Stories from the world of RC car racing

The run in to the EP On-Road nationals promises to be busy, and exciting. I don’t know about you, but we’re getting excited already about the biggest race meeting of the year now just weeks away (Nov 19-22, Sydney)For the record, and for more information, here’s the relevant places to go:

There are a stack of racers from around the country preparing for this one – not least a whole bunch from Sth East Qld.  If we’ve missed your name, add a comment below with the class/es you’re running and we’ll edit the list.  Here’s the Qld list as we understand it (actually, as scott understands it, and he’s a tasmanian, so he knows nuthin’) :

  • Adrian Beggs – Stock – Mi4
  • Chris Shevelling – Stock – Mi4
  • David Guyatt – Stock – Mi4
  • Clinton Livingstone – Stock – XRAY   &   1/12th
  • Chase Gregory – Stock – TC5
  • Shane Gregory – Stock – TC5
  • Peter Beckett – Stock – XRAY
  • Mitchell Hollis – Stock – Tamiya
  • Corey Broadstock – Superstock & Modified – XRAY
  • Tim Weier – Superstock – Tamiya
  • Anthony Atack – Modified – Mi4
  • Scott Guyatt – Modified – Mi4
  • Leonard Lai – Modified – Mi4
  • David Warner – Bike demo class & 1/12th

We’ll regularly update this post over the coming weeks, and will leave it pinned at the top of the blog until after the nats.

55 responses to “EP Nationals Countdown”

  1. scott Avatar

    I’ve finally made my nationals decision. I’m running modified.
    I can’t resist the speed and the fun of modified, and the chance to race against the best in the country on what looks like a sweet track.
    I’ll enjoy going up against the young chargers, and some old rivals like Darrin Campbell, who I first raced at the 1991 EP Offroad Nationals…..long time ago!
    The challenge for me will be to get track time between now and the nats. I can feel a few unscheduled trips to Hobart coming up!

    Like

  2. vazzo Avatar
    vazzo

    Good luck guys, will be very keen to see how we compare to our Sydney brothers 😀

    Like

  3. tones Avatar
    tones

    awesome to see so many people planning on going to the nats, it’s been a while since we’ve had a good contingent travel to an event. :mrgreen:

    Like

  4. Robert Avatar

    I am pretty sure Mitchell Hollis is going as well. Not sure what class tho.

    Like

  5. Brendan Avatar
    Brendan

    Mitchell will have a crack at stock while in Sydney with a TRF416

    Like

  6. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Maybe i should buy up a new car and come for a race at the nats………..
    i’d get chopped tho 😛

    Like

  7. tones Avatar
    tones

    do it!

    Like

  8. vazzo Avatar
    vazzo

    Geez can I swap lives with one of you guys for 6 months lol The amount of good racing you guys so makes me wanna 😥

    Like

  9. scott Avatar

    just snuck leonard onto the list this week as well – I’m hearing he’s amped for another Nationals appearance!

    Like

  10. Peter D Avatar
    Peter D

    Go Grasshopper!!!! (or better known as “The Swallow”…. wahahahaha 😆 😆 😆 )

    Like

  11. scott Avatar

    just over a month to go now. entries are building, anticipation is growing.
    I’m hoping for a brief practice session in hobart this friday, then an actual club race day next weekend. that’ll be the end of my EP preparation for the nats – but probably drive the GP buggy once or twice to at least keep driving.
    bring it on!

    Like

  12. Chow Avatar
    Chow

    Looks like I wont be making it to Nats, we’ve got a photo shoot that same weekend to do and cant pass an opportunity to make a heap of money. I was looking forward to the Nats experience again not to mention at fun of a road trip, but what can you do, there’s always next year…

    Like

  13. scott Avatar

    sorry to hear that chow….would have been fun hanging out with you in sydney…..you’ll just have to come to hobart next march!

    Like

  14. scott Avatar

    practice this weekend for me….at last! the hobart guys have given their track a spruce up and I’m looking forward to getting track time with the mi4. counting down the days now….!

    Like

  15. PeterD Avatar
    PeterD

    scott says:
    October 22, 2009 at 6:15 pm
    ….. counting down the days now….!
    arrghhh 😈 !!! I wana come & race too 😡 ….. I’m missing out big time!! Good Luck everyone!!! 😎

    Like

  16. scott Avatar

    pull your finger out, book your flights, and we’ll find something for you to race. I don’t think they are offering 540, but perhaps you can still wheel a Stock motor? :mrgreen:

    Like

  17. PeterD Avatar
    PeterD

    perhaps….. 😛

    Like

  18. PeterD Avatar
    PeterD

    Never-the-less, I will be watching with great interest and will be brutal in any performances I deem to be sub-standard 👿 . So you better all deliver the “Goods” Okay 😐 !!! (u listening Flea!!!… hahaha :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: )

    Like

  19. tones Avatar
    tones

    what about if we work out a 540 truck demo class?!
    on a track that size you should just about be able to handle it!

    Like

  20. heavy Avatar
    heavy

    Got an old body mounted that I think might be right for the ridiculous rules. Went to Bridgestone near work today and got some stick on wheel weights so I can start getting the Mi4 up to the 1500 gr weight for the Nats. So boring I have been running at the Qld 1425 for ages with no weight on my car. Oh well I guess it will be worth it to go to the Nats.

    Like

  21. heavy Avatar
    heavy

    Does anyone know if the wing has to be painted for the Nats

    Like

  22. Tim W Avatar
    Tim W

    I can’t find it anywhere in the rules that say specifically that u have to paint the wing.

    Like

  23. heavy Avatar
    heavy

    Don’t forget guys – you have to enter and pay by 8th – that’s Thursday – if you are coming.

    Like

  24. heavy Avatar

    but who’s counting

    Like

  25. PeterD Avatar
    PeterD

    Soon you’ll be able to do that with your socks on…. hehehe :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: 😛

    Like

  26. scott Avatar

    it’s not too late for you to enter…..entries officially close in 3 days time.
    entries currently sitting at 103 (20 Superstock, 25 mod, 36 stock, 19 12th) plus another 27 in the two demo classes (bike and mini) so its shaping to be a competitive meeting.
    tips? coming soon!
    oh, and by the way.

    ..
    .
    .
    .
    14

    Like

  27. scott Avatar

    a dozen
    off to hobart 6am tomorrow for practice day at goodwood raceway….at last!

    Like

  28. scott Avatar

    had good practice day today at goodwood, tried out a few things on the mi4. closest to absolutely dialled i’ve ever had a mod touring car. i’m amped!
    oh, and……
    11 😆

    Like

  29. scott Avatar

    ten and getting close

    Like

  30. scott Avatar

    you guessed it. 9.
    (and yes…i will do this every day until the number hits zero)
    first nats since 2006, I’m a little excited.
    😯

    Like

  31. john h Avatar
    john h

    How’s everyone going with the wing rules, spoke to Peter this morning and the 110mm max height for the wing is correct, the reason for this is, it’s more actuate to test, with only needing a 110 mm height gauge you can measure the roof (must hit) and the wing (must miss) rather than use an adjustable gauge. This would also be easier to make at home.
    From what he said there has been a lot of testing with the common bodies and if the body is cut to the right cut lines it will measure a little over 110mm, also lowering the back a little helps with the front dam.
    I still prefer our new rules used at the Qld Titles this year, but let me know what you think of the National rules.
    The Onroad Electric section AGM will be held during the Nats and this will be the first year that ORRCA Qld will hold a position in the section, this will give us a voice at National level.

    Like

  32. scott Avatar

    glad to know that aarcmcc have changed the rules purely so that life is easier for the scrutineers….and harder for everybody else. 😕
    i painted a new body last night, but yet to mount and measure it. that’s a job for tonight.
    8 days until official practice starts!

    Like

  33. heavy Avatar
    heavy

    John the problem is this. If you mount your body in the usual position – so you won’t get tyre scrub under the guards it might be 115 high – no advantage and fits with the 110 minimum body rule. But then your wing still has to be 110 maximum which means trimming a whole lot off your wing to get down to that. Not everyone wants to slam their body down on the wheels to get down to the 110.
    Basically what AARCMCC are saying is your body has to be 110 not a minimum of 110.

    Like

  34. john h Avatar
    john h

    I haven’t tried myself Dave but I see your point, I don’t like the tyres rubbing on the body myself, maybe different cars have different amounts of up travel on there suspension.
    Anyway for this Nats you’ll have to live with it, while you’re down there see how the other drivers cope with it.
    Peter and I agreed to disagree on a max wing height, I can’t us changing in QLD until we can see it’s better
    7 days Scott, I wish I could come, but work and other things are happening, how did you go with your body the old man seems to be the only one wing a problem.

    Like

  35. scott Avatar

    didn’t quite get back to mounting the body last night – but I know it will be tight. I’ve been shown some photos from recent JMRCA nats where they appear to have run similar body rules – and the wings were cut way down.
    on unrelated matters….anybody able to weigh a set of sorex tyres/inserts/wheels and let me know what they weigh? I’ve only got tyres on schumacher rev-lite rims (of course!) here.
    one week from today we’ll be in sydney airport en route to practice!

    Like

  36. David Guyatt Avatar
    David Guyatt

    I’m noty the only one with a problem – I may be the only one that cares if a body only lasts one race meet.

    Like

  37. scott Avatar

    6 days from now and I’m sitting in melbourne airport waiting for the sydney flight. mmmmm, wonder what’s for brekky?

    Like

  38. vazzo Avatar
    vazzo

    I still cant believe they’re still using 1500g weight rule 😆
    Do you think we’ll drop to 1350g soon?
    Good Luck Guys
    PS Mars Bar and Coke is the breakfast of RC champions Scott 😆

    Like

  39. scott Avatar

    5 days!
    (and seven from now qualy will be underway!)

    Like

  40. scott Avatar

    car is progressing!
    car stripped and checked
    body painted and mounted
    weighting and balancing worked out
    re-wired (not to leonard’s standard, but the best I’ve done)
    SP comp 3.0 motor installed
    Just have to rebuild the rear diff and put it all back together, and I’m good to go!

    Like

  41. 'The Reaper' Avatar

    Great to see Gman!!!
    I hear there is another Mi4 that needs some TLC…..that it hasn’t been worked on since it was originally made….(I could be mistaken though). Although I did hear that some outta control tools have been bought! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    Like

  42. heavy Avatar
    heavy

    I did mine last week – something of a shock to both me and the car – checked the shocks and refilled etc, rebuilt the diff – new balls, checked everything else put the latest Beggs stock set up on it and it’s good to go – hopefully.

    Like

  43. scott Avatar

    4 days
    I’m starting to think about Action R/C’s EP Nats coverage. We’ll be equipped with internet on-site, so plan to bring updates throughout practice and racing. Not sure about photos, but we’ll see what we can do.
    I’ll start a new thread for each day’s action, and after the first post, will add comments with updates as the day progresses.
    That’s assuming all is going well – if I’m up to my elbows trying to get the car right, the coverage will get postponed to the evenings!

    Like

  44. scott Avatar

    we’re here…..almost…..!
    nationals week.
    3 days to go until we get trackside
    some of the brissie guys will be leaving for sydney as early as tomorrow
    bring it on!
    (my car still in 100 pieces on the workbench, might have a little work to do tonight!)

    Like

  45. PeterD Avatar
    PeterD

    Remember for the “first timer” to a big event like this. The best things about going to a big event are the memories.
    The camaraderie of a Road Trip, and the friends you make with people from other States and abroad. How well you do at the event is truly a distance second and should be treated as a bonus…
    That said, The Best of Luck and good fortune to everyone!!! Wish I was going too…(soo jealous :mrgreen: )

    Like

  46. scott Avatar

    car built
    bag packed
    too much space left over……must have forgotten something!
    56 hours until departure!
    we wish you were going too pd……..seriously!

    Like

  47. scott Avatar

    42 hours to go!
    160 entries means a staggering 18 heats per round – nearly 2.5 hours for each round of qualifying. Saturday will be a long, long day, with one round of qualifying scheduled to take place at night, after dinner. Better sleep well Friday night!
    Weather forecast is a bit of a worry, with storms for thursday, friday, saturday and some shower activity sunday.
    whatever the weather holds, the fun starts very soon!

    Like

Leave a reply to heavy Cancel reply

Action RC

Welcome to Action RC, a home of stories from the world of RC car racing.

Listen to the Action RC Podcast, read race reports and previews, the latest in product reviews or our regular opinion and reflection pieces.

Contact us for content requests or more information.