View Full Version : Need help getting started around Raleigh
Jeff_S
06-13-2005, 07:27 PM
I feel old saying it, but I used to race dirt oval, offroad and carpet 10+ years ago. I've been wanting to get back into it, but was put off by the long distance to the tracks. I guess I was spoiled being able to race multiple classes at least once a week 5 minutes from my house.
Anyway, I'm thinking about trying to race in Durham and Goldboro, since that seems to be the closest locations that I could run the same car.
Since it's been so long since I ran I have no clue what the hobby's like now... what cars people are running, anything. Any help on getting started someone could provide would be appreciated - whether you want to post here, shoot me an email, let me bug you at the track one day, or even buy you a beer one night.
Basically, just trying to put together a potential shopping list and get a feel for the stability of these tracks. I'd hate to spend a bunch of money and end up having to drive 2 hours to race it.
tarheelquality
06-13-2005, 09:30 PM
Jeff, come on out on race day to Durham or Goldsboro and just about anyone would be glad to answer your questions. Rosewood has been around for years and probably is not going anywhere soon and in Durham the track is now being run by a bunch of dedicated racers and we have 0 intention of letting it fail so one way or another you should be covered.
As far as what to get, how much are you looking to spend? Gas or electric? Build it yourself or ready to run? With a little info we can get you pointed to the right folks to answer any questions you may have.
Tom Pearson
Just about all of us at either track would be willing to help you out any way we can. I am pretty certain that both of these tracks will be here to stay. Shoot me an email at jtnorth@nc.rr.com and ask whatever you want or just ask here.
As for the cars people are running.......just about any of the lastest touring cars are all equally good from what I have seen. There are basically two classes running right now, Electric and Nitro touring. The cars being run in Electric range from Associated TC3/TC4s - Corally RDX - XRAY - Losi JRXS - Tamiya TRF415 - HPI Pro4 and the Yokomo MR-4TC BD. I may have missed some. Just about all these cars are being run by 2 or 3 more guys and you will have people being able to help you out.
As for Nitro, The car being run the most is a Nitro Tc3. There are some with a Serpent and Mugen also.
Again, I will help ya with whatever I can. Look forward to seeing you out running with us.
Jeff_S
06-13-2005, 11:02 PM
Thx guys.
I was thinking electric, only because that's all I've ever run. So everyone's running AWD now? I guess that was one of my main questions. I can do some research on the various cars. I was hoping that most everyone was running the same thing, just to make things easier.
I would build whatever I bought. Cost is always an issue, but I'd probably try to start out with whatever's considered the "best" car (whatever that means) and then stay cheap on the batteries and such to start with.
I stopped by the track Sunday, just to see the layout, but couldn't stay long so I didn't talk with anyone. I will probably make a trip to Goldsboro before starting to spend any money.
tarheelquality
06-13-2005, 11:09 PM
Jef, all touring cars are awd now, as far as best, there probably no best car everyone has their favorie choice thats all, I am fond of Xray, JTN is getting a tc4 and there a couple of guys that seem to switch around every couple of months. You probably want to get an FM radio, synthesised preferably , they are getting fairly inexpensive now, one with a module that could be swapped to a 2.4 ghz spektrum later would be best. Can't wait to see you out there.
JTN is getting a tc4 and there a couple of guys that seem to switch around every couple of months.
I think I am falling into the switch around......I am going to try the TC4 but may end up with a Hara Pro 4 or Cyclone later this fall. I think I decided not to get an xray this week. :D
Jeff - The class being run is 4wd Touring cars, both for electric and nitro. I would also consider a good servo when you purchase the kit. It will really make a difference. A good choice is the Futaba S9550. I am pretty certain that Glenn in Goldsboro keeps them in stock.
NCSpeedRacer
06-14-2005, 01:10 PM
Jeff - glad your getting back into the sport. There is a great group of racers in this general area. I think The RC Speedway in Durham and Rosewood Speedway are going to be around for many years to come so don't worry. Me and my son run tc3's because they were reasonably priced and easy to find parts for but there are alot of good cars you can be competitve with. I'd be glad to help any way I can - just e-mail me at: Billy@thercspeedway.com or come on out to the track.
Hope to see you racing soon. Billy
Hello Jeff, I'm Smitty, it is rare that I ever reply personally on this site, most information is passed on to me. I read your post and believe me; I know how you feel, as a previous racer. I raced for 12 years and had tried all that I could at various tracks and loved it all, from carpet to asphalt and dirt,road coarse and oval, until I finally got burned out with cost to compete, distance and normally miserable conditions from it either too HOT or too COLD. After several times the last year that I raced; I would go to a track and was miserable most of the time, the fun had gone and I questioned myself repeatedly.why am I doing this? I finally gave up, even though the burning desire was still there for R/C. I asked myself what can I do, confused. After months of thought; my wife and I decided what we wanted to try. Make things more affordable for the average person that has our desire for R/C, more comfortable all year round, especially in the HOT SWEATY DAYS OF SUMMER as well as in Winter;And try to put the FUN :p back in the sport the way that it once was, and where a racer could bring their spouse and they could get involved all year around. Lets face it who wants to JUST sit out in the heat near asphalpt or dirt all day and be bored to death. :mad: A lot of racers get out of the sport due to non supportive spouses;" but can you blame them,you wouldn't either. Well either way, You are the only one that can answer your question,it all depends on what you want.Be miserale with conditions,$80.00 or more for a competive battery every week,a constant motor war,expensive tires and parts.Everything a battle to get your money,not to make you happy and have FUN again the way that it use to be,and I know you remember,Or save some money,a top of the line battery to run with the best for about $25.00, comfortable all year around, and a pleasant atmosphere, Who knows your spouse might change their mind too. Either way check them all out, ALL the tracks are great and I'm not kicking any of them and I hope we all make it, they all have my support ,WHY, becuase I still love R/C and want to see it survive and grow. We don't try to compete with the larger tracks. We race on Wed. nights and Sun. to give the guys a chance to do some of it all if they want too. Eventually they wake up and come around, as I did. I like to have fun and be competive too. We have new racers and long time racers, that some times race twice a week with us or with us and at the other tracks too.I bored you long enough any way that we can be of help let us know,you'll have our full support. If you get a chance stop by and check us out. We have some classes that we race FREE,we give back to our racers all that we can. We still give Trophies from time to time, pay outs at times, money races at times where the racers get half the pot plus more. But most of all we are very affordable and you can be comfortable. I"ll leave with a brief preview of our track and hobby shop in case you can't come by. :) Thanks for your time, Smitty you can E-mail me at laso60@yahoo.com
I definately don't agree with everything Smitty just said but I do agree that if you are looking to run a low cost class or 1/18th - Mini or Micro cars........his place is where you need to look at racing. I have run there and had a good amount of fun.....just not as much as with my Electric or Nitro Touring cars. :D
NCSpeedRacer
06-15-2005, 01:08 PM
Ditto on what JTN said. Smitty and Lisa are good people with a classy operation but 1/18th scale just ain't my bag. I like a big track with room to stretch a car out.
We do not disagree with what you all are saying, but it's all in what the individual person wants and can afford. Besides 1/18 scale; we also run 1/10 scale Legends. We support all the tracks and have several racers who race at our track as well as the bigger tracks. They say they have just as much fun at ours; and they are cool in the summer. We are just being honest. Sorry, got to go to work now; catch you later. Smitty
Jeff_S
06-15-2005, 01:52 PM
Hello Jeff, <snip>
I"ll leave with a brief preview of our track and hobby shop in case you can't come by. :) Thanks for your time, Smitty you can E-mail me at laso60@yahoo.com
Smitty, you didn't mention where the shop/track is located.
Jeff_S
06-15-2005, 01:57 PM
Been doing some looking and I'm wondering if there are any parts availability issues with the various cars mentioned earlier in the thread.
It looks like the Associated cars are pretty widespread so I'm thinking parts are easy to come by. Are the Tamiya, Xray, Yoko cars easy to get parts for? I'm guessing I'll probalby have to mailorder everything anyway - just wondering if there are any known issues.
I used to like to run something different, but that's not all it's cracked up to be. Looking around, I found quite a few TC4's with tons of spares being sold for good prices. Might be the cheapest way for me to get started - although I'm more drawn towards some of the other cars.
tarheelquality
06-15-2005, 02:00 PM
Well with Xray you can get pretty much anything you need from Ashford hobbies within a couple of days of ordering, Associated ought to be easy to get parts for , not as sure about the others.
Yeah, you are right about the mail order. Once in awhile some local shops have some things in stock. I can't say about the Yoko or Tamiya parts but you shouldn;t have much of a problem with the rest. Just may have to be with certain sites depending on the car.
When I was getting parts for my Pro 4, I was getting them from www.kthobbies.com
Actually, I probably still will with parts for the TC4 and they also carry Losi and X-ray parts.
oh and Laso RC is located in Pine Level which is just the other side of Smithfield.
npresme
06-15-2005, 03:20 PM
Well you know I gotta throw my $.02 in...
If you raced 10yrs ago. You will enjoy the hobby more now! Batteries are not like they were then, now you can buy GOOD numbered packs for around $40. ROAR has stepped in a stopped teh battery wars somewhat. New cells can only be approved every 2 yrs.
As for cars, I'm basis on this one, Corally RDX all the way! You can order parts from them directly or Superior Hobbies in Fla. They are in the same shopping center and Rob (team manger) ownes the hobby shop. Plus I hope Rosewood and Durham start to carry parts in the future... HINT!
As for radios I have an Airtronics M8 that I am selling, the radio is AWESOME!
If you are in Durham or Rosewood ask for me I will help you in anyway I can!
I will even let ya take the ride around for a pack or so..
My name is Anthony Saunders.
npresme
06-15-2005, 03:24 PM
Also try here this web site is great for getting the latest info.
http://www.rctech.net/
NCSpeedRacer
06-15-2005, 03:51 PM
Ha Jeff - I live in Raleigh and frequent HobbyMasters in Raleigh. They probably have more associated stuff than anything. What they don't have they can order pretty quickly. Ask for Larry Jr. if you go in there and tell him I sent you - he'll probably give you a discount. Also - when you get going you are welcome to carpool with us to the track if you want. I'm out in N. Raleigh. Later , Billy
tarheelquality
06-15-2005, 08:55 PM
Billy, you sure they won't charge extra if he mentions you?
Seriously Jeff, you probably cant go wrong wtih any of the cars that have been mention and it is really amazing how much better batteries etc are than 10 years ago, I sort of did the same thing I was out for about 10 years then got back in last year. Prices have not gone up that much for cars, batteries or anything else and I actually think you can get more car for your money now than 10 years ago when you take into account the fit and finish of what you buy now.
So come on outeveryone will be glad to help you any way we can.
Tom