Off-road racing classes

[Cragar]

Hey all.

Went to my first R/C race Saturday night. There were three rounds in all and about 8 heats in each round. Practice started at 6:00PM and racing started at 7:00PM. My daughters and I left at @10:15PM with about 2-3 heats left in round 2. Mind you, round 3 was still left to go. Man, what an awesome night of racing. I thought I was hooked on R/C prior to Saturday. Now, I think I'm addicted. I need mo money, mo money, and mo money.... :D

Anyway, to the subject of the matter. I'm planning on upgrading my motor to a stocker, but am curious about racing classes, tires, etc. I noticed at my local track (and when I say local, it's 1 hour away) that the monster truck class was strictly T/E-Maxx. I have a Stampede that I'm modifying for racing. What classes have most of you seen these in when they're being raced? Is it feasible to think I can enter the Off-road stock? I mean, most of the vehicles I saw racing this class were buggies and stadium trucks. My Stampede will look quite out of place with the rest. If I put slightly smaller tires on, such as the Pro-Line Road Hawg IIs, I will not only be lightening up rotating mass, but also bring down the CG as well. How do these look on a Stampede? They are an inch smaller in diameter than the Masher tires which come stock on the Pede (half an inch lower CG). I'm going to see about lowering the body even more than I have (3/4 of an inch so far). Perhaps this will help the smaller tires look more at home.

Sorry for the lengthy post.

[R/C Homie]

glad to hear u like racing. Well i race my stampede in the novice off-road class it did well too, crushed a few buggys lol. i think u could enter it in the MT class but it might get smashed by the e-maxxes. I personally dont know the speed of the e-maxxes but with a good motor and a good driver you could most likly out run a maxx.

[guggi101]

Ok to race first I would get a good set of front and rear 2.2 off-road truck tires.This will like you said lower the C-G on your Stampede. Next get a good stocker like a P2k. Then, if you don't already have one, get a good esc like a novak fusion. Then I would lower the suspension so you can turn and not get as much lift on the inside.Then get a good 1800mah to 2400mah battery.I have seen a couple of Stampede's at my local track and they have done well.(The track is r/c madness in Enfield)I think the main thing is to lower the C-G so you can turn and handle well.Also ask around at your track most people will e glad to help you set up your car so it can preform at its best. Good luck. :)

[Cragar]

I've been pretty much doing exactly what you just outlined. I've shaved down the body posts and carved out the chassis to lighten the truck. I've replaced the stock springs 3 and 4 inch big bore springs with Losi 2 and 2.25 inch springs with a much softer spring rate. The A-arms are now parallel with the ground. I've replaced the stock body with an a much more aero-dynamic body (RC10GT F-150 Pro-Line). I have upgraded the stock manual speed control to a Futaba MC230CR. I'm installing a Kyosho 1/8th scale buggy wing on the rear to get more bite and a heat sink for the motor (using the remainder of the front body posts I cut off....looks cool, you ought to see it). I'm planning on getting either a Green Machine 3 Pro or a P2K Pro. Haven't exactly decided just yet. Will make decision once I'm a little more used to the track (same with tires). I'm also planning on getting another set of wheels to go all the way around. Will probably get two sets of front wheels. This will give the Pede a little wider stance in the rear. Will eventually get a good 2400mah or 3000mah battery for mains. Depends on which motor I get. If I get the Green Machine 3 Pro, I will be sacrificing a little run time for higher RPM and a little in the torque department. That's why I'm trying to lighten the truck as much as possible. Have a couple of 1500s for practicing.

Having a blast. Any more suggestions? :)

[Nairb]

I don't want to seem condescending or anything, but if you end up getting really serious about racing, you'll have/want to upgrade to a race quality stadium truck and/or buggy. You're doing a GREAT job with your current equipment, but if you try to do a lot more with it, I'm afraid you might just end up wasting money. I think your Stampede could do great in a monster truck class, but it would be very hard to get it dialed and truly competitive for a stock or mod class. One thing you should do is find out if your track equires that monster trucks use monster truck tires (chevron pattern). If you don't have to, definitely get some good stadium truck racing tires and put them on. Tires can make a HUGE difference, and you can always get better grip than a chevron pattern will give you. One more thing, between a P2K and GM3, I'd get a P2K, but between all the stock motors currently out, I'd get an MVP or an Orion Chrome stock (same as a Peak Spitfire). I've had great success with these motors.

[DerekB]

I'll have to agree with Nairb. Before you go crazy spending cash on your Stampede, check to see if anybody is selling a used race truck. You could probably pick up a decent truck for $100. Or consider a XXXT Spec. With a few bearings and your ellectronics you have a race-ready truck. Or bite the bullet and go for the Pro versions. You'll save money in the long run!

[Cragar]

Nairb, my thoughts exactly on the stadium truck/buggy issue. In fact, I completely fell in love with the buggies Saturday night. They seemed extremely quick and very graceful when jumping. I will definitely be getting one this winter.

Thanks, too, on the suggestions about the truck tires (my thoughts, too, about tread grip). I did notice a couple HPI MTs Saturday night (should I really classify those as a monster truck?). I figure if I can get my Pede low enough, why can't I use it, too.

As you mentioned, I don't want to go overboard with the Pede. However, it is my first truck and I want to get used to the racing thing before getting another. Thanks for the suggestion on the P2K (I know you mentioned it along with the MVP in another post). Will the Orion Chrome work with the ESC I have? I thought that was a modified motor (just going off of memory.....I'm wrong very often....get reminded by the better half all the time).

DerekB, $100.00 bucks for a used truck, huh? That's pretty tempting.

[Cragar]

Nairb, sorry for the stupid attack. I should have been thinking when you mentioned that the Orion Chrome was one of the motors you've had good luck with when it comes to stock motors. Nevermind answering that question. :eek:

[Grimm]

To piggy back on Nairb's comments: I would first go and talk with the "local" track. Find out exactly what is allowed and what is not. As an example, when I used to run locally some of the tracks would not allow certain motors due to a "too much advantage" argument, would not allow 4wd, would not allow this or that. I would hate to see you hop up your truck to only find that some of the pricey new shiney equipment would disqualify you in a run.

Also, that being said, you might ask them and other racers, if they'd be willing to open up a 'open' or 'modified' class that has no limitations. You might find that others are in the same boat and would like to run their hot little ride but can't due to the typical stock limits imposed on the existing classes.

:cool:

[Cragar]

I had that in the back of my mind, Grimm. Thanks for bringing it up. I will check around this Saturday night concerning an open Monster Truck class. I may come to my senses and save up for that new buggy. I think most of you would understand when I say that I would like to see my first truck come in top three at least once prior to setting it aside (in racing, that is).

All in all, even with the money I'm spending, I am having a great time. If anything, I'm learning A LOT! Just came from the Buy/Sell/Trade Forum. DerekBs got me thinking....I just hope my wife doesn't find out. LOL! :D