I just wanted to introduce myself to this forum as I am new.
I raced 1/4 scale many years ago in Bakersfield,Ca. 1980's,Was hoping to get the hobby in the grass roots of the midwest. I built this 320' centerline track two years ago and we have been running 1/10 nitro sprints but I'm looking to go bigger lol.
I have been visiting with Jim DeLonais (PRO1),to get started in the right direction.
Look forward to practipating in this forum but all ears at this point. Have alot to learn Im sure!!
Thanks, Dave Smreker
www.timberlineraceway.com

welcome to the forum Fish :thumbsup: :wave:

Hi Fish, Welcome!

You have a sweet looking dirt oval!

SG

Thanks for the kuodo's,
It has diffently been a work in progress. The 1/10 scale nitro sprints run around a 7.2 second lap,1/8 scale late models run about 7.4 lap in street tires.
Can you guys tell me what a 1/4 scale sprint compare to that?
Our offroad is very large and has been my primary focus,but I can't do any more there so the oval has become priority for 07.

Fish - What is your run line?

I run about 10.8 & 9's seconds per lap on a huge dirt oval (620 around the outside) with my 1/4 scale Pro1 Sprint. That's right around 57 / 60 mph (i think)... I'm guessing on a 575 to 595 run line..?

I know its pretty darn fast! :-)

Right now low groove and center of straight is right at 300'... I have 18' wide lanes and will be widening them to 20'. Im going to also widen the radius of corners from 65' to 75' around on both ends,straight's are 100' long. Idea is to make it just a little bit more 1/4 scale friendly. I'm hoping that the 15 degree banking in corners and 5 degree banking in the straights,and those 55mph speeds fire up some interest here in the midwest for some 1/4 scale dirt racing?
I plan on doing some traveling in 07 to other 1/4 scale tracks. Nothing like onhand experiance with the ones who know!!!
Thanks alot for your interest in the T-Line track.
I cant imagine running on a 600' track WOW!
Dave

Big (run line) or small, 1/4 scale tracks (IMHO) need to be wide, the wider the better.


Is your track loose dirt, or clay? Do you run spike tires, or will a street tread type hook up?

Come on over to PA (Shaffer Speedway) next May for QSAC Sprint National and check it out first hand!!

Its river bottom dirt. (GUMBO,is what they call it around here) I have mixed in some clay,and alot of Gypsum. I have a 3000# roller I roll the track smooth,very smooth. We run Road Rage street type tread on the nitro sprints. Im hoping the 1/4 scale could run the same? I have read on this site alot you guys in PA run the spike type?
You have know idea how bad I would like to come visit. LOL

No, we do not run pin spikes at all, they don't hook up. We run the BRP Street Treads, or the new block pattern from BRP.

10-4 man on the tire selections thanks.
I have a new question,hope you guys are patient to all my questions. We wouldn't run our nitro vechiles in temps much below 45 degree's. How about these 2 cycle engines in the quarter scales? Back in my motorcylce days tempature didn't matter, what's you all's opinion's?

Scott,
I do alot business in Taneytown ,Maryland. I fly into Baltimore.
Could you give me an idea what kind of a drive to expect if I came visiting?

Map Quest says about 235 miles. 290 min.

Thanks again SG,
Next time I 'm in the area I will stay over an extra day. I have so many question's, it would bore to many here to keep going. I hope Timberline Track would become half as what you got in PA.
Dave
www.timberlineraceway.com

Good morning all,not a white Christmas in Kansas.
Just wanted to wish everyone on this board a Happy and save holiday season.

I don't know what I was thinking. We have had a break from old man winter for about a week now. I had plans to jump on the skidloader and start the rebuilt for oval this weekend but we went from 13 degrees and snow 9 days ago to 67 degrees and forecast of spring like thunderstorms and tornado's this afternoon.

My question's of the day,

I'd like to throw out to you all, What kind of wall construction material should be used for quarter scale? I'm using 5/8 plywood at the moment. Was thinking to just double layering the same. To equal 1 1/4 thick?
Also I have 4" drain tile for inside wall, I'm considering to do away with this completely and have a dirt berm instead?
Any and all commit's would be helpful.

As it stands right now, 5 new sprint cars will be purchased this spring and 1/4 scale sprints will run as a exhibition class with our other oval classes.

Thanks,
Dave Smreker
www.timberlineraceway.com

Dave, do you have room on your oval to build a run off area around the outside? The less you have to hit the better. I would go with the dirt berm on the inside, and if have to have a guard rail on the outside paint it white, or red. Easy to see.

I understand why a run off area would be better/cheaper. Walls are solid objects. lol. The inside berm is a done deal! Thanks.

One of the question's that keep coming up from my racer's. Is we want to run dirt oval. And Pro1 and other Manufactor's are using drive belts.
Scott and others, is this a issue?

Like I say above we have 4-5 committed but 6-8 are holding out awaiting more information. As these few think its a weak link for dirt oval racing? Belts breaking and slung off?
I will be getting more of these commited racers on this forum asap!
Thanks,
Dave

I thought about starting a new thread for last question?

www.timberlineraceway.com

I'm one of those that is waiting for more info. What kind of price are we looking at for a used 1/4 scale sprint car. Much different between a used ver new sprint. What kind of tire bill are we looking at for a weekend? How long do the races last and heat and time trials or explain the process. Sounds like a lot of fun. One thing for sure you can bet on www.timberlineraceway.com track to be well perpared and fast.

Thanks
Gary

We do not have a problem with drive belts at Shaffer's. I ran all last season using two belts. I just made a shield out of lexan & mounted behind the left front wheel (on side body panel), thus keeping the front tire from throwing dirt back on to the gears. Just remember to keep the gears clean, I use a wire brush to remove any dirt / mud etc.

Depending on the tracks surface (loose dirt or hard packed) will play a factor in tires. Loose dirt will require BRP pin spiked tires, hard packed (Clay) tracks I recommend the BRP street treads, or their new block pattern tires.

As for tire wear, I'm still using tires from the 2005 season. They last a LONG time!

Sprint races at Shaffer's QSAC National event are as follows: Two 15 lap heat races, and the A-main is 50 laps with a red flag fuel stop on lap 25.


Get more info. on / about cars / races / rules / etc. here: www.qsac.org

Scott
http://pro1z.com/pqsrc/

Told ya Gary,aka Offutt Racing,
This is the forum to learn 1/4 scale.
Timberline Raceway will also follow QSAC Rules and racing format.
And our dirt should support the street tread tire pattern's as we are running Proline Road Rage treads on Nitro Sprints and 1/8 scale Late Model's.

Thanks again Scott.

www.timberlineraceway.com

I used 1 set of tires on asphalt all year. I can only imagine that the tires for dirt would last twice as long. I broke more belts on asphalt (4) all year. I think because the torque and more grip puts a lot of stress on the belt. Crashing don't help either... lol

I agree. The tires should last longer because of the difference in traction. I bought one tire all year last year just because I needed more stagger. We run on asphalt as well. My tires are still in great shape. As far as belts go I did'nt brake a belt the entire season, And only had it come off twice.

I wish more people realized how cheap it is to run these cars after the initial investment.

BTW: the oval looks like alot of fun.

with the exception of the rr, i ran two seasons plus the ncs race in clover on the tires that came with my wcm. i just ordered a set for this season. i agree that if people realised that after initial costs 1/4 scale racing is economical. especially on a tight budget. i don't run sprints but just trying to help new racers understand it can be done efficiently .

Absolutley!!! I've been racing for about 20 years. Started with a Tamyia Grasshopper in the parking lots, then got in the 10th scale pan cars. I've done that for most of 16 years and just got into 1/4 scale the last two. It's way less expensive and honestly more like the real thing. I waited until the driver of the latemodel I pit for retired to start quarterscale racing, BC we were always racing the big car. Quarter scale is just about as fun and challenging as that. I've always said, it's the closest thing to racing a big car, without strapping on a belt. But, you might want to anyway... lol

All righty then - I've LANDED with a huge THUMP! but I'm here!

AND, I'm the guy who has had a LOT of questions with regard to running belt drives on 1/4 scale vehicles that run on DIRT! :)

Soooo, if I read what has been posted as an answer, it's NOT a major problem IF you fit a guard to keep the left front wheel from tossing huge amounts of dirt into the belt/pully correct?

At any rate - I'll work on being a contributor here too rather then a 'dumb question asker'! :)

Welcome Chris!

Thanks IN2!

I suppose that it probably wouldn't hurt a bit to tell you folks a little bit about myslef in case you might be interested! :)

But seriously, like many others here I started in this silly hobby/sport about 21 years ago - and have spent a LOT of time in it raising my son and then I continued on with it after he moved into full scale cars and a career!

I have written and done photography for a few r/c magazines - a couple of which are still in business! I currently am a contributing writer for RC Driver and have been lucky enough to do a bit of race coverage for them - the KS Dirt Oval Championship and the US Open Wheel championship to be more specific.

I've also been lucky enough to teach myself a bit about photography and have done most of the gallery pictures on the http://www.dirtvision.com web site.

I have a LOT of experience in off road, some in oval and NONE in quarter scale!

Soooo, if nothing else, I'll be bringing you pictures from Timberline Raceway in addition to a bunch of dumb, newbie questions! :)

and YES, I've taken a few good pictures of the Steel City Outlaw too! :)

That is cool!! I luv dirtvision.com

Nice work!

Are you going to race 1/4 scale sprints this season?


Also, Do u know Paul Arch?

That is cool!! I luv dirtvision.com

Dirtvision has been a fun time for me! I listen to the broadcasts when I can but they are such nice people to work with - my contact is Matt who is the webmaster of the site.....

Nice work!

Are you going to race 1/4 scale sprints this season?

THIS is the subject of the hour! :) I probably will do some 'borrowing' of some of the others cars before I jump headlong into it! BUT, it's unique in that it's the only scale (or venue for that matter) that I haven't messed with in my 'career'....... and it does meet one current criteria: BIGGER race cars are BETTER! :)


Also, Do u know Paul Arch? NOT by name but could have run across him at the races.... the name is vaguely familiar but I can't put much more then that to it!

Chris, welcome to the forum. I ran the dirtoval nationals this year I wish we had that many 1/4 scales at a race. I think it was somewhere around 400. That is one of my favorite races to run. Racing 1/4's is alot more economical than a competitive 10th scale. I spent more on one of my cars for coopers than I have in my 1/4 scale. We need some of your "pull"from the magazines to cover some of these races. :) That would be a huge thing for this sport. Alot of people think 1/5 scales are the biggest of the r/c cars, they don't even know 1/4's exist. I think it was xtreme that had some 1/4 scale stuff, but personally I like RCdriver alot better than the others.

Also, I can't speak for everyone here, but I think the only "dumb" question is a question not asked. :) You should get anything answered here. There are some good knowledgable people here that are happy to help.

I appreciate the welcome!

Dave is hard at work on the track 'flattening it out' and there's a rumor afloat that there might be a genuine race car (1/4 scale that is!) floating around here pretty soon!

Looking forward to seeing one of these 'big fellers' in motion soon!

I heard that rumor too! ;-)

Lots of changes happening on oval. The banking was nocked down from 17 to 10 degrees in corners but the 5 degrees banking was left on the straights. 24 foot lanes and a 5 foot wide hot pit will be built. Per Scotts (thanks man) advice all walls were takin down and run off dirt will be taken from front pastures. Infield will be grass as the run off areas will also be short grass. Hope Chris k gets some pics up soon.

Can you post pics here too?

You bet!..Plan on it.

As several have requested, here are some pictures of the Timberline oval track taken on Saturday, 04/07/07...... These pictures can give you a pretty rough idea of the overall configuration of the track and it's pretty easy to see where Dave is headed with the grooming....

http://www.heartlandrc.com/photopost/data/2/medium/oval_1.jpg

http://www.heartlandrc.com/photopost/data/2/medium/oval_2.jpg

http://www.heartlandrc.com/photopost/data/2/medium/oval_3.jpg

http://www.heartlandrc.com/photopost/data/2/medium/oval_4.jpg

http://www.heartlandrc.com/photopost/data/500/medium/oval_51.jpg

Enjoy!

Nice! How wide are the lanes? Is that clay?

sweet but i would hate to go off the end

The lanes a 22 foot wide.

Dirt is black dirt but our dirt is what the call river bottom gumbo has consistancy of clay but alot easier to work. Very tacky with moisture.

Run off area is 40 foot wide finished it today. Even if you ran off the end,you still have 1/4 mile of pasture grass to slow ya down on north side,(turns 1 &2). South side is 60 foot to the trees.

The lanes a 22 foot wide.

Dirt is black dirt but our dirt is what the call river bottom gumbo has consistancy of clay but alot easier to work. Very tacky with moisture.

Run off area is 40 foot wide finished it today. Even if you ran off the end,you still have 1/4 mile of pasture grass to slow ya down on north side,(turns 1 &2). South side is 60 foot to the trees.


Black Dirt, is that like "Black Gold" ? Texas tea? LOL

It looks really sweet! Plenty of run off area, with nothing to hit!! That works out nice with open wheel sprints flyin' around on dirt! BBrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

UPDATE!
Track is 100% done
Pro 1 Sprint has left Oklahoma today!
Life is good.
Hoping to turn some laps this weekend.
www.timberlineraceway.com
Dave Smreker

UPDATE!
Track is 100% done
Pro 1 Sprint has left Oklahoma today!
Life is good.
Hoping to turn some laps this weekend.
www.timberlineraceway.com (http://www.timberlineraceway.com)
Dave Smreker

If you guys have any questions plz don't hesitate to ask. I'll try and help.

Thanks Scott,
Well I got it running yesterday evening! WOW! I have raced many different RC cars but this is a blast! I was supprized on how easy it was to drive. Handles great. We run low 7 second laps here at Timberline Raceway with the Nitro Sprints, The Pro 1 will easily be faster when I get a little more experience driving it. I'm turning low 8 second laps now and the track is not in the best shape (rough) because of all the rain.

Jim,
Thanks a lot for this opportunity to bring 1/4 scale dirt racing to Kansas City metro area. We are going to have a demonstration of the car before our next offroad race June 9th.

P.S. You guys from Oklahoma heading North to Iowa next week. Come by and visit,just 23 miles out of your way.

Thanks Scott,
Well I got it running yesterday evening! WOW! I have raced many different RC cars but this is a blast! I was supprized on how easy it was to drive. Handles great. We run low 7 second laps here at Timberline Raceway with the Nitro Sprints, The Pro 1 will easily be faster when I get a little more experience driving it. I'm turning low 8 second laps now and the track is not in the best shape (rough) because of all the rain.

Jim,
Thanks a lot for this opportunity to bring 1/4 scale dirt racing to Kansas City metro area. We are going to have a demonstration of the car before our next offroad race June 9th.

P.S. You guys from Oklahoma heading North to Iowa next week. Come by and visit,just 23 miles out of your way.

So, I guess you like Q-scale sprints? !! LOL

i was up and timberlineraceway sat. for a off road race and i was handed the controler to a 1/4 sprint car.... i want one now. lol... it was fun but i could not stop my hand from shaking. lol,, ive been looking at the pro1 and the wcm k1 sprint cars and i like the looks of the k1 but ive heard that the wcm sprint is not that great on dirt. is that true or is it just depend on the person? thanks for any help..

i was up and timberlineraceway sat. for a off road race and i was handed the controler to a 1/4 sprint car.... i want one now. lol... it was fun but i could not stop my hand from shaking. lol,, ive been looking at the pro1 and the wcm k1 sprint cars and i like the looks of the k1 but ive heard that the wcm sprint is not that great on dirt. is that true or is it just depend on the person? thanks for any help..


I would say it’s opinion. First and third at the recent Dirt Oval Nats were WCM cars.

I don’t think you can go wrong because both are pretty good cars and offer good support from the manufacturers.

The WCM is good on dirt and asphault. Its the setup and driver that make the car fast. Jhonny Pipchuck has won more than once at dirt tracks in PA. He won the dirt national and one or two other dirt races at the other track that they used to race at..

Both are great cars. Both are fast.

I race a Pro1. It's a great car. I luv it.

A Pro1 sprint won the 2005 & 2006 season point championship at Naugle Speedway (dirt). Also, Pro1 holds the fastest lap at Naugle Speedway.

Lance Jones was TQ at the QSAC Sprint Dirt Nats with his Pro1 at Shaffer Speedway.

It is all in what "you" like..........In the right hands either car is a winner.

Kinda like Ford vs Chevy. :-)

ok thanks for help.. i think that more people here will have the pro 1 so that might be the way i go...

ok thanks for help.. i think that more people here will have the pro 1 so that might be the way i go...



You did very well with the PRO 1
Look for some pics of this weekends test drive very soon
Chris K got some awesome shots!!!