36 replies to this topic

[DOCinCanton]

I wanted to log and share my experiences with my first national slot car event since the early '70s. I know that I am not a star, so please bear with me.

 

The drive up to Columbus was a lot harder than I had anticipated. It took me something like 16 hours on the road spread over two days to get it done. Left Mims, FL, at about 9 AM on Tuesday and after a sleepover north of Charlotte I got to the track around 4 PM today. The track was a little busy today but there was no problem in getting plenty of track time. It seemed like I could not get anything going right; maybe due to how tired my brain was after driving 950 miles. Well, maybe not too bad for a 67-year old.

 

One thing really stood out. The motors really rocket away when you punch the throttle at 14.2 volts. It's a huge difference over 13.7 volts we run in Florida. I've turned the sensitivity down to a 3 which is unheard of for me. Plus the track in very stuck. I have always had problems in Florida when the bite comes up. For some reason I just cannot adjust. I've got the recommended Wonder rubber but nothing feels right. I hope that I feel better tomorrow. It's a little strange, but the two chassis that I built for the R4 just don't get it done. An older chassis that I have raced many times is the happiest at 14.2v and with the stuck conditions.

 

EDIT: Here is what the cars are doing: they will turn turtle in the 90 and lean over and de-slot coming out of the finger and 3/4 of the way around the donut. Coming into the straight, the cars are all too loose. The back end will come out and then snap back and pull the flag out of the slot. I can't even get into the 4s. Very frustrating. Hopefully a good night's sleep will help my disposition.

 

Speaking of tomorrow. We get the hand-out motors at 6:30 PM and I plan on using water to break-in on at least four of them. Maybe two of them I will run for nearly an hour dry. Then it's time to turn them back in and get back on the track with my GT Coupe stuff.

[Josh Crutchfield]

I would make sure the guide is set right. You want the rear wheels to barely lift of the block when pushing down on the guide using a regular tech block. Between 1/32" to 1/16".

[slotcarone]

Try some different tires. Even though the rubber is supposed to be the same I have found many times changing brand of tires can make a big difference in grip.

 

I typically will try Alpha, HVR, and Koford medium Wonder and also medium Thunders from PJ.

[Tampabay racer]

I'm positive you will adjust to the track much better tomorrow. You have always adjusted to all the track conditions in FL at every race.

 

I do remember one major thing from when I was at an R4 back in 2013. The track likes a bit heavier chassis than we run down here. I may be wrong but something is telling me Can-Ams like around 110-120 grams?

 

Good luck. I know I'll be watching and looking at the blog for updates.

[Cap Henry]

Doc, if you need help just ask me, see ya in the morning

[JBProducts]

Try PJ medium Thunder Rubber and try to run the fronts a little heavier. Try different track heights, some chassis may require something different. 

 

Good luck, Doc!! I'll be following this event this weekend!

[tonyp]

Make sure fronts are touching harder add some weight to the back of your pans. Start there.

[Howie Ursaner]

It is typical for the track to be stuck when you get there. When they clean it Thursday night everything changes. It has been loose or whatever on race day so don't think it will stay the same.

 

Good luck.

[JerseyJohn]

All good advice!!!

[Wizard Of Iz]

Have fun.  

 

Keep the posts coming.

[Eddie Fleming]

Great idea, Doc. Keep us posted.

[tonyp]

Doc IM'd me. Things going better today. Says he has a couple of good Can-Ams and an F1.

[JBProducts]

Keep us posted. 

[DOCinCanton]

Wow, I did not expect such a response. I really appreciate all of the advice. Handling got much better with a clean track and fresh glue. I spent a lot of time moving/adding weight to the rear as recommended above. And I got the guide set a little better. Thank you all very much.
 
I got six motors today at 6:30 PM and set out to break them all in. Four of them, I broke in using water; 3.5v for 2-1/2 minutes and the 10 minutes dry at 6v. The other two I ran at 6.2v for about 1 hour. Three of the motors that were in water seem to be very good motors on the Trinity Motor machine. Pulling 25 to 26,000 RPM and drawing .7 to .8 amps. They felt strong in my hand as I measured them. The two best motors I have already installed in cars. The two that stayed dry seem to be duds, but I did not take the time to check the brushes. I am sure they are not even close to be broken-in.
 
So all in all, the cars handled better and I seem to have reasonable motors.

Thank you again for all of the advice. A couple racers offered to loan me a car if I needed one. Thank you. The best part of the day was having 7 & 7s after the race track stuff!

It was another long day for a dinosaur.

[tonyp]

Take your vitamins.

[DOCinCanton]

I took two, Tony, and it must have worked, as I qualified fifth in GTC-FK, with a 4.837 sec lap.

That means I made the A Main! Woo-hoo!!

[Noose]

Good job, Doc!

[tonyp]

Clap.

[mgerbetz]

Go, Doc, go!

Have fun, relax.

[Wizard Of Iz]

Attaboy!  
 
Nicely done.

[Zippity]

Eleventh is nice - well done.  

[Noose]

Good job, Doc.

[DOCinCanton]

Well, I was disappointed in how I drove in the A Main. Got off to a good start in the first heat without de-slotting, but then things went downhill. The difference in voltage really makes the car very sensitive. I had my controller at 0 setting for awhile or at 1. Still the car reaction was too sensitive for me. I have added weight to every car. Also, I got out my older Third Eye controller; hope things will go better tomorrow.

 

Thank you for all of the comments.

[DOCinCanton]

We had 19 Seniors and 39 in open Can-Am. The seniors ran off two Mains of 9 and 10 racers. I managed to finish ninth overall in the Senior group. After the Seniors mains, the real fast guys went to work.

I am amazed how well the top guys can get around this track. Truly amazing. As I write this one of the two semi-mains is going on. I wish all of the racers a good race.

Tomorrow is F1; got three cars ready to go with some increased weight and hopefully a better guide flag setting. Super soft Wonder seems to be working earlier today. Might have to go to soft Wonder.

[DOCinCanton]

The R4 was a great experience for me. I was amazed at the amount of sheer talent throughout the entire field. I met a lot of old racing friends who I have not seen in 40 plus years.

 

I want to thank the entire McMasters family for putting on such a great event. I think that the motor hand-out program went very well. I believe that it leveled the playing field. The 7R version is a very consistent motor and this motor even set track records during the weekend.