Having been around a while, longer than some, not as long as others, I have some ideas on what may just bring some new racers to our hobby/sport.

We need to get new racers, I think we all agree on that. What is not agreed upon is how. Now I am not claiming to have all the answers or really any of them, just some ideas.

First, we must expose people that have no idea that we even exist to us. How? T.V., Radio, Newspaper? Sure if you have that kind of budget, but let us be honest, that kind of $$$ will not really get us the results we want.

Think back, how did you become addicted, ummm invloved, in R/C Oval? You had a buddy that took you to that race, there was a local Club that put on races and you had a buddy in that. OR you drove by and saw a bunch of guys standing around holding something in their hands watching these little cars go around and you had to stop and see what in the world was going on.

See where I am going?

The rage came about to build "tracks" for us to compete on, which is great, we flocked to them like bugs to a light. Only to find out that sometimes that light was a zapper. And now there are not so many of us.

Most of these really great tracks are built off the beaten path. They have to be in order to be affordable to build. We all knew where they were so it did not seem like a problem at first and it is not really a problem now, if we take some other steps to compliment them.

What I propose is a series of races put on in places where we take the race to the masses. They are not coming to us, so let's go to them.

Let's get some racing going back in the parking lots of the local Wal-Mart or KMart parking lot. Our "draw" numbers will be exponentially higher than they are at the tracks. Get you local Hobby Shops involved, as well as the Track Owners. They need to be there promoting their shops and tracks letting the people (read NEW RACERS) where they can go to get a car and another venue in which to race them on.

I know this may not be the most popular thing. Some of you will not want to put "your baby" on a non-race surface. Or you do not want to have to buy different tires. I am guilty of the latter. But, if we will get some racing going here, I will be more than happy to buy the tires.

The way I see it is this. In order to sell anything you are going to get a certain number of NO's, you have to in order to get to the YES's. Soooo, if we increase the number of people that see us, certainly there will be more NO's that we have now, but there will also be more YES's.

Oh well, here it is. Maybe it is a good idea or maybe my allergy medicine is taking it's toll on me.

Happy Easter!

Have a great Race!

I don't know about Walmart or Kmart butt I,m all for Hooters parking lots!!!

Honestly one of the local clubs used to run a regular monthly race at different Hooters around town it was great.....talk about exposure :thumbsup:

I don't know about Walmart or Kmart butt I,m all for Hooters parking lots!!!

Honestly one of the local clubs used to run a regular monthly race at different Hooters around town it was great.....talk about exposure :thumbsup:

thats a good idea with trophy girl on hand now if there was only a hooters here :tongue:

Scott,

I know myself and others have tried that approach for years. I did parking lot races at schools, and at one of the popular Speedways out here in CALIF, drew some decent spectators....but didn't find people beating down the door to come join in.

I still do local CLUB races in a school parking lot, and advertise the racing locally... we do get some spectators to come out, not in huge numbers but they come.

Too often though, the more exposable places have a 100 reasons why they don't want RC Racing in their parking lots (In this area some were burned by racers of the past)

Flip that, there are a lot of the SO SERIOUS racers who will NEVER let their precious R/C car touch a paved parking lot....cause it might get a mark on it.

These guys would QUIT racing before they would run that type of race.

(THESE are the things I'm told when ever I bring up this subject, your results may vary)

I wish...like so many who wish for large sums of cash to be dumped in their lap, that there was a easy way to design a portable track that could be set up like the Extreme Sports guys set up Skate Parks or BMX jumps in parking lots.

a 250 ft. Medium Banked WOODEN Oval with a small GRAND STANDS that would hold 50-75 spectators...would be AWESOME at Car Shows, Swap Meets, etc... But you'd not only have to have the track, but you'd have to have a decent show of racers that was available to race at those types of events...

It's not like you can just blow into town and LOCAL racers come out of the woodwork.

Scott,


Flip that, there are a lot of the SO SERIOUS racers who will NEVER let their precious R/C car touch a paved parking lot....cause it might get a mark on it.

These guys would QUIT racing before they would run that type of race.



Then they get left out of a great time. Most of those guys are the ones that would scare the living bee-gee-bers out of them anyway. They would be telling them that they must have the BR549-X27 cahssis with the Super-Duper ECS and the Power of Zeus Batteries with the $750 charger or they should not even bother coming.

WELL THAT AIN'T HELPING!!!

Certainly we all have a chassis that we are willing to put some battle scars on. Heck, that is what I race every time I put it down. If you aren't scratching it up, you are not running it hard enough!

Been there and done that and the turnout for racers was about 10 to 20% of our normal turnout. This was when times were a little different and we had large crowds already. Insurance and getting a group to support the events will be expensive for all involved.

We used to run car shows and county fairs and it was not supported very well by racers. Too many complaints its too hot or the track is dusty or .....The crowds to watch were huge but it brought very little interest to new racers because you had to build the cars and couldn't take it out of the package and race it 2 minutes after you bought it.

Well I think it would be worth a shot. Seeing as what is going on now is working so well... :rolleyes:

But like I said, my allergy meds may be taking a toll on me today.

... it brought very little interest to new racers because you had to build the cars and couldn't take it out of the package and race it 2 minutes after you bought it.

This might be part of the answer. Run the regular races, but put special promotion on a class where you literally can pull the car out of the box and race it 2 minutes later (well, after charging the battery).

As has been mentioned earlier, the "experts" will tell newer racers that they need "BR549-X27 chassis ... ". Simple answer, make the class one that the "BR549-X27 chassis ..." is illegal in it. Make it a true box stock class. Radio, ESC, Springs, Gears, Battery, Radio, Tires ... EVERYTHING box stock ... add nothing and everything spec. But also make it fast enough that the average joe racer isn't completely bored.

Unfortunately that car doesn't exist yet. The Associated 18R is close, but it has steering issues. Another weak link is in the radio, spread spectrum tech is needed.

The Tamiya XB built Mini Coopers are nearly perfect, but some people think they are "toys".

The Duratrax Vendetta TC is another almost perfect car for this kind of class.

At the local track I race at we created a class with the RJ-Speed Legends chassis and Tamiya Black can motors. It has drawn the largest crowds we have ever had. Though that might be coming to an end as more "experts" have entered the class.

The idea of running RC car races in a parking lot where there is a lot of exposure to hopefully get new participants is not a new idea and it can work in some circumstances. I did it for years here in Flagstaff and Flagstaff Hobbies does it every raceday now. "IT", being a lot of hard work and dedication to set up and run a first class race in an exposed parking lot environment. Our parking lot races are as good or better than any purpose built track. It's not easy, but a lot of RC programs are actually produced that way, all over the country.
I'm also still convinced that an entry level or spec vehicle for stock car oval doesn't have to be a Pan Car. The Losi Mini Late Model (which I have no vested interest in) with a COT body is very cool on any paved or carpeted surface. Box stock they are a lot of fun and the racing can be very close. Can't get any more affordable for a beginner and the experienced guys may have more fun than they realize. Great for the less than perfect parking lot races. The key is to keep it as stock as possible, especially tires and motors. With so little starting cost and a specktrum radio that can move to another car, it's a simple matter to move to a Pan Car latter.

Gary McAllister

Ahhh, I forgot about the Losi mini Late-Model. That is probably as close, (for what is currently available), to the best parking lot box-stock class as possible. Spektrum radio, cheap, and lots of parts available. With a little tweaking of the basic setup it runs quite well.

For some reason though, this car never took off at my local track.

I'm also still convinced that an entry level or spec vehicle for stock car oval doesn't have to be a Pan Car. The Losi Mini Late Model (which I have no vested interest in) with a COT body is very cool on any paved or carpeted surface. Box stock they are a lot of fun and the racing can be very close. Can't get any more affordable for a beginner and the experienced guys may have more fun than they realize. Great for the less than perfect parking lot races. The key is to keep it as stock as possible, especially tires and motors. With so little starting cost and a specktrum radio that can move to another car, it's a simple matter to move to a Pan Car latter.


I Second that NOTION! We've got guys running the regular LATE MODEL body with HUGE SIDE BOARDS on our big ol Paved Oval...I'd love to see them switch the the COT body or a 1/12th scale OVAL body.

But even with the DLM body they are having a TON of FUN (But, I have to say...THEY created the class the way THEY wanted it...and NONE of them are even CLOSE to stock...some are 3s LIPO / BRUSHLESS and these guys have EVERY HOP UP you can imagine on them.... AND they tell me a PAN CAR is too expensive! )

We need to find a way to keep racers we have and getting the ones that have left, to take a look at it again. Most hobby shops and race tracks have not had training in sales retention. A good informative flyer about the new offerings in racing classes and cars could create an itch in a lost racer. A good mailing list of past racers, and costumers is needed for track owners. I tried radio and print adds for my shop. Very expansive for the budget. Not one new person came in and said they had seen or read about the shop. My mailer did bring in a few old racers to take a look- see and informed out-of-towners there was a new place. The internet is good info, but if you have to find someway to get people to look at it(why do you see TV adds about internet sites).

Also I have not raced a dirt oval in 15 years, but the new Losi mini late model has me thanking about giving that a go. There is an indoor dirt oval less than a half hour drive from my old hometown. What a great way to visit and race on the same weekend and the car cost less than$200.00.

You guys already have a couple options with the losi car kits available either in 1/18th or 1/10th. The biggest problem atleast here in the upper midwest is that most of the racers will not leave them box stock. We get some of the upper classmen to buy one and within a couple weeks they've got brushless systems in them and leaving the 14 year old kid in the dust because he can't run fast with stock electrics. Tell me whats wrong with this picture? One problem is the track owner doesn't stand up and say these are the rules and must be followed to race. The 2nd maybe that a few regular racers think they run the show and they decide what would be good for the class or themselves so they can be the local hotshot for that class and not consider what is good for the sport.

I wonder how racing will survive in some cases. This past winter I can't count how many different sets of foam tires I purchased all different compunds. Why is it that 21.5/Lipo you need this compound for one track,but you need this compound for that track? When I first started racing we only had 2 compounds Blue and Green, that worked for about 3 tracks. I can see why nobody gets involved into oval anymore, I spent $10,000 this past fall/winter trying to compete with the best in the BRL and at my local track. Let me tell you I have the best of everything anybody makes and it doesn't do you anygood if you can not build a proper kit and you know how to set them up. I would trade all the parts for the knowledge of set-up no matter what tire or body or speedcontroller you have. Thats just my opinion. I wish for a day were this type of racing gets simple again.

Jason

Jason
Did you have FUN!!!??
I cannot race the BRL (geographics) But I would Imagine the experience , the hype, the racing, the comradiere and the excitement at the BRL races is worth the price.
You make it sound like it was nothing for your 10 grand. I'm not trying to bash you just trying to understand :)

I have stayed off all these "New Oval " threads , just been reading.
Well here is my nickels worth.
Race for fun, race for the comradiere and the excitement.
I race at tracks where the racers are having fun, yes its competition and intense at times, but its not cut-throat. If thats going on at a track.I don't go. I also bet new people don't go either.
I keep reading about "back in the day". Man o Man sounds like my Father. Hated when he said it and hate hearing it now.
Life ain't simple anymore guys what makes you think R/C is.
Just look at the phone you are using now versus say mid '80's.
How about the real car you are driving with satelite this and gps that. Compare that to the 80's clunker you drove.
Or even better the internet, which by the way in my opinion hurts our sport more then it helps.
Enough ranting.

What do we need and what direction do we need to go??
Well my crystal ball is a little cloudy on that subject.
Plus I'm a racer not a promoter, track owner, hobbyshop owner. I do not have an investment in the business end. In some caes I'm sure a sizeable $ investment.
I do have an investment in the hobby end. So I will continue to support the hobby end by racing every chance I get. Buying parts at hobbyshops every chance I get, and being an Ambassador for the hobby I love. When the "Powers to be" decide on class structure I will support it and go race.
If half of the Oval Racers on this site did just that think where we would be right now.

There needsto be a "FUN" factor brought back to R/C oval racing. The "must have the BR549-X27 chassis with the Super-Duper ECS and the Power of Zeus Batteries with the $750 charger" guys have taken the "FUN" factor out of racing.

The sad part is that the "must have the BR549-X27 chassis with the Super-Duper ECS and the Power of Zeus Batteries with the $750 charger" guys have dropped down to the slower spec type classes looking for the "FUN" Factor and end up killing the hobby/sport of R/C oval racing we all love and enjoy.

Just my $0.02

well said in the last post, don't get me wrong if I had a problem with spending an insanely amount of money I wouldn't but this hobby is fun to do, even if I do get beat by the guys who have tire sponsors and the like. I don't know what it is going to take to make this hobby like it used to be, a different economy, more local tracks(I liked parking lot racing), someday something will be happen, I just hope I still have my gear when that time comes. I'd never sell it because nobody pays fair value for gear anymore. Who ever decides what to do has a very hard job because you have some many regions with different rules, like the midwest pretty much follows the BRL(which is a great organization), you have the west coast, the east coast and florida region with all slightly different rules. All I can say is good luck and hope this all gets resolved before the oval racing takes another big dip in attendance again.

The sad part is that the "must have the BR549-X27 chassis with the Super-Duper ECS and the Power of Zeus Batteries with the $750 charger" guys have dropped down to the slower spec type classes looking for the "FUN" Factor and end up killing the hobby/sport of R/C oval racing we all love and enjoy.

Just my $0.02

That's EXACTLY what drives a lot of novices off.

We created a nearly no-brainer class for people who had never raced RC before. They came in herds. We had 60 racers on days where we used to have 25 racers. This was set up as obvious a novice class as possible.

then the guy came in and told us we were doing it all wrong. Started acting like they were cheating even when they weren't, which really got the novices wound up. When that happened, the old-timers were saying "in my 20-some years of RC racing ... blah blah blah ..." WHAT?!?! Why in the world is a 20-year racer in the novice class anyway?!?!

Jason
Did you have FUN!!!??

I do have an investment in the hobby end. So I will continue to support the hobby end by racing every chance I get. Buying parts at hobbyshops every chance I get, and being an Ambassador for the hobby I love. When the "Powers to be" decide on class structure I will support it and go race.
If half of the Oval Racers on this site did just that think where we would be right now.

Wade, good post!:wave: I built a portable 1/28 scale track on a atv trailer (both sides folded down) complete with timing with each (10 cars) fitted with personal transponders. It was great at street fairs, and carnivals!!

Last I checked this is still America! Every racer IS the "Powers to be". If one class, rtr,(and the Losi Late Model is a excellent possibility) ENTRY LEVEL car, be nationally sanctioned,then all the serious racers can run whatever OTHER class they want. You can't land a newbie till you hook them!
KID

As a for instance: in two weeks the Trucks series and IRL come to Kansas Speedway. It happens to coincide with the time the Heart of America nitro on-road series kicks off its season at Fastlane Raceway on the other side of KC. In an attempt to draw more exposure to the series and the Hobby Shop, we're taking the HOA race to them. There's a ribbon of asphalt around the frontstretch grandstands thats usually occupied by souvenier trailers on a Cup weekend. Being as how its only Trucks and the IRL, it'll be half full so we've taken over the other half. We'll be running a full program there with 1/8th scale 4wd, 1/10 4wd electric and nitro, and IGT.
To give passers by a first hand try at R/C racing, we'll be setting up a small oval and letting people race Losi Mini Late Models fitted with Gary's COT bodies, painted up to look like the cars of popular Nascar drivers.

Last I checked this is still America! Every racer IS the "Powers to be". If one class, rtr,(and the Losi Late Model is a excellent possibility) ENTRY LEVEL car, be nationally sanctioned,then all the serious racers can run whatever OTHER class they want. You can't land a newbie till you hook them!
KID

KK and all, " You can't land a newbie 'til you hook 'em" of course they need to be near the hobby,or track where it's going on.Biggest problem I see is that the younger crowd,(our kids or grand-kids) most of them want nothing to do with it.A big percentage of us have been around RC and racing alot longer than most of the "new people" have been on the earth.All goes back to "instant gratification" Most don't have the work ethic or even a little interest in sittin down with a bag of pretzels,and a pepsi (or other favorite beverage) and build a kit,install radio,paint it etc.Losi s MLM helps in that respect,but the younger folk would be more apt to R/C on the PC than put the time and effort in to running there own program.Another issue is the magazines,and mfr's,years ago when oval was happening,the magazines ran with the ball and pushed the oval scene.It was worth it to advertise.Thats what "we" were reading then,kinda like the Sears wish book.Most of what you see today is MT's,TC's,off-road,crawlers etc.Oval is all but gone from any of the magz'.granted some have tried to "plug" oval in with a column or article here and there,got some nibbles maybe but no big hits.Pancars,SK and oval in general are on basically the same page as Dirt Oval anymore it's all goin on,but not where some need it to be.The D.O. mfrs and the D.O. series promoters,what tracks are available,and the interested racers are the ones that keep it alive.Joe Meyers/SWT said it best,
The racers are out there,but they're racing 60 different venues or classes.
Today,the pancar and SK mfr's and the series promoters,and the available tracks and racers are the ones that will have to keep it going,and hook the newbs.From the guy that writes the cad-file down to the fella wheelin
the car,and "everyone" in between,we just gotta toss the "rite bait" IMHO ;)
My eyes are burnin',hope somebody got something out of what I just typed...........

Here are some shots of Tom Guido's Losi Mini Late Model with McAllister Racing 1/18th Impala COT body. If this wouldn't attract newcomers to oval racing for around $200, I don't know what would.

Gary McAllister

Gary,

That thing looks SHARP! What wheels/tires does it have on it? (are those stock, just dressed up?)

What's being used for mounts?

(I don't have one of these, but several of the locals do that race or club races...and I'm trying to get them to go to ths Stock Car bodies (instead of the Dirt Wedge Bodies)

He said RPM revolver wheels with Integy mini-t slicks. I agree...looks awesome

Next question, what about the wing? Doesn't look like the one that comes with the body.
Looks like P/N's would be:
INTT7404 for the Slicks and RPM73302 for Revolver fronts in black and RPM73322 for Revolver rears in black.

The only addition for mounting is another Losi rear body mount added to the stock rear mount to make it higher.
That's the stock wing that comes with the body.

Thanks
Gary McAllister

Cool, I knew it was farther back, and just figured it was different alltogether.
:thumbsup: