GSMnow
12-24-2006, 01:37 AM
I just got back from my first real RC Car race in over 10 years. I raced alot back in the late 80's, so I am not really a rookie, but I sure felt like one in the first qualifier. I am actually driving my JRX2 converted into a truck I built back in the late 80's. It handles well and jumps as good as anyone else out there, but my CG is a bit higher than the new stuff, and I am 7 ounces over minimum.
I started well, and even held 2nd for a lap and a half. I was a bit slow down the straight due to very conservative gearing. I used my RC2400 pack and an Orion Core Stock motor. About half way through the run I started getting serious radio hit. After I mentioned it to the marshal, they made an anouncement to check radios in the pits and car started to drive okay again, but had no power. I made time but dumped just trying to get back around again. OUCH! I still managed 7th out of 8, NOT LAST!!!! and turned 9 laps, most had 10, a few 11's and one 12 (he was running Mod)
Upon inspection I could not believe what I found. The end bell screws came out of the motor. The pinion held the armature in, and the brushes and lead wires held the bell on. One of my 20 year old rear wheel bearings also fell apart. I got it all back together for the second qualifier. I went up one tooth on the pinion, based on the early laps, and the fact I had new IB4200's for the second qualifier and main. I also checked over the rest of the truck. All else seemed in order.
Second qualifier was far better. I started at the back of the grid, took off easy and walked by most of the field that was in a pile to be up in second again. The taller gearing was a good choice, and I should go even higher. I was now only losing about 5 feet to the top guys down the long straight and I still had plenty of grunt in the infield. The truck stayed together and my last two laps were my fastest yet. A 29.1 and a 29.1 Too bad a slower guy took me out and I sat for a 50 second lap so I just got 10 laps and finished 5th. That put me 6th on the grid for the main. Just to see how much juice I had left, I ran the pack down on my Turbocharger. I have an old one that only does 4 amp discharge though. It came out to over 2200 mah LEFT IN THE PACK!!! I used less than 1/2 of my capacity. I chose to leave the gearing for now since I knew how it drove and just wanted a clean race.
Starting back in 6th I took a very easy start. I still got around 3 cars to end up in third on the first lap. I turned 5 laps in the 29's and only had one incident that added to my lap time so I turned 11 laps, only lapped once by the leader and second place. I got 5th again, but actually felt like I was able to drive again, and I know there is plenty of juice to go faster.
I got a few pointers from the top drivers there. They were quite surprized when they saw I was running a 20 year old chassis. They told me to run it lower and stiffer for that track. AND GEAR UP!
I am not sure when I will get to run again, but I am sure looking forward to it.
Gary M.
I started well, and even held 2nd for a lap and a half. I was a bit slow down the straight due to very conservative gearing. I used my RC2400 pack and an Orion Core Stock motor. About half way through the run I started getting serious radio hit. After I mentioned it to the marshal, they made an anouncement to check radios in the pits and car started to drive okay again, but had no power. I made time but dumped just trying to get back around again. OUCH! I still managed 7th out of 8, NOT LAST!!!! and turned 9 laps, most had 10, a few 11's and one 12 (he was running Mod)
Upon inspection I could not believe what I found. The end bell screws came out of the motor. The pinion held the armature in, and the brushes and lead wires held the bell on. One of my 20 year old rear wheel bearings also fell apart. I got it all back together for the second qualifier. I went up one tooth on the pinion, based on the early laps, and the fact I had new IB4200's for the second qualifier and main. I also checked over the rest of the truck. All else seemed in order.
Second qualifier was far better. I started at the back of the grid, took off easy and walked by most of the field that was in a pile to be up in second again. The taller gearing was a good choice, and I should go even higher. I was now only losing about 5 feet to the top guys down the long straight and I still had plenty of grunt in the infield. The truck stayed together and my last two laps were my fastest yet. A 29.1 and a 29.1 Too bad a slower guy took me out and I sat for a 50 second lap so I just got 10 laps and finished 5th. That put me 6th on the grid for the main. Just to see how much juice I had left, I ran the pack down on my Turbocharger. I have an old one that only does 4 amp discharge though. It came out to over 2200 mah LEFT IN THE PACK!!! I used less than 1/2 of my capacity. I chose to leave the gearing for now since I knew how it drove and just wanted a clean race.
Starting back in 6th I took a very easy start. I still got around 3 cars to end up in third on the first lap. I turned 5 laps in the 29's and only had one incident that added to my lap time so I turned 11 laps, only lapped once by the leader and second place. I got 5th again, but actually felt like I was able to drive again, and I know there is plenty of juice to go faster.
I got a few pointers from the top drivers there. They were quite surprized when they saw I was running a 20 year old chassis. They told me to run it lower and stiffer for that track. AND GEAR UP!
I am not sure when I will get to run again, but I am sure looking forward to it.
Gary M.