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Body painting inspiration

November 5, 2018 by justin Leave a Comment

When I first registered MeatballRacing.com in 2006, I had an idea to write a post called “Ban the Stratus” – here’s an excerpt:

For a while the Dodge Stratus seemed to be the body of choice for 1/10th scale radio controlled touring cars. It is the body that every company makes that all R/C racing sanctioning bodies approve of. While many racers have recently sought alternatives, I will not be happy until the Stratus is gone entirely.

To quote one rulebook: “Bodies used in ROAR-sanctioned events must resemble vehicles used in full scale racing for the type of event being conducted.” But you’re more likely to be hit by a Stratus in a car crash than you would see one on an actual race track. If everyone’s going use the Status body, why not paint them faded Chrysler burgundy and require torn cloth interiors, as they’re seen in full scale?

There are several other sedans that could be approved by racing bodies that are actual race cars, why not them? Admittedly, I must give props to those racers who have already switched to the Mazda6 body, which can be seen in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car series.

Bleh, I’m glad it’s gone! That’s why I like the Vintage Trans-Am (VTA) and USGT racing series. I want to see race cars like this:

supergt-fontana-2004-8-autobacs-racing-team-aguri-arta-nsx-katsutomo-kaneishi-daisuke-ito
img_4123

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric On-Road Tagged With: 200mm, AE, HPI, TC6, Team Associated, USGT, USVTA

Mini Cooper German Police Car – Polizei

February 1, 2016 by justin Leave a Comment

After buying a secondhand TC5 chassis for VTA racing, I had a leftover HPI RS4. Rather than letting it collect dust, I asked Jules if he’d like to invite his cousin Reese to go racing with us, of course the answer was yes. We had an extra unpainted Mini Cooper body and I was able to load up the unused chassis with super-cheap electronics like a silver-can motor for $4 and brushed ESC for $10.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric On-Road Tagged With: brushed, budget racing, Duratrax paint, ESC, HPI, kids, Mini, rally, RS4, training

Why is R/C fun?

January 4, 2016 by justin Leave a Comment

There are many things that I like about R/C, especially now that I have kids. At the heart of the matter is that having kids means having less cash. Fact. Also, R/C models are something my kids and I can enjoy together.

There is 99% less chance that I’ll get killed doing model racing or flying vs. “real” racing or flying. I have no desire to be the next John Travolta or even worse, John Denver.

I didn’t say the danger is 100% less, as proven by this video that made it’s way to Tosh.0:
(probably not safe for kids – but it is pretty funny)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric On-Road, Fixed Wing, Flight Tagged With: HPI, rally

Vintage Trans-Am Go Green Envy Challenger

October 26, 2015 by justin 7 Comments

In the spirit of Crawl, Walk, Run, after racing twice in the USGT class and doing nothing much but crashing and annoying lapping traffic, I decided it was time to slow down. I repurposed my HPI RS4 for US Vintage Trans-Am, commonly known as VTA.

Go Green with Envy

I wanted to drive a great looking muscle car, something I could see myself driving in real life. One image that was stuck in my mind was this Challenger:

1970-ta-challenger

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric On-Road Tagged With: 200mm, AE, budget racing, Duratrax paint, HPI, RS4, TC5, TC6, Team Associated, USGT, USVTA

Half Off R/C Racing Gear List

July 20, 2015 by justin 5 Comments

Here it is, a list of how to get into on-road R/C racing in two different classes (your choice) on the cheap. I’ll update this list and go into detail about the the components I find important. Mostly I wanted to make a list of everything I’ve purchased to keep things honest.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric On-Road Tagged With: brushless, budget racing, ESC, HPI, rally, RS4, RTR, USGT, USVTA

Mega Mini

June 22, 2015 by justin 3 Comments

My son Jules has really taken to R/C driving – and crashing. My formerly pristine Subaru WRX body has officially been put through the ringer:

So I asked Jules what sort of body he would like – hoping that I could save the Subie body from further destruction. But he has a hard time getting past the fact that lexan bodies are clear and can be painted in any color scheme, so he’s often influenced by the presentation color rather than the shape. Unable to get him to commit to something, I made an educated guess.

Mighty Mini

When we race at the Twin City On-Road Club in Cottage Grove during the winter, he usually winds up running in the Tamiya Mini B-main if there’s not enough people for a novice class. We even discussed getting him a Tamiya Mini at one point.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cars, Electric Off-Road, Electric On-Road Tagged With: Duratrax paint, HPI, kids, Mini, rally, RS4

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