General Chat...

[nichosnz 0]

As long as you're having fun, go for it.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Of course! There have been a few hairy spots where I have been behind the wheel and my friend called a pace note just a bit too early and confused me, and I almost turned the wrong way after a tight bend. That wasnt exactly fun

[nichosnz 0]

Yes but I'll bet you laughed about it afterwards, didn't you.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

That's true, we did! Just came back from a little relaxing Sunday drive on the foothills. Gave our Saab a little workout, especially 2nd and 3rd gear! I was doing about 75-80mph on the mountain roads, then quick brake and downshift to a 45mph and 30mph turns, and then right back on the gas!

[rodders47 2]

any of you people into Model on-road racing cars ??

Even though I have been involved in the motor racing sport for some ummm 30 odd years I have for the past year been involved in 1/5th scale sedan car on-road radio controled racing and I gotta say is as close to the real thing you can get for a heaps lot less bucks :-)

The cars I race are of the european sedan class i.e Volvo s 40, Calibra, Honda accords etc with a 23 cc engine , from 3.4 up to 6 Horsepower in a car that weights 10 Kg, 4 wheel disc brakes ( Hydraulic on the top cars) cost beween $2000 to $5000, Top speed about 100 kph and using tyres of the same construction and rubber as full size. I.E they need warming up with tyre warmers ( if Serious ) or maybe 5 laps prior to racing and well if you go too hard they GO OFF like the real thing..also we run Intermediate and full wets if need arrises..

I have gotta say this is as close to the real thing as you can get and sure gets the adrelaine pumping when in close racing situations. If you want some enjoyment one weekend check out your local model car club location and go and watch I am sure you will enjoy...

We have computer lap timing using transpodners etc so is almost as sophisficated as the full size..

Rod

[nichosnz 0]

I'm not into that sort of thing, but I most certainly would be if my finances allowed. It sounds like so much fun. I have a 1/10 scale Tamiya F40 but only for fun not competition. By the way you mentioned the kinds on cars in your class but didn't tell us what your one is, or how you are doing this season.

[rodders47 2]

Ok Nichos, I have a Dynamic Car ( Manufacturer) with an Opel Calibra body on it but is getting somewhat tired, so am about to purchase a new body , cost about $300 , and maybe go for a Volvo S40..or the Dodge Viper !!

Hey I am no M.S. mate but well am running a close second in this years competition, and for me being my first year I am happy with that :-)

Rod

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I have been to a few races like that in Finland as a spectator and I tell you its just as exciting as full scale cars! It requires a whole different kind of driving skill as you cannot actually feel the car when driving but it looks like a whole buch of fun. My brother has a RC with a 5cc engine that is meant for offroad driving and its great to drive that little thing around, I think it reaches about 40kmh or so.

When you consider the 1/5th scale cars make 3.4 to 6 horsepower in a 10 kilo car its crazy! Scooters, for example the Aprilia SR50, produces 3.6 horsepower with 50cc, and goes tops I think around 60-70kmh, so you can see from that comparison.

I am planning on buying a 75cc motorbike (originally an Aprilia RS50, supped up I guess you could say), which produces around 10-11kw (around 15 hp I guess?). But you get the comparison point, those 1/5th cars are excellent!

[nichosnz 0]

It sound like great fun. Damn good power to weight.

Good on ya Rod, running second is pretty good, even better considering being a rookie to the series.

[rodders47 2]

Thanks Nichos, and as Jen was saying this is really exciting racing, and made more difficult by the fact that your bum is not in the seat, but after time you can observe/FEEL if the car is not right and needs adjustment..

Just to give you an example, last w/end there were 4 of us on the same lap during 30 minutes of racing all about maybe 2-3 car lengths apart and all wanting to win.. The racing was that close that one split second in lapse of concentration meant you were passed.. I sort of relate it to Formula Vee, close racing , but with the difference that I am not in the drivers seat so I think even more difficult to make changes if the guy in front goes a bit wide etc..

Well at the end of that race I finished 3rd ad I gotta say mate I was a nervous wreck LOL sure drained me of my stamina but hell what FUN and I managed to save the tyres for the next 30 minute race but after that they were sort of shot :-)))

Prior to racing 1/5th I bought a 1/10th car capable of 50 MPH out of the box but being an oldie I had trouble FINDING it on the circuit :-)

However for those that don't know the 1/8th scale Nitro cars ( some of which use CERAMIC pistons and liners in the engines (an engine can cost maybe $1000 ) are more then capable of 140 KPH on our circuit and really are balistic in acceleration

Just another form of Motor Racing

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It really is a whole new perspective on driving. Consider that you are not behind the front wheels at all times, you may be parallel to them or at a 45 degree angle, so judging a corner can be tricky and it requires a whole load of its own kind of skill. I will have to go see another race once I get back to Finland, they do it in the winter conditions as well over there.

[nichosnz 0]

I wouldn't know where to catch that sort of action in NZ.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Try a search on www.google.com

[nichosnz 0]

Thanks I'll try that.

[rodders47 2]

Just a post to that item.

When the car is going away from you, turn right on the wheel car turns Right, but when the car is coming TOWARDS you turn right on the wheel car turns LEFT :-) just to ADD that little bit of difference to Full Size

Oh and we stand at the Side of the main STRAIGHT, so all the curves etc need to be taken with te above in mind :-

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Takes a while getting used to it, doesnt it?

[rodders47 2]

well to a newcomer to Radio control I guess it does. I have been flying model aircraft for years so comes natural, IT HAS to as no time to think :-)

[nichosnz 0]

But practice make perfect (almost perfect) though, doesn't it Rod.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I used to have a model airplane powered by a 6cc engine, but sold it to my friend when I needed money for other things.

[rodders47 2]

Hi Nichos, yep Practise is what EVERYONE needs in any sport. We have one guy who is a great driver, but hasn't been to a meeting in over 6 months and he is going to the Ozzie championships next month to race a 1/5 th car and he wants to WIN.

Lie Australias BEST swiming star, Ian Thorpe, has broken numerous records, won numerous Gold medals , still practises every day !!!!!

For me I need all the practise I can get :-) and I rate my practise time on trying to perfect ONE part of the track each time.. which is helpful but come race day um well things change a fair bit with traffic etc.

You should check out the sites in NZ and go and see what the racing is like, I am sure you will enjoy it, and unlike the fullsize we MAKE passing shots, even if they are not there LOL

[nichosnz 0]

Never flown one, but have been ammused by watching several people try to learn to.

[rodders47 2]

Hey Nichos for your info. I just got an e-mail from a friend in the UK that flies model aircraft large scale , like 1/3rd scale.. OK

Well some of his club mates have had an accident or two whilst flying.. One was a 1/3rd scale glider CRASHED cost UKpounds 3000, the other was a club member with a JET powered aircarft, Litterally nose dived into tarmac, reduced to burnt out bits .. Cost UK pounds 4000..... Like thats $12,000 Australian Dollars !@!@!!!!!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Jet powered 1/3rd size aircraft?!?!!?!?!? Amazing! That must be a sight to see, probably a little tricky to control?

[nichosnz 0]

Yeah, I don't have that sort of money to 'risk', be nice if I did though it has always been of some interest.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Yea, too expensive to get into. One mistake and Id be p**sed!!