Hi Gang,

Sorry I’ve been out of touch for a while but things have been a bit crazy for me lately. A lot of personal issues have taken the majority of my time. The good news is that these issues are coming along very well, but need my continued involvement for the time being.

Let me get right to the point. Effective April 30th, 2010, I am resigning from my position as co-Director of the TOUR. At that time, Allan Arrington will be the sole Director of the TOUR and have full authority for all decisions made regarding all TOUR business (Classes, Equipment, Rulings, etc.). Please join me in giving Allan your full support….he has earned it.

Here is what I will be doing:
· I will assist Allan in finishing out the first full TOUR season, ending April 30th, 2010, but I will not overstep my bounds in making any rulings that will affect the summer season, or future seasons.
· I will stay involved with the TOUR in an advisory role and will work, more or less behind the scenes, to research emerging technology and offer help to develop formats for bettering the rules & guidelines in future years.

Please understand that I have no hard feelings at all with this decision. I view this as a 100% positive change for the TOUR. The bottom line is this: I need to get out of the direct line of fire of the “decision making, rules enforcement, and equipment debates” that make up the politics of R/C. I struggle with that part of the job because I am simply not skilled in this area. I started the TOUR with Allan because of what I felt I could contribute to this effort. I had a grasp of technology and an understanding of the changes to the format that R/C racers were looking for. We, as a segment of this hobby, needed structure and stability. I enjoyed working with each of you to craft the classes that we came up with, and get us all racing together. Seeing (80) 13.5’s, (70) 10.5’s and (35) 7.5’s at the ‘birds showed me that we accomplished our goal.

But I am simply not comfortable in the role of “judge and jury”. As an active racer, it is far too difficult to make the final call on equipment issues, and be perceived as being unbiased, even though I have done my best to be neutral. In the beginning, I promised myself that I would volunteer to take on this effort, only if it didn’t completely disrupt my enjoyment of this hobby. So, this is also a very necessary decision for me personally. Frankly, I’m worn out by the constant bickering and flaming posts that our hobby is plagued with. February 2010 was the first time in 20 years that I was ever considering exiting this hobby. I don’t want this to happen, so it’s time to step down. I guess you have to know your limitations.

I will, however, continue to do what I enjoyed about the TOUR when I became involved:
· Develop innovative ideas to make racing better and more consistent
· Work with senior members in our hobby to chart the course for the future of oval racing
· Work on business development, so we can fund this effort for years to come

I will present the results of any and all of my efforts to Allan and he will have full authority to make all decisions regarding implementing these or any other ideas he may have, for the betterment of the TOUR. Allan is by far the best person for this position. He is a successful business owner of several businesses. He has real world management experience. He listens to everyone’s input and is fair and impartial. But most of all, he has an unparalleled integrity and morality that guides his decisions.

Please give Allan your full support as we continue the TOUR. I will be there for Allan every step of the way and I am proud to maintain my involvement of the TOUR, in this capacity.

Take care.

Steve

Thanks for everything you have done for the hobby, Steve!

i agree with Tommy. thank you Steve for the huge investment you made for the better of RC oval! hope to see you at the track soon!

damn it...i had alot of fun flaming steve...but allan..i just can't flame him!

allan what is tours plan to get the cot class back to where it was before "mamba" hit?
the truck class is ok but just hasn't taken off like cot has.
when cot takes the stupid wing off in real life will the rc cot class go back to thd/chd bodies as well?

will we see

cot (wings) 1 cell 17.5 open esc
13.5 thd/chd open esc
10.5 thd/chd open esc
1 cell truck 17.5 open esc

7.5 mamba is for heros and is oh so close to spec mod racing with a mamba

are these questions too early ? if you look on rc tech roar is being destroyed one brick at a time ..they are way way way too slow reacting to the new esc's and they are being killed over it (rightfully so) the on-road nats has 20 entries with less than a week to go..and maybe 3 of those are open mod entries. i just don't see another huge advance in esc technology for awhile (a few companies are behind the 8 ball..even when they get it right they won't be much if at all better than a mamba/tekin is now) alot of guys feel the cot class has gotten very fast and has lost it's luster..

just feedback i hear at the track and i would like to see tour stay ahead of the 8 ball and keep what you and steve started going forward.


steve you did good man...i read rc tech and the nats thread and think we were there a year ago ( no direction) now for good or for bad we have direction and alot of tracks on board...not half bad

thanks steve and allan i know what kind of time this takes and with all the personal attacks it can even stress out gandhi.

thanks again bill

Actually Kat, the truck class has taken off pretty well everywhere else. If anything, I could see the classes going like this (based on feedback I have heard as well as some previous comments from Steve).

This is all based on dropping the "limited" rule and opening up the speedos, because face it, the limited rule is a tech nightmare for some tracks.

Trucks = 21.5
COT = 17.5
Nationwide = 13.5
Mod = 10.5

Anything lower goes to "open" mod.

that looks right! let's see what allan decides on sooner than later i hope.

Hey Katfish You do Not represent all The current 13.5 drivers. Some, maybe most but not all You do not even run in the class.
You have the right to your opinion, we all do. I agree 13.5 cot is too fast for a real entry level class.
I will continue running 13.5 reguardless of body.
I only asked that the powers that be get input from racers currently using these rules and not rush into any rash decisions.
Like you said KF see what shakes out over the summer, no hurry
I guess summers over.

Tom, you agree with kat that 13.5 is too fast, what would be a suggestion from you or anyone else that runs the class to reduce the speeds without a esc setting rule ? ,because as effective as it may be to reduce speeds it would be kinda a pain to tech and I dont see that as a long term solution i.e. theres a better way.

Lets not forget NO ONE PERSON represents the majority running the class, whether they do or not btw, its never too early to discuss options, if they get discussed at the last minute everyone bitches they either A, didnt know about it or B didnt get to express their opinions or C all of the above.

I can tell you 17.5 with a mamba is much closer to the speeds prior to the speedo deal started up. I think it would make a good option, and i know was an idea being tossed around earlier this year.

every class just bump down a motor to maintain current speeds.
10.5 to 13.5
13.5 to 17.5
17.5 to 21.5

TOUR = FUBAR for oval racing, I would bow out too, lol

Actually Kat, the truck class has taken off pretty well everywhere else. If anything, I could see the classes going like this (based on feedback I have heard as well as some previous comments from Steve).

This is all based on dropping the "limited" rule and opening up the speedos, because face it, the limited rule is a tech nightmare for some tracks.

Trucks = 21.5
COT = 17.5
Nationwide = 13.5
Mod = 10.5

Anything lower goes to "open" mod.

I see where it will be a headache for tech, if it is opened up, they would not have that to worry about! I guess I sort of like this idea, with trucks 21.5, cot 17.5, 13.5 and 10.5 with the open body, all with open speedo.:thumbsup:

TOUR = FUBAR for oval racing, I would bow out too, lol

Seriously, must you post on every single TOUR thread. If you dont like it, fine, dont read it, and dont post about it. We get your point already.

Some of us do like it, however...

Back to the thread at hand. Thanks Steve for what you have done and sacrificed for the oval community. Being a series organizer with big cars, I personally appreciate the time and effort it takes to get something started and keep it going. I am looking forward to the coming years, and I am sure that Allan will do a stand-up job.

tom you are the sole voice of cot right now...i wish you luck with your efforts..

on one hand you want something fixed
on the other i'm a A hole for trying to get rules figured out for fall 2010

how dare I suggest we get a jump on new rules so guys can plan accordingly for the future. let's just keep on suprising racers at the last minute like before tour came along. we all like suprises.....wow!

Thanks Steve, I will continue to lean on you for help. I appreciate all that you have done already.

We have been working on class rules for next year since Jan. We will have some info out after the Nats. Just trying to get input from mfg and racers who have been running TOUR classes and supporting TOUR races.

Thanks for your comments.

Thanks Steve, I will continue to lean on you for help. I appreciate all that you have done already.

We have been working on class rules for next year since Jan. We will have some info out after the Nats. Just trying to get input from mfg and racers who have been running TOUR classes and supporting TOUR races.

Thanks for your comments.

Thanks Steve and Allan, for the hard work for you've done trying to make the best of it! I just wish I could race more but, you know about that Allan. :eek::thumbsup:

steve is the man no matter what he did or didn't do. it was awesome finally meeting my dad LOLOLOL!!!!!

how bout this instead....

21.5 novice cot
17.5 stock open body
13.5 super stock open body
10.5 mod open body

all open speedos of course...

you could ditch the cot bodies and truck bodies for all i care and make them all open bodies.

steve is the man no matter what he did or didn't do. it was awesome finally meeting my dad LOLOLOL!!!!!

how bout this instead....

21.5 novice cot
17.5 stock open body
13.5 super stock open body
10.5 mod open body

all open speedos of course...

you could ditch the cot bodies and truck bodies for all i care and make them all open bodies.

Or hey, anything above 13.5 have it open mod. Any turn motor you want! :woohoo:
Have the three locked classes and the one that you turn the boys loose, let them go as fast as they want.

steve is the man no matter what he did or didn't do. it was awesome finally meeting my dad LOLOLOL!!!!!

you could ditch the cot bodies and truck bodies for all i care and make them all open bodies.


ok first of all steve said he was my daddy...move on

second i like your style not a truck or cot body guy either!:tongue:

steve must have a bunch a kids runnin around then lol.

no, open bodies are good. truck and cot bodies are dumb.

:D

And having 4 classes that all look the same is great too (sarcasm laced in case you couldn't tell). I think if you go back and look, Steve explained the reasons for the different bodies, and it makes sense.

the cot body looks and handles like a turd and you all know it :D

the cot body looks and handles like a turd and you all know it :D

Yea... I guess everyone in NY was quicker to figure it out because nobody I raced with had any of the issue you guys had.

the cot body looks and handles like a turd and you all know it :D

Just like the real thing, its the same for everyone .......... ya gotta tweak your set-up between a THD and a CHD sometimes too ;).

Allan, will there be a survey or some kind of poll of racers for rule changes in the TOUR series rule book as pertaining to motors, esc rules etc ....... class variations etc ?

Just like the real thing, its the same for everyone .......... ya gotta tweak your set-up between a THD and a CHD sometimes too ;).

Allan, will there be a survey or some kind of poll of racers for rule changes in the TOUR series rule book as pertaining to motors, esc rules etc ....... class variations etc ?

We will continue to ask for and accept feed back on all issues with the TOUR.
As Steve has said he has stepped down from being part of the everyday stuff with the TOUR, but as before he is well involved in the future of TOUR.

I am well aware that some people do not like the truck or cot bodys, but on the other had many do like both, I feel both have a future in the hobby.
One of our main goals from the start was to have classes that brought new and veteran racers back to the hobby. A novice class and a class that leveled the playing field were both a part of the big picture.

Thanks for your input.

Allan A

Allan, I am a cot racer, don't have a problem with the body, enjoyed the class speed pre mamba, yea, I know you have heard that before. I have problems with having to use laptops to setup my car, I know other will helop ya, but it just my feelings. Would love to get back to the per mamba speeds. I feel that there should be as few rule changes as possible. turn out for current cot seems good, don't go making broad brush changes. What eveyone one was complaining about was the change of the month. Keep your vision as close so you can. Just my $0.02.

Allan and Steve, thanks for your efforts.

Yea... I guess everyone in NY was quicker to figure it out because nobody I raced with had any of the issue you guys had.


were you by chance racing at the crc race in NY this year?

No, I was at Daytona engineering cars for the Daytona 24 that weekend.

Don't take that as a shot, It wasn't... I just know you guys keep talking about tire wear and handling issues with the COT. I was quick out of the box with mine and could run a set of TM's for almost 2 months running twice a week. And Cory... You were fast with the COT so stop complaining... LOL

[edited due to language]

I was quick out of the box with mine and could run a set of TM's for almost 2 months running twice a week

hahahaha what did you start them at 5.50 and race 42.5 1 cell cot lol
(team SOY)

Nip... all mine start at 2.11. They come off at 2.03.

The difference was knowing what combination of tires worked better with the additional downforce the body made. Not to mention the carpet we raced on wasn't all that abrasive on tires to begin with.

Nip... all mine start at 2.11. They come off at 2.03.

The difference was knowing what combination of tires worked better with the additional downforce the body made. Not to mention the carpet we raced on wasn't all that abrasive on tires to begin with.lol.....

Please do not change the 13.5 COT class, the racing has been closer then I can remember. If guys need open body, then move to 10.5 class.

Please do not change the 13.5 COT class, the racing has been closer then I can remember. If guys need open body, then move to 10.5 class.

nick, you dont run tour 13.5

if you open the speedos you can have the same thing with the 17.5 motors

Steve,
From all of us at Turn 4 R/C Speedway in Stafford Springs, Thank You for all that you have done for oval racing. We feel that the development of TOUR has been the best thing for Oval racing in a long time. Kim and I hope that the whomever the new owners/operators may be of the Stafford Springs track location we hope that they continue to follow the TOUR guidlines. Myself and my Family look forward to racing with you on a track nearby or faraway next season. Best of luck to you and your family.

Mike G
Turn 4 Hobbies
W.Boylston, Mass

Thanks Steve for all you done. I will still call you to complain bout something. JK

I know at our track we are still going to run a limited speedo class. Only to allow novaks and lrp's. Tech guys don't want anything to do with a laptop in tech.

nick, you dont run tour 13.5

if you open the speedos you can have the same thing with the 17.5 motors
a yea we do run tour 13.5, not sure what you are talking about.
and what about all the 13.5 motors I bought this season?

lets not make everyone buy new motors and loose MORE drivers!!!

look at all the people that got pised about going from 21.5 2s to 13.5 1s
doing that again is bad in the big picture.

It would be best to not change what is working, if you do not like the class, move to another....oh yea you already did!

a yea we do run tour 13.5, not sure what you are talking about.
and what about all the 13.5 motors I bought this season?

lets not make everyone buy new motors and loose MORE drivers!!!

look at all the people that got pised about going from 21.5 2s to 13.5 1s
doing that again is bad in the big picture.

It would be best to not change what is working, if you do not like the class, move to another....oh yea you already did!

nick are you saying that you run tour 13.5? mamba and tekin 203?
thats tour 13.5 cot