forced to hurtle down the straights at ballistic speeds, I do however appreciate that the goal is racing and speed equal success right?

Technology has changed dramatically since I first took up this sport, and now you can buy off the shelf equipment to match the speeds of the top team drivers; but good luck matching their speed over 5 minutes. When I was starting out there was a huge gulf between the equipment the sponsored drivers got their hands on and what you could get down your local model shop. (An interesting side note: Masami Hirosaka, back in the day before lipos, used to run his car so fast it would have been impossible for him to last a 5 min. race at full speed. Therefore, he used to drive his car at 3/4 throttle! Now that takes skill!!)

This meant 2 things; that the guys with the faster cars were the ones who could handle it and those starting out could develop their skills and learn race craft (a term seldom heard these days!). Personally I'm an advocate of the technology these days as it provides a completely level playing field; there are no excuses except for driving alone. I always use my slower motor at York because it is a small track; lap times are not determined by straight line speed, they are by skill and set up - Set up is King!!

Finally regarding the jumps, which I will keep brief at this is more a committee and club issue, there has always been the issue of how difficult should a track be. The better drivers want something technical to test their skills, and those starting out would like something simply to provide the necessary practice to improve. My suggestion would be this; looking at the normal race calendar there are 2 points nights and 2 regular club nights a month, so why not make the track appropriate for each? Well, that's just my opinion anyway!!

[Danny Harrison]

Id be gutted if they decided to limit motor turns here. I'm just getting smooth and consistent with my 6.5t. I'd feel like I was taking a step backwards.

I think people need to just use their own judgement. If your struggling to put in a few clean laps on the trot, maybe then slow it down a bit?

I did get hit at the oople race last year on the doubles. My ankle was pretty sore for a couple weeks. This is why we have insurence though isnt it? Other motor sports are way more dangerous :)

[farmboy]

I agree, any issues shouldn't be raised on here. I'm a committee member myself and welcome any input from other racers, whether I agree or not, but the issue should have been raised to one of us before going public and getting out of hand (sorry john). We will use the ideas to alter the track for this week to make it safer. The motor limiting issue is unlikely to get very far but can still be raised to the committee for discussion at a committe meeting or by yourself at the agm. Jerry is the driver's rep but any of us can pass on your thoughts.

Jerry writes: Steven Pierce and I are the Drivers' Reps - Steven for RHR and myself for Huntington. If you want to put something forward, drop me a line and I'll make sure it gets heard. "The Committee" isn't some secret inner-club, it's people like me, Rob Pearce, Mike, Matt etc etc. We're as keen as everyone to keep people happy and safe. You can email me direct at [email protected] on this and any other club matter.

[Gray01]

There seems to be a lot of differing opinions here and people getting slightly aggregated, perhaps everyone should just take a deep breath before we need to have Piers Morgan to host a live debate on CNN...

Its model car racing, not shark wrestling. Anything you do in life could be described as 'dangerous' by an outsider. Acceptable risk is something we are all aware of, however its naturally set at a different level from person to person.

If you don't want to run the risk of getting a broken / fractured / bruised ankle from being hit by a car while marshaling, then wear boots. If your not happy with the marshaling position near a jump (or indeed anywhere) then speak to race control, or just move to a safer position.

Pay attention when your marshaling and don't put yourself in harms way. Be responsible for your own safety first, then the safety of others. I was marshaling near the main jump a before xmas and felt some cars were a bit close to my head and chest for comfort, so I moved further down towards the landing, this was where cars usually require assistance anyway. To my knowledge nobody complained, and it didn't affect anyone's race.

Whether your running a boosted 10.5 or a 6.5 the car will still be traveling at the same approximate speed, and it still weighs the same.

When you get hit by a car it hurts, but its naive to think that a car hitting one person will cause the same damage as if it hit someone else. For example, my brother stacked a motorcycle on a trackday at Cadwell Park and walked away perfectly alright, someone else crashed in the same place at the same speed in a later session and went to hospital in an ambulance.

Accidents will sometimes happen, the best way to limit the chances of them happening one is being aware that actions usually have consequences, and having an awareness of whats going on around you. Yes there is always a chance you will get hit by a car someday, if that falls outside of your own personal level of acceptable risk, then don't race toy cars.

The thread drift onto safety seems to have come about due to what was a freak accident last week, and all parties involved know this. I think the guys who build the track do a great job, and they have already stated they have taken on board the comments regarding the jump position and will look at it when building the track next week.

Whether the issue of the mod class cars outright speed being appropriate for the size of the track is something for people much more experienced than me to discuss, I am just a newbie who struggles with a 17.5

G

[farmboy]

Just to lighten the mood, I think we can all agree that what's needed is a new class for one of these:

http://tamiyablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tamiya-58556-farm-king-wheelie.jpg

http://tamiyablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tamiya-58556-farm-king-wheelie.jpg

edit...
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o276/thegreatonereturns/Wheelietraktor.png

[AC199]

Could agree more Jerry, what we all need is an image telling us that hotlinking is not allowed... :P

I think the vast majority of people need a chill pill. It was me who got hit in the giblets and as I said at the time, shit happens, deal with it and move on. I personally am more concerned about the kids marshalling than i am about another freak accident. I raced motocross for 8 years and accepting that the sport you do has risk is part and parcel.

I suggest instead of whining about things being too fast and the jumps being terrible, you all get involved with the building of the tracks and stop putting retarded motors in your cars. Its not rocket science people, if the speed is a problem for you, go slower. If the jump is a problem, get involved and do something about it.

I complained about the jumps about a year ago, i got shouted at from that day on, i decided to do something about the jumps. Guess what happened? I got the jumps I wanted every time I built one... Weird how that works eh?

AC

[keenbutkrap]

dont quote me on this but i think marshals are not covered by insurance that was the rhumor going round a couple of years ago when i was doing outdoor touring cars thats why no sighting laps were allowed all cars had to be parked in a designated area when you finished so marshals could get to there points without traffic the insurance is for third parties not participants

[Robin A]

I have recently stepped down from a 6.5T to a 10.5T motor, and my lap times have dropped and my driving has improved as I am applying the throttle rather than being scared of it. Even on a big track like Worksop, I was still able to qualify a couple of finals higher up than I normally do.

I think the issue is relatively new drivers putting 5.5T or 6.5T motors in as it is what they are told by the shops or mates to do, and then being very much out out of control.

I bet at York, Rich only gains 0.2-0.4 seconds per lap from having a 5.5T motor rather than a 8.5-10.5T motor? How many of us are lapping consistently within 0.2-0.4 seconds every lap and only having one to two offs in a five min race? If you can answer yes to this, then drop down in motor turns.

It may feel like losing face puting a slower motor in, but you can still have the top speed with today's speedos and the controllability in the infield sections.

The 4WD C final on Saturday was entertaining to marshell, but can't have been very satisfying for the drivers, who were each trying to be fastest to crashing at the next corner.

This isn't one for the committee, it's about people being man enough to put a slower motor in their car and realise that they'll improve, enjoy their racing more, and not look quite as daft. Personally, I'm quite happy with people putting 5.5T motors in, as they are one more person I don't have to worry about beating.

PS It was a pretty freaky incident, and hats off to Jamie for hitting such a small target. :p

[AC199]

Small? I'll show you just how wrong you are on Saturday... like i said to the medic, take the pain doc, but leave the swelling...

Anyways, being a scum fan, I bet you wish your clubs debt was as small... mwahahaha

[bretts]

I've just been looking at how worn my tyres and they aren't that bad are and I was just wondering if it was more slippery than usual last Saturday.

Maybe due to the weather?

Regards,
Slowcoach!

P.S. Just bought a 3.5 and esc combo!!! for the next 4wd champ night.
:woot:
:woot:
:woot:
:woot:
:woot:
:woot:
*JOKING*

[farmboy]

PS It was a pretty freaky incident, and hats off to Jamie for hitting such a small target. :p

Ha.

Like waving a sausage in the Albert Hall.

[jk007]

Hi all yorcc members

I have a special offer on motors
540 brushed 21t motors @ £5 each ( 4 Instock )
17.5 speed passion motors @ £35 each ( 2 Instock )
7.5 & 8.5 speed passion v3 @ £45 each ( 3 Instock )
If there is any thing else I can help with call me. 07903389921

Cheers jason @ moss models ( yorcc shop )

Ps see you all Saturday night for a good nights racing.