BRCA Electric Nats . . . West London

Well my not so illustrious RC career continued last weekend with a vist to West London for the 1st round of the BRCA touring car nationals.

I haven't been to an electric national before so wasn't sure what to expect. These meetings are where the top drivers in the UK test themselves against each other so I knew it would be a tough weekend.

BRCA 1/10 Touring Car Nats Rnd1 - West London

Round 1 West London: 14/05/2011

Super Touring - A Final

Best 2 Rounds To Count

Tie Break: Best Points

Pos	Car	BRCA	Name	Points	R1	R2	R3
1	1	388	Chris Grainger	2	1	10	1
2	3	16959	Elliott Harper	3	2	1	10
3	2	14768	Olly Jefferies	5	3	2	3
4	4	8694	Andy Moore	6	4	5	2
5	9	1325	Alan Bickerstaff	9	7	3	6
6	6	9596	Chris Kerswell	9	8	4	5
7	5	7531	Matthew White	10	9	6	4
8	7	9748	Jonathan Aird	13	5	9	8
9	8	18196	Paul Pinkney	14	6	8	9
10	10	207	Russell Williams	14	10	7	7

Produced by RC-Timing 2010. www.RC-Timing.com

My new O'Donnell SS21 engine

It's always great to get something new for our beloved cars.

As an IC driver it is a real thrill to open up a box to find a brand new engine nestling inside.

I recently had this pleasure when my new ODonnell SS21 engine arrived. I hmmd and ahhd for some time before I decided on this as my motor for the 2011 season but made the decision based on 3 things.

1. Good forum feedback, buttery smooth and easy to tune apparently.

2. It's something a little different, I'm not one to run with the crowd.

3. Good value, it cost about the same as an Alpha 850.

The large heat sink is an understated black.

RC SureStart Engine pre-heaters

OK hands up who likes running in engines . . . ?

Yep, I thought not.

I too was like you until I discovered the RC SureStart. 

I know it sounds like the opening line of cheesey advert for washing powder but it really is a genuine sentiment.

Lipos ... A cautionary tale.

Touring cars have been using lipo battery packs for around 3 years now, mostly without incident.

In fact the BRCA electric board have published some basic principles governing the use of lipo packs. These principles have been incorporated into the regulations and can be seen here.

The US governing body for RC racing is ROAR who also have a conservative attitude towards the use of lipo batteries. The US rules govering the use of lipos are even stricter than those of the BRCA and go as far as excluding the use of warmers. The rules for lipo use under ROAR can be found here. (Rule 8.3.2.1) 

These regulations have been rigorously enforced at most circuit events I have attended over the last couple of seasons. Most people understand why and are, for safety's sake, happy to oblige. 

OK if you are still awake you are no doubt thinking . . . "What is he banging on about?"

I'm getting to it!

In the US 1/8 electric buggy racing is becoming increasingly popular and what happens over there eventually happens over here, albeit more expensively!

I have been attending a few 1/8 rally-x events over the last few months and electric buggies are definitely growing in popularity, which is great. I think it's a brilliant way to get people interested in the off road scene without the added complication of those noisy, smelly gas engines that I love so much. 

Here's the thing. I don't think I have seen one electric buggy using a hard case lipo. 99% of the time this is no problem but as for the other 1% ?!

I don't know who this was but I'd guess it ruined his day.

(Get in touch if this is your car)

A trip to Slough RWMCC for the SRS Round 1

A few weeks back I prepared myself for a trip to Slough RWMCC for a club meeting. On that occasion the weather was uncooperative so it didn't happen.

This weekend the weather was glorious, if a bit on the windy side, so there were no excuses. I was off to play with the big boys!

RMWCC were hosting the first round of this years SRS, a regional series giving club racers the opportunity to race at other clubs around southern England. 

This was to be my first buggy race away from the Adur track, and at a fairly big event, so I knew it wouldn't be easy. Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Probably, but I had already told myself I was going along for the experience and to see what I could learn. 

An awesome rostrum.

There was a full entry of 105 drivers so an early start was required to ensure a decent spot in the pits.

I arrived at the track at about 07:45, it was already busy but I had no trouble finding a spot to set up.

SHRCCC ... A new off road venue for Surrey & Hants.

SHRCCC is a brand new off road venue in Badshot Lea, Surrey.

This project is the baby of Neil Dudman, an active off road racer who will be well known to some of you. 

I met him for the first time at the track, he is nice chap who is full of enthusiasm for his new venture.

Although I know very little about this particular discipline he looks to have all the ingredients to produce a decent venue.

ESC ... Woe is me!

I have decided to write a little bit about the venerable, and all of a sudden ubiquitous, speedo from Hobbywing, the original manufacturers of Speed Passion. There are various versions available including the 60a, 120a, extreme stock and 1s.

I have been runnning the 120a version since last summer. My buying decision was based primarily on cost as it looked like great value, this has certainly proven to be true. The big bonus is that it actually turned out to be pleasingly competitive, so much so that I also purchased a 60a version which is now in my buggy.

Fan removed to fit under the bodyshell.