48 replies to this topic

[Steve H.]

Theoretical question, on a very rubbered up track that has not been cleaned for a while, what can I do to increase grip?

 

This is on a flexi type chassis with a lmp body and Pro Slot FK motor.

 

Have been running JK Small Hub Plastic Rim Wonders.

 

2 weeks ago track seemed looser so taped front of pan.

1 week ago track seemed looser yet, so taped front and rear of pan.

Last friday tried treated tires and natural tires both of which were looser yet than the small hub JK Wonders.

 

Once a track is rubbered up with wonder rubber, are other types of rubber no longer compatible?  It was like a slip and slide with treated and natural rubber tires.

 

What else can I try to increase grip?

 

[John Streisguth]

Clean the track. Really. It's probably not the rubber that is the problem, it's the dust that's attached to it.

One place I used to race with never cleaned the track.  I resorted to cutting crossing slits in the tires to get traction, kind of like a dirt track car  LOL

[Mark Wampler]

True confessions here.  We wait until our track becomes an ice rink before lazy racers clean the track, lol.  Its the dust + rubber.  Break out the glue board and don't get caught .

[Fast Freddie]

Which chassis.  Sounds like you have something else wrong with the car.  Those untreated or natural tires should have gripped pretty good on a rubbered up track.  Try a little bit of glue on the tires.  I'd start off with the wonders first.  If it doesn't work then John pegged it, probably a dirty track.  I would also walk the track and check to see if any oil or braid juice is on the surface.

[Phil Beukema]

Clean the tires with " Monster Traction Tweak" at every lane change.

[John Streisguth]

On the track I described, we actually had to use a putty knife to scrape the residue off, it was that thick.  Filled most of a 5 gallon bucket 

[Dominator]

Assuming the car set up is good, try another tire. Occasionally you will find that if the car is loose a larger rim and slightly harder tire is needed to get grip. I had that happen on a track we run F1 on where Thunder medium is the only tire to use to get grip. Small hub JK wonder are loose. The JK big hub (8713ppw) were better than the small hub but not as good as the medium Thunders.

[Greg VanPeenen]

Steve.

 

Is the problem just with your car or is everyone having the same issue. If it is just you car and no one else, then more then likely it's your car or setup, If everyone has the same problem CLEAN THE TRACK!

 

Regards, 

GVP

[Steve H.]

Chassis is JK X25. When I tried the treated and naturals I also tried Koford soft wonders and Jk big hub wonders. The big hubs seemed to be maybe better than the small hub JK, so Dominators idea of harder tires sounds like something to try.

Other racers have told me nothing but wonder rubber works on this track. Some seem to be having similar issues. I am mostly looking for ideas to get hooked up on the track the way it is. Not sure when it will be cleaned.

Might take a week off to build a Mossetti chassis to try next.

[John Streisguth]

My next question would be: when was the track last cleaned?  It sounds like at least more than 3 weeks ago...

 

And the question after that would be: if there are guys that are hooked up ok, what tires and setup are they using?

[Steve H.]

I was told the last time it was cleaned was at the end of December.

The fast guys seem to be running light steel or aluminum Mossettis and Jk big or small hub wonders. But, I tried one of their cars and it seemed way too light for my driving style, and they seemed to also think track is loose.

[Mark Wampler]

When our track gets super dirty, a real light CanAm car seems to float around the track with small hub un-treat tires.  Digging in with a heavier  car slips a lot more

[Dominator]

Try moving the body back about the width of a pin. That will help you get more traction and see if that helps.

[Cap Henry]

Try a Mossetti with a heavy steel pan. Might not be as fast out right pace, but easier to drive which will help in the gutters.

[Mark Wampler]

Try another track if its not going to get cleaned.

[MSwiss]

Try another track if its not going to get cleaned.

Good idea.

 

There are slot car raceways on every corner. LOL

[Steve H.]

Thanks for the ideas, will give them a try.

 

Any advice on rear wing height?  Popular bodies are Red Fox Peugeot, Audi, and Bentley closed cockpit LMP.  There is no wing height rule.  All I have tried so far is an Audi at 1-5/8" tall.

 

Track is a Hillclimb.

[boxerdog]

I was told the last time it was cleaned was at the end of December.

The fast guys seem to be running light steel or aluminum Mossettis and Jk big or small hub wonders. But, I tried one of their cars and it seemed way too light for my driving style, and they seemed to also think track is loose.

How about just offering to clean the track? Get a couple of bystanders and see what happens?

[Phil Smith]

My thinking exactly. Nothing wrong with the racers cleaning the track themselves.

 

It just dawned on me that I've never cleaned a track. Everywhere I ever raced the owners kept them clean. I didn't realize or appreciate their efforts.

[Steve H.]

My thinking exactly. Nothing wrong with the racers cleaning the track themselves.

 

It just dawned on me that I've never cleaned a track. Everywhere I ever raced the owners kept them clean. I didn't realize or appreciate their efforts.

 

Don't want to bash the raceway, others have been declined.  Was told last week they may "touch up the corners" when i asked when the track will be cleaned.

 

It is what it is, I will try to work with it for now.

[John Streisguth]

Cleaning a track is no big deal when you do it regularly.  It's when you let it go it becomes a chore.  One track near me didn't see a lot of use, so it never accumulated rubber, but the dust was horrendous.  One test session I spent 15 minutes taking two laps and cleaning the tires, repeating that over and over until it was driveable.  Never bothered going back until they had someone who gave a crap and started maintaining the tracks.

 

I feel sorry for you guys...can't understand why a raceway would turn down free labor

[MattD]

Amazing that a guy can own a  business and not keep his equipment clean and in top order!  

[gc4895]

What a great lot of hand-wringing. One might consider obtaining a quantity of the Rustoleum product Krud Kutter and a box of proper paper towels. Its water based, no fumes, and does a rather effective job of melting applied rubber residue from the track surface. Dont let it linger as it will soak into exposed wood surfaces and cause disastrous swelling consequences. Takes about 5-6 man hours to properly clean a really dirty track. With a few helpers, its a quick afternoon task. Oh, proper rubber gloves are recommended. All the best!

[NSwanberg]

Rental cars and racers have to be on the same rubber. It seems to me it is polyurethane tires that take the grip away. Even so, a race worth of laps on a slick track seems to bring the grip back.

[Danny Zona]

Must of been Kelly Bulldog tires. 😂

Its a myth that they mess up tracks by the way.

I just recently rubbered up a track with bulldog rubber at a wing race. Bulldogs are legal in our wing series.

The next week we raced the GRRR series. 3rd place tied the lap record, 2nd and 1st place broke the lap record.💯