Why does oval racing die after April in northern Indiana? I know the old days of the late 80's and mid 90's it was only a fall/winter sport but why not all year? We have great attendance Sept through April and everybody's done for the year. We have a very small group that has been beating our heads together to increase turnout for summer racing. We finally gave up on the nitro track and closed it. Too many complaints "it stinks", it too hard to tune a motor, it too hot out etc. Besides our local area politicians have there heads up there butt about noise on the nitros. My lawn mower and Taco Bell farts are louder than that.

We moved back inside this year with the electrics and still have not seen anymore racers. We have made oval racing so easy now with brushless 4 cell, no motors to work on most everybody is running the same tire and bodies etc but no increase in turnout. It's not money becase guys are still buying the $500 and up monster trucks plus adding all of the hop ups to over 2000 for an RC truck etc. Most people will watch but complain they stuff costs too much to race. I'm confused???? Racing is cheaper now than it used to be 10 years ago. I know the initial investment can be over $1000 but start up costs can be reduced by buying used.


We are lucky to have a large group of regulars that race weekly in the fall so that is nice too see.

Ken,

How about some old fashioned parking lot, grass roots electric racing in a public place. Would that maybe attract some new blood that doesn't know any different?

We quit parking lot racing 3 years ago due to low turnout and high insurance costs. We used to have a great place to host 2 big events each year at our county fair with 50-60 cars and bleacher seats full of spectators. It would cost $1000 to $1500 per event and no sponsors. The last year we did it we had 10 cars. Our local community has very little outside support for us. We tried other venues and the result was much the same. I even hosted 2 events myself with a crowd of over 100,00 people walking by and couldn't get enough racers to show up or get any support from the event coordinators.

We used to get 200 cars for a 3 day event at a car show inside a basketball arena and the best racers in the 3 state area. Now it is a little event with 30 guys. Most classes had 2 or 3 cars.

I love racing outside on the concrete and asphalt it's awesome! Too Bad it doesn't exist here anymore. I just love to race!!!

The problem isn't just in Elkhart. School yard in Lagrange is about to close up do to lack of interest. I think they had the biggest turnout for outdoor oval for a long time in the area. Alot of people go offroad for the summer. The MARS series has over 200 people each event. Plus its summer, more things to do outside. We use to have a good turnout at the 1/4 midget track and it was fun. People want to be outside during the summer and there aren't any outdoor track in our area. We use to race during the fair and for whatever reason we stopped that. Maybe we need to make like a Walmart Series for the points. Race at a different Walmart parking lot every weekend. There are plenty of those around here and they are always full of people. Something like that would help get new people interested in our sport.

We stopped the fair race because of the outrageous insurance and lack of racers showing up. Besides the last year we raced there we had to quit early because 3 people wanted to play basketball where we were setup at to race. ???????? What the ?????


If you could get a place to race without the lawyers getting involved it could be fun again.

Low turn out seems to be everywhere in the summer for racing. Summer time is prime time to do other things than r/c racing. Alot of r/c racers take part in the real car racing and conflicts with r/c racing. As much as I like the racing I usualy plan vactions and outings with the family because of the weather during the summer. This year we have the NEOT tour that we race once a month and a summer series that is known ahead of time and keeps most still intrested in racing during the summer time. Every year we encounter the same problem with my local track and our fees are cheap but yet still have a low turn out. What we do see is the new guys have lots of intrest because its new to them and they get practice for the real season to start. I would think if you want a decent turn out, try to attract new guys with a little promoting. Lots of kids are out of school with nothing to do, possibly advertise at local community center,rinder shops, local car shows even supermartkets to attract them. Renting cars is an Idea and for the average or in knee seep of r/c cars and parts you could make several cheap cars to turn some laps for fun for them. Just a thought, good luck

Ken,
We are having a just for fun race here in Huntington In. at Huntington University. The race is Friday July 21. We will have the track set up around 6pm. Oh, we are running on carpet - outside. This is with a 200 + cas show.
....Dave
Look in the Oval Racing Discussion area for more details.
Remember this just for fun, just to be seen.

Thanks for the info.

Go Velo racing in the summer. We been having decent crowds.

Jerry B.
VooDoo Cells
Performance R/C

Ken, If you want to race I'll put my l4 (or elec. truck) together and we can meet @ the schoolyard next weekend! I'd say go this week but going to be racing @ summit.
Patrick

I'll put my 2 cents in here. If you want to increase turn-out you are going to have to work with the other tracks in Indiana or at least promote the hell out of your local track. Greg June with http://www.pdxracing.net helped promote a 3 track Indiana State oval series between New Castle, Ft. Wayne, & Terre Haute. A bit of a drive for some, but there was good turn-out at those races.

During the summer I like racing outdoors. This is why I prefer to race parking lot when I can or at the Indianapolis Velodrome. There are only 4 scheduled races thise year at the Velo with the Velo Nats coming up in August. Why not come down to Indy and have some fun on one of the biggest "RC" tracks you'll ever race on? Plus you won't have to worry about insurance.

I think what we all need to realize as oval racers is that we have to put a lot more effort into getting turn-out. That might mean driving to other tracks/events to promote you own local track. Did you know there is a big oval race at the Midwest Tri-Clone in Wisconsin this weekend? One of the best asphalt oval tracks around and run by a very good staff. Maybe you need to find a racer with a friend/relative in local city government that can help you find an outdoor location that is covered by insurance.

I think IndyRC Racer has a good point. One of the biggest problems I see in Elkhart is that 95% of the racers there only race at that track only. Anyone that does come to race there that is not a regular leaves thinking they are not welcomed back. Plus there is not much promotion for the track neither. I'd like to see Elkhart be involved in the state races and any other traveling series. Opening up the rules or at least having rules that other tracks in the area or region have. This would help bring in racers from different tracks. This is kind of off the issue of summer racing but it does deal with turnout for anytime of the year. People just want to be outside during the summer and with no where to race outside, why race? Ken I'm going to FW sunday if you want to go. I've been going to a couple different tracks this past winter and plan on going to different tracks this fall and winter season. You know you are also welcomed to go with me and I always ask if you want to go. Racers need to unite to keep tracks open so we don't have this problem.

We welcome EVERYBODY to our track in Elkhart. It is difficult to get the area tracks to agree on what rules to run(batteries, motor etc). It took a long time to get 6 cell out of the system to convince the group to go 4 cell. We run 4 cell 5800 and it seems after we established that the rest of the tracks want to run 4300 motors. Most tracks have a limit on batteries 3300 for some 3800 for others etc we don't have a limit.

I have gone to other tracks to get drivers to come race with us and have not seen the return.

I want to run at other tracks but it seems there are a lot of different rules. Buying a $100 personal transponder is a big issue for most guys since we don't need them for weekly racing. The track has transponders for us to use.

Zmainloser,
What classes are they running now in Ft. Wayne? I don't have any bruhsed motors except for a 19T but I'm not sure if it is legal. Too many 19 T motors out there etc. 5800 are not legal anywhere else.

FW is going with the 4300 and any speedo. The 4300 is only about 2 laps slower than the 5800. I'm going through the deal now with having to have both motors. It doesn't matter to me because I know I can go anywhere and race. Another issue I see is the rule with the SS speedo. They are junk and Elkhart is the only track that mandates the use of it. As far as the personal transponders go, all the tracks I've been to have house transponders so you don't have to buy your own. But personals are a lot easier to remember and you can get your lap times during practice, plus they are part of todays technology.(4 cell vs. 6 cell)

Ken,
...Ted and Mike will have thier 4-cell / 5800 pan cars out for our fun race / car show, Friday night.
...You know the three of us always enjoy coming up to Pete's. I never run that good, but do enjoy the 50/50 and drawings for parts.

...Oh, I am not the only one that enjoys 50/50, my brother won $810, last night at Gas City's USAC Sprit Car race.
...Dave

we are still getting 10 to 20 people in lafayette on the dirt oval indoors. it is not a huge crowd but it is still paying the bills for the track and keeping the doors open.

Ken, Does Pete race on Sat? I can't get there in time to race on Fri.

Good point brought up about rules at different tracks in Indiana. I think it would help everyone if there was a least 1 established class that ran at every track, which would make travelling easier. Last year I would guess that about anywhere you went you could find 4-cell stock, 4-cell 19turn, or 4-cell mod. Now with brushless as an option, it creates a lot more possibilities. Maybe if we could get all the tracks to support at least 1 class that would help. Not sure what the best brushless option is since I haven't switched over to the dark side :) However, it should be a class that is normally run at big events like the Snowbirds.

squeeker138, Firday is our normal race day. We tried Saturday and turnout was down by 75%. I would like to race on Sundays but alot of places race on Saturday. I work most Saturday's.

I agree on the one common class per track. We never had any interest in 4 cell brushed (stock or 19T) at our track. I like the 4 cell 5800 class it makes tech real easy. I know at some places that run 4300 it's easy to sneak a 5800 in for those who like to cheat. I don't agree with the SS speedo only rule because I don't think it makes a difference. The SS is very inefficient and runs hotter than the GTB and thermalling can be an issue. I do think Novak only systems is the way to go.

Good point brought up about rules at different tracks in Indiana. I think it would help everyone if there was a least 1 established class that ran at every track, which would make travelling easier. Last year I would guess that about anywhere you went you could find 4-cell stock, 4-cell 19turn, or 4-cell mod. Now with brushless as an option, it creates a lot more possibilities. Maybe if we could get all the tracks to support at least 1 class that would help. Not sure what the best brushless option is since I haven't switched over to the dark side :) However, it should be a class that is normally run at big events like the Snowbirds.
I agree on your quote, This is why Greg June started a busch series. It's to help keep all the rules in one class the same through out all track's and also help keep the cost down on a few things and yet everbody for the most be competitive with one another. Just my 2 cents.

I agree on your quote, This is why Greg June started a busch series. It's to help keep all the rules in one class the same through out all track's and also help keep the cost down on a few things and yet everbody for the most be competitive with one another. Just my 2 cents.

lol thats a funny one.

I know at some places that run 4300 it's easy to sneak a 5800 in for those who like to cheat.

If tracks that are using the 4300 motor use Novaks guidelines for tech then there should never be any problems. At the brushless race every car was teched after every race and out of 92 cars 92 were legal everytime.
http://www.teamnovak.com/tech_info/motor_tech/index.html

Just read the Novak test procedure... do you have to unsolder the motor each time its teched or can you measure with the wires on? I hate soldering to my brushless motors, those little tabs with the holes arnt much fun to work with.

lol thats a funny one.
I take it you don't agree?? but that is why originaly the busch series was started believe it or not

The Busch was a great idea, then things started changing.Brushes were hard to get so lets run what we want.OK we are going faster now but I can't catch that guy. He must be cheating so I am going to cheat.Cranking arms, time zapping magnets and cut down timing tabs are all illegal.But everyone is doing it so it is OK??? NO!!!!!!

All this was happening at another track I race, once some of the racers couldn't keep up with the fast guys they started cheating.Now the crowd there is about half of what it had been.

From what I've been told you don't have to unsolder the motors to tech them using an LCR meter. If the tech part of racing is consistant than there should be no issue with any motor in any class.

After running brushless pan car for a full season I feel that is they way things should be everywhere.

Huffer- Who is that fast guy you are talking about, He must be cheating since he hasnt raced busch since the rule change LOL

ME

Matt I'm talking about our dirt track.I told some guys last year what they were doing wrong in Busch.Didn't soak in I guess.

Just read the Novak test procedure... do you have to unsolder the motor each time its teched or can you measure with the wires on? I hate soldering to my brushless motors, those little tabs with the holes arnt much fun to work with.

You do not have to unsolder the wires. Testing can be done with the motor in the car and ready to go.

Summer racing here in Michigan is pretty much limited to offroad and a couple roadcourse tracks. Oval goes on vaca until August or September.

I race 4300 at a few different tracks in Michigan. Sometimes we have a 5800 class when enough guys want to run them. After seeing both types on the track at the same time, it has become easier to tell the difference between a car with a 4300, versus a 5800.

We have about 20 to 30 guys that run the 4300 class religiously. Any speed controller, any battery. It is so freaking competitive!! It is the most fun I have had in anything R/C in years!
I use the SS controller. I don't believe it is junk. It is larger and heavier than the GTB or the Sphere. And in my experience does not "thermal" any more often than the GTB.

Brushless is indeed the future. For all the right reasons, tech, maintenance, level playing field, ease of operation, etc., etc.

I use the SS controller. I don't believe it is junk. It is larger and heavier than the GTB or the Sphere. And in my experience does not "thermal" any more often than the GTB.



The thermaling issue we are having with the SS is with 5800 motors. We are limited on the gearing because of this. I've never use a 4300 with the SS so I don't know if thermaling is an issue with it or not.

Zmainloser,
You are correct, I believe gearing with the 5800 is even more critical when using the SS controller. I have not raced the 5800 with the SS controller in a pancar. However, I have used the 5800/SS combo in a XXXT Losi Truck on the same track and never had a thermal issue except for one time that a wheel bearing seized up.

No doubt the SS is not as good as any other Novak or LRP controller.

I have witnessed thermaling issues with the 4300 motor and the GTB also.

I think gearing is the bottom line here.

Ken long time no see, i personally had a great time in elkart when i came up this season, i didnt mind the rules, all tracks got rules, thats the way it is, i would love to get together with u on a two track, possibly three track series, in a month or two, elkart, my track Vanwert, and i could talk to dale at fort wayne, as far as im conserned, me an u can work out one hell of a series, between the two of us, our tracks are close in size, and im real laid back, i think your patrons would enjoy ours, if we hav to switch some dates we can do that, im easy, but lets make it worth it for the racers,,,,,,sponcers, doorprizes, $, 50/50, trophys, tq bonuses, it could b the clash of the CHILI BOWLS, OHIO VS IND,,,,,,,,,,,,,THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOME FUN STUFF? i know plenty of people, and i know u do as well, since u promote elkart, and i promote Vanwert i see no reason why we cant do something, it could b one the coolest two races of the year, and your indoor asphalt track looked killer when i was there, u guys runnin it much. we would hav to work out some rules which will only work for the series,,,,,,, remember, im not hard to work with, i just want to see some new faces, i travel to race anywhere, just for the love of RC,,,, get ahold of me if you think this could make sence,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,im very seriuos about this
Charlie Flanagan
EA MOTORSPORTS
RIP MOTORSPORTS
T.M.TIRES
DCM HOBBYS

I would love to get a series with other tracks. I would like to think we could find enough people to travel to each location and race against new faces.

Unfortunaty the city of Elkhart has something against nitro cars inside a building. The noise exceeds the city's ordinance. We had to close the paved indoor track due to that. I sold of my nitro sprinter and gas pan car because another asphalt track closed. We used to have 2 indoor asphalt tracks within 1 hour of each other. The buy that owned the other one inhaled too much traction compound and made it into a dirt offroad track. ??????? Now he doesn't get the turnout he used to. I wonder why???

I'll Bring up the idea this week. Usually January-February is good for most of our guys. I usually bring my DJ system in twice per year and party while we race!

i personally was thinking something early fall mayb middle, this thread to is about summer racin sucks, i wouldnt even think about opening my track right now its to darn hot, but i know we can get a good race goin soon, sept maybe to start the season, i know during the main race season, our two tracks run on friday, i dont want to ruin anybodys normal racin night, somethin new, FOR THE RACERS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, FUN, I KNOW I CAN GET SUPPORT FOR THIS, with changes our track has made, both of our tracks are killer facilitys,

Charlie Flanagan

I'm down for it Mudd. I know some of the guys would get in on it from Elkhart. A group of us made the trip down to Plymouth on saturday nite a couple of times to race. There were talks of doing something with that track also. I'd like to see our tracks added to the State series even though we'd have to include Ohio for you. Maybe we could start a brushless state series and exclude certain promoter and have all the track owners meet and make final dates and rules. Find sponsors to help out with prizes and trophies so people are encouraged to make all the races. I know the pro series is in the works and our tracks could and should be included in it but I know that most of the racers at our tracks would not do all that traveling. Let get this going.

sounds great to me Z, plymouth is an awesome track to, ran there couple years ago, thought the facility an track was killer, u guys get ahold of me on this, im definetly in, i think this would b really nice for the racers, fun series, something the racers can get out of it instead of just spendin money, these three tracks we just talked about would b cool with me, im curious thow, do think it would good to do it in sept sometime, so normal nights dont conflict, what do some of you guys think, before weather gets to bad, had to leave plymouth in a snow storm 1 time, man that sucked!
C3

I'm in

Hey Ken you had better let the track owner in elkhart know of your intentions.Cue tip wants to know whats going on.lol

I'm trying to work out a deal with at least 3 tracks 2 are in Indiana. I am starting to get contacts for sponsors. I want to get as many Elkhart/Plymouth racers to commit to the Ohio part before going any further.

Ken,
Give Kevin a shout @ stateline, I think that he would be interrested in it also.

What's up C3. Drop me an e-mail when you get a chance. Got something in the works that may be of interest to you and help you put your series together.

sbrown15@insightbb.com

So that 'could' be 5 tracks. Van Wert, Ft.wayne, Elkhart, Angola,and New Castle. What can I do to help make this happen???

sonny u got mail,ken let me know if you any help on anything,,,,,,,if interest isnt there i understand just keep me informed, if you would like to get vanwert involved i can get on calln some sponcers,,,,,,,,,,,,thx 4 the interest

C3

I'm trying the best I can to rally up support. Too many people are not thinking about racing right at the moment. They will once the weather cools. I would like to get a Friday and Sunday race. Saturdays are my bread and butter days. If I don't work I don't race. I can usually free up some in November and January and February.

Ken,
Last few years there was one race/ month in "State" races. If that will help. I'll send a link to this page to Dale and Kevin to let them know if they hav'nt already.

Last I heard it New Castle & Ft. Wayne were still in for a point series. Not sure about Terre Haute track. I know the pits at Terre Haute can be a bit cramped with 60+ racers.

The problem isn't just in Elkhart. School yard in Lagrange is about to close up do to lack of interest. I think they had the biggest turnout for outdoor oval for a long time in the area. Alot of people go offroad for the summer. The MARS series has over 200 people each event. Plus its summer, more things to do outside. We use to have a good turnout at the 1/4 midget track and it was fun. People want to be outside during the summer and there aren't any outdoor track in our area. We use to race during the fair and for whatever reason we stopped that. Maybe we need to make like a Walmart Series for the points. Race at a different Walmart parking lot every weekend. There are plenty of those around here and they are always full of people. Something like that would help get new people interested in our sport.


I second the walmart serise!!!!!!!!!

Any of you guys interested Mark Corns is having a parking lot race Aug 27 in Lafayette at M&M Raceway. the track he laid out last month was about 165' Inside pitting. They have AMB scoring (no Personals) We ran 19t pancar, EDM's and had a few touring cars running last month. I know a few would be interested in running stock pancar also. races start around 12:30

Jerry B.
VooDoo Cells
Rc4less
Performance R/C

We (www.michianarc.com) did a small series with the track in Plymouth (www.jamsrc.com) and I think it worked out ok. We hope to do it again this year. Were adding more pit space to our building to accomodate more racers and are probably going to move oval to a separate night. (Hasn't been totally decided on).

Our oval numbers have slipped over the past couple years. Mostly (I think) cause we run them the same night as our onroad stuff. (Our track is made with 2x4's and removeable brackets..takes about 5 minutes to convert one to the other) We would start around 7:00pm at night and not finish till 1:00am sometimes 2:00. Since then... oval has dropped and we get out about midnight.

Classes
We've been having a discussion in our forums about what classes of oval to run. One of the problems we had in the past was there were so many DIFFERENT classes of oval, that there would only be 4 people per class if we were lucky.

In anycase, we would be happy to help with a multi-track event.