Monday, July 30, 2012
Texas EOS Rnd #1 Formula One (F1) 15-minute A-Main Race on 7/14/2012
Do yourself a favor and hit mute. I didn't record this, and do not know why that ridiculous song is playing the entire video, sorry.
rc.F1.blog: Droop explained!
rc.F1.blog: Droop explained!: A video on setting the droop on the F104V2, and what it does.......
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Review of the Brushless Hobbies 120a LT4
So I got a new speedo last week, The Brushless Hobbies 120a LT4. Heard about it in Houston. Had a quality that I like: Cheap. $62 or something. But also, I was hearing about how smooth it was and all sorts of rich creamy goodness, plus it was cheap. So I ordered one. I installed it last weekend, but didn't get to run it until Q1 today. After one heat, I had forgotten about it being cheap. It is smooth, I mean really smooth. Normally I run my throttle at about 70-80%. I lose some straightaway speed, but I don't break the rear end loose in the infield. I literally have to do that or I'm bouncing off the boards all race and get the DNFs and all that mess. Today, I did my usual couple of warm up laps and immediately realized that I could turn up the throttle EPA. I ended up at 100% with no issues and, well, I was a lot faster as well. I think I will be gearing up a bit next time.
Now I will admit that I know little about the electronics, and don't delve into esc settings and all that. But I do know a smooth ESC when I see one, and this one is smooth. It has a lot of features, including boost, but it comes already loaded with Blinky. Comes with a USB plug to hook it up to your PC to DL programs, and you can also use the HobbyWing box I am told. I don't need any of that, but its nice to know its there. I will be getting another one soon. Probably for the WGT.
Now I will admit that I know little about the electronics, and don't delve into esc settings and all that. But I do know a smooth ESC when I see one, and this one is smooth. It has a lot of features, including boost, but it comes already loaded with Blinky. Comes with a USB plug to hook it up to your PC to DL programs, and you can also use the HobbyWing box I am told. I don't need any of that, but its nice to know its there. I will be getting another one soon. Probably for the WGT.
Mikes 7-29
Good day racing. Did the Twitter thing a bit, not a lot of info, but I am sure ya'll are used to that. As I suspected after last week's practice runs without a transponder, the F1R is a lot faster now. Dialed, well close. It wasn't quite as good as last week, as I had to let off just a tad in the sweeper, whereas last week I was pegged throughout. Back end just a little loose but verymanageable. Improved my lap times from mid 13's last week to 13 flats during the qualifiers, and dipped into the 12's including a 12.5 in the Main! Happy. Consistency on a crowded track is not there, because I sprinkled some real stinker laps in with a 21 in there somewhere. Probably ended upside down once or twice. Battled hard through out, but it only takes one miscue early and your a lap down. I was a lap down by lap 2. We switched from IFMAR qualifying to heads up starts on a staggered grid. We like that very much. You really have to show some patience at the start or you get a big tangled mess. And we did a couple of times but not too bad. I have definitely made some gains with the car in the last few weeks and I am excited about it. 2 weeks until the Austin race, will be taking the upcoming weekend off from racing, but will hit the track for practice next week. I want to get my 1/12 up to speed so I can race that in Austin, the 1/12 turnout wasn't that great in Houston. And I have a car so I will beef up the roster a bit, with little expectations of 1/12 scale glory.
World GT car was, well it was crap. It has been so good lately, but today, just junk. Traction rolls, just way too much front end grip. Digging into the carpet. I tried some different dampening oils and some other tricks, but just couldn't get it right. Do not know what happened there. But I didn't like it. P5 in the main out of 5, and was never a threat for any better. I'll try it again next month, I wont be running at Mikes until the next Series race at the end of August, and I do not think WGT will be a class in Austin. Just as well. Its a fun class, and the cars are awesome, but just not a big following here. Maybe it will catch on sometime.
Roberts FGX, should have used the Exotek F1 Ultra, but still TQ'd.
The Official F1 Posse pit table. What makes it official? Dunno, sounded good though.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Twitter Tomorrow
OK, for no apparent reason I am going to post race updates and general nonsense on Twitter tomorrow during the Sunday Carpet Shootout races at Mikes. So follow us on Twitter and you can join in on the action.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Carpet Shootout Series weekend.
Sunday is the 3rd round of the Summer Carpet Shootout Series. The first 2 rounds, for me, were total junk. I think there are 2 throwaways so hopefully those are the 2. But with the lack of track time I was getting before those rounds compared to the track time I have gotten recently, I expect a much more enjoyable round. My F1R is the best it has ever been, its fast, and I am comfortable pushing it. The World GT is as well. I have rearranged the battery and electronics in it battery forward and that has made it a lot more aggressive while still being easy to drive. I am really looking forward to the races this Sunday. I may even try my hand at 1/12 scale. If I can get at least one battery pack through it before the first qualifier I will probably throw it on the track for the races. But 3 classes is a little much to run, 2 is tough enough.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Houston Pics
Here is a link to all the pics of round 1 of the Texas EOS. Pics are done by the Amazing Johnny Than. I grabbed a couple just to show, but there are 4 pages of pics, and a lot of it is F1. Great pics, makes my car look fast!
Exotek F1R / F104 Benetton B188
Exotek F1R / F104 Benetton B188
Exotek F1 Ultra and F104
Upgrades, tuning, tires, and practice
I want to touch on the subject of some upgrades that I have done the last few weeks. Some are hop up parts some are just helpful little tricks I have picked up from RobKs blog, info that I have learned from Robert during our trips to Houston, and of course the forums and the Houston guys.
I of course went back to 200mm a few weeks ago and that was a step in the right direction. From there I got new tires. Last year I had run the F3 mediums and softs with the R3 softs. They worked OK, but once we got wind of the H1 Hard rears in F103 size, we nabbed some sets, and there is no looking back. So #1 is the right tires, as it normally is. The fronts are still the F3 softs or mediums, the softs worked well for me last week outside on asphalt and this week indoor on carpet. The same tires did not work for Doug last week, his X1 was undrivable with softs up front but a switch to the mediums hooked him up well and he was able to go from 3 DNFs in the qualifiers to bumping from the B to the A main.
Another little trick that I learned last year and had forgotten was from RobKs blog. Caster for the 103 frontend. Simple little mod, most of you probably know. Add a spacer or 2 under the front mounting screw of the front end. 1 or 2 will do, I put about 1.5 mm under and it settled my car down, but still had good turn in. Robert reminded me of it, as I had forgotten that while I was running the narrow car. Bang, car was instantly better. 2 laps, and .5 second/lap.
Of course there are the other mods I did earlier; removing 104 bottom plate/diffuser, and changing the side shock to a dampener tube.
Yesterday, I got a CRC shorty pack and I adjusted ride height to 4mm front/4.5 back, put the side shock with 30wt back in place of the tube. The shock I firmly believe is better. At least in my situation, and at least yesterday. I noticed my car was diving into the hi speed sweeper. Talked with Robert, he was testing oils in his side shocks, and different side springs. We were having same issue and I made the switch. Not only did I not get the "dive" going into the sweeper, I was able to keep the throttle pegged all the way through it. Plus I was at full throttle a lot more during the entire lap, instead of pussyfooting through the infield. I was hooked up, front was grabbing well, but I still had just enough rear rotation to "steer with the rear" around the hairpins. Stable and fast in the straight away and the turns. Best my car has ever been. Robert and Doug both drove it as well, and they said the same thing. I can not wait for next weeks race.
I dont know what effects the shorty pack had on my car. I made several changes, but I cant help but think that the shorty has a lot to do with it.
I have a new speedo now too. I fried my Edge, and haven't sent it back in yet for a replacement. I bought a Brushless Hobbies LT4 120 amp speedo. Heres the LINK. The Houston guys turned me on to this esc. $60. Programmable, boost, all that stuff. Comes pre-programmed in blinky and is what I will use. From what I have read, its one of the smoothest esc's out there. I have it in the F1 now, the GTB2 will go into the 1/12 and when I get the Edge back, it will go into the WGT. WGT car is way good now too. Battery forward, just like the F1.
Full report next week, I am looking forward to trying out this speedo. Should be a great weekend again. And then Austin 2 weeks after that for the Texas EOS. Great Summer!
I of course went back to 200mm a few weeks ago and that was a step in the right direction. From there I got new tires. Last year I had run the F3 mediums and softs with the R3 softs. They worked OK, but once we got wind of the H1 Hard rears in F103 size, we nabbed some sets, and there is no looking back. So #1 is the right tires, as it normally is. The fronts are still the F3 softs or mediums, the softs worked well for me last week outside on asphalt and this week indoor on carpet. The same tires did not work for Doug last week, his X1 was undrivable with softs up front but a switch to the mediums hooked him up well and he was able to go from 3 DNFs in the qualifiers to bumping from the B to the A main.
Another little trick that I learned last year and had forgotten was from RobKs blog. Caster for the 103 frontend. Simple little mod, most of you probably know. Add a spacer or 2 under the front mounting screw of the front end. 1 or 2 will do, I put about 1.5 mm under and it settled my car down, but still had good turn in. Robert reminded me of it, as I had forgotten that while I was running the narrow car. Bang, car was instantly better. 2 laps, and .5 second/lap.
Of course there are the other mods I did earlier; removing 104 bottom plate/diffuser, and changing the side shock to a dampener tube.
Yesterday, I got a CRC shorty pack and I adjusted ride height to 4mm front/4.5 back, put the side shock with 30wt back in place of the tube. The shock I firmly believe is better. At least in my situation, and at least yesterday. I noticed my car was diving into the hi speed sweeper. Talked with Robert, he was testing oils in his side shocks, and different side springs. We were having same issue and I made the switch. Not only did I not get the "dive" going into the sweeper, I was able to keep the throttle pegged all the way through it. Plus I was at full throttle a lot more during the entire lap, instead of pussyfooting through the infield. I was hooked up, front was grabbing well, but I still had just enough rear rotation to "steer with the rear" around the hairpins. Stable and fast in the straight away and the turns. Best my car has ever been. Robert and Doug both drove it as well, and they said the same thing. I can not wait for next weeks race.
I dont know what effects the shorty pack had on my car. I made several changes, but I cant help but think that the shorty has a lot to do with it.
I have a new speedo now too. I fried my Edge, and haven't sent it back in yet for a replacement. I bought a Brushless Hobbies LT4 120 amp speedo. Heres the LINK. The Houston guys turned me on to this esc. $60. Programmable, boost, all that stuff. Comes pre-programmed in blinky and is what I will use. From what I have read, its one of the smoothest esc's out there. I have it in the F1 now, the GTB2 will go into the 1/12 and when I get the Edge back, it will go into the WGT. WGT car is way good now too. Battery forward, just like the F1.
Full report next week, I am looking forward to trying out this speedo. Should be a great weekend again. And then Austin 2 weeks after that for the Texas EOS. Great Summer!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Saturday 7/21/12 at Mikes
Roberts FW14
Great day of racing. 5 showed, Robert dominated of course, but the back markers aren't as far back as we once were. I have been working on and practicing with my car a lot the last few weeks. Races here and Houston, and I can say with out a doubt, my car is good. Really good. Robert turned 27 laps I turned 25 with Scot .5 second behind in 3rd with 25 laps as well. Ran a few packs after the races and really got some good runs in with Robert and Tom. Series race next Sunday and I expect to do well. I may not podium, but I will not be bouncing off the walls and switching between over and understeer every lap. F1R is dialed now. Of course, every one else is too. Looking forward to it.
Now as for last weekend in Houston. Still haven't seen any pics. I will post them as soon as I see them. Austin is in 3 weeks, another asphalt track, this time in a parking lot at Hobbytown Austin. Last time I checked there were over 60 signees. 10+ for F1. Should be another good time. Hella hot, but good. I will get pics this time, I do not plan on being sick the entire trip like last weekend.
I have some hop ups to talk about later. Little things that really turned this thing around. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Texas EOS round 1 results
I have been waiting for pictures to be posted, but decided to get some info out. I was sick entire day so I didn't take any pics. Good racing, great event, only one 2 hour rain delay. That's significant since Houston had 11 inches of rain 2 days before. 53 racers, 14 F1s. 3 qualifiers, 1 B main with bump ups to the 15 minute A main. I got 1st in B, well 3rd, but after the bump ups I was 1st. In a few months, its still a trophy and I can casually forget it was really 3rd. Robert was 2nd in A. Marcus Williams (MantisWorx) was 1st, 3 laps ahead with 81 (!) laps. Great time. Nice little track. More later with pics.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Texas EOS Round 1 M&M Hobbies Houston Texas
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
The CAL13
Hold on to your shorts people. How about this bad boy from Lightfoot? Built by Calvin Lee.
The Cal13.
FGX-Exotek conversion with front independent suspension, belt drive, X Ray ball diff, 1.53 internal ratio, all modified anodized black aluminium, Tamiya read shocks.......
Just look at it. Wow. That. Is art.
The Cal13.
FGX-Exotek conversion with front independent suspension, belt drive, X Ray ball diff, 1.53 internal ratio, all modified anodized black aluminium, Tamiya read shocks.......
Just look at it. Wow. That. Is art.
Rest of pics HERE
New Jersey?
UF1 New Jersey
Yes New Jersey! California, Texas and now New Jersey. UF1 has taken over. Spreading like a Montana wildfire. Hmm UF1 Montana? Kidding, but saw this today, and had to get it out there. Just orginizing, should be good.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
McAllister Racing IRL Body
New Product Release from McAllister Racing-
#291- 2012 IRL body, 1/10th for Tamiya F104 chassis’. One piece body. The IRL made a drastic change in the looks of the Indy Racing League cars for 2012. McAllister Racing leads the way in scale racing trends with this latest IRL body for the Tamiya Formula cars. Great for Oval or Road Course. Uses the stock nose wing from the F104W kits and the stock body posts.
Pictured on an F104W.
All McAllister Racing products are 100% made in the U.S.A.
Please support your local RC dealers and ask for McAllister Racing by name.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
RC Formula 1 Austrailia
RC Formula 1
Very cool site down under. Loads of info, I haven even looked through it all yet, but I am working on it.
The Lost Houston Pics
Forgot to post all the pics I took in Houston. Some I have posted but I resized several and will post again.
Rain started 10 minutes before we got there.
Not the best omen of the day
Pit lane from above
My usual result. Warm up lap actually.
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