Basement track

[Jchung]

Just want to show you guys this project that was done in December. It is a pair of RCP Wide-L tracks for the Kyosho Mini-Z's. My dad and I started RC's with the Kyosho Mini-Z's about 5-6 years ago. Back then, there was a local track, where we met a lot of people that shared the same interests. It was a great hangout Friday and Saturday nights. I remember going to the track around 9pm and leaving around 3-4am:tong But that track closed down after a while, like ALL the tracks around this area. I guess there just isn't enough people into RC's for these tracks to stay in business. There is currently one track for Mini-Z's, but their place is quite cramp, and they use some carpet surface that we didn't really liked.

So we decided to set up a track in the basement. Our basement isn't finished, so we needed to paint the floors and tidy up the place. That look about two weeks since it was a MESS down there. We got around 7 other people that run the Mini-Z's with us. A few of them were from the track from 5-6 years ago since we kept in contact through all these years.

I must say, this is the most fun in RC's EVER. I got tired of running my other RC's on the street and dirt back and forth by myself. I am not a big nitro person either because I like my RC's clean. These Mini-Z's are inexpensive, have a big selection of highly detailed bodies, parts are cheap, uses AAA NiMH's which are about $10 a set and I get about 45 minutes of runtime! It is just awesome to race with other people. A friend of mine bought one after running mine for 10 minutes. My favourite thing is Kyosho released several bodies that are Tamiya vintages that I love but cannot afford like the 934 and 935.

Kyosho is coming out with a Le Mans series Mini-Z early this year, should be out soon. I gotta get the 787B since I didn't manage to get a Tamiya one.:willy

A pic of the track.

Pit area.

Pic from out Xmas gathering.

SWEET 935 body:drool

 

[kjr2]

SWEET 935 body:drool

You can say that again! That is really nice looking!

 

[twisted8]

nice track. i have a basic one for my micro DT. i used pretty much the same stuff for the track except mine was made to go under weight machines. looks identical.

cars fast ?

 

[Jchung]

Thanks guys!

Currently all the guys are running the stock motor. It is plenty enough for some tight racing! But I did modify my car with a light weight alloy motor mount and a ball bearing super stock motor from Atomic. It is VERY fast and I am still adjusting to the increased speed. The RCP track surface is really grippy and provides very good traction. Even the stock tires work quite well on the track with the stock motor. I run some stickier tires on my modded car and the wear is quite fast. My radial tires are already bald after 2-3 runs. :bang

twisted, do you use the RCP track for the micro DT's too? How do you like them on the track? What tires do you use? We thought about running micro-t's on the track too.:tmb

 

[Gimbal]

Very nice setup :tmb I wish I had that kind of indoor space where we could set something up. Im stuck with either the street in front of my place or commuting to a bash area :ack

 

[william g]

wow, that's really cool
Plenty of room for miniZ's to race, very, very nice job

 

[Nutz4rc]

I like it.

Very nice. Makes me wish I had a basement. I have only looked at on road types as I like the jumps and such. I would think with the space you have instead of Micro T's (I know they are pretty fast. I have one) But run Mini T's with a simple motor limit. I love that overcrowded track action with trucks driving over each other! Thats what I would try! Heck I would also look at the mini 4x4,s like the Goliath. Be like mini Clod racing! Bill

 

[Jchung]

Thanks all!

I have several micro's that I would like to try on the track too, but they are either in parts or too dirty at the moment and I just don't have the time to clean and fix them up yet. I was going to run my stock size TLT on the track, but I just found out the battery plug is broken:bang

 

[4wdmt]

Wow, you must have big hous J . That track is like the ones you see on race clubs. Very well done.

Can I run my clod for a few laps :rof.

 

[Haulin CO2]

Wow, you must have big hous J . That track is like the ones you see on race clubs. Very well done.

Can I run my clod for a few laps :rof.

You mean run THROUGH it? LOL

Nice lil setup you have there :tmb


Alfy

 

[Jchung]

I actually ran the Tamiya mini on the track once:rof

4wdmt, you should drop by on one of our gatherings around my reading week (holiday week:rof). I should have another Mini-Z ready so you can use it.:tmb

 

[twisted8]

Thanks guys!

Currently all the guys are running the stock motor. It is plenty enough for some tight racing! But I did modify my car with a light weight alloy motor mount and a ball bearing super stock motor from Atomic. It is VERY fast and I am still adjusting to the increased speed. The RCP track surface is really grippy and provides very good traction. Even the stock tires work quite well on the track with the stock motor. I run some stickier tires on my modded car and the wear is quite fast. My radial tires are already bald after 2-3 runs. :bang

twisted, do you use the RCP track for the micro DT's too? How do you like them on the track? What tires do you use? We thought about running micro-t's on the track too.:tmb

here the stuff i used for my track. its puzzled shape just no fancy border.it is made for placing under gym equipment.

 

[Jchung]

I have read a lot of posts regarding the high price and quality of the RCP tracks compared to the mats like the ones in your pictures. I also have a pack of those mats that I have bought from Walmart. The surface on the rough side of the RCP track is totally different from any store bought mats I have seen. The traction is unbelievable on the rough side. On the other side, the soft side, the texture feels just like the store bought mats, but I haven't test it out with some driving yet.

I didn't believe the big difference until I bought the tracks. I don't know how to express the texture of the RCP track, but I just know it is very good for racing!:tong The traction can be seen after a run on the track, the wear on the rubber tires creates black dust that gets all over the body and chassis. I think the track is really worth it if you have some buddies to race with. RCP tracks makes a "Mini-96" with smaller lane width that I think would be perfect for the micro-T's!

I also read that RCP tracks is coming out with some rock crawling track for the bigger trucks sometime this year. I am looking forward to see what they have. I wish I have a bigger basement so I can set up a rock crawling track too!:rof

 

[Savage03]

That is a slick setup! Love the nice work area off to the side, we here in CA dont have many houses with basements. Is that a blitzer beetle i see on the shelf? :tmb

 

[fastmax]

Very nice!! We have been working on a similar setup in my bros basement, but with jumps and bumps for 1/18 off road action. It has been on hold for a while now, but one of these days we'll get it complete. Have fun with on the sweet track.:tmb

 

[Jchung]

Thanks! Savage, yes that's a Blitzer Beetle, but it is not finished, still need to put on the decals and paint the driver. Just don't have the time to do so.

fastmax, ya definitely finish the track up. This track is the most fun I've had in RC. Being able to run some laps on the track anytime is great. I was thinking of adding some jumps to the track too, but not sure what materials to use. What are you using for your jumps?

The slope change at the end of the straight away when running clockwise is hazardous. Because the slope is too steep and usually the car is at top speed at the end, sometimes the nose of the car clips the track when it's "falling" down and lauches like a feet into the air. Funny thing is it happened several times and my car landed the "jump" and just kept on going. I will try to get some vids this weekend.:tmb

 

[fastmax]

For the time being we have been using these. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKYE4&P=7 but eventually I plan on making my own out of wood. Just haven't had much time lately to work on it. These work pretty well, but they need to be anchored somehow cause they tend to slide a little when you hit them.

 

[Jchung]

I like the jumps that have a slight curve to them, like slightly concaved up. I have seen some small jumps for the "Flywheels" toys at Toysrus. But that was before I had this track. I will have to find some time to see if they are still available.

I think it was this one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002TTB18/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[fastmax]

Yeah I prefer a slightly curved jump myself. The ones I make will be curved, and a couple of them might actually be rolling type hills. Those ramps look pretty cool though.

 

[Jchung]

I just got bored and tried driving my Z with the Futaba 4VWD:rof

I actually haven't used it until now. But from what I understand, the steering and throttle MUST be controlled by the right stick. Is there a way to allow the left stick for throttle and right for steering?