Brushless Modified, are we losing driving skills/techniques?

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scottg

May 13, 2007

There’s no debate, Brushless is the way of the future. However, does the present corp of brushless modified systems provide easy car setup, good driving skills, and race consistencies from the Beginner Mod Racer to Regular Mod Racer? I had hoped to use both brushed and brushless as I see advantages between the two systems depending on the conditions and type of track you race on. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly evident to me that I will eventually be force to make a choice as the feel and handling of the car is very different under each power plant.
As some of you know I first started using brushless in 2004 and although there were some obvious benefits to brushless, it’s downfall then was the massive setup differences and driveability of the car when trying to produce race performances. I eventually gave up and switched back to brushed two weeks before the QLD Titles of that year.
My Second attempt in using brushless started 2 weeks ago and although there have been many significant improvements with smoother speed controllers and motors, my question is whether it’s benefical for the Beginner to Regular Mod Racer to use these brushless systems without first spending some time with brushed motors? Will they learn good car craft? Will they learn the finer attributes of smooth and consistent driving that Brushed motors “force” you to learn?
From my point of view, I don’t have a solid opinion, more a concern of what we may create for the future. In my breif “Back to the Future” second coming to brushless, I’ve notice I’m more agressive with the throttle “because I can” (some may say, is that possible, lol), I miss more apexes, and I’m producing more inconsistent lap times. Hopefully this is just a transition.
I know from my Off-road days many years ago it taught me many invaluable lessons that carried me through faster and more agile cars. Where are the new breed of mod racer’s going to learn these attributes if it’s virtually impossible to dump, de-solder/overheat you rmotor, or plasma you brushes in half a run?
What are you thoughts?

One response to “Brushless Modified, are we losing driving skills/techniques?”

scott

May 13, 2007

I personally don’t think it’s a big deal, or a bad thing. The reality is that many people who make a jump to modified, are unlikely to every have to go back to running brushed motors. Brushless are legal, less maintenance, and often it’s cheaper to run brushless that brushed. The performance is as worst equal, and in some views better. And that in the infancy of brushless motors – they’ll only get faster.
The reality of racing (in my view) is that its about going as fast as possible within the confines of the rules of the day. The best way to learn to drive fast in modified tourers with a brushless motor, is to race modified tourers with a brushless motor. I don’t think the skills learned running brushed motors are all that applicable. Brushless motors still have some demands on care with the throttle, and driving within the capabilities of the motor (otherwise can you say “thermal”!).
For me, brushless motors make modified racing accessible. There is just no way I could afford to run mod competitively running brushed motors. Not a chance. Plus I love having all that horsepower just waiting underneath my trigger finger!
Now whether there is something to be gained by running offroad is a different story. Throttle control in tourers (brushed or brushless) is nowhere near as important as in 2wd mod buggy racing. Pretty much all of us could develop some more effective driving/throttle skills froma season or two in modified buggy!
In the end, I reckon it’s “whatever floats your boat”. Some people enjoy working on brushed motors, making them perform, making them last. Some don’t. Some people enjoy the “feel” of brushed motors over brushless, some people don’t. Personally, I don’t care either way, I just want the best performance for the $$ and effort. For me, it’s no contest.

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