The stock motor / esc / speed debate.
Let me preface this comment by saying a couple of things upfront.
1. I like the new stock and don’t think it’s too fast.
2. I’m commenting from a Queensland viewpoint – there maybe differences elsewhere.
Over the past few years here in Queensland we have been at the forefront of jumping on every new thing, we introduced LIPO to official racing very early and we introduced brushless to official racing very, very early compared to some other places and administrations. Sometimes we got it right (LIPO), sometimes we got it nearly right (banning a particular speedy from stock and later relenting that decision), and sometimes we got it wrong (the whole 13.5 bonded rotor only thing). The times were moving fast and we were moving fast as well – as an excuse for the times we might have got things wrong.
The current problem perceived to be facing RC all around the world. “Stock is now too fast for a beginners class and too expensive as well.”
Some questions that come to my mind from that kind of statement.
1. Who is saying stock is too fast – mainly mod drivers from what I can see.
2. Who is saying stock is too expensive – I just ran the Interclub with the same speedie I have been using for 2 years with a free software download and my car was as fast as anyones.
3. Is stock a beginners class – not in Queensland where we have 540 as the beginners class.
So is the differential between 540 and stock (lets change the name and call it 17.5 ) too great – possibly. But there are at least 2 ways to fix that.
1. Slow down 17.5 – that seems to be the world and NSW focus.
2. Speed up 540 – lets go to 21.5 with the fixed timing speedies (or the ROAR solution) and speed the class up a little so the differential between 540 (lets call it 21.5) and 17.5 is not so great.
Did I say I love 17.5 THE WAY IT IS and by the way I quite like 540 as well but would like it even better with a 21.5 solution.
By the way I am a firm believer that we don’t have the numbers to support too many classes in electric in Brisbane. I really love to race in a class where there are bigger numbers – where is the fun in trying to qualify for the A final if there are only 8 people racing the class ?
Leaving F1 aside for a moment – as we only race it Wednesday night and a few weekends a year – I think we only have enough players for 3 classes (I’d like to say 2 but I will get howled down for sure)
1. Beginner or slower class (now called 540)
2.Intermediate class (now called Stock)
3. Fast class (now called modified for historic reasons)
I am aware that there are a small number that push the 10.5 barrow but really guys, if you can race 10.5 with an open esc then you can race modified – mod needs the numbers as well.
540
For the last month or so I have raced 540 at big meets and at clubbies. It’s been intentional on my part to try to get a better handle on the class – see what it is people love about it and see if my driving and car was good enough. I think a driver and car has to be at the class standard prior to be doing teh testing and making valid commentary on teh way forward – because of my results over the last month or so I feel I am now qualified to test and comment. I am planning to test the new no-timing no-adjustments, speedie (it could be done with the SP or HW with the new ROAR Software downloaded, now available) with the sportsman no timing adjustment motor. If that is comparable with speed etc to a 540 then that would be a sensational alternative – the whole bundle retails for $150 ESC and motor.
TO BE CONTINUED – feel free to comment at any stage
Stories from the world of RC car racing
8 responses to “Let's not jump till we get pushed”
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I agree, we just need to sit it out and follow the Roar guide lines, because essentially this will determine what is available to buy on the market. But when we all fix the speedy war, who isn’t to say we will then have a motor war. 😕 ……..and so it goes on. We will never have a fix unless extreme guide lines and rules are tightened for particular classes. Just my view. 😆 😆
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It’s an evolving time in EP.. adding too many classes will further dilute the fields. Perhaps if some clearer guidelines are implemented at the EVENT level to merge classes at smaller turnout then best leave things as they are for a while and let the development settle until LIFE batteries and flash speedies are more common.
What is important that we maintain a steady transition with the equipment we have and keep a channel open for newcomers.
F1’s, MIni’s Newcomers, 540, Linear timed > 17.5
Non linear timed 10.5
Then modified..
One could mergeLikeLike
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Firstly, Post note: (Revision)
STOCK F1, MINI, NOOB, 540, LINEAR > 17.5
SUPERSTOCK NON LINEAR 10
MODIFIED NON LINEAR < 10.6
Flash speedies are the way to go.. and one day.. perhaps Scutineers can FLASH our speedies for us before an event and we'll have race controlled parity.
So KEEP the smart speedies and allow for this RC boom in technology!
More RC banter..
I was boldly thinking (dreamin mate…) to hook up a speedy to a glow plug and was looking at the non linear timing as an unfair advantage in comparison with IC rules and just then remembered we have needles to tune our engines… WELL…
If the non linear timing debate needs confirmation, just ask the nitro boys if they'd settle for factory Electronic tuning and no more screwdrivers and see how they react. Sure it's unrealistic, but timing a brushless motor is 21st century and there's little difference between a PC and a screwdriver in this case.
I dont think you have to be a RC racer or member of a club to have the desire to produce performance. It transcends the chassis, it's intricate, it requires on piste experience and optimal power helps achieve better results.
If the 21.5 scene becomes a masters, then there's a great wealth of driving experience at the entry level and homogonise with F1, mini and whya rent we 12th scale? Waiting for LIFE?
"Convince a person to use throttle sparingly…"LikeLike
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I’ll get to the number of classes that we can handle in Qld but let me say that F1 (and in my view Mini) is definitely not a beginners class.
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The way I see it it that the F1 and mini class are fun classes and are not impacted as much as the core class, which is 4wd tourers. This class must be strongly focused on. To my disappointment the Manufacters seem to be locked into a technology war,which can be very harmfull to consumers and the sport of R/C Racing. It is now up to us as racers, worldwide and Australia wide to take a stance. Slow the pace, slow the technology and we might just keep the numbers and the close competition in R/C racing, but this is up to all of us as racers to express our concerns and views. 😆 😆
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Although Mini’s have died off in QLD they are on FIRE down South
The main reason behind this is the one motor / speedie combo. They also have limited FDR’s which puts the racing back in the Drivers Hands not the speedie.
We should be looking at something similar for 540 brushless. 23.5 – 25.5 with open speedie could work.
ShaneLikeLike
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Personally would hate to see “open speedie” in that class – just subjecting all the 540 drivers to flavour of the month speedies in what is meant to be a cheaper class to run would be a big mistake – my opinion.
Fixed FDR in Mini is easy to do and easy to police cause they are all the same, difficult to police in TC as they are all different and not easy to check , thankfully we have variety in TC and different FDR chosen by drivers as they learn is just a part ot that.
Fixed timing speedies and motors will be the cheapest and best option, if we need to change it.LikeLike
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I wonder what killed the mini racing in QLD??? 😕
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