Does anyone have an explanation as to why the Brushless/Lipo cars have to add so much weight to them? 43 ozs. Seems a bit extream.

If this has been discussed someplace else please point me to it.

Does anyone have an explanation as to why the Brushless/Lipo cars have to add so much weight to them? 43 ozs. Seems a bit extream.

If this has been discussed someplace else please point me to it.

McLin

This has been a hot topic on ROAR Oval Committee Thread. Like all new products there will take some time to find the best set of rules for it.

McLin

It's SILLY is what it is. We are running our rules at 38 oz. I can see NO reason to add 4-5 oz. of DEAD weight.

We don't run much carpet, so it's probably not as big a deal as some places, I don't see too many guys trying to lighten things up (there are a couple) most just run them as the are...(If guys want to claim the cars HANDLE better with MORE weight - FINE - Let THEM add the weight...)

I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment. If a car was designed to be run with 6 or 4 cells batteries and now we are running lipos that are significantly lighter, won't that change performance. I would think at a minimum you would have to change setup, but won't there be tradeoffs with running lighter springs due to less weight.

I know at certain speeds of racing that I don't necessarily want an ultra-light r/c vehicle unless I'm driving a remote controlled plane.

Ok, just scanned the other thread and in my opinion, Mike Russell was the only one (who can get anything done) to make a comment that made any sense.

As for the “too light to stay on the track theory” PA LEASE! Which one would you rather have hit you, a 41 oz 21.5 car or a 43 oz, 4 cell open mod missal? There is no way on earth that limiting the cars to 41 ozs is going to make them “fly off the track”. However, the only benefit gained by adding 2 to 3 ozs of lead will only be gained by the people selling the lead.

As for lighter springs and other changes you have to make to a LiPo car; for sure, you will have to make changes. The biggest change is the lack of weight from the battery that is shifted. However, for the average Joe, making those changes will be a lot easier than trying to find a place to put 3 ozs of weight that will not hurt the cars overall handling.

But I’m with Mike Russell on this one. Let the Oval Committee look at this and make their suggestions.

I mentioned on the other thread about the fact that when we went to 4 cell ROAR had a 38 oz rule (FOAM TIRES) and they were 40 w/ caps.

Each time a NEW battery came out heavier, the RULE WENT UP - so now that the battery weight went DOWN - it stands to reason - the WEIGHT rule should come down.

I would think so but that's just my way of thinking. It seems to me that the weight rule has always been dictated by the battery weight.

I guess what bothers me more than anything are closed minded remarks like "About Lipo and weights - the rest of the classes in the ROAR rule book for 2008 are very clear - all weights remain the same." I have a lot of trouble dealing with a "take it or leave it" additude.

Ok, just scanned the other thread and in my opinion, Mike Russell was the only one (who can get anything done) to make a comment that made any sense.

As for the “too light to stay on the track theory” PA LEASE! Which one would you rather have hit you, a 41 oz 21.5 car or a 43 oz, 4 cell open mod missal? There is no way on earth that limiting the cars to 41 ozs is going to make them “fly off the track”. However, the only benefit gained by adding 2 to 3 ozs of lead will only be gained by the people selling the lead.

As for lighter springs and other changes you have to make to a LiPo car; for sure, you will have to make changes. The biggest change is the lack of weight from the battery that is shifted. However, for the average Joe, making those changes will be a lot easier than trying to find a place to put 3 ozs of weight that will not hurt the cars overall handling.

But I’m with Mike Russell on this one. Let the Oval Committee look at this and make their suggestions.
They should listen to Mike he has alot of great ideas buzzing around up there.:thumbsup:

I have a lot of trouble dealing with a "take it or leave it" additude.

wow....

And you have never been accused of that attitude, have you? :)

These are the 1/10th scale OVAL weights from the ROAR Web Archives.


2001
4c 38oz FOAM 6c 42oz FOAM
4c 40oz CAP 6c 44oz CAP

2002
38oz FOAM
40oz CAP

2003
38oz FOAM
40oz CAP

2004
4c 40oz FoAM 6c 42oz FOAM
4c 42oz CAP 6c 44oz CAP

2005
40oz FOAM
42oz CAP

2006
4c 41oz FOAM 6c 43oz FOAM
4c43oz CAP 6c 45oz CAP

2007
41oz FOAM
43oz CAP

2008
4c 41oz FOAM 6c 43oz FOAM
4c 43oz CAP 6c 45oz CAP

The ones on the RH side are 6 cell weights.

McLin We are running 38 oz. at hobbyworld in Jacksonville. I tried staying at 43 oz. with the car. I was thinking about weight transfer, balance etc. Best place to put the weight is right on top of the Batt.
Funny thing is I took the weight off this weekend ....and picked up a lap.
Oh Well so much for what I know. LoL !!

Oval racing must be doing pretty well when the weight limits are the biggest issues to discuss!

I wouldn't say that the weight is the only issue but it's certainly one issue that needs to be discussed.

There were a few people at the Region 3 race this weekend that saw a lot of first hand "details" that could be worked out in a better fashion and I'm sure they will let their opinions be heard.

I personally like the heavier weight rule. For me it's a lot easier to to add a 1/4-1/2 oz. of lead rather than spend a fortune to reduce that much weight.

For me it's a lot easier to to add a 1/4-1/2 oz.

LOL - we're talking LIPO's here. It's not a matter of 1/4 to 1/2 OZ - it's more a matter of 3 - 5 OUNCES or like about $6.00 in quarters.

You must be using a different battery than I am. I just built a new KSG for the Easley regionals this past weekend and with a 17.5 bl(w/heatsink), 5k SMC battery, and a special tray(probably .5oz heavier than stock), the car weighed 43.8oz. Mini servo and nothing extra on the car (just the usual).

...don't know what the 5k SMC weighs, we ONLY allow ORION 3200's. Our weight rule is 38 oz, and only have 1 or 2 cars even CLOSE to coming in under weight.

(I'm sorry, I don't agree that weight should be raised in this day and age)

....oh and you are talking w/ CAP TIRES

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LOL - we're talking LIPO's here. It's not a matter of 1/4 to 1/2 OZ - it's more a matter of 3 - 5 OUNCES or like about $6.00 in quarters.

Damn....I had to empty out my piggy bank just to make weight.

Good thing I didn't have to empty out my wallet to go LiPO.

We run 41 oz at Triclone for 21.5 lipo. Seems to be working out pretty good so far. most only had to add 3/4 to 1 oz to make weight.

We run 41 oz at Triclone for 21.5 lipo. Seems to be working out pretty good so far. most only had to add 3/4 to 1 oz to make weight.


Drop to 40oz than nobody would have to add weight - LOL

38oz for FOAMS
40oz for CAPS

I think is a good realistic weight.

(I do 38 for EVERYTHING - and have yet to see anyone close to 38 on CAPS - and that way NOBODY gets DQ'd for weight...and nobody has to look TOO HARD!)

SWtour, you make common sence/tested rules for your racing. Rules by committee can be something else. A compromise at best is what you get. I am guessing the offical rule to be 42oz. with out transponder.LMAO Not 41 or 43 total.

Maybe we need to start a pole in the general section. Let the racers voice their oppinion.

Drop to 40oz than nobody would have to add weight - LOL

38oz for FOAMS
40oz for CAPS

I think is a good realistic weight.

(I do 38 for EVERYTHING - and have yet to see anyone close to 38 on CAPS - and that way NOBODY gets DQ'd for weight...and nobody has to look TOO HARD!)

Not to be too logical, but if you're going to set a weight limit so low that no one can get to it then why bother having one at all?

I've seen people spend a lot of effort and money to drop an ounce off their car's weight. Personally, I don't think it's worth much, but people do it. The unfortunate part is other racers see it and think they have to do it too. That is the point of having a weight limit where most people have to add an ounce or so, it helps save people money and helps with a fairness perception.

That is the point of having a weight limit where most people have to add an ounce or so, it helps save people money and helps with a fairness perception.

The original weight rule was built on using real data, a 6 cell car, normal electronics and non 'lightened' equipment, when 4 cell came around - the weight of a single cell was measured, multiplied by 2 and reduced from the total weight. That weight made sense then, and IMHO I never understood WHY weights were increased simply because batteries became higher Mah, and heavier...especially since the OLD cells were still legal, but if you ran them you had to ADD weight (Sorry guys, but out here a lot of 'sportsman' type drivers don't buy the NEW stuff - just because it's available)

NEW weight rules gave them a DOUBLE penalty. One for having OLDER, Less performing batteries, and ONE for having to ADD weight to the OLD setup with Those lesser performing batteries...

All this at the same time while it was said..."The added weight is so guys don't have to LIGHTEN their cars buy buying MORE EXPENSIVE "hop up" parts."

The original weight rule was built on using real data, a 6 cell car, normal electronics and non 'lightened' equipment, when 4 cell came around - the weight of a single cell was measured, multiplied by 2 and reduced from the total weight. That weight made sense then, and IMHO I never understood WHY weights were increased simply because batteries became higher Mah, and heavier...especially since the OLD cells were still legal, but if you ran them you had to ADD weight (Sorry guys, but out here a lot of 'sportsman' type drivers don't buy the NEW stuff - just because it's available)

NEW weight rules gave them a DOUBLE penalty. One for having OLDER, Less performing batteries, and ONE for having to ADD weight to the OLD setup with Those lesser performing batteries...

All this at the same time while it was said..."The added weight is so guys don't have to LIGHTEN their cars buy buying MORE EXPENSIVE "hop up" parts."


The history lesson is great, but what does that have to do with anything now? Isn't the discussion specifically about setting weights for the NEW LiPO classes?

Again why would you set a weight so low that no one can reach it? Set the weight so that it is relatively easy to achieve with normal equipment and most guys have to add an ounce or so.

Take a guy with a L4 or non-swiss cheesed HD car. Put in a brushless system, 3200 mAh LiPO, standard reciever, 9550 servo, a body with some paint and set of cap tires. Put said car on a scale. Take that weight round it to the nearest ounce and BAM there's your 3200 LiPO, cap tire weight limit. Now take out the 3200 and put in a 5000 mAh LiPO and repeat. Now you have your 5000 LiPO cap tire weight limit.

This doesn't seem that complex an issue to me.

Pat,

Actually we did that too - with a FOAM tire car setup for carpet...and I liked the 38 oz. weight... It was a little bit lighter than the average well equipped car - but with some work, light paint, etc. 38 oz. can be achieved. There again. THE AVERAGE car would come in a little high with NO effort - and for those who like to SWISS CHEESE their cars - they could get down that low - but MOST don't bother...nor do they have to worry about coming in 1/8th of an ounce TOO light w/o sticking that NICKEL on the car....NO ADDED WEIGHT is needed.

I never understood WHY we have to have a CAP tire weight and a FOAM tire weight.

SET THE 1/10th scale OVAL weight - ONE WEIGHT

Yeah, caps are heavier...SO - for those who want to - let them SWISS CHEESE to get the weight down - for the rest - take off the foams...install the caps...GO RACE -

Joe, I don't know what you're smoken but I want some LOL

Have they set a weight yet for the lipo classes?

I believe at the regionals it was 43 oz, 2 lbs 11 oz., With a 3200 carbon I would have add 2+ oz to my Mavrick, with a smc 5000 I came in just over the weight. I would expect the same thing for the nats.

Thanks :thumbsup:

I believe at the regionals it was 43 oz, 2 lbs 11 oz., With a 3200 carbon I would have add 2+ oz to my Mavrick, with a smc 5000 I came in just over the weight. I would expect the same thing for the nats.

That is a good example of how the battery weight should be used to set total car weight. 3200 lipo on caps should be in the 41 oz. range and 5000 lipo cars in the 43 oz. area.