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This begins the thread for Michiana RC Raceway's upcoming 2007-2008 winter oval racing season. We will start off late this season, as remodeling of the Indiana BMV will delay our intended start. Our intended start was September 30th, however November 18th is the date we have been given- however we hope to start sooner!. We encourage everyone to check into our website, www.michianarc.com frequently for updates and more information, such as class rules, etc., in our forum. (I should note- become a membber of the MRCR website to see all the forums! It's easy...)

Michiana RC Raceway is an established first-class racetrack located in Mishawaka, Indiana- only a few miles from Notre Dame University.

You can contact us through our website, or here on HobbyTalk, where Aaron (Acyrier) and I (ToddFalkowski) will be online.

Thanks! Aaron, Melqui, Pat & Todd

todd do u have a on site hobbyshop?

Hey Charlie... We do have a new on-site hobby shop & concession stand that will have some of the main items, at least for now. It won't be a full-service shop, but one that'll keep you on the track!

Looks good Todd maybe now we have a place to run locally without all

the B.S at the other place......

Eric Knapp

Thanks Eric... Our goal is to run "nationally known" rules, such as the BRL's rules. So, we'll support the 13.5 class, the 10.5 class (following BRL rules). We're also supporting the 17.5 class- but as they're so new, we'll combine it with the 4C Stock class for the time being, and see how that works out. We're also supporting a 6C Stock truck class, as a few guys are running those (it's a pancar class). Obviously, we'll support anything else that shows up, such as sprint cars, which are awesome on the track.

I should mention a few quick things on the rules....

1) Rules are posted on our forums on www.michianarc.com (you do need to register- it's free!) Basically, they follow the BRL rules.
2) While we will allow any (within reason) oval class to run, we do require 4 cars to a class (thought is to be able to keep four marshalls)

Any idea on how many people will be running and in what classes? I know that oval has been pretty quiet for the last couple of years in Mishawaka.

John

John...
What's up buddy?! They all kept asking where john was..then wouldn't come if you were not there! :) just kidding. We've had quite a few people come in and out last year on Wed. nights, but nobody that could make it consistantly. Several have said a Saturday or Sunday would be better. So not wanting to compete w/Jams, we've opted to run Sunday's. In addition, Pete's is running the 2nd Sunday of every month, so were taking the 3rd and 4th sundays. Were hoping to do some cross promotion of races so the guys will travel back ond forth between the tracks. The 1st Sunday's are taken up by BRL races, so we've opted not to run those days. That may or may not change as the year goes on.

Brushless 10.5 (4300) seems to be the popular class right now. There also a handfull of the brushless 13.5 stock. Only time will tell which will have the most racers. the 4300 class is fairly close to a 6-cell stock speed. +/- a couple laps. Things kinda keep changing with the BRL rules as it's failry new. last year was 5 minutes, this year, will be 4.

Hope you can make some races! Bring that 12th scale out for some friday love too! were working to grow that class as it's pretty economical.
Seeya,
Aaron

Hey guys.... I put a poll up on the forum here. I encourage EVERYONE in the area to put your vote in for what you'll be running this season. I didn't put sprint cars up there, but I know we'll have some coming out this year- gotta tell you the sprint cars are downright COOL on the track!

One of the problems we're seeing with oval and attandance is the amount of DIFFERENT classes that are out there. At MRCR we are trying to concentrate on certain classes that follow a progression from Novice, intermediate, then a choice of Advanced type classes. (17.5 to 13.5 to a class such as 10.5 and/or sprint cars). We've been watching to see what's running at other tracks as well as national level events and have come up with the listed classes.
Our goal is to keep the "racers per class" count high, which will yield a good show, and will allow all the racers in the area to grow and improve as a whole. We've all seen that you can't improve racing the same three guys week-in and week-out, so we're encouraging everyone to at least look at what's in-place. These classes, for the most part, allow a racer to progress through without having to buy many different items, and/or search for elusive items no longer made. For example- change a motor, cut out the back of the body and add a wing- you go from 17.5 to 10.5.

Here's a favor- if you select "other", either post or PM either Aaron (acyrier) or myself (toddfalkowski) with what you have and/or want to run. We're curious.

Thanks for the votes so far, guys.... Good to see some familiar faces...

So far, it looks as though (from the boards and from outside HT) that the main classes will be 13.5 brushless, and 10.5 brushless. We've been asked about sprint cars, open pan car class, a 5800 class, 18th scale class, and a truck class (in the "Stateline" configuration- offroad truck with foams and an oval body). Naturally, if four or more show, we'll run them. But, looks like, so far, 13.5 and 10.5 is gonna be the main classes.

Just wanted to throw an opinion out and see what others think about this. Once again there is an issue with 2 brushless classes. The 5800 class is still very popular at Pete's with small interest in 4300 there. However just the opposite is happening at MRCR. I have a car ready for both so it isn't much of an issue to me. What I am trying to get at is for the guys that can and have cars ready for both classes should be willing to run both classes at both tracks. That way the people that are strictly 5800 at Pete's or strictly 4300 at MRCR can go to either track without having to change motors or worry if enough people will show to fill these classes at each track. Even though it is easy enough just to change motor from track to track, some guys just stick to one class. This could be a way to try to help get or keep the #s up at each track.

Derek, it's certainly a good topic of discussion, and a really tough one to give an opinion on. Obviously, the best-case for most of us would be to have both 4300 & 5800, or even better, to see a swing one way or the other. That way, we can race at both tracks and not have to worry about who's running what, or diluting the racing by splitting all of us up.
I guess I have to look at 4300 as more the "standard", although I think that's fast becoming 13.5 over all of them. (If you take Pete's and MRCR out of the mix, 13.5 is probably the class to run most everywhere else in the region) Pete started with the 5800 years ago, which may have been the smartest choice of them all. (no tech issues!) But, with the BRL adopting the 4300, it's hard not to at least have that available, if not adopt that to try to stay consistent with the rest of the region. And, at the beginning of the year, the 4300 class was the hot ticket, where it (again, as a region) seems to be moving to 13.5, a move that started towards the end of last season.

Not sure I really know the true answer...

Will there still be a 17.5 class?

Todd is the 5800 class still SS or SS+ speedo's only?? Just curious.

Looking forward to a couple of trips up that way this winter.

Trackdog Hello, thanks for checking us out. There will indeed be a 17.5 class. I hope I didn't add confusion above. There are a few guys who do want to run them, particularly BRL guys. Our initial plan for the 17.5 class is to run 17.5 brushless and stock brushed (Both 4-cell) together for the time being. As the 17.5 is very new, and supposedly same speed as stock (I hear it's now as fast as a good stock brushed with less drop-off) We also have a few brushed stock guys in the area- so to keep numbers per class up, we'll run them together. If the combination becomes a problem somehow, we will split them. :thumbsup:

Sonny It'll be great to have you in the house! As for the 5800 class, when we run them it'll be by "Pete's" rules (how they are run at Pete Russell's) Currently, as I understand, 5800 class is no longer limited to the SS+. I'll check and make sure. :thumbsup:

Sounds great, thanx

Todd is the 5800 class still SS or SS+ speedo's only?? Just curious.

Looking forward to a couple of trips up that way this winter.

GTBs are allowed with the 5800s @ Pete's now. I believe that is why 5800 and 4300 are now split up. I ran 76 laps with the 5800 and the best run with a 4300 has been 72 or 73, not positive of which.

Cool, I have 5800 for my dirt car. Should be a fun second class when I make it up.

Hey Todd! Just to let you know we are having a 500 lap race at 2:00 in the afternoon on our cosmic day the 22nd. It will be two cars and two guys! Big fun! let your buddies know that may be interested. Signup sheet is at Pete's hobby shop. We will take up to 8 teams. We have 3 all ready. Thanks :thumbsup:

Hey Todd! Just to let you know we are having a 500 lap race at 2:00 in the afternoon on our cosmic day the 22nd. It will be two cars and two guys! Big fun! let your buddies know that may be interested. Signup sheet is at Pete's hobby shop. We will take up to 8 teams. We have 3 all ready. Thanks :thumbsup:

I'm signed up... :thumbsup:
For anyone in the area, Travis is talking about the open house at Pete Russel's Hobby Shop in Elkhart. I recommend coming out- plenty of racing action! Find more information at www.russellrc.com

I should also note: We just sent out a mailer to our forum subscribers (if you're not signed up- it's free to register with www.michianarc.com!)

Anyhow, we've made note of the fact our building is being used by the Indiana BMV. Well, the fine folks at Mega Play (in the same Town and Country shopping center) has allowed us to temporarily use part of their facility for racing on Friday nights. At this moment, this does NOT include oval racing- but we're talking further in hopes we can get 1-2 October dates at the end of the month.

Please stay tuned for more information. We at MRCR really appreciate all the kind words so far- looks like we're gonna have a great oval racing season!

I do want to mention that it appears that the 13.5 class, and the 10.5(4300) classes will be strong, as well as some sprint cars and 5800's. Also, we've had interest in 18th scale racers, as well as some full-blown modifieds (don't worry, the walls are strong!) What DOESN'T look like it'll fly will be six-cell stockers. Please understand, we'll run most any class that four show up to run. I do want to advise everyone, though, that these look like the "sure bet" classes to run...

One more thing I want to report- we've watched CLOSELY the new 17.5 versus a brushed stock motor, and it looks like they're REALLY close. (I have some friends that have been running them in comparison- results are CLOSE!!!) There's still some guys without brushless systems- so it looks as though running the 17.5 and brushed together will work out just fine!

Just a little FYI- we will be running a Losi Mini-Slider class this winter on the oval track. Rules have been posted on our forums at www.michianarc.com. There's a good amount of guys with these cool 18th scale versions of WoO Sprint Cars in the area, and hobby shops finally have them in stock!

In a nutshell, rules are box-stock. You can change the shock oil, paint the bodies, make adjustments to shock collars and tie-rods, and you can "bind" these to your own Spektrum-based radio. Other than that, it's box-stock...

Hey guys- like to see some input here.....

BRL last season ran five minute races. Michiana RC, to stay consistent, ran five minutes as well. This year, the BRL has gone back to the "conventional" four-minute races. I've seen, for example on the Newcastle thread, where there's debate on four minutes or five. I've also heard guys say, especially in 10.5, that four minutes is easier on tires, and easier on batteries.

While I like the five-minute races, four minute races can "speed up the day", can help the cause for an extra round of qualifying, and it is easier on tires and battery- allowing the guys that don't have fresh sticks to compete (which can keep the racing tighter, and better)

Let me know what you guys think....

be carefull opening this can of worms todd.you see were mine went.on a side note i vote for 5min.....hehehehe
hope to see ya this season.

Hey Yoke... Yeah, I seen it did get a little ugly- all I can ask is that on this thread, people keep their head....

If you're in Cincy, I'll see you next weekend.

love the brl and brl races but i am not running them this year.have to save all my $$$ for the birds.i have talked about it for years, but i would like to make it up there and run on the northern tracks(with ozite)this year.

Cool deal... Yeah, you need to get up our way, and I need to get down your way as well...

Be good to see you up this way!

We have been doing some testing and finding that the 17.5 with the 3200 Orion lipo is the same speed as the 4300 4-cell and the lipos are easier to get with all the problems with 4200's these days!! Just a thought.

Yeah, seen your car out there at Pete's a few weeks back. It certainly was pretty darn close. To be honest, at this time, as we are allowing the LiPo's on the on-road side (with some strict guidelines), it's possible to run them- kinda back to the "four to a class" rule. However, we (MRCR) will not mix the two together at this time- meaning 10.5/4200 cells and 17.5 LiPo. Really, it opens pandora's box- especially in a class that's taken quite seriously by many. Also, we're having this class be a true BRL class following their (BRL's) rules- which don't allow mixing. We have mixed the 17.5 and brushed stock- but in that class, few have the 17.5 (and rising) and brushed unfortunately is on it's last leg around here- it'll soon take care of itself.

I will say- from what we've been reading, it seems that "MOST" of the problems w/4200's seem to be pointed at the IB cells- and "batch related". We (MRCR) have an account with Pro Match racing and our last order was nothing but EP4200 cells. Our customers that have ordered them are very happy with them. And according to this thread....CLICK ME! (http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184126)... people are having good success with them.

Gary, while that's probably not the answer you seek, you're always welcome. But, at this time, I feel it's playing with fire to mix the two technologies.

todd whats up, hey if you get a chance give me a call this weekend,,,,,,,4192345263
thx
C3

Hey buddy... I'll give ya a holler...

Todd, you have a PM.

Just wanted to bring this baby up to the top....

Plan still is to kick off our oval season on November 18th, with the schedule essentially being the third and fourth sundays of every month. We will be following a BRL-style of format, with predominant classes looking like 4300/10.5, 13.5, and 5800/8.5 brushless, as well as a mix of 17.5/stock and other classes as well.

As we get more news on getting back into our building, I'll keep y'all posted....

Thanks!

Sounds good Todd. I hope the transition goes well & looking forward to coming over. Hows the friday's been so far?

Sounds good Todd. I hope the transition goes well & looking forward to coming over. Hows the friday's been so far?

Yeah, Travis... We hope so too... Friday nights started off slow, but had a great night on Friday night with about forty entries (12th scale, TC, and Stadium Trucks on the road course on Friday nights....) Good to see you guys off to a good start as well... We'll be over there for the next Sunday race November 11th- I invite everyone there... Follow Travis' link above for more details. :thumbsup:

Sounds good for the 11th. Nick & I are going to jams sat. night. your more than welcome to join if you'd like. :thumbsup:

Alrighty boys and girls! Michiana RC is indeed racing oval November 18th! (two weeks from now!) Come rain or shine! Come (the place below) or high water! Alright, more like "if we get our building back or not".

As many of you already know, we've been road-course racing on Friday nights at a temporary location, MegaPlay, an arcade still in the Town & Country mall complex. They've been kind enough to give us a fenced-in area to race in. The racing has been great, even the post-race racing on the six-seat NASCAR game's been good!

Anyhow, looks like our "home" won't be back to us in time, so if we cannot get back into our building, we will run oval at the MegaPlay location.

I will be posting ALL DETAILS this week. Regardless of where we run, we will provide a top-notch show to the best of our ability.

Thanks for the continued support!!!

Guys- I will have a full announcement posted by the end of the night tomorrow. Michiana RC WILL run oval on November 18th at MegaPlay- that is a definite. Seen our building last night... :cry: It's not ready yet.... November 25th should also be a-go at MegaPlay as well. We do expect to be back "home" in December.

For the November 18th (Sunday) race, I will post the opening times and race times. They WILL be later than the original planned start times.

So- there's your oval racing plan for the next few weeks!
This Sunday, take a trip to Elkhart- Pete Russells will be racing this sunday.
For the next two weekends after that, Michiana RC is your home for some of the best oval action in the area!

Seeya at the races!!! :thumbsup:

Alright, so I'm behind... Friday was a late night...

Michiana RC will run NEXT SUNDAY, November 18th, as well as November 25th in the MegaPlay building (see our website for location). Doors will open at 1PM, racing will start at 3PM. (Sorry, we can't get in there any earlier). The plan is to run two qualifiers. If we keep efficient on time, and have a majority vote, we'll re-sort and run a third round.

Again, common classes are expected to be 4300/10.5 brushless, 13.5 brushless, Losi Mini-Sliders, some 5800/8.5 pan cars, sprint cars, and some 4C Stock/17.5 cars. Other classes are welcome, just make sure you know some other guys with whatever it is... Rules will be based on BRL rules for the applicable classes, Mini-Sliders are box-stock- any questions on any class rules, see our website's rules area by clicking HERE (http://www.michianarc.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=49&func=showcat&catid=4).

Runline will be approximately 120' on roughly a 60x36 layout. Corners will be "ice" with a somewhat closed-in center (it will be easy on cars). As we are in a temporary location- please bring a table and chair. We will have some open ones, but it will be first-come, first-serve basis. Expect that you'll need one.

We'll see y'all the next two weekends in Mishawaka at Michiana RC Raceway! :thumbsup:

Thanks!
Aaron, Pat, Melqui and yours truly... Michiana RC

One update guys- we will NOT be able to have a Saturday night practice as we had hoped (sorry guys, we tried). So, we will run on the following schedule:

Sunday, November 18th & 25th... MegaPlay location

-Doors open at 1pm, track will be open for practice from 1pm to 3:25pm.
-Racing will start at 3:30pm sharp! (I extended the start time to give extra practice)
-We'll run two qualifiers, and see where we are at. If the consensus is that everyone wants to run a third qualifier, and time allows, we'll do it!

When you guys arrive, go to the backside of the Town & Country shopping center, just like you do to go to MRCR. On the north side of the complex, you'll see a set of four glass doors- park there. We will open the doors at 1pm. Also- we run road course on Friday nights at MegaPlay from 5pm to close. If you want to bring a table and chair Friday night, you're more than welcome to. Needless to say, our schedule for these two sundays will be tight, so we'll do whatever we can to help....

Any questions, let us know!
Thanks again!

See y'all Sunday!!!

I'll be there running 10.5 and 13.5.

Alex.

todd hope to b up not tomorrow but next sunday, im in the plans to run next friday at vanwert, then go to summits thanksgiving race on sat, then just head up ur way on suday! also plannin the week after iowa headin up to petes on friday for some door rubbin, hope everything goes great tomorrow buddy!

C3
www.muddslidemotorsports.com

Hey todd
what time are you starting and whats the address.
Taylor

Hey todd
what time are you starting and whats the address.
Taylor

Take a look four posts up... We open the doors at 1pm. Address is 2544 Miracle Lane, I believe. We're in the Town and Country shopping complex. Take a look (CLICK HERE) (http://www.michianarc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=35) for instructions how to get there. The entrance is on the BACK SIDE of the shopping complex- you'll see four glass doors with a white sign that says "Family Entertainment Center" on it...

todd hope to b up not tomorrow but next sunday, im in the plans to run next friday at vanwert, then go to summits thanksgiving race on sat, then just head up ur way on suday! also plannin the week after iowa headin up to petes on friday for some door rubbin, hope everything goes great tomorrow buddy!

C3
www.muddslidemotorsports.com

Awesome Charlie... Will be great to have ya!

Just wanted to give a big THANK YOU! to all that showed up yesterday! Track came in real well for the heats (after someone nearly screwed the track up- yeah, that'd be me).
We had a heat of Sliders, 13.5 brushless, 4300 Sprints, and two heats of 10.5 brushless.

I did hear that the "ice" was too tall (was .120 ABS)- we'll work on a solution for that.

Again, from everyone at MRCR- thank you!

Had fun Todd! Great job on your a main win! I'll do my best to get over Sunday. Can't make any promises.

glad to c things went off nicely for u guys! c ya next sunday

i will try to be there sunday tod.

ps my 10.5 car is looking alot better, :thumbsup: