RC cars

[peige]

Biggest class down this way is 2wd if you want to do off road.

Most popular current competition cars are Associated, Schumacher, Xray.
Kyosho have kind of stepped away from the high end competition stuff.
Adur is a good club.

1066 Racing in Hastings is about as good as racing get indoors in the UK. Might not be too far away from you - they have a race meeting this coming Sunday from 5pm, always a nice crowd and relaxed atmosphere.

If you like on road - Eastbourne has one of the top UK clubs and they have an awesome track

Thanks for this, I'll look more at these makes.

Adur is a couple of miles away, Eastbourne and Hastings are doable but not something i'd do every week so Adur both tracks is perfect but id guess once i'm running it seems that many of the Adur members seem to race in different clubs, I do like the sound of Eastbournes track though.

 

[peige]

Moving on to your points about the batteries and electrics. Don't go budget, it's pointless for racing. Mid range is fine, most of my electrics are mid range and my car is just and quick and responsive as the rest of the field.

Decent motor (but you will need a faster one once you've got the hang of 5 minutes with no crashing): https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/rp0010-rp540-8-5-turn-540-sensored-brushless-modified-motor-brca-legal-p

This ESC is good enough for club racing (I did a few regionals with one in and it was fine): https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/hw30125000-quicrun-10bl120-sensored-p

If your feeling flush then this ESC is better (you can add boost and turbo), but it's 3 times the price of the one above, I use these in my current race cars: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/HW30112600-HOBBYWING-XERUN-XR10-PRO-SPEED-CONTROL-BLACK

Servo will depend on the car you pick, as some cars can't take full size servos, but this would work in just about any 2WD buggy: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/srt-ch6012-srt-ch6012-hv-cl-servo-9-0kg-0-07-sec-at-6v-semi-m-case-p

Radio depends on if you want a stick radio, or a wheel. There's a lot more choice for wheel radios but some people just can't get on with them if they used sticks as a kid.

These batteries are good, and it would also have enough capacity for 4wd, you will need 2 packs minimum, preferably 3 so you can allow them a bit of rest between coming out of the car and gong back on the charger (this is not essential but can be the difference between them lasting a couple of seasons vs 4 or more seasons): https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/IPBL2S4400MC3-Intellect-LiPo-LiHV-4400mAh-2S-18-5mm-Shorty-7-6v

For the charger, these are great, as you can charge 2 packs at once which really helps when getting ready to go to racing: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/sk-100162-sky-rc-t100-battery-charger-p

I do like a post with links to products! You're a star. I shall look at all of that!

I do intend to go for middle to top end stuff, trying to balance with my ability (which is currently unknown!) with a good level of car that can carry forward as my skill hopefully improves.

I couldn't get on with wheel controllers then and I still can't. Much happier with sticks (still fly drones) Which motor is the faster one after the one you have linked?

I'm looking to get down to adur for the next meet,meanwhile I shall fill a basket on rccarshop

 

[BongoHunter]

I do like a post with links to products! You're a star. I shall look at all of that!

I do intend to go for middle to top end stuff, trying to balance with my ability (which is currently unknown!) with a good level of car that can carry forward as my skill hopefully improves.

I couldn't get on with wheel controllers then and I still can't. Much happier with sticks (still fly drones) Which motor is the faster one after the one you have linked?

I'm looking to get down to adur for the next meet,meanwhile I shall fill a basket on rccarshop

If you like sticks, this is really the only option with decent availability: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/p-cb4gr...-telemetry-stick-radio-with-r304sb-receiver-p

Sanwa do still make (allegedly) a decent stick radio, but I can't remember the last time I saw UK stock: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/sa101a32071a-sanwa-exzes-zz-radio-set-with-rx472-p

You can get super cheap, but very high quality receivers for both of these brands if you run extra cars (happens to us all eventually): https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/smd-receivers

Motor wise - the one I linked to is 8.5T, you can spend £50 on a 8.5T motor, or your could spend around a £100. They will both be quite comparible in terms of RPM, but will probably have different torque characteristics. You would need to be a very capable driver to be able to exploit the difference. 8.5T is a good power rating for newbies still finding their feet, but it's something that you'll always keep in your pit box as it's a common motor to run in the wet or in low grip conditions.
If you wanted a quicker motor a 6.5T is probably the most common motor you'll find if you go to a big event in 2WD off road. I moved from an 8.5T to a 6.5T after I'd been back racing 6 months (I had a 20 year gap before I started again back in 2022).

If you wanted a high end 6.5T straight away, this would be the one to get: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/hw30401109-hobbywing-xerun-v10-6-5t-black-g3-p
But you could spend half the money and you'd struggle to tell the difference: https://www.rccarshop.co.uk/rp0006-rp540-6-5-turn-540-sensored-brushless-modified-motor-brca-legal-p (I run this regularly)

Spending big money on motors is more a thing for stock classes, as the stock classes tend to specify the motor wind to be used (e.g touring cars often have a 17.5T stock class) so getting the best motor possible makes a big difference in those classes. We don't run stock classes for off road in the UK - everyone races "modified" (pick whatever power motor you want).

It can be worth checking if your motor of choice is on the BRCA homologation lists if you plan on racing at sanctioned events (you need to do this if you want a race licence grading) - but it probably not worth worrying about stuff like that at this stage (all the motors I've linked to are BRCA legal - a lot of stuff from abroad or on amazon/Ebay are not)

 

[peige]

Thanks again for this. Ok, your points onboard and that first motor choice looks good to me. Where do you race if you don't mind me asking?

I've got quite basket gear running now, must hold back till I've been there...

 

[BongoHunter]

Thanks again for this. Ok, your points onboard and that first motor choice looks good to me. Where do you race if you don't mind me asking?

I've got quite basket gear running now, must hold back till I've been there...

I race all over the south east, Titchfield (TORCH club), Eden Park Raceway, Hastings (1066 Racing), Barham (now called Dirtwood RC I think). Sometimes go to Slough, Surrey and Hants, Silverstone.
Worksop is awesome but it's a bit far.

Adur is an OK drive for me, but I've only been there to spectate as the dates always seem to clash with other events for off road.

For the regionals this year in south east we have Southend on the calender so will be visiting that a few times this year.

Edit: yeah don't hit buy until you've done a visit, as you'll need loads of other bits as well like tyre glue, decent set of allen drivers, shock oil, bearing oil, loctite, soldering iron, not to mention wheels, foam inserts, and tyres (correct tyres are the most important thing for having a good day out racing).

Edit2: That's not a comprehensive list of stuff by the way - club members are normally very helpful with anything you might be missing when you get started though. Make sure to find out what transponder you need to get to work with the clubs timing system, and find out if they have any for sale.

 

[peige]

Edit: yeah don't hit buy until you've done a visit, as you'll need loads of other bits as well like tyre glue, decent set of allen drivers, shock oil, bearing oil, loctite, soldering iron, not to mention wheels, foam inserts, and tyres (correct tyres are the most important thing for having a good day out racing).

Edit2: That's not a comprehensive list of stuff by the way - club members are normally very helpful with anything you might be missing when you get started though. Make sure to find out what transponder you need to get to work with the clubs timing system, and find out if they have any for sale.

Thank again. I'm going to go along to Adur and see what's going on, their schedule dates actually don't mesh well with my life and i'd rather leave my weekends for family but its so local its hard not think I can't fit it in, the one at eastborne does look good too and I could make that regularly in the week. No harm in seeing both but I will certainly hold back buying till I have been along. I'll look at those other clubs and get a feel for distance and which nights they run.

I know there is plenty that's needed and do enjoy getting kitted out, not holding you to any of the links you have given but its really good to be linked to actual equipment that works on a track as there really isn't many guides I have found plus every review seems to say that car is great or they seemed to be aimed at casual use.

 

[Priapus]

1066 Racing in Hastings is about as good as racing get indoors in the UK. Might not be too far away from you - they have a race meeting this coming Sunday from 5pm, always a nice crowd and relaxed atmosphere.

If you like on road - Eastbourne has one of the top UK clubs and they have an awesome track

Oh that’s cool. I’ll be close to Hastings when we move back as family are there. Good to know I can get some RC racing done near by.

Are ther many places to go if you want off-road messing about? Nothing too serious?

 

[BongoHunter]

Oh that’s cool. I’ll be close to Hastings when we move back as family are there. Good to know I can get some RC racing done near by.

Are ther many places to go if you want off-road messing about? Nothing too serious?

Lots of tracks are only open on club days due to neighbours and planning restrictions. But you can book Eden Park Raceway for practice, and there's a track open in Bexhill during the summer that's in a public park.

If you just bashing and don't need a track then theres loads of places to go (I take my trail truck through the woods in Hastings country park)

 

[khevolution]

Another Vote here for the guys at adur, i have been out the scene for a few years now, but they have always been great to "newbies" and happy to help where they can. Also like the track at 1066 (went and watched one of the big races last weekend) but they are set up very differently to Adur

 

[dowie]

Is FPV racing a thing yet for RC cars? It's obvs default for drone racing but I guess there's probably some inherent inertia (before even getting into the pros and cons of it) re: cars as RC racing from say an elevated stand with a full view of the track is already well established.

I wonder if the established top-down view is maybe more efficient? Like if you were to mix top-down racers and FPV racers of similar skill would the top down racers have an edge?

But if everyone is controlling via FPV then it could be fun, more immersive and open things up to different types of tracks, like the current established tracks all need to be compressed into the same field of view - a track snaking around tightly within a small box like area, with no obstructions from the stand where the racers are located. But with FPV you could have tunnels, longer tracks branching out away from the start line, more scope for off-road or forest tracks with minimal construction needed etc...

 

[BongoHunter]

Is FPV racing a thing yet for RC cars? It's obvs default for drone racing but I guess there's probably some inherent inertia (before even getting into the pros and cons of it) re: cars as RC racing from say an elevated stand with a full view of the track is already well established.

I wonder if the established top-down view is maybe more efficient? Like if you were to mix top-down racers and FPV racers of similar skill would the top down racers have an edge?

But if everyone is controlling via FPV then it could be fun, more immersive and open things up to different types of tracks, like the current established tracks all need to be compressed into the same field of view - a track snaking around tightly within a small box like area, with no obstructions from the stand where the racers are located. But with FPV you could have tunnels, longer tracks branching out away from the start line, more scope for off-road or forest tracks with minimal construction needed etc...

It's a very large disadvantage racing FPV against someone racing with a traditional viewpoint - the field of vision is super small and your very low to the ground as well which further restricts your view. The scale speeds make it very hard to do as you can't be looking ahead all the time (what's round that corner? Over that jump? Is there a car behind me that I should be letting through?)

Image stabilization is also a problem, rc cars really feel even the tiniest bump, stabilized camera mounts could also be difficult to get right wihout hugely upsetting the balance of the cars so it might only every be possible on bigger models.

I'd be interested to see a race where all drivers are FPV in a class like 1/5 scale on road (unfortunately that's already an insanely expensive class to race)!

 

[dowie]

Image stabilization is also a problem, rc cars really feel even the tiniest bump, stabilized camera mounts could also be difficult to get right wihout hugely upsetting the balance of the cars so it might only every be possible on bigger models.

That makes sense and I guess is waaay less of an issue for drones.

I'd be interested to see a race where all drivers are FPV in a class like 1/5 scale on road (unfortunately that's already an insanely expensive class to race)!

I've seen these videos that partially address some of the issues you mentioned - racing on roads + seems to have a rear-facing camera and a map displayed:

I guess perhaps with a headset you'd want a camera that can pivot quickly or some sort of blended view from multiple cameras transmitted so you can pivot the headset to look around, would also need to solve that image stabilisation issue.

Maybe not quite there yet technologically but I do think FPV could be very cool in the future for this stuff just because it's got the potential to be immersive and allows for longer, more interesting routes. Would be very cool to have say a barn/small warehouse set up next to a track in some woods kitted out with gaming chairs and either headsets or multiple monitors and just race remotely from there - sort of a crossover between a gaming/LAN party and RC racing.

 

[churchhawk]

Got given this to play with, found in a loft.

Front servo was broken, or so I thought, but it was the servo screw which had come loose, I've fixed that.

The only charger with it is a fast charger with 2 crock clips on the end so I've managed to make a makeshift slow charger.

Seems to power up but not tried it fully yet as I don't have any AA batteries for the controller.

 

[BongoHunter]

Got given this to play with, found in a loft.

Front servo was broken, or so I thought, but it was the servo screw which had come loose, I've fixed that.

The only charger with it is a fast charger with 2 crock clips on the end so I've managed to make a makeshift slow charger.

Seems to power up but not tried it fully yet as I don't have any AA batteries for the controller.

Nice - that's the tamiya TL01 chassis, quite rare to see those bodyshells in decent condition, new in box ones can go for £200 - just for the shell alone!

 

[churchhawk]

Nice - that's the tamiya TL01 chassis, quite rare to see those bodyshells in decent condition, new in box ones can go for £200 - just for the shell alone!

Wow didn't realise they were kind of sought after.

Unfortunately the picture makes the shell look really good, its a bit battered and has crack at the front, perfectly useable though.

The kids will probably destroy it anyway !

 

[peige]

I've ended up going to Eastbourne and chatting to a few people there, everyone was really helpful and the point about them is they race every Wednesday night which is perfect. Adur race Friday and Sunday so not ideal, not saying I can't ever but i'd rather have something that I can slot into my week that doesn't impact my weekends which I like as they are!

Anyway, now the owner of a TT-02 Raikiri GT. A 4wd track car, not what I set out wanting but Eastbourne have a thriving group racing TT-02's with a great bunch of guys all being helpful and that's perfect to get going with. Car is together and although i'm sure I don't have everything I need I have enough to go along and have a go which I'm really looking forward too

Raikiri GT by https://www.flickr.com/photos/123473419@N06/

 

[MOOGLEYS]

Arrma infraction 3s. It’s stupid quick and fun to drive. Going to cost a fortune in tyres though….

 

[Dup]

I won this last night:

I'm not big into RC. Had a Tamiya Mini Monte Carlo kit I built with my dad when I was a kid (wish I still had that! They're usually spendy when they pop up) but I happened across a video of these Taiyo/Tandy/Radio shack big roaders and it brought back a huge tactile nostalgic memory of one I had as a kid. I had to find one and this one popped up in really nice condition, won it for £26. I distinctly remember playing with it for hours, even when the battery had died. Remember all the little tactile bits, such a strong memory I had to find one. I think there's a photo of with me with it somewhere too.

I have a HBX Ravage 1:16 basher thing which is quick and obviously hobby grade, and also have a cheap 1:12 toy grade buggy. I plan to upgrade the Big Roader and toy buggy to proper steering and ESC, maybe stick some lights on the big roader. Something me and my son can crawl around the garden. shame the big roader doesn't have suspension but it should still go well.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

Treated myself to the 6s infraction V2 and a few Scorched RC upgrades. The 6s is quite a bit bigger than the 3s. Tbh I think the infractions are my favourite RC cars they are so much fun.

 

[PinkFloyd]

You seem to have a new RC car every week

Infractions do look a lot of fun from the videos I've watched. I've not had a chance to drive one, nor anything similar. Not sure where I'd really use one either!