Truck racing class

[pinwc4]

I have been wanting to start a truck racing class for quite some time. Now that I have well more than enough jumps for the track I would like to start a truck racing class. My plan is to use the HFAY OLPS layout as the base and add jumps to it. Is anyone other than me interested?

[GrfxDan]

I have been wanting to start a truck racing class... ...Is anyone other than me interested?

Yes, I'm interested but I'm not sure I have the budget for another class. I assume 1:28th scale Mini-Z Monsters since you're planning on running them on the HFAY layout w/ bumps?

[briankstan]

I suggest running overlands. We run them and they are tons of fun.

http://www.saltlakemini-z.com/media/Overland_race_3.wmv

http://www.saltlakemini-z.com/media/8-4-05_overland.wmv

[pinwc4]

I figured the class would be more more open, 1/28th and 1/36th in general. Meaning Overlands, Mini-Z Monsters, XMOD trucks, and the Losi Micro-T. Maybe even let it be a mod class instead of a strict adherence to motor's and electronics.

As is I know Gasser has a XMOD truck, I have 2 Micro-T's, an Overland and a Monster, and I think Draygo may jump in if I start this?

If we were to be more strict to try to level the playing field I would suggest the Micro-T or the Overland as the best options. My preference would actually be on the Micro-T as I think it will handle the off road course the best.

Since the briankstan noticed this thread I do feel the necessity to say that this could be a great addition to the HFAY OLPS. Use the on-road layout add some Imat jumps in and let everyone compete in an offroad class.

[Draygo]

I am interested. Like GrfxDan, I'm not entirely certain I have the budget to keep 2 different classes of vehicle in repair. I think if we could find a decent truck that (after the required durability upgrades) would hold up to a little abuse I would be game. From what I've seen so far I think I would want to go with the Micro-T's.

[pinwc4]

I am interested. Like GrfxDan, I'm not entirely certain I have the budget to keep 2 different classes of vehicle in repair. I think if we could find a decent truck that (after the required durability upgrades) would hold up to a little abuse I would be game. From what I've seen so far I think I would want to go with the Micro-T's.

Yeah, all of them would require some sort of upgrade to be durable. The Micro-T RTR is around 80$. But there are some weak points, for certain the rear suspension arm hub, probably the front one too, and many people have problems with the tie rods (although these can be made from zip ties or lexan and be quite durable). I haven't had a tie rod problem yet but I loosened mine right out of the box since they looked problematic. I would also expect knuckles to be common problem. So to get those upgrades plus some bearings your are looking at a little less than 150$. That is assuming they are necessary.

Really we just need to race these around some to see if it is workable. I have 2 and maybe we could setup an hour early next time to do some practice offroad racing. My overland is still running so we could race with it to for comparison.

[Draygo]

Hey just a thought. These Micro-T's are supposed to be off road right? Do we have enough space and track to setup a third track partly on and partly off the green stage at the front of the room?

[pinwc4]

Hey just a thought. These Micro-T's are supposed to be off road right? Do we have enough space and track to setup a third track partly on and partly off the green stage at the front of the room?

Do you mean with the left over track? There would be around 1 L worth of track left. I think both Mark and I have an extra bump tile so if we really wanted to we could pack in a double jump, mogul, and large jump section within a L worth of track.

[Draygo]

Yea, that's what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure there was enough left over track to make anything. I think that if it was setup the whole time more people would try it out.

[GrfxDan]

Sounds like fun. Unfortunately my hobby budget has already been blown since I ordered an MA-010 chassis set to get my Mini-Z fixed.

[Draygo]

Sounds like fun. Unfortunately my hobby budget has already been blown since I ordered an MA-010 chassis set to get my Mini-Z fixed.

How did you trash your Mini-Z?

[GrfxDan]

How did you trash your Mini-Z?

Well, it's not completely trashed, it only has 2 problems: 1) it's much slower than Neo's and I don't know why; I'm guessing it's either the motor or batteries or a combination of both, and 2) I still have a steering problem that I'm 99.9% sure is in the PCB; most likely a bad FET. If I make anything less than a 100% left turn it doesn't respond at all. This could also be a bad FET, or servo motor or pot. Again, I'm not sure. Plus, since I changed servo motors I've got 3X more twitching that I ever had before. I decided rather than buying a new PCB ($108) and a new motor ($14) I'd be better off buying a new chassis kit ($130) and then I could replace the pot & servo gears as well... and have enough spare parts to put together a 2nd car (with the previously mentioned problems).

[pinwc4]

Yea, that's what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure there was enough left over track to make anything. I think that if it was setup the whole time more people would try it out.

Well I think if anyone will join me I would still like to setup an hour early and do some practice runs of the HFAY OLPS track with jumps. I have 2 Micro-T's and an Overland to share for the races. I will setup the core lap counter so we can run some actual races to get a feel for this type of class.

Once it gets close to HFAY OLPS time then I will setup an L on the stage with jumps so other people can try it out.

[GrfxDan]

Well I think if anyone will join me I would still like to setup an hour early and do some practice runs of the HFAY OLPS track with jumps. I have 2 Micro-T's and an Overland to share for the races. I will setup the core lap counter so we can run some actual races to get a feel for this type of class.

If I'm not mistaken there's another event scheduled in the fellowship hall until 3pm. You may want to double-check before just showing up early. I can look on the calender for you on Tuesday if you'd like.

[Draygo]

If I'm not mistaken there's another event scheduled in the fellowship hall until 3pm. You may want to double-check before just showing up early. I can look on the calender for you on Tuesday if you'd like.
I VPN'd in to GT to take a peak at the calendar. There is an event until 4 on the 24th and racing is not on there at all.

[pinwc4]

I VPN'd in to GT to take a peak at the calendar. There is an event until 4 on the 24th and racing is not on there at all.

Well looks like we will be getting a later start then or have to move to a different day.

[GrfxDan]

I VPN'd in to GT to take a peak at the calendar. There is an event until 4 on the 24th and racing is not on there at all.

Did anyone call to schedule it? I just assumed someone had since I was told that we were racing that day and not asked to put it on the calender. If it's not on the calender we need to add it.

[GrfxDan]

Well looks like we will be getting a later start then or have to move to a different day.

Maybe a different location? I wonder if I could get approval to use the new building. Afterall there's plenty of space.

[pinwc4]

Did anyone call to schedule it? I just assumed someone had since I was told that we were racing that day and not asked to put it on the calender. If it's not on the calender we need to add it.

I guess not, I had assumed it was scheduled at the same time we scheduled for the 10th.

[pinwc4]

Maybe a different location? I wonder if I could get approval to use the new building. Afterall there's plenty of space.

We could probably even setup in a room they don't know exists yet with how much space that place has.

But they don't like to heat that building much. If I have traction problems now with the stickiest tires I would hate to see how my car handles at 35 degrees.

[GrfxDan]

We could probably even setup in a room they don't know exists yet with how much space that place has.

But they don't like to heat that building much. If I have traction problems now with the stickiest tires I would hate to see how my car handles at 35 degrees.

The heat is on. It's no longer near freezing.

[GrfxDan]

We could probably even setup in a room they don't know exists yet with how much space that place has.

The only potential problem that I can see is the fact that there are support pillars about every 10 feet in the basement and on the first floor. We would have to setup in one of the larger rooms on the 2nd floor where the pillars are spaced farther apart. I think there's only one large room on the 2nd floor that's not being used for the youth.

I could be jumping the gun too, as I've never even hinted at wanting to use the space. I don't know what kind of response I'd get if I asked.

[pinwc4]

The only potential problem that I can see is the fact that there are support pillars about every 10 feet in the basement and on the first floor. We would have to setup in one of the larger rooms on the 2nd floor where the pillars are spaced farther apart. I think there's only one large room on the 2nd floor that's not being used for the youth.

I could be jumping the gun too, as I've never even hinted at wanting to use the space. I don't know what kind of response I'd get if I asked.

I know I wouldn't ask for the space, who knows how much they would want to charge me for rent.

In the basement there is a room that does not have support pillars everywhere. It is the ex-server room (not the tape room people call the server room). Not as big as the fellowship hall but everyone seems to ignore that room in the new building since it is very unfinished.

On the second floor I thought there was a large room like the youth are using but to the west that Pastor Kraig had said was a general purpose room.

[GrfxDan]

I know I wouldn't ask for the space, who knows how much they would want to charge me for rent.

In the basement there is a room that does not have support pillars everywhere. It is the ex-server room (not the tape room people call the server room). Not as big as the fellowship hall but everyone seems to ignore that room in the new building since it is very unfinished.

On the second floor I thought there was a large room like the youth are using but to the west that Pastor Kraig had said was a general purpose room.

Yes, there is a large room on the 2nd floor - the general purpose room. That's the one I was referring to. I'm not sure I know of the ex-server room in the basement but if it's an unfinished room perhaps they'd even allow us to leave the track setup?

As for rent, I don't know what kind of arrangement you had setup but I's be willing to ask and try to setup a deal where we could use it for free.

Maybe you could show me the ex-server room sometime? Approximately where is it in relation to the old tape room? I assume the tape room is the one with the raised floor and glass wall?

[Draygo]

where is it in relation to the old tape room? I assume the tape room is the one with the raised floor and glass wall?
There is a big cable tray going very near the old tape room. I think it goes in there, but I'm not sure. Follow it back. It goes the the old server room.

[GrfxDan]

There is a big cable tray going very near the old tape room. I think it goes in there, but I'm not sure. Follow it back. It goes the the old server room.

I'll be out running a few errands this morning and may swing by there just to look for the room - or any other room on the basement level that would work for us. If there's a space in the basement that's big enough and we got approval to use it we could likely setup the track there and leave it setup inbetween GTGs.

[pinwc4]

I'll be out running a few errands this morning and may swing by there just to look for the room - or any other room on the basement level that would work for us. If there's a space in the basement that's big enough and we got approval to use it we could likely setup the track there and leave it setup inbetween GTGs.

That would be sweet. The server room is towards the middle of the basement. As Draygo said there is a large cable tray, almost looks like a wide skinny metal duct, that leads into it.

If I remember correct after you go down the stairs from the entrance we commonly use then take a right down the nearest hallway that leads north towards the tape room the server room is on the left shortly down that hall.

I just wonder if the room is as big as I remember it though.

[GrfxDan]

That would be sweet. The server room is towards the middle of the basement. As Draygo said there is a large cable tray, almost looks like a wide skinny metal duct, that leads into it.

If I remember correct after you go down the stairs from the entrance we commonly use then take a right down the nearest hallway that leads north towards the tape room the server room is on the left shortly down that hall.

I just wonder if the room is as big as I remember it though.

I'll swing by there today and take a tape measure with me.

[GrfxDan]

I'll swing by there today and take a tape measure with me.

I found the server room. It's actually one of the rooms that Pastor offered me for the print shop. I decided to use the room that was previous Ameren's print shop instead since it's already wired with the proper outlets and is larger.

The server room would have a max space of 17'x28' for setting up a track (with room around it for pit tables, etc.) but someone has setup several large utility shelving units in the room. It's not usable unless we moved a lot of stuff out of the room.

However, there's a room just north of the server room, that would work. It's a finished room with several small office rooms on two ends. It has an area that would support a 20' x 30' track with even more room around it for pit tables. I highly doubt the room will be used for anything for quite some time. I can ask about using it for our club if you'd like.

[pinwc4]

However, there's a room just north of the server room, that would work. It's a finished room with several small office rooms on two ends. It has an area that would support a 20' x 30' track with even more room around it for pit tables. I highly doubt the room will be used for anything for quite some time. I can ask about using it for our club if you'd like.


That room would be tempting then. 20' x 30' makes it so we can run 2 HFAY layouts like we did for the last HFAY event. Go ahead and ask if you think they will not frown upon asking.

Of course for visitors this will make finding us harder....

[GrfxDan]

That room would be tempting then. 20' x 30' makes it so we can run 2 HFAY layouts like we did for the last HFAY event. Go ahead and ask if you think they will not frown upon asking.

Of course for visitors this will make finding us harder....

Yes, it will be harder for visitors to find us. I would need to make some interior signs directing people to the room. I'll ask on Tuesday.

[GrfxDan]

FYI, just asked about using space in the new building. We can either setup in the fellowship hall like we've been doing but no sooner than 4pm, due to another event that has the fellowship hall till then, OR, we can use space in the new building for this week only. We have not been given approval to move the events their every week or to leave the track setup there... as of yet. I am awaiting an answer on that. We can setup there this Saturday, though. We can start as early as we want.

Let me know what everyone's preference is.

[pinwc4]

FYI, just asked about using space in the new building. We can either setup in the fellowship hall like we've been doing but no sooner than 4pm, due to another event that has the fellowship hall till then, OR, we can use space in the new building for this week only. We have not been given approval to move the events their every week or to leave the track setup there... as of yet. I am awaiting an answer on that. We can setup there this Saturday, though. We can start as early as we want.

Let me know what everyone's preference is.

I would be inclined to stick with the fellowship hall for this event then. I checked out the room you mentioned and the space will work but we would need more time to setup as there are no tables or chairs or a projector, etc.

[GrfxDan]

I would be inclined to stick with the fellowship hall for this event then. I checked out the room you mentioned and the space will work but we would need more time to setup as there are no tables or chairs or a projector, etc.

I'll add it to the calender then. 4pm-9pm?

[pinwc4]

I'll add it to the calender then. 4pm-9pm?

How about 4-10 P.M. That way after we do the HFAY OLPS events I may be able to throw some jumps on the track and try out the Micro-T's.

[GrfxDan]

Done. It's on the calender.