277 replies to this topic

[swodem]

Is there a picture of the Czech Production car?

I recall they were referring to this older image of an X25 raced at ISRA.

[Ecurie Martini]

So this chassis did away with the pretense of the fronts as a functioning  component. Sticker fronts are the norm now in many classes of Flexi racing. NBD. That's evolution.

 
And one of the paths that evolution followed led to the dinosaurs. We all know how that turned out.
 
EM

[MattD]

Evolution slowly (no quickly) moved the hobby to levels that left behind kids and less talented people that just had fun racing model cars. Their 10 second cars weren't much fun when the hot dogs in the next lane were running 4 second laps. That is evolution, though and cannot be stopped. It left scale racers and kids either quitting or moving to the basement. Then the commercial tracks died from lack of interest.    

 

50 years later scale 1/32 cars have become the most popular part of large scale slot cars and the old scale guys are having fun again. It's funny how things have evolved back to 1964 for scale guys.

 

There is some renewed interest in hardbody 1/24 cars with simple bras chassis on commercial tracks. I think that can grow as more guys actually partake of the fun level of slower racing.

 

Evolution won't stop no matter what!

[Phil Hackett]

And one of the paths that evolution followed led to the dinosaurs. We all know how that turned out.

 
I doubt an asteroid killing slot cars through massive climate change will be the concern of future archeologists (alien or human).
   
 
PS: Slot cars should have functioning front wheels. I'm kind of picky that way.

[Phil Beukema]

Are guys racing on flat tracks limiting the side to side "slop" between the two pieces in this chassis?

[swodem]

Evolution slowly (no quickly) moved the hobby to levels that left behind kids and less talented people that just had fun racing model cars. Their 10 second cars weren't much fun when the hot dogs in the next lane were running 4 second laps. That is evolution, though and cannot be stopped. It left scale racers and kids either quitting or moving to the basement. Then the commercial tracks died from lack of interest.    

 

50 years later scale 1/32 cars have become the most popular part of large scale slot cars and the old scale guys are having fun again. It's funny how things have evolved back to 1964 for scale guys.

 

There is some renewed interest in hardbody 1/24 cars with simple bras chassis on commercial tracks. I think that can grow as more guys actually partake of the fun level of slower racing.

 

Evolution won't stop no matter what!

 

Actually this chassis - the C43 Aeolos has been a fantastic change for our country.

 

Prior to its arrival the lower half of the country ran highly modified Champion TurboFlex chassis. Our club and some other provincial clubs ran X25s.

 

Both required a lot of work to get flat and run well, and most would give their chassis to a chassis builder to flatten by shop-press or other method. But it wouldn't stay that way. A few races later it would be bent and not handle well.

 

The C43 is pretty good out of the packet and handles better out of the packet

We have a no modification rule. Lead (adhesive) and tape only.

It can be set up easily and we have run these in 6-hour and 12-horr enduros, with FK and S16D and afterwards they are still flat.

 

Membership is up, participation is up, and the gap between the fastest racers is narrower.

 

I'd say its evolution at its finest...

[swodem]

Are guys racing on flat tracks limiting the side to side "slop" between the two pieces in this chassis?

 

At the rear.

[Phil Beukema]

^^^ Is the effort measurable in a faster lap?

[swodem]

... and a more stable, tighter railing car.

[Rob Voska]

Are guys racing on flat tracks limiting the side to side "slop" between the two pieces in this chassis?

 

Need some movement on the gutters. We run heavy pans and still need the movement. A little tape if track is really slick but for the most part everyone runs soft tires and you need some weight moving.

 

You can also tweak the pans for more or less movement and raise and lower them along with all the different size bite bars.

[MSwiss]

Phil,

 

Conflicting answers like the above are the reason you should try it yourself, both ways.
 

What may work great, on one track, won't necessarily work on another.

 

Or may not work, that particular day, depending on track conditions.

[Phil Beukema]

Thanks, Mike.

 

Also...

 

When people say soft tires, like JK87000pp?

[swodem]

Not a bad place to start, depends on your track size and surface and goo used, as well as the body. Much experimentation required here.

Alpha standard Piranha's also worke well on our track.

I prefer small hubs with these chassis.

[MSwiss]

Phil,

As Steve said, a good place to start.
 
It's a go-to tire on my flat track.

[Phil Beukema]

Thanks.  

[Phil Hackett]

Conflicting answers like the above are the reason you should try it yourself, both ways.
 
What may work great, on one track, won't necessarily work on another.
 
Or may not work, that particular day, depending on track conditions.

 
Been there, done that, read the book, seen the movie, wearing the T-shirt, poster on the wall, joined the fan club...

[Phil Beukema]

Has there been any noticeable improvement using the different diameter "J-bars"?

[swodem]

That’s subjective, and may differ for each car, depending on their set-up

What seems to be universal is putting some tape either side of the centre rib, underneath the rear J-bar, to stop the rocking of the pans.

[SlowBeas]

I learned a quick less of what NOT to do.
 
I removed the stock J-bars and inserted the next largest size, being sure to put one of the rings to the left and one to the right. I thought this would help balance the chassis on our club track. Instead, it threw the whole thing out of whack.
 
I quickly removed the substituted J-bars, inserted the stock, and made sure the rings were on the same side of the chassis. Now, it runs like a champ again.
 
Trying the same changes on a different track would probably produce results that are 180-degrees different.
 
That's slot racin'.

jb

[Phil Beukema]

Which side did you put the clips. Inside while going around the donut?

[Tim Wood]

Phil, 

Try using some body armor under the J-bar in the center chassis section. Less movement of the chassis.

[JK Products]

 
Please don't think you always need to restrict movement of the pans. Here is a picture of the winning Recek/Horky C26 after the 2017 ISRA production race. I got this pic just as he began tearing down the chassis, but the only thing he removed was the stock J-bar. He ran no tape. Of course, this was on a flat track.

I hope it will be of interest.
 
Tim

[Phil Beukema]

Tim H.,

Does it look like he took the side to side play out of the rear area where the J-clip goes?

[JK Products]

Hi Phil,
 
No, completely free floating with no constraints. Everything was beautifully polished and oiled for maximum movement.

[Phil Beukema]

Thanks, and you guys make nice stuff.