15 replies to this topic

[Bags]

Who is the Brushless Mafia?

The Brushless Mafia is a renegade collective of slot car racers and tech enthusiasts who, in the early 2020s, rejected the limitations of traditional brushed motors. Frustrated by their wear and inefficiency, these innovators – scattered across online forums, local tracks, and YouTube channels– embraced brushless motors from R/C and drone tech for their superior power and durability. Not a formal group but a shared ethos, they’re defined by their relentless drive to make slot cars faster, lighter, and smoother. These figures have become legends, sharing gritty videos and late-night hacks on wiring ESCs to conquer the track’s demands.

Despite early struggles with laggy controls and braking quirks, their persistence paid off. By 2025, brushless cars were dominating races like the ISRA Worlds, silencing critics who called them hobby-wreckers. Today, the Brushless Mafia’s influence runs deeper – they’ve pushed brushless tech into mainstream slot car products, from motors to purpose-built chassis. Their evolved mantra, “Advance, Promote, Share,” reflects their mission: innovate relentlessly, spread the gospel of brushless, and keep the community tight. They’re not just racers; they’re the vanguard reshaping slot car racing’s future.

[Hot Slots]

Hahahahaha.

[Samiam]

Go back and look at the first threads on brushless. All the naysayers that were so adamant that "it would never work!" Hope they got some Frank's hot sauce to make eating their words more tolerable. 

[Jim Difalco]

OK, but slot racing needs new customers to survive, not just new technology. Splitting the existing customers into two different factions is not helping advance the business of slot racing.

 

I do not fall on one side or the other as far as brushless motors are concerned, since my product works with both equally well.

 

I just wish the slot racing community and business was bigger for everyone.

[Ken Lenz]

OK, but slot racing needs new customers to survive, not just new technology. Splitting the existing customers into two different factions is not helping advance the business of slot racing.

 

So is the new technology supposed to wait for new customers before being introduced?

From my seat I see that the ones splitting the existing customers into factions are the ones who condem the new technology being anchored in brushed motors for their revenue.

 

[bbr]

Clubs and rule set – they will run what they want in their sandbox.

 

Guys who have business $$$ will invest and promote both (if they are wise   ) because they will make $$$.

[team burrito]

As I see it, brushless is the way of the future. The prices have dropped down to less than the cost of a blueprinted C-can motor, the ESC should last forever, and the BL motors perform better than any of the disposable FK-types.

They're little marvels for what you get for 20 bucks.

 

You either evolve or stay in the past - it's your choice.

[Jim Difalco]

So is the new technology supposed to wait for new customers before being introduced?

From my seat I see that the ones splitting the existing customers into factions are the ones who condem the new technology being anchored in brushed motors for their revenue.

 

Of course not, you are not ever going to stem technology. My comment was on the overall state of slot racing and not brushless motors.
 
Ken, why didn't you contact me direct to get your DD305 instead of going through eBay?

[Bags]

Hahahahaha.

 

Got any more bundle deals on six-ten 102s that didn’t make the cut for you? I know a couple drag racers that might be interested like the last time you unloaded the duds that weren’t fast enough for the roundie tracks. Hahahaha.

[Cheater]

So is the new technology supposed to wait for new customers before being introduced?

New technology doesn't necessarily determine the future. Customers always do, when they vote with their wallets.

A 'better' product doesn't always achieve success. Don't forget Betamax vs VCR.

[Hot Slots]

Got any more bundle deals on six-ten 102s that didn't make the cut for you? I know a couple drag racers that might be interested like the last time you unloaded the duds that werent fast enough for the roundie tracks. Hahahaha.

 

Yes I do, please send me there names.

Did ya'll figure out how to keep the ESC from shorting out? Or are we still in the experimental stages of brushless?

[Mike Patterson]

You either evolve or stay in the past - it's your choice.

 

I choose the past.

[Bucky]

Just because something works and has the potential to go faster doesn't make it better for the hobby. Brushless slot cars in the US are led by guys selling online to make a buck and cutting the tracks out of the picture. The fight between supporting tracks through purchases vs. buying online is as old as the internet. When it comes to slot cars, so were all well aware of the harm it causes.

The quality control is horrendous in brushless and leaves consumers holding the bag. The brushless flexis I've seen are made of tin foil, and the electronics are finicky with high failure rates. You guys don't care though because you made $2 repackaging and selling the latest widget.

I don't have the experience but have heard brushless is a necessary evil at ISRA because it's faster. It also fails unexpectedly and results in more crashing when cars deslot because of how far they roll.

If anything, the problems with FK motors from JK, Chicagoland, Mid-America, etc., have been largely sorted to bring reasonably reliable and priced motors to the hobby. Brushless remains a niche market of poor quality products that hurt the hobby due to high failure rates, poor support, and online sales.

Brushless Mafia seems an appropriate name for a group supporting a shakedown of consumers.

[Hot Slots]

I'll double down on this statement.

I've had four ESC fail, two X-89 and 2two West Rock.

I've had zero issues with D-Slot ESC, maybe I got lucky with the Do-Slot, maybe it's because I don't use it much.

But I know I've had nothing but issues with the KC ESC.

I refuse to be the test Dummy for brushless manufacturers.

I'll keep buying my CR-102s.

I'd rather drop 18 dollars on a motor that runs fine, but not good enough to be a race motor, than drop 55 dollars on an ESC that starts surging 15 minutes into using it.

Brushed Mafia

We like talking about pushing the limits, using out of date technology, testing countless motors to find the fastest. We might not be innovativers but we are fast at soldering motors in and out of cars. We look to the future for the newest batch of motors to find that one bullet, that may put us in the A Main. We keep it real.

Hahahahahahahahaha

[Pappy]

If anything, the problems with FK motors from JK, Chicagoland, Mid-America, etc., have been largely sorted to bring reasonably reliable and priced motors to the hobby. Brushless remains a niche market of poor quality products that hurt the hobby due to high failure rates, poor support, and online sales.

 

I remember when the FK motors were a niche market of poor quality products that hurt the hobby due to high failure rates and poor support. Brushless will go through its growing pains and be the motor of choice.

[Cheater]

I thought this thread might go off the rails and it has.

 

I've hidden a number of uncivil posts and am locking this thread. If anyone wants to continue to bitch, moan, and/or threaten, take your opinions to Facebook or another favorite cesspool.