Just wanting to get everyones opinions on why we as OVAL racers have not went back to 6 cell racing......
With On-ROAD being as big as it is, and also running 6 cell, why would you not want to change back to 6 cell to keep everything along the same lines?

Could you imagine what TC racers would do if they were forced to go to 4 cell?

If our format was equal to the ONROAD's, it would make it alot easier for people to have a TC car and an OVAL car without having to have 2 sets of batteries. I think it would benefit both OVAL and ONROAD for us to run 6 cell once again......

I'm up for it, we at SpringCove will offer a 6 cell class next year..... we will do our part to push OVAL in the direction it needs to go in to be able to grow. Not to mention the introduction of our RTR kit.......

Kenny@RAPTOR

Cause with the Batterys & Motors of today.....6 cells would be just too much in an Pan car!

I can barely hold on to a 19 turn with 4 cells!!!!!!!! Add Two??!! Watch out!!!!!!!

Actually, they run 4 cell mod touring cars in Japan ... There's talk of it being implemented in the states to slow down the escalating speeds and cost of touring racing. 1/12 scale on-road is all 4 cell ....

6 Cell racing at the 'Birds is awesome. But there's only a select few that can hang on to them at that speed range. The average local guy might have a hard time affording, tuning, and driving a 6 cell, 6 turn, mod pancar!

It will be interesting to see how it works out for SpringCove. I'm sure it will be impressive to see the cars rocket around that track! And, if it takes off in Kenny's area, we'll have a 6 cell tray for the Maverick in no time! :)

6 cell stock is still big at my local track and others in northern Indiana. The speeds aren't hard to handle in stock. I actually think that batteries last longer in 6 cell. Eliminating the need for fresh packs every month. The mark up on 4 cells compared to 6 is alot. Price 2 6 cell packs compared to 3 4 cell packs. Not everyone can handle 6 cell mod or even 4 cell mod so I don't think thats an issue with 6 cell. But stock everyone should be able to handle. I think that going to stictly 4 cell in pancars is whats hurting the oval scene. It has truely separated us from the rest of the r/c racing world. I just think tracks and sanctioning bodies should give the choice of either 4 or 6. Some guys like the old days of 6 cell and some who are new like 4. If 6 cell stock or whatever was offered as a class it would pick up again. But everything is strictly 4 cell.

remember the reasons for the change to 4 cell.. that alone is enough for me to never run 6 cell again..

Kenny makes a good point about 4 cell racing creating a BIG gap between TC and Off Road racers. I agree that something needed to be done to control our speeds but we may have been better served to go to longer races instead of causing that gap with different batteries. 5 Minute races would force the modified class to slow down on an equal basis for everyone.

Should we change back? I’m not sure if the racers would buy into it now days. One big advantage that it could create is: use 6 cell for “Pro” classes and 4 cell for “Sportsman” type classes but increase the race time for both.

Think I will put up a Poll for this one.

Actually, they run 4 cell mod touring cars in Japan ... There's talk of it being implemented in the states to slow down the escalating speeds and cost of touring racing. 1/12 scale on-road is all 4 cell ....


It's also 8 min races when they do 4-cell touring cars as well.

You know the old saying...."sometimes you have to slow down to go fast" well, I think "sometimes you have to step back to step forward".......

I will continue to shake the tree until something useful falls.......

I love the speed of 6 cell. It will create gaps in the experienced versus newbies....Oval needs a MAKEOVER from top to bottom, and that includes ROAR or any other sanctioning body.

Kenny@RAPTOR

5 minute modified will only make mod an even more battery chase.

Oval needs a MAKEOVER from top to bottom, and that includes ROAR or any other sanctioning body.

Up here in the northeast we consistently fill pit areas to MAX capacity. 70-80+ racers. (Maine, PA, NY, CT and Canada) I don't understand why some areas are struggling.

If I had to run 6 cell every week I would probably quit racing. I can't afford to buy almost twice the number of cells.

Just my opinion.

4 mins and cut back on the winds.possibly easier on brushes and arms? i don't know,don't race mod but would 6c stock in a minute!

Danny, Anytime you wanna run 6 cell, come to the Cove.

I believe it is something that should be discussed and looked at closely...

Kenny@RAPTOR

You know the old saying...."sometimes you have to slow down to go fast" well, I think "sometimes you have to step back to step forward".......



There's another old saying that says
'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. :rolleyes:

The very few 'bigger' races I go to, everyone seems to be having a great time
and I've yet to hear anyone say they wish it was 6cell racing.
I'm with Tommy on this one, I don't think I would.

The brave few that run mod, even with 4 cells, are so fast I can't believe
that anyone wanting to 'go faster' wouldn't be satisifed with one of
those bombshells....

4 mins and cut back on the winds.possibly easier on brushes and arms? i don't know,don't race mod but would 6c stock in a minute!

They tried that with onroad touring cars impossing a 10 turn limit. It made it a battery war as the motors are under powered so whoever came up with the BIG voltage would have an advantage.

OH.... it's broke alright. When has the last National event had 200-300 entries?
When the "Major" manufacturers and magazines pull out of OVAL, it is definitely broke. It's the little guys that has kept it alive........

february?? snowbirds (non roar event) maybe the problem is ROAR, not 6 CELL?

Why is oval struggling in some parts of the country? Perhaps because people see the need to overhaul the rules every 5 years. I didn't really like moving to 4 cell, but it is certainly a bit cheaper. If you've got to run out and rematch packs every five years as we go back and forth it gets ridiculous. Don't compound one "mistake" by making another.
Besides that, why are we trying to cater to on-roaders? I mean, sure they've got numbers right now but how many of you have tried getting your tracks local right-turning hot shoes to try oval? IF you get lucky enough for them not to say "Heck no!" chances are after a night of racing they'll say thanks but no thanks. I haven't found an on-road driver here that thought it was cool, after a solid half dozen guys have tried it out.
If the idea is to give us oval guys the flexibility to run on-road too, buy a 1/12th scale. Mostly the same parts, also uses four cells, makes sense to me. Less parts to carry.

I understand the idea of shakin' the tree, but all you're doing so far is scaring the crap out of the birds :)

Dirt oval racing is growing again.And they run 6 cells in all the classes.I bought a touring car so when I go carpet racing I can use my 6 cell packs instead of breaking down my packs.

Being fairly new to Oval (3 seasons) I never understood Why oval uses 4 cell.
But then again I am from the old school of 6 cell Mod 1/12. and Off Road.
So what is the Real reason Oval went to 4 cell?

I know it's not what is best for the masses, but I LOVE 6 cell. The two cells that ROAR took away when they made everyone switch to 4 cell represented two testicles...They castarated the oval cars.

There was a greater seperation of performance based on the talent of the driver when we raced 6 cells. The more talent you had, the faster you went. This was because you could "overdrive" the cars, and if you weren't disciplined, you would "overdrive" your car right out of the A Main. Today, that's not the case.

As far as the argument, "it's easier for the masses", so what? Who said racing was supposed to be easy? Should they slow F1 and NASCAR cars down so I can be competitive against Schumacher and Smoke? Nip...

That's how the competitor in me feels. The rational side of me, (non-competitive) realizes 4 cell is better on your racing budget and better for the overall masses...Still isn't as fun as 6 cell...never has, never will be.:cool:

As for ROAR, they are done in my eyes. Largest turnout races for the past decade are all Non-Sanctioned...With larger number of entries comes prestige,therefore, non sanctioned races are now the most prestigious. Hell, even Tony's Dirt Oval Open Wheel race (yes, dirt oval) pulls 350-400 entries every year. This along with the entries at Scotty Ernst's IIC/Vegas Race (450), Cleveland Inddor Champs(400), Snowbirds (800) shows that the writing is on the wall...:thumbsup:

No thanks, If you want to run the speed of 6 cell stock try 19 turn 4 cell!!!!! Same speed! If a battery company is selling 4 cell packs for more per cell than a 6 cell pack, find another battery matcher! Thats just wrong!

I know it's not what is best for the masses, but I LOVE 6 cell. The two cells that ROAR took away when they made everyone switch to 4 cell represented two testicles...They castarated the oval cars.

There was a greater seperation of performance based on the talent of the driver when we raced 6 cells. The more talent you had, the faster you went. This was because you could "overdrive" the cars, and if you weren't disciplined, you would "overdrive" your car right out of the A Main. Today, that's not the case.

Only a veteran 6-cell'r would understand that, but I definitely couldn't have said it any better....... :thumbsup:

Only a veteran 6-cell'r would understand that, but I definitely couldn't have said it any better....... :thumbsup:
I agree ,I my self would rather run 6 cell . went to fastlane raceway 3 yrs ago 6 cell was the thing there.went back 1year later and they think it's ajoke know. it does take a good driver to handel the power to go fast. I will run 6 cell (pro stock) any day over 4 cell(sportsman) :thumbsup:

What's funny is you have some guys saying, "if I were forced to run 6 cell, Ill just quit"..... well, what if we would have said that when we were stripped 2 cells? There would be no hobby left.

I don't mean quit because of change, I mean because of the extra cost of paying for the additional cells. Of course I love racing and would probobly find a way to get by but it would certainly make racing more difficult financially.

...Here's a novel idea: Why did ROAR ever make it just one or the other? They could have introduced 4 cell, which as I said was a good idea for the industry as a whole, and kept 6 cell. If one or the other died out, then do away with the class. Another knee-jerk reaction/rule by ROAR...

All good points guys...

6 cell stock is about the same as 4-cell 19T. I like the 6 cell classes with stock motors. The very brave can have the mod.

I was looking at an article posted on RC-Oval.com, by Lin Vaughn. He makes some pretty persuasive arguments. Personally, I like the lower voltage of the 4-cell racing. It doesn't puke the motors nearly as quickly. A *LOT* less rebuilding and work on the comms. But, I can see the other point of view.

The main reason I see for the renewal of interest in 6-cell racing is boredom. Things are going along just fine; so we have to find something to argue, moan, and gripe about; and then fiddle with and change. <g> We are an interesting group. Thanks; Ernie P. :cool:

...They could have introduced 4 cell, and kept 6 cell.

There you go again..
Trying to introduce common sense into the equation...

I started racing in 6 cell stock and then did some mod so I am always in favor of 6 cells. But now I do both 6 cell and 4 cell stock and see the pros and cons of both. Everyone on here as a different take on it. The best thing I see happening is not to argue about which is better but for local tracks, big events like the birds and masters, and sanctioning bodies to offer both. I think the turnout in both classes would be big and you'd still see a lot of guys running both. I would be someone that would run both. I just like both aspects of the two.

There you go again..
Trying to introduce common sense into the equation...

Yeah, silly me...:hat:

Take away the laydown brushes and stock motor will be good for more than one run on 6 cells.

You can't run both 6 cell and 4 cell. Seperation of the classes is whats wrong now! You wouldn't even fill a 10 car main.

I was looking at an article posted on RC-Oval.com, by Lin Vaughn. He makes some pretty persuasive arguments. Personally, I like the lower voltage of the 4-cell racing. It doesn't puke the motors nearly as quickly. A *LOT* less rebuilding and work on the comms. But, I can see the other point of view.

The main reason I see for the renewal of interest in 6-cell racing is boredom. Things are going along just fine; so we have to find something to argue, moan, and gripe about; and then fiddle with and change. <g> We are an interesting group. Thanks; Ernie P. :cool:

Not really "boredom".... In my opinion, I just think we (R/C as a whole) should stick to the same format. Run the same type motors, batteries, etc. It broadens every companies potential, being able to sell to offroaders, onroaders, or us oval racers.

People wonder why the "big" stores don't carry our parts, that is why.

If TC and offroaders were running 4 cell, I would not have brought this up. But we are the ODD ball in R/C. ROAR does not always make the right call, and they are alot to blame for the demise of OVAL. I still stand by my opinion that handout tires at a NATIONAL event is a joke...... Just look at the BMS results, the same people chasing the trophy, with or without handout tires. One of the main reasons I did not go........

When I started racing the natural progression was to begin in offroad where you could learn to drive. Then when you improved enough you could move up and run an oval car. 4 cell racing has made this pretty hard as a guy basically has to buy all new packs to try out oval. I think that is one of the reasons car counts continue to decline in some places. It is very difficult to just start out in oval with your first RC car.

The other nice thing about the 6 cell days was everyone pretty much ran 6 cell stock. For local racing I'm not sure there were really a ton more people it just seemed like more with 40 guys running one class instead of 40 guys running 4 classes.

In the 6 cell days we had more talent in our local 6 cell stock A-mains then you'll ever see in 4 cell stock A-main at Nationals now. I miss that, but what is done is done and I don't think we can go back now. I thought it was dumb at the time and that is part of why I quit racing for the first 3 or so years after 4 cell started.

The one thing 4 cell has done is given a lot of guys who had no prayer of making, let alone winning, a 6 cell stock A-main a chance to win. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is a matter for debate. I don't know.

Most of the time I just read these post but I'm going to chime in on this one.

I have been racing for about seventeen years or so now. Most of that time has been dirt oval. Some Off Road and some carpet oval. About ten years ago I ran carpet oval and it was six cell as was the rest of the forms of racing. About four years ago moved from PA running dirt oval to VA running carpet oval since there was no dirt oval close to my new home.

Since I have ran both 6 and 4 cell here is my two cents...

Do I want to go to six personally? Yes and no... Yes because I would enjoy the speed. No because of cost. The cost is the big issue for me. Big reason why I mainly run stock.

Would it be better for pan oval? Probably... It would make it a lot easier to have other racers get involved. It would also make easier for use to run some dirt oval or on road races.

Is it to fast? There is no such thing... lol...

Are we coming up with to many class ideas? In my opinion yes! Don't get me wrong I do not object to folks coming up with new ideas to trying to get more people interested but in my opinion we have to many classes for the amount of racers we have now. Many times I feel like people (not saying anyone on this thread is guilty of this) want to start a new class so they can win in an easier fashion.

In my opinion some of these new classes are being thought of because everone wants to win the A every week. Is wrong to be competitive? No not all. We all are competitive or we would be saving a lot of money by sitting at home on PS2. I guess my point is if you have limited time and a limited buget set a personal goal and be happy if you reach it. There is no shame in winning a B or even C main if you are on a modest budget and are just trying to have fun. Even though I love to do well and want to continue doing better I am just happy to show up at the track hang out with the guys and go as fast as I can. If I win the A great! If not as long as I had fun doing something I enjoyed with friends it was still a great day! I just don't buy into having so many classes so everyone can win the A every week.

If I were King we could go old school with three classes for pan. Novice, stock, and open mod. That is all we need. Why do we continue to try to split the amount of racers we do have up?

I really like the idea of running longer races!

I started when 7cells was the norm, except for 1/12th only thing that reduced the speeds then was motors didn't make the power they do now. I wasn't as interested in switching to a 6cell limit, nor keen of switching to a 4cell limit for oval racing - thought the cars would be too slow.
One factor not mentioned (unless I missed it) for some of the decline in oval racing could be contriduted to the other forms of rc that have gotten popular or people moving to other interests. Once offroad racing was very popular 2 & 4wd being the favorites - that today seems to have shifted to staduim trucks or leaning to micro or touring cars. Go to some other rc discussion boards and very few topics get posted about oval racing or vehicles.
I've also gotten to enjoy 4cell racing for many of the reasons other have mentioned - plus cars are little easier to control. I sometimes feel that in 6cell racing cars were sometimes on the edge of being controlled and uncontrolled.

Seems this issue comes back almost every year. There's one thing for sure: in some areas 4 cell was supposed to attract new racers, to be easier for them to drive. After a certain time I get to this:

You can basically run your 6cell stuff in ANY class except oval. Do you REALLY expect people to buy extra stuff for ONLY one other class especially if they don't know how much they will like it?

As for cost it was true at first that 4cell stuff was cheaper and easier to drive. The problem is you need some specific items to run 4cell; I still wait to see an affordable device to discharge 4cells just like the ones built by Integy (Reactor 20, 30,etc.) You have to pay a guy to fix it so it works. I ain't no guy who would buy a second charger just to use it as a discharger and light bulbs should be a thing of the past. Some would tell me at -let's say- 60$ you can have a good 4cell pack. Heck! I could have a good 6cell pack for the same price some years ago!

Other details to remember: since the Only-4cell rule apply, tracks get smaller and the majority of cars are built with 4cell in mind.

I too started right away with 6cell stock pan car and 5 years ago I clearly remember the ones in my area who would run only 4cell and the ones who would accept both classes. Today, all pro-4cell guys are out of the hobby altogether; all pro-both-classes guys are still there. Go figure.

Running 6cell pan car with today's batts and motors on shorter tracks? Surely not. Personally I'll do it with sport packs. I know however that I won't do 4cell racing much longer.

Stephane Courchesne
Drummond,Quebec

In the 6 cell days we had more talent in our local 6 cell stock A-mains then you'll ever see in 4 cell stock A-main at Nationals now. I miss that, but what is done is done and I don't think we can go back now. I thought it was dumb at the time and that is part of why I quit racing for the first 3 or so years after 4 cell started.

The one thing 4 cell has done is given a lot of guys who had no prayer of making, let alone winning, a 6 cell stock A-main a chance to win. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is a matter for debate. I don't know.

I disagree ith this statement.. All of you fast 6 cell stock guys are what the 19 turn class is now.. and some have even moved to mod.. 4 cell 19 turn is in most cases as fast as 6 cell stock,,


For The guys who complain about 4 cell stock being to slow need to bump to 19 turn.. then they say well we cant compete.. You want the good talent in the class still yet you wont race the class those guys have moved to.. even though it is the same speed.. I dont get that..


and no pat im not pickuing on you.. i just dont agree with your staement..

Seems this topic has drawn alot of debate..... something track owners may want to look into. I know SpringCove will have a 6 cell class starting next outdoor season. That may knock us out of having a "big" ROAR race, but like someone said, if you want to go to a "big" race, it's not gonna be ROAR's.

And as far as cars not being built for 6 cell these days..... Any manufacturer not willing to build a 6 cell tray for their sliders, RAPTOR will build one for you. I will do everything I can to get this back to where we were, and should be now.

Kenny@RAPTOR

I'll run the FASTEST class available, PERIOD.

Speed seperates the driving talent for sure.
Think about this...More speed than you can handle = NO BATTERY WAR!!!
So many people complain about the cost of batteries, well let me tell you something, if you have 6 cells and a 7 turn motor on a 130' runline, you can buy the cheapest IB3800 on the market and be able to win.
If your holding it wide open (4 cell stock) more voltage means more speed, more voltage...MORE BUCKS!!!

6 cell modified...anytime.

Later, Bret

I'll run the FASTEST class available, PERIOD.

Speed seperates the driving talent for sure.
Think about this...More speed than you can handle = NO BATTERY WAR!!!
So many people complain about the cost of batteries, well let me tell you something, if you have 6 cells and a 7 turn motor on a 130' runline, you can buy the cheapest IB3800 on the market and be able to win.
If your holding it wide open (4 cell stock) more voltage means more speed, more voltage...MORE BUCKS!!!

6 cell modified...anytime.

Later, Bret

:thumbsup:

Like a lot of you I started in 6 cell stock 13 years or so ago, I was forced to take a break for a few years and when I came back it was all 4 cell and spec racing.I wasn't thrilled about either prospect,but I went with the changing times and adapted,but if I had my pick I would go to six cell five minute racing in a heart beat.Yes 4 cell 19T may be as fast as six cell stock but it still doesn't have the RIP! and that's what makes six cell racing so much more fun

I agree that 6 cell would allow more racers to try or move to oval, and I believe oval racing would definately grow as a result. I race primarily race oval, but I also do some touring car racing and I know I'd be happier if I could use the same packs. If speed is really a concern stand up brushes would slow things up a bit.
Thanks for starting an interesting topic.

Doug P

I know it's not what is best for the masses, but I LOVE 6 cell. The two cells that ROAR took away when they made everyone switch to 4 cell represented two testicles...They castarated the oval cars.

Look at alot of the fast mod guys and they barely lift if at all and it is a very quick lift. They practically race 4 minutes strapped in mod.

Ok, with 6 cell stock will run as fast as 19 turn, 19 turn will run as fast as Open mod and Open mod will be a blurrrrrrrrrrr! This will draw ppl to race oval. I'm game, lets go! Back to who has the most parts racing, I love it!!!!!! Speed will be unreal at Spring Cove! High 3 sec Open mod laps, Wooooo!!!! Thats 40-42 Mph in 6 cell stock, 46-50 Mph in 19 turn and 55+ Mph in Open Mod!!!!

I can see both sides. 6 cells would make it easy for guy's to go from oval to TC to offroad. But don't forget that with the extra 2 cells comes more weight and speed. It means more tire wear and bigger crash's. I think it is a, damn'd if you do and damn'd if you don't, kind of thing.

Ok, with 6 cell stock will run as fast as 19 turn, 19 turn will run as fast as Open mod and Open mod will be a blurrrrrrrrrrr! This will draw ppl to race oval. I'm game, lets go! Back to who has the most parts racing, I love it!!!!!! Speed will be unreal at Spring Cove! High 3 sec Open mod laps, Wooooo!!!! Thats 40-42 Mph in 6 cell stock, 46-50 Mph in 19 turn and 55+ Mph in Open Mod!!!!

Jimmy, You know you miss the RiiiiiiiiP of 6 cell.......

I'm gonna do some 6 cell 19T testing when I go back to the Cove..... I wanna see just how fast it is........ I'll post up my results.

Speed was not the issue when I brought this up. I brought this up because I think we would benefit from running the NORM, which is 6 cells.

The only way to get more people in it is to make it easier for them to get in it. Cheaper (starter) kits, which are on the way, and be formatted more to ALL the other forms of R/C racing.

As far as running the time out further, I think some test would need to be done to maybe extend it past 4 minutes, but not far enough where batteries play a more of a role than they do now.

my 6cell 3800's are ready and 19turns are ready so let go racing now kenny ready to get back to the aint scared days of racing now on these big crete tracks 4 cell stock sux and 19t rip just sux also all this technology and we waste it running 4 cells just like restrictor plate racing in nascar it sux