TCS racing

[Prelude14WRX]

I'm getting a tt-01 for christmas and saw that there is a spec class. This looks like a cheap, fun way to race. I race an Xray during the winter season...but, racing another car sounds good too :D

So, has anyone attended a TCS race...I would go to the Wisconsin race in march if I did go. Thanks for your help.

[Grizzbob]

Absolutely, I've gone to a number of TCS races, & I always have fun at them. Thge big thing to keep in mind with them is to run in it, you MUST use all Tamiya parts, in the car & also the wheels & tires(& most times, even the inserts). Only the electronics can be of brands you choose(though in the GT-3 class you also have to use the kit silver-can motors also). But it's not that hard to keep the car legal & get it set up acceptably, & it most definitely creates an EXTREMELY even playing field, so it really does come down to who sets up & drives their car best. Hexk, when I went to the Memphis TCS race back in July, I didn't even have a Tamiya car of my own, I borrowed one from a buddy & just spent the weekend getting comfortable with it. Changed VERY little on it(didn't need much work, it was already pretty close in setup) & just drove the wheels off it, & actually ended up winning the GT-2 class with it(that's a class that uses ROAR-legal stock motors), & as a result, now I do have a car of my own to run(the class winners get a car kit, so they gave me a TB-02 as a prize, though I seriously thinking about getting a TA05 instead, I'm really impressed with it).... :cool:

[Grizzbob]

Oh, & also, since you mentioned doing it in Wisconsin, that must mean S & N's Trackside Hobbies & Raceway, & I KNOW you'll have fun there(I've known Scotty Ernst, the track owner for several years, GREAT guy & runs incredible programs).... :D

[Prelude14WRX]

Thanks for the reply. I think going up there to race would be my b-day present.

Since you have been to one....how is the racing set up? I know its a two day thing, but Im not sure when to get there. Thanks.

[Grizzbob]

Well, the TCS race itself is actually just a one-day event, usually, but it's frequently a good idea to get there as early as possible to get all the practice you can(you'll find a tough bunch of racers in those Milwaukee guys, they know their track well, ;) ). And in some cases(like possibly Trackside, & definitely in the case of the Memphis one I did in july), there can be a club race the Sat. evening before the TCS stuff, so it becomes a great time to get in track time & get comfortable with the surface & the car(not to mention size up the competition). However, I don't know for sure if Scotty will do it as a one-day or a two-day thing, in the end I believe it's up to his discretion, so you might need to give him a call & make sure(& he can also let you know if there's a club race the day before, as well). As for when to head up there, that all depends on where you are now. I've actually done his TCS race myself(several years ago, was the first time I met him & raced at Trackside, & now I'm hooked on the place, :p ), but because I'm in Oklahoma, we had to leave VERY early, like that Friday evening, & we drove all night to get there(was close to a 12 hour drive the first time we did it, though now we've worked it down to more like 10 1/2 to 11 hours), & we got there about an hour before the track opened for practice that Sat. morning, once we got there & inside, we went ahead & started practicing immediately, so that by the Sunday racing, we were comfortable & ready to be competitive(& two of us finished in the top 6 in the main TC class of the time, myself included). But we only needed 2 nights of hotel time to handle it all, Sat. & Sun. night(& we drove home on that Mon. morning), not exactly soething to do on a whim, but we had a blast anyway, & some of us from this area have been going back there as much as possible(including going up for their Novak Touring Car Championships every Janurary) ever since. Really, the best thing to do is call Scotty up & get an idea of exactly when everything will happen for his event, so then you can plan the weekend out to suit your needs(to be honest, I wish I had the time & cash to go there twice a year, then I'd be doing the Novak & TCS races there every year).... :cool:

[Prelude14WRX]

Thank you so much for your help. I will call Scotty at Trackside and get the info. I really hope I can go. It sounds like a blast :D

[cnroman]

TCS is a blast, even if you don't win. I participated in two events in NY back in late 90's. Great competition.