Useful tips!

From pro driver Mike Blackstock, here are some tips that any beginner or even intermediate driver should listen hard too.

Non-English tranlation by Babel fish

If you scroll down, you will see babel fish on the side bar. Thankyou Babel fish! You can then read this page in many languages.

Odd problem, solved!

I've had a funny problem on my TA05. When I put the power on it went in a straight line but turns when the power is off/under braking. It just so happened that a while ago my girlfriend found a bushing in the kitchen and handed it to me. I had no idea where it was from but I finally worked it out today.

The bushing was from the steering rack!

2000 mA from a 1600 pack

Damn! I paid 60 dollars for a zapped 2400mA pack which weighs a ton, then pay 20 dollars for this. 70 grams less, and almost as powerful.

Losing 80 grams.

Drilled some holes in the chassis to lose the battery holder. I will now use glass tape to hold in the battery. Should save about 10 grams.

And I'll also be using the 1600 racing pack, which is about 70 grams lighter. I should now be in the grateful position of having to use ballast. The car is properly quick now.

 

Woah nelly! Mini Z turbo.

Browsing the internet I found this FET upgrade for the mini Z from a 
small company called  woah nelly.
This video has to be seen to be believed.

No brush means no power

 
If your brushes look anything like the one on the left its time to change them! I learnt the hard way, by scratching my head and loosing running time. Fortunately, someone in the know gave me a hand. Today I was running the Tamiya RZ stock motor, which I haven't in a while and learnt a few things. Since its a motor with the old style brushes, it requires a lot more maintenance than even modified motors (a commutator lathe is required after 3 battery packs, so i'm told).



I'm going for a medium damper setting tomorrow, in practice for the Tamiya GP next weekend. The TRF pistons are going in standard PVC suspension shafts, which should improve handling I hope.

日本語はじめました！

一応、EXCITE通訳を使って、翻訳しています。ちょっとおかしい日本語が出て来ると思いますけど、ご不明な点はＥメール、またはコメントの方お願いします。  日本語わかるので、ご遠慮なくどぞ！　　Back to the English page.

This post is to explain to our Japanese fans where to get a translation from!

Diamond circuit - a little gem.

This is what I found today. Its kinda close to my place but in the middle of nowhere. I haven't run on it yet, but it looks cool. Its not a long track and it's in a little bit of a state of disrepair, but looks really fun. Look at the outer ring - a massive potential for oval racing! The track even has power outlets. Hopefully I can go on Sunday, but tomorrow I'm gonna practice in Tamano for next weeks big race.

Mini Z pinion

Yesterdays image of the Mini Z pinion. Look how the right one is worn.

Mini Z, change your pinions!

OK, so I've put off changing my pinion for ages in my MR02, but I finally did. It made a huge difference! My once noisy car was smooth and nice. And faster too. I had a pic but the uploader isn't working. By the way, any suggestions for an RC for my girlfriend?

I'm away until Friday

I have to do some work unfortunately, which also means I won't be able to pump any laps in anywhere. I was thinking about taking my mini Z but I don't wanna break it or anything. See Friday.

Boris

More nitro RC action from the weekend.

End of the S class

And start of the R class. They have to start the engines first when the start signal goes!

Kyosho racing

I got up too late and missed the Meister Cup! But there was still racing to be seen thankfully! Unfortunately, looks like I lost the Fuji Model drive. I think I went shopping at the wrong place, oops! But I was really looking forward to it, so I'm really disappointed. Ah well, guess I can concentrate on the Tamiya GP in two weeks time.

First, here is a nasty crash from today.


I'll upload more action later (from the Fuji Model course in Kurashiki)

I got a tire sander! (and had fun with the Tam-tech gear hornet) :-)

This is beautiful. I think this is a requirement of any serious racer. This was the most basic from Eagle Racing at $45. I always wondered what people were doing with their tires, and now I know. Taking the top layer of used (or sometimes unused) rubber off reveals a nice sticky layer of new rubber underneath.

Got some fun in with a punters' mini Hornet. They have new jumps at J&K, great for a blast!

Mini Z at j&k, and batteries?!

Drifting and grip practice at the mini Z course at j&k. First time for mini Z here, but the course is tight and twisty. However, some of the track can be moved around to 're-configure' the course. :-) Also, just applied for the Okayama round of the Tamiya GP on the 2nd September. I'm going for the win!

Something I learnt on the weekend at the Tamiya GP, this 1600SP racing pack is 80 grams lighter, and if you charge it right, can produce almost as much power, since it runs at a higher voltage than the 2400 pack.

 

Tire sanders

One thing I learnt at the Tamiya grand prix last weekend was about tire sanders.

Just strap the tire on and use the pad to 'sand' the top layer of the used rubber off. They really work! It took my old rubber and returned the top layer to sticky rubber.  Actually, this one is a nice one as its used to sand sponge tires too. I'm not ready for sponge yet though! I borrowed the one in the pic as they're are a bit pricey. I might have to stretch my budget to one.

More action from the Tamiya GP, in Shimane

GT Japan Class



Stock class

Tamiya Grand Prix in Shimane

I finished 9th in the N1 class. I was stoked to make it to the A main though! I learnt a few tricks too, so i'll be faster next time. The next round is at oomocha ookoku, in Tamano. I'm going for the win!

Here are some pics and vids from the buggy king class. Mostly people were racing the new dark impact. I'll upload more later!




A Main

B Main

New Tamiya diff pulley!

I've got to leave at 3 this morning to go to the race so I don't have much time to talk, but here is something I found today.

Doesn't it look good! Especially all those ridges that'll prevent dirt getting inside the ball bearings. Nice!

PS Thanks to J & K RC for sorting my ride out tomorrow morning.

Drives good!

It took about a battery pack and a half to get used to but once I was happy with the brake set-up it was very nice to drive. I started with the kit standard tires and they were beautiful! Not too much grip but they really allowed the car to slide nice into the tighter turns.

I was really suprised at how low the brake setting must be. Too high and you have a hand brake! Once I put the Tamiya B3 ties on (its hot here) it really gripped well. Just needed a little brake in the right places. I feel good for the race on Saturday.

Also rebuilt the dampers. I didn't realise that in my ignorance I'd put the 1 hole damper piston in. I put the 3 hole in and it worked a charm. Also put the hard kit standard springs on the front and the mediums on the rear. Perfick!

Will finish upgrading tomorrow as its pay day. :)!!!

Front one way differential

Payday is not until tomorrow, but before the big race on Saturday (the Tamiya grand prix) I wanted to get some practice in with the new handling car. So I went a got it anyway! Should be good for 0.2 sceonds a lap.


Also got the blue aramid belts, I hear they stretch a lot when new so they need wearing in. More to come tomorrow!

Kyosho super 10 is now no more

In a fit of rage I destroyed it.  I don't feel bad at all about it. I just regret having the thing for so long.  Get a pure 10.  Then life is much easier.

Adding to the list

Comment and add to the list if you like,

6. A new flat tip soldering iron
7. Decent solder
8. Setting board

Join the forum at RC universe

Shopping list

1. Front 1 way differential
2. Centre one way differential
3. New NSX body
4. Differential bearings (with rubber seals!)
5. Tamiya b3 tires and dish wheels

I just found something,  Scroll half way downto the R class result and look at the tall white guy  
in the middle!  Its from Last weekend, the Kyosho cup.  The guys in the
middle are the Sound Blues team, my friends from Kyushu.  The Fuji
Model guys (who won) have offered my a drive at the Wakayama round
in their team in September!


Action from the weekend at Fuji Model!








Action from the GT Japan class




The only way to go! (Yeah, I'm not cheap, I'm HARDCORE! GRRRRR.....)

Results

Not bad, not good.  I was racing in the GT Japan class using control 
(low grip) tires, and it got up to 38 degrees that day so it was really hot.
I finished 11th of 22 starters.  I qualified fifth in the B main, and if 
I could have finished 4th I would have qualified for the A main.  I
 only had one set of new tires and they looked very poor after the
 B final.  I also didn't swap the tires around (the left front took quite
 a battering) which is a mistake due to lack of experience.

I learnt a lot though; my car weighed in at 1650g, which is very
heavy since the weight limit was 1500g.  The body alone weighed in
at 160g.  Its all the repair work i've done for sure.  I also now
know that I need a front one way differential and a centre one too
if I can afford it.  Also, one of my differential bearings was shagged.
The cover had come off it but I had no spare so I just squirted oil
into the ball bearings.

All in all, not a bad result considering;  plus I drove crap in the heats.
This weekend is the Tamiya grandprix.  A national, plus its payday
on Friday so I can get all the things I need.  :-)
 

I've been busy racin'

Its been a while because quite honestly I was knackered after
last weekend.  I went the Platopia track last Saturday to try and
get my diffs and spings set properly.  I figured putting in softer
springs for the Tamiya challenge race on Sunday since the track was
slightly bumpy.  Big mistake,  I really should have left it as it was.
  I also screwed with the rebound settings, which maybe wasn't a good
 idea.

Mini Z racing and drifting today :)

Mini Z at Platopia in Okayama!  I took a new movie as the old one
below wasn't working.

Practice for GT Japan

Looks like I will have to spend $70 on a new battery for
the GT Japan class. I'm aiming to win, and if I do, I
will qualify for the final in Shizuoka in December.

In the meantime, heres some pics of the course from last
weekends race.

Front view


Reverse view

The Okayama round of the Tamiya Grand Prix will be held here at
the start of December (I can't wait!)