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[glenpens]

Does anyone have a hobby with RC ELECTRIC RACING CARs ( BUGGIES)
Glen

[grasshopper]

use to, but now moved onto fuel powered 1/8th scale buggies and trucks

[kendalboatsman]

Hi,

I do although I have toned it down some.

I started out R/C Buggy racing in the early eighties with a Grasshopper then worked my way through better buggies. I enjoyed building them the most so I had a go at model boats and it stuck. A lack of workshop for the last ten years means I haven't built any boats for a long time but I do have a stack of semi kits and plans lined up in the loft to go with in the next few months.

More recently I got into collecting Tamiya cars via Ebay and Tamiyaclub.com did get up to 22 assorted models but sold them off or traded them. I now have a Bigwig, Hornet, Holiday Buggy and a Wild Willy 2 (ooh er missus!).

Boat wise I need to get going on a Sirmar Tid Tug that was bought for one of my birthdays (2001 I think). Also have a Sirmar HDML to build.

regards
Clive

[glenpens]

Clive
Thanks for information. I haven't got a car at the moment. What  starter car would you get for racing its got to be 1/10 scale I believe.
I was quoted a B4 at £200 but I cannot afford one at that price ,so I have been looking on ebay at TAMIYA. What are they like and spares. Do you know if they are popular at racing club as I Have not joined one yet.
Thanks
Glen

[tigertiger]

My wife cam home with a RTR stunt car. Looks a cross between buggy and F1. Cost about 8 quid.
Steers by spinning the whole front end of the car along its lateral axis (wtf).

My first questin to my wife was 'does it float?'.

[kendalboatsman]

Hi Glen,

Tamiya cars are popular and reliable, how competitive a car is depends on the driver. I have beaten better cars than those I owned all because i could drive that little bit better and didn't keep crashing on corners.

The B4 is a 2wd off road buggy and Tamiya's answer to that would be the Sand Viper. This is a intermediate level buggy that could be hopped up(upgraded) to B4 spec. http://www.fusionhobbies.com/Tamiya-Sand-Viper-DT02-p/ta58374.htm

The B4 does come in different specification levels.

Find a club first and then find what they race as a lot of clubs have gone over to touring car racing.

As a note The Hornet has been re released (though mine is an original 1980s one) by Tamiya along with a lot of other older models as Tamiya have tried to get involved with the collecting scene. The modern chassis are the DF and DT range for reference.

Clive

[glenpens]

Hi Clive
I am hoping to go to the Southport club on Sunday.
Glen

[glenpens]

Hi Clive
Another thought
I have never built an rc model, how difficult is it or can anyone build them, or should I keep to ready built models
I have already a 2 channel Techniplus ACOMS AP27 Transmitter and Receiver, could I use it
Thanks
Glen

[grasshopper]

Glen,

As regards model cars, if you buy a kit by any of the manufacturers, the instructions are usually sufficient to get it built - setting it up is what takes the real skill. that's what comes with experience and being part of a regular club - if it's more car information you need search out BRCA - they are the main organising body for model car racing in the UK - and should have links to relevant sites and club info.

Yes , you can use your radio set in either a boat or car
Before you commit to buying anything expensive - visit your nearest club and ask questions - see what they're all racing and go with the majority.

I used to race a Grasshopper , hence the 'handle' - and with it I have beaten quite a few of the better cars of the time.....by heck, that was nearly twenty years ago...

[kendalboatsman]

Hi Grasshopper,

Funny enough I also raced a Grasshopper with a tamiya rs540 Black motor sprint as the motive power. Awesome in a straight line but cornering was a nightmare 

Glen,

The Tamiya cars are easy to put together and the instructions are first class as they tell you how to set up the radio gear as well. Quite often they give advice on upgrading the car as well.

If you want to have a look at a Tamiya manual follow this link http://www.modelbuild.co.uk/manuals.html and choose to download the bearhawk or madbull manuals as 2wd examples.

Regards
Clive

[grasshopper]

We were lucky - we raced indoors on a polished wooden floor, then added carpet and stuff over boxes and planks to make jumps -

Mine was powered by a rewound and retimed basic ball raced can motor of dubious pedigree - absolutely flew.
Front suspension arms flipped and modified to drop the front, new suspension hangers fabricated on the rear to give more of a live rear end - we were power sliding it round like the stockers - long before this drifting lark was even thought of...still got it somewhere in the back of the garage....I think it'll have to be re-incarnated

[glenpens]

Has anyone had of a MAX 4 Buggy
Glen

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Glen,

I've built a few cars in my time..... the Tamiya cars come with very good instructions.... even I can follow them!  ::)
The car is designed for the new comer in view and if you do something wrong, you can always undo it and fix / repair it.


Have a look at the Mad Bull kit - Full deal on eBay

or  http://www.tamiyaclub.com/car.asp?id=211

[kendalboatsman]

Hi Glen,

The Max 4 is a copy (possibly a chinese copy) of the Tamiya Baja king http://www.fusionhobbies.com/Tamiya-Baja-King-p/ta58301.htm. If you want to race then look at the Dark Impact or Keen Hawk http://www.fusionhobbies.com/Tamiya-Dark-Impact-DF03-p/ta58370.htm

Regards
Clive