Thinking about getting back into racing...

[TJx2]

Many years ago I was into 1/10 off-road buggy racing, and am considering getting back into it.

I am looking for opinions on moderately priced cars and radios. I am looking to spend at the top end maybe $400 to get a competitive car up and running. Once I get my "race-legs" back, then I will look to upgrade.

I am thinking about going with a top end chassis and scrimping a little on the radio gear (and speed control... I assume mechanical controls are not the norm any longer) until I regain my driver skills (I used to race all the time, but that was a good 14 or 15 years ago...).

I am looking for a chassis that is very upgradable and dependable.

Comments?

[ 06-14-2001: Message edited by: TJx2 ]

[nsane]

Depends on if you want to race buggy or truck, I just did the same thing you are doing after a 7 year break and opted for a buggy, but trucks are the big thing right now. As always the Associated and Losi kits are both good choices, there are several ESCs you could use, (you are right, the manuals are out). Basically what I got is:

AE Factory Team B3 Buggy - $215
JR XR3 Radio - $160 <- 3 model memory, great
Novak Cyclone C2 ESC - $140 (can get a fusion for like $60 that is very good as well)
Duratrax Intelipeak digital charger - $100
and some cheap Trinity batteries until I get heavy back into it for $20 a piece.

[VexVegaz]

First of id like to say Welcome Back to the hobby ,im sure you were missed in the "rc racing hobby" scene.
assuming you would like to get back on the 1/10 buggy racing , i would have to recommend the factory team buggy or you can get by with just the team version, im sure sone in this forum will say otherwise (losi maybe?).

hope this helps

-Vex

[noobie]

If you want to save money, you can start with the team version. but the whole package gets expensive in a hurry. you might look for something used?

[jeepinator]

nsane set up a pretty good list.
But, like noobie said, you may want to not get the "mac daddy" version of the RC10 B3, but cheaper (but arguably just as capable) regular "Team Kit". Just don't get the budget version with bushings !

The Novak Cyclone is well worth the cash, but it is a lot of cash. There are more value oriented electronic speed controls available that perform only fractions less

[XXXER]

For you, the Dirt Spec Losi kits are great for the price, they are about 150 for the buggy, 160 for the truck(on average, you can find it cheaper in some places)
You do not need the XR3, the XR2 is AM, and 2 model memory, and a great radio, that is 100 bucks, you cannot beat that, I also would suggest the Futaba 2PCKA FM that runs just over 100 dollars, but FM, still, only 1 model though.
Batteries, you can pick up some great priced 2400's at Integy, they are not the highest quality junk out there, but they are excellently priced, check them out here: INTEGY (http://www.integy.com)
Speed Control, Fusion, great for the budget minded racer, you can pick it up anywhere on line, etc.
Motor: P2K, i swear by this motor, it is the best motor, it is tough, fast, and great everywhere, if you get a Buggy, i suggest it, if you decide a truck is what is more appealing, then get a TOP based stock motor(Team Orion Chrome RS, or Peak Spitfire)
Others:Bearings, if the kit does not inlcude them(the Dirt Spec losi's do not in the wheels, they are in the tranny though) Tires, Lunsford Titanium Tie Rods(not a necessity, but good insurance), Tires(get the best for your track), Tuning parts(Springs, Pistons, oils).

I hope that this helps you find what you need.

[HowieStern]

gotta love how the guy asks for a 400 dollar set up, and these guys tell him to buy cyclones, FT AE's, and the best of everything else... LMAO..... i guess THOSE guys have limitless banks accounts... back to the "real" world folks...

he said 400 bucks...

vehicle- Base AE B-3 (around 130 bucks... usually around 30 bucks less than the XXX Spec) This is a bushing kit... but you said you were looking for something to upgrade... you can start with bearings after your first month of racing... actually a very competitive buggy even with bushing installed..

charger- Duratrax Intellipeak Pulse charger (around 50 bucks AC/DC... works great, doesn't take up much room, and works on ni-mh cells to boot, probably the best bang for the buck on the charger market right now)

batteries- 2 1700 mah sport packs (around 50 for both, usually a bit less) these have more than enough run time for a 5 minute stock race.... the next step up in cells (2000's) are much more expensive... but these will work just fine till you get the hang of things again...

motor- Trinity P-2-K (around 30 bucks at most places)... basically the standard for stock motors at this point... it rocks....

esc- Novak Explorer (i only recommend Novak, this one runs around 55 bucks, and has a 15 turn limit i beleive)

radio set- Futaba Mag Sport (around 70 bucks)... AM radio that looks decent, works well, and most people like the feel of the controls... comes with 2 servo's... so if you shell one out, you will have a spare...

at this point.. we are sitting right at 385 bucks.... the other 15 bucks can be used for shipping, sales tax, Dean's Ultra Plugs, gas to get to the track, a bulb dis-charger, a comm stick, extra brushes, or about a zillion other things you will need in time....

welcome back to the sport bro... best of luck with your racing...

peace out... :)

[nsane]

Actually Howie, I absolutely paid attention to his limit. We were counting on you to make up the difference :)

[ammoace]

I agree with what Howie said other then the ESC. I would get the Futaba MC230CR, 20 turn motor limit or the MC330CR with at 13 turn motor limit. They basically the same esc just different motor limits. The 230 is less then $30 and has reverse lockout for racing. The 330 is about $50 and also has reverse lock out. But I do like the Novak ESCs. Just trying to throw you a few more choices to choose from. Novak, LRP, and Tekin aren't the only ESCs on the market today.
I would try to find a good used vehicle. A lot of the times you can find real good deals in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum. People sell vehciles because they want to get a nitro instead of an electric or for what ever reason and there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Just wanted to add to that thought too.
For vehicles I would look at the RC10B3 basic kit or the RC10T3 basic kits. I think the 10T still comes with a free 20 Turn stinger motor, but not positive.
Jerry

[TJx2]

I went out looking last night and am planning to hit a couple other shops today (um yeah Boss... I'm really, really sick).

Last night I looked at the Losi XXX and at the Team B3. I think I liked the Losi a little bit better, but I don't remember why. The shop I was at had it for $200. I looked at the XXX Spec buggy, and although the blue tires are pretty cool, but I really don't want a vehicle that smells that bad. Plus, I figure I might as well just get a kit that includes bearings right off the bat. I did not get to see a Kinwald Edition XXX, but I like the sound of a full graphite chassis, so if it's not too much more, I may just go all-out. Understand... when I used to race, we had to cut our own sheet graphite if we wanted those kind of components!

I also looked as speed controls, but that whole thing is totally new to me... when I left racing, wiper speed controls were still the competition norm... the Novaks were just starting to appear, but were abhorantly expensive. You couldn't even touch a low end model (of course, there were only 2 models in the first place) for under $200.

I looked at stock controls and modified controls. I am torn between an inexpensive stock control, or going with a "anymotor" (I think that's what they called it) speed control. I guess that will all depend on what motor I go with. Once again, that is all new to me... If we wanted 10 and 11 turn motors back then, we had to wind our own... Not sure how big of a motor I want to go with yet though... Still debating on the stock v. modified thing.

Also, does Airtronics still make 2 channel pistol-grip radios? I remember a friend had one long ago and it was very impressive and good looking.

[TJx2]

btt

[WhoKnowsWho]

You would probably be better off starting again at stock racing, stocks are much faster than they ever used to be... And as long as you get a speed control that has high frequency operation and brakes, you should be fine to start out with and use for a while. If you want some inexpensive 1700 mah batteries to practice with, Larry Flew (http://www.larryflew.com/) is a good place to get some. Normally, for stock racing, you want regular Ni-Cads anyways... more punch than the Nickel Metal Hydrides... though the newer stock metal hydrides sound good... those all cost an arm and a leg.
You really can't go wrong with either the B3 or XXX, though check what your track runs and has parts for (or just run what everyone else doesn't run :) )
And yes, airtronics still makes pistol grip radios. They make one of the most popular ones too, the M8, but that doesn't fit in your budget. They make some inexpensive AM ones... but for racing, go with a FM, just to be on the safe side.

[B3 Boy]

I oun a factery team B3 there incredibly nice cars +fast!! i suggest getting the factory team "nsane" setup is nice to

[ 06-18-2001: Message edited by: B3 Boy ]

[n2o]

Sup all? I have a Factory Team RC10GT maxed out that I race. And when I wanted to get into electric I was going to get the FT B3.. But after seeing the XXX KE I was sold on it. I just picked mine up last night and will be putting it together tonight. This has to be the best RC out of the box I know of. There really isnt anything you can upgrade (I found a few things).. But nothing thats really going to make it any better of a buggy. The XXX KE kit can be found for 239 at horizonhobbies.com If you want to dump the cash for the XXX KE and then maybe save a little longer to get the rest. That would be the best bet I think. But whatever you get, just take your time with it and you can make it into whatever you want.

-n2o

[XXXER]

The Kinwald Edition XXX is a great car, many people at the track are starting to get them, and they are dialed, fast little machines. The KE vs. the Reg. will run you 40$ more than the stock, but just so you know, the graphite chassis itself costs 50 dollars, not to mention, all of the other little "Goodies", MIP CVD's(30+$), Titanium Tie Rods(25$), Ball Bearing Steering(20$ for 4 bearings!)
If you plan on going "All Out", check out the MultiPlex Profi Car 403, that is found here: Profi Car 403 (http://www.multiplexrc.com/tx_profi_car.htm) You will need to pick up a servo of your choice also, and a Reciever, if you get the 166$ one.

[william2001]

Welcome back to the hobby, a lot has changed in the last 15 years!! The kits are really refined now, no hand-fitting of parts or anything. Todays "stock" motors run like a mild mod, and the batteries are tons better than they used to be. The Losi kits are the newest tech out there, and run like it. The absolute top shelf "Kinwald" and "Factory Team" kits are a good value, but not necessary to win races. Airtronics still makes nice radios, I use a CX2P myself. But, the lower end AM radios will work OK if you're strapped for cash. The ESC's have come along ways too, a mid priced Novak or LRP will do just fine. It's not necessary to have the "best of everything". Don't discount the used market, you can find some really good deals sometimes (E-bay has tons of cool used stuff). Anyways, good luck!!