Help for newbie offroader

[Dasbo]

Hi folks,

I am possibly going to come down from "sunny" Aberdeen for one of your upcoming meetings this month and I was wondering if you could answer me a few questions. Although I'm not a complete novice to the sport, I've never raced on a pukka indoor track like you guys have at your disposal, so....

1. Is mini-pins the best tyre choice?
2. What is the motor limit?
3. Is there plenty time in between races for charging etc?
4. Is the jumps quite hard on the cars i.e should I stock up on wishbones etc?

Any other advice you think would be usefull would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to see if anyone else from these parts want to join me on my road trip so with any luck, there might be a few of us.

Cheers and hope to see you later.

Dasbo

[Malcolm Williams]

Hi folks,

I am possibly going to come down from "sunny" Aberdeen for one of your upcoming meetings this month and I was wondering if you could answer me a few questions. Although I'm not a complete novice to the sport, I've never raced on a pukka indoor track like you guys have at your disposal, so....

1. Is mini-pins the best tyre choice?
2. What is the motor limit?
3. Is there plenty time in between races for charging etc?
4. Is the jumps quite hard on the cars i.e should I stock up on wishbones etc?

Any other advice you think would be usefull would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to see if anyone else from these parts want to join me on my road trip so with any luck, there might be a few of us.

Cheers and hope to see you later.

Dasbo

Welcome to the forum Dasbo, I'll answer your points as you have listed:-

We use mainly yellow grade shumacher minispikes as ninipins give too much grip.

There is no motor limit providing you are able to control your vehicle within reasonable limits.

Plenty of time between races to charge batteries, most have two or three so you cycle charge them.
Mains power is available.

The jumps can be quite off putting for newbies to the off roader sport, but its not to be feared.

I would bring a stock of wishbones etc. as even the old hands can break them when getting enthusiastic during the race; joking apart it depends on how reckless you drive around the track.

Our rostrum is the stage so most will be able to have a clear view of all of the track.

All of the guys and girls that race here are a helpful bunch, so you will get tips and advice on how to negotiate the course and on your cars set-up etc. if required.

I hope this is of help to you and we look forward to seeing you and anyone else that comes with you.

[Dasbo]

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I've got a new set of yellow mini spikes just waiting to be mounted (lucky) & I've got a 6.5T in the car at the mo, so hopefully that wont be too manic. All the rest sounds good to me.

So if all goes to plan, I'll be able to fully test my new car on your excellent track.

See you later,

Dasbo

[Malcolm Williams]

Glad to be helpful mate, see you when you come down

[raymondkerr]

Welcome to offroad racing dasbo, what buggy do you have ? I run a 7.5 in my B44 which is fine, but some people run 6.5 and maybe even 5.5 motors, just need to experiment with gearing.

a couple of guys from EKMCC should be coming across again this sunday. Looking forward to it. I got myself a B4 to try out 2WD, so hopefully should be trying that on sunday as well.

Raymond
East Kilbride Model Car Club

[Dasbo]

Hi Raymond,

I managed to save some of my hard earned pennies (& sell my B4) and got my mits on one of those new fangled Durango's. I tested it for the first time on Sunday at my local indoor touring car club (GRCC), but I cant really comment on the car yet, as the tyres were pretty poor and my speedo from my B4 couldnt cope with 4WD and kept shutting down because of high temps. More expense!!! I'll just have to tell my son that Santa must have forgotten about him this year. ;-) It certainly looks the part though.

I competed last year on our outdoor grass tracks at Stonehaven (SDRCC), but again these never had more than one jump. I'm just gagging to try a more testing track like at FRCC.

I've got zero spares so I'll just have to hope I dont crash badly and break something. Its a long miserable drive home if I snap a wishbone in the first heat.

Dasbo

PS. How many cars do the meetings attract on average?

[Malcolm Williams]

Hi Dasbo, we will all be looking forward to seeing a Durango in the flesh, its publicity on oOple is good.

BtB- We have anything from 5 - 15 turn up on Sundays, usually depends on what National or regionals are on that weekend.

NB the winter months we try to start circa 12 noon ish to get the track built but its an easy going atmosphere and every one chats to each other, charges batteries etc. while building it up so no stress to worry about Ha Ha

[mark79]

Cool, another Durango :-D

Don't worry, i have spares

[Dasbo]

Good to hear there is another Durango at the meetings. We can have a good old chinwag and compare notes. Lets hope I dont have to come begging for spares. :-)

I'm looking forward to coming down. I'm not sure if I will make this Sunday, but if I dont I'll deffo be down on the 29th.

Since I've never been before, I'll have to apologise in advance if I turn up after all the track setup is done. But I'm sure my trusty TomTom will get me there okay.

[raymondkerr]

It will be good to meet you Dasbo. Just a wee heads up about sunday 29th. Theres a event on at Ayr, touring cars and buggies and some of us will be going down there, but we'll be at falkirk this week (22nd) and the week after the 29th. But I'm sure that Malcolm will confirm if Falkirk is still on, on the 29th.

Raymond.

[Dasbo]

Thanks for the heads up. I might see if my (the wife's) plans can be changed.

[raymondkerr]

Just updated the EK website after tonights racing. Some pics in the Buggy Gallery section of the new Durango DEX410

www.ekmodelcarclub.co.uk

Working on a new video which should be online in a couple of days, but you can checkout the current video section of some footage from Falkirk.

Raymond.

[Dasbo]

As suspected, I wont make it this Sunday, but I will be there on the 29th as per my original plan. The following Sunday clashes with my local TC club so thats out too.

Will the meeting on the 29th be going ahead if most drivers are elsewhere?

[Malcolm Williams]

as suspected, i wont make it this sunday, but i will be there on the 29th as per my original plan. The following sunday clashes with my local tc club so thats out too.

Will the meeting on the 29th be going ahead if most drivers are elsewhere?

should be but check back the friday before so i can definitely confirm for you

[Dom]

Hi Darren

Sorry you never made it down on Sunday. I made the trip down and thought it was fantastic. The best, most fun indoor circuit I've driven in a long, long time.

I think you should arrange an "away-day" for the others up there and all come down one weekend and give the big jumps a go. It's awesome.

Plus it would be good to see how simple the jumps are to build and give you ideas how to build outdoor versions for SDRCC.

BTW, I used very worn Yellow mini-pins and the grip was fine on carpet and floor.

But a warning. On the first practice lap; in fact I drove the car 12 ft (and another 6ft in the air); and took the first jump all wrong. Broke a wishbone and shock bottom. But the guys there helped out and I was up & running again in no time.

I can't go racing this weekend (29th) but will be there as much as I can over the next 2 months at least.

[mark79]

It was an interesting track on sunday for sure! (as usual)

Good to see other racers showing up too. i didn't realise you'd travelled so far ( i was having teething troubles with the new car and didn't look up from it much the whole meeting :???:).

See you next time you're down :-D

[Malcolm Williams]

Hi Darren

Sorry you never made it down on Sunday. I made the trip down and thought it was fantastic. The best, most fun indoor circuit I've driven in a long, long time.

I think you should arrange an "away-day" for the others up there and all come down one weekend and give the big jumps a go. It's awesome.

Plus it would be good to see how simple the jumps are to build and give you ideas how to build outdoor versions for SDRCC.

BTW, I used very worn Yellow mini-pins and the grip was fine on carpet and floor.

But a warning. On the first practice lap; in fact I drove the car 12 ft (and another 6ft in the air); and took the first jump all wrong. Broke a wishbone and shock bottom. But the guys there helped out and I was up & running again in no time.

I can't go racing this weekend (29th) but will be there as much as I can over the next 2 months at least.

Hi Dom, when I got home, found I had run out of front wishbones so got the last ones from Brock.

Sorry I beat you to it M8, but at least this time I'll have some with me for you and I to use Ha Ha.

It would be nice to see the SDRCC boys down for at least one Sunday if not more.:-D

[Dom]

Not to worry, I've now got three sets of all these; front wishbones, castor blocks and knuckle arms/uprights.

I'm also making up the spare Losi shocks for 25w/300cst, 30w/350cst and 35w/450cst for quick changes without messing about with oils on the night.

Will give the 2WD a run next time so I can see how it compares; mid-motor vs rear-motor.

And Darren, just in case you haven't realised, it me!

Forum wouldn't accept "Dom" and the Sunday name is just too uncool for everyday use... :cool:

Dom.

[Dasbo]

Hi folks,

Sounds like a good time was had by all (& Dom).

I'm looking forward to letting the Durango stretch its legs. I've sorted out a new speedo which should handle 4WD and a 6.5 motor, and I glued on my mini-spikes last night, so I'm good to go.

So far, I have had no takers for a car share, so it looks like it will just be me.

[Dave]

Forum wouldn't accept "Dom" and the Sunday name is just too uncool for everyday use... :cool:

Dom.

It could always be 'The Dom' lol

I will have a look into this and if I can get your username to be Dom would you like it changed?

Cheers

[Dan]

Hi All,

I have been itching to come down and race with you all for ages, ever since BigChris and Raymond pointed me towards the vids on Youtube.

Have spoken to Dasbo about it too but can't come down at the moment due to the new addition, it's very time consuming having a 5 year old and a 2 month old!

I hope to get a pass out soon, maybe next time Das comes down i'll car share with him - but will need to buy Paula some red roses first I reckon.

Cheers, have a great time.

Dan

p.s. Shopping centre race still on the cards for early 2010

[Dom]

It could always be 'The Dom' lol

Err, lets not go THAT far.
Someone might have expectations of my ability, that I can't live up to...

I will have a look into this and if I can get your username to be Dom would you like it changed?

and "YES PLEASE" :-D:-D:-D

[Dasbo]

Hi again folks,

Just a quickie to find out if there is going to be buggy racing tomorrow? There is a lot of talk about folk going to Ayr tomorrow, which is just a wee bit too far (and too early) for me.

No problems if its cancelled. I'll just have to try and come at the next opportunity.

Later,

Dasbo

[Dave]

"YES PLEASE" :-D:-D:-D

Done

[Malcolm Williams]

Hi again folks,

Just a quickie to find out if there is going to be buggy racing tomorrow? There is a lot of talk about folk going to Ayr tomorrow, which is just a wee bit too far (and too early) for me.

No problems if its cancelled. I'll just have to try and come at the next opportunity.

Later,

Dasbo

Its on as far as I know, John said it was last week to everyone

[Malcolm Williams]

Sorry Dabo, I was not at the club today as went to Kilmarnock Crawlers, when I got back 2.30 pm, message from John saying Buggies off.
Down to John I'm afraid, he usually letsme know on Saturdays at the latest.:oops::oops:

[Dasbo]

Hi Malcom,

I'm just back from my 5 hour round trip. Its a pity no-one could have confirmed it was off before I left. If it wasnt for Martin, who I met ouside the hall, (and who also didnt know it was off) I'd have probably hung around for a lot longer than I did.

No problem with you though, as you were only trying to be helpful.

Dasbo

[Dom]

I'm planning coming down again on 20th Dec. Sorry it can't be earlier, but I'm racing at the Carpet Champs at Dunfermline this Sunday and I do HAVE to spend some Sundays with Mary.

I'll keep my eyes on this Thread though - I presume you'll continue to post regular updates on when the club is running. I know last weekend was a bit strange, but the updates are usually good and in plenty of time.

Looking forward to the next run out - lot of testing to be done between now and the end of January...