[ThrottleKing]

I was just sitting here looking at my one of my cars and wondered what would it take to make 1/4 scale more mainstream like the 1/10 scale side of the hobby. This is not intended to knock or bash anyone but to get some info about how and why stuff is the way it is.

First off in my own humble opinion is the way things are handled by the suppliers. Still not bashing just not understanding it is all. I am used to 1/10 scale racing and for the most part being able to buy or order anything and have it in my hands by the end of the week ordering off almost any site. I have noticed with the 1/4 scale stuff that does not happen as often. Sites are not as updated, things are constantly out of stock and just getting a response sometimes takes a week or two for an update on where it is and in the worst case they tell you they don't have it and you have already waited two weeks after they have been paid. I understand that this is a side business for most and they have other jobs and families that they make time for as well as trying to run their racing shop. I really can't say how tough it might be for them as I am not in their shoes. It does however kind of turn folks off that this is the way things are, especially for newcomers trying to get in on the 1/4 scale racing like me. I don't know very many on this side and some are very nice and some are kind of condescending and then there are some that don't care. I am not sure if I am going about this the right way but I am new and this is the perspective I have so far. Fact of the matter is if these things were not so much fun to drive when I get to and not waiting for something, I would have walked away from it by now. Once again I wish to not point fingers at any one and I am just expressing my views on the sport as a whole from a newbies perspective and whay I think it hurts it and holds it back.

Now at this time I would like to thank the guys that have been a great help to me in getting going and sharing info. Mike Clark, Todd Bishop, VinnieK, S&P(and I don't even run WCM), Steve Riddle, Scott George, ScottH, Jerry Morgan, BigDoug.

I hope to hear others opinions about his as well whether good or bad.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[Reno]

I understand what you are saying. They are a blast to drive but the hardest thing I have ever been around to get supplies / parts, etc. I have been fortunate that I have a friend that has the necessary tools and extras when I need them. The challenge is that we are working with a very small market. There are no major companies involved because of this. Therefore you have guys operating out of their garage or on a very small scale. So you will never see anything more until the sport grows a lot larger. I have raced 1/8 scale offroad and that market is huge so all the major manufacturers are in the game. You can get anything from a hobby store or online. It would be nice if 1/4 scale was the same but don't count on it any time soon. Maybe with the revamping of WCM that will help or I did talk to Larry at Predator the other day and it seems he will be more responsive for his product. Help promote the sport and get more people involved. That will help our cause.

Good luck.
Reno

 

[ThrottleKing]

Thanks for your input. I am interested in hearing more.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[LetsRace]

from a parts and supplier part of it. that always been a problem.
and part of that is cost... to have parts on shelfs in most hobby shops,
that sport would have to explode. not going to buy all this stuff for different brand cars and not sell them. if you have a local track close or right there then you may do better then other hobby shops selling 1/4 stuff.
even with that, its not like these parts are made in china really cheap.
the hobby shop would need to make money. and many can make parts themselves. and people are always looking for a way to get it cheaper.
and lets face it the economy isn't making it any easier for 1/4 to grow.
but some just want to go to the store and buy the part and be done with it.
buy it and fix the car right then. and don't mined paying alittle more then
if the took a week or more but they got it cheaper.
the sport would have to make a huge turn around. and with enough racers out there to support it being main stream. its all in numbers.
it would need to triple in racers . and that will happen i think if more people has more income to spend. at least we would have a chance.
alot are actually making less money then before and prices are going up.
until thats gets reversed... 1/4 will always take a back seat.

don't mean to sound so negative.. but unless something changes outside of 1/4 , it won't get better. we can keep inventing new classes or slowing the cars down.. whatever. thats not the problem.. in 20 years i've seen my disposable income almost dissappear.
overtime is the only way i get to race.

 

[ThrottleKing]

from a parts and supplier part of it. that always been a problem.
and part of that is cost... to have parts on shelfs in most hobby shops,
that sport would have to explode. not going to buy all this stuff for different brand cars and not sell them. if you have a local track close or right there then you may do better then other hobby shops selling 1/4 stuff.
even with that, its not like these parts are made in china really cheap.
the hobby shop would need to make money. and many can make parts themselves. and people are always looking for a way to get it cheaper.
and lets face it the economy isn't making it any easier for 1/4 to grow.
but some just want to go to the store and buy the part and be done with it.
buy it and fix the car right then. and don't mined paying alittle more then
if the took a week or more but they got it cheaper.
the sport would have to make a huge turn around. and with enough racers out there to support it being main stream. its all in numbers.
and thats will happen i think if more people has more income to spend.
alot are actually making less money then before and prices are going up.
until thats gets reversed... 1/4 will always take a back seat.

I would agree with that statement. However in some of my dealings with some manufacturers is that they don't have certain parts and give me an answer along the lines of they "might" make some up in a month or so. I have a hard time wrapping my head around manufacturers not having a good supply of the more commonly broken or high wear parts in stock or made up. For instance hubs, spindles, clutches etc. It just doesn't make since to me at a customer satisfaction stand point and keeping the current customers happy is what will sustain and or build this side of the hobby. I have talked to some that are interested in getting in but are reluctant to due to parts availability and the lengthy time frames of getting back on track. That is not my opinion but a fact. Still I like the responses you guys have submitted.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[Paul Songas]

I live 20-30 min. away from Hideaway speedway over in Isanti, MN. I would buy a car tomorrow if they had a regular race program going over there. (More then 3-4 races a year) 10-12 years ago, they had a nice race program. Now, one of the nicest tracks that I have seen, sits almost unused, and I don't hear anything about it uness I go searching for an update.

#1 People need to know where they can race.
#2 Track Owners/other racers need to be out there making people aware there is a place to race.

The only way to grow something, is to get more people involved.

 

[DMP_SMOKE]

you can always come to mpr

 

[dizzy]

Or you could come to Iowa, we have a few tracks.

 

[fig865]

Paul, I drove 2 1/2 hours to Algona yesterday and now I'm looking for a car to get started in. Hideaway may add more races again if more racers showed interest. It can kind of be a catch 22 while trying to resurrect a lightly used track. I'm thinking that I'll take the plunge and try racing down south. But then there will also be another local car showing up when Isanti does race. More interest and they may keep adding them.

 

[ThrottleKing]

All good points but the most common connection with nearly all of them is getting more racers involved which means more cars needed and more cars needing parts and places that carry them with good communication.

One more thing I have noticed is 1/4 scale has clicks and believe me I can feel that I am not in one as I do struggle getting some things and making contacts. That is another issue that might be a hindrance to some newcomers.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[swtour]

I've been racing 1/10th scale - electric since 1985, and we ALL know 1/10th scale has and has had it's problems, along with it's HIGH and LOWS.

NATIONALLY 1/10th OVAL Racing really doesn't exist in any "Main Stream" sense of hobbys.

There are some great pockets, with some great tracks and racers - but if you were to walk into ANY of the Franchise type HobbyShops in the U.S. I'd bet 95% of them won't have any 1/10th OVAL parts, kits or knowledge of events.

(Same bet would be even less would know or have anything for 1/4 scale)

I WANT to race a Q scale car - I really don't want to OWN one though.

My schedule would let me run a car 3-4 times a year at most, and I'd LOVE to be able to do it - but there is NO WAY I can justify even the cheapest of USED cars for that type of racing committment. (I have 1/10th scale cars I can run that infrequently - and while guys I run against may have NEWER and BETTER stuff - I still have FUN.)

Something to think about w/ Q Scale - you guys have a pretty good TIGHT set of rules - and don't have a lot of the problems that other scales have - IMHO this in part is because Q Scale is a smaller / more expensive market than the smaller scales - so you don't get a ton of NEW Chassis/Body/Motor/Tire/ etc. manufactures competing and forcing changes in rules.

Not only are the cars more expensive, but entries are more from all I've seen... I'm sure the tracks are more expensive to operate too, cause they are so much bigger.

(I love racing 1/10th scale cars on Q Scale tracks - LOVE LOVE LOVE it)

I wish Q Scale would grow - because MORE Racers would equal More "USED" equipment for sale - and if I knew I could buy a car, race it 3-4 times a year....and sell it so I didn't have to store it...then buy another NEXT year - that would be cool.

 

[dangerousdave]

I've been racing 1/10th scale - electric since 1985, and we ALL know 1/10th scale has and has had it's problems, along with it's HIGH and LOWS.

NATIONALLY 1/10th OVAL Racing really doesn't exist in any "Main Stream" sense of hobbys.

There are some great pockets, with some great tracks and racers - but if you were to walk into ANY of the Franchise type HobbyShops in the U.S. I'd bet 95% of them won't have any 1/10th OVAL parts, kits or knowledge of events.

(Same bet would be even less would know or have anything for 1/4 scale)

I WANT to race a Q scale car - I really don't want to OWN one though.

My schedule would let me run a car 3-4 times a year at most, and I'd LOVE to be able to do it - but there is NO WAY I can justify even the cheapest of USED cars for that type of racing committment. (I have 1/10th scale cars I can run that infrequently - and while guys I run against may have NEWER and BETTER stuff - I still have FUN.)

Something to think about w/ Q Scale - you guys have a pretty good TIGHT set of rules - and don't have a lot of the problems that other scales have - IMHO this in part is because Q Scale is a smaller / more expensive market than the smaller scales - so you don't get a ton of NEW Chassis/Body/Motor/Tire/ etc. manufactures competing and forcing changes in rules.

Not only are the cars more expensive, but entries are more from all I've seen... I'm sure the tracks are more expensive to operate too, cause they are so much bigger.

(I love racing 1/10th scale cars on Q Scale tracks - LOVE LOVE LOVE it)

I wish Q Scale would grow - because MORE Racers would equal More "USED" equipment for sale - and if I knew I could buy a car, race it 3-4 times a year....and sell it so I didn't have to store it...then buy another NEXT year - that would be cool.

I to raced 1/10th scale oval for many years, I started 1/10 th scale racing back in the 6 cell 27 trun stock motor days and kept spending tons of cash right up to the Lipo / Brushless days of 1/10th scale. 1/10th scale racing was fun but never as much fun as 1/4 scale racing for me. As far as the cost of 1/4 scale goes after you are racing one you will find out that it is way LESS than 1/10 scale. I jumped in and it was the best decision I ever made in a hobby. It might be the best kept secret in R/C Racing but it is the BEST FUN in R/C Racing. We as a group need to keep it alive by going to local car shows, race tracks and other car type events and showing people what we are about and what we race. When someone comes to watch at your local track and is looking at the cars in the pit talk to them explain about your car and your track ask them if they have any questions. If you talk to your local full size race track and explain that you would like to display your 1/4 scale cars at the track and not SELL tham most tracks will allow you an area for your display and let you stay for the racing.

Dave D
QSC #821

 

[IN2RACIN]

I to raced 1/10th scale oval for many years, I started 1/10 th scale racing back in the 6 cell 27 trun stock motor days and kept spending tons of cash right up to the Lipo / Brushless days of 1/10th scale. 1/10th scale racing was fun but never as much fun as 1/4 scale racing for me. As far as the cost of 1/4 scale goes after you are racing one you will find out that it is way LESS than 1/10 scale. I jumped in and it was the best decision I ever made in a hobby. It might be the best kept secret in R/C Racing but it is the BEST FUN in R/C Racing. We as a group need to keep it alive by going to local car shows, race tracks and other car type events and showing people what we are about and what we race. When someone comes to watch at your local track and is looking at the cars in the pit talk to them explain about your car and your track ask them if they have any questions. If you talk to your local full size race track and explain that you would like to display your 1/4 scale cars at the track and not SELL tham most tracks will allow you an area for your display and let you stay for the racing.

Dave D
QSC #821

Good post.

Most (about 95%) 1/4 scale racers come from some form of smaller scale (1/10,1/12) RC. That's a great place to start. Call some of your ole RC friends and ask them to go with you to a Q-scale race. Let them take a few laps with your Q-scale. Once they drive a Q-Scale they will be hooked.

There are plenty of Hobby Shops out there that will allow you to put up a Q-Scale display. I've done it several times. Races like the Royal Oak, and Knoxville Nationals are great places for exposure too.

I've put on a display @ Dave Blaney's "Sharon Speedway" during a World of Outlaw sprint race. It went great with 8K people checking out our 1/4 scale cars.

 

[IN2RACIN]

All good points but the most common connection with nearly all of them is getting more racers involved which means more cars needed and more cars needing parts and places that carry them with good communication.

One more thing I have noticed is 1/4 scale has clicks and believe me I can feel that I am not in one as I do struggle getting some things and making contacts. That is another issue that might be a hindrance to some newcomers.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

What do you mean by "clicks"?

 

[Chogue]

You guys make some great points. One of the reasons we pursued taking over WCM is to ultimately try to fix many of the issues that are spoken of in this thread. We basically were also tired of lack of parts availability for the cars we just bought. As far as WCM is concerned it is no small task to take over a business, redraw every part in a more modern format, make improvements where needed and organize the production of said parts. We are however worked very hard to get caught up and hopefully end the supply chain issues that have been plaguing quarter scale for sometime. It's along process but our goal is return WCM to what it was and to help grow the sport by making cars and parts available.
I believe good things are on the horizon for the whole sport, it just takes time.

Chris Hogue

 

[ThrottleKing]

What do you mean by "clicks"?

a tight group, I might have the spelling wrong.


Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[IN2RACIN]

a tight group, I might have the spelling wrong.


Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

You wanna be part of my "click"? LOL........You're more than welcome. :hat:

 

[ThrottleKing]

You wanna be part of my "click"? LOL........You're more than welcome. :hat:

Sure, but I was more meaning the guys that are close with the people who run the shops and manifacture the products leaving the ones that aren't or cant be around them left out in the cold by having to play phone tag and waiting for parts for lengthy periods of time while others seem to always know who has what and can always get it quickly. I am not sure if I am explaining it right but I hope so with out offending anyone. In a way wht I am trying to say is the companies making the parts whether it be car producers or machine shops copying/ making parts and the race shops that sell the stuff might hav to do a little extra in the way of making sure the phones are answered, emails promptly responded, quicker turn around and shipping time frames if they want this side of the hobby to grow and make it more appealing to the new and old racers alike. Someone posted previously that this is a discretionary income driven hobby (I agree 100%) so I would assume tht it would be all the more important for the people involved in making and selling the 1/4 scale items/cars to be more active if they want the hobby and more importantly themselves, to survive. Once again just my opinion and totally just meant to put awareness out there.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

Jeremiah

 

[Chogue]

Sure, but I was more meaning the guys that are close with the people who run the shops and manifacture the products leaving the ones that aren't or cant be around them left out in the cold by having to play phone tag and waiting for parts for lengthy periods of time while others seem to always know who has what and can always get it quickly. I am not sure if I am explaining it right but I hope so with out offending anyone. In a way wht I am trying to say is the companies making the parts whether it be car producers or machine shops copying/ making parts and the race shops that sell the stuff might hav to do a little extra in the way of making sure the phones are answered, emails promptly responded, quicker turn around and shipping time frames if they want this side of the hobby to grow and make it more appealing to the new and old racers alike. Someone posted previously that this is a discretionary income driven hobby (I agree 100%) so I would assume tht it would be all the more important for the people involved in making and selling the 1/4 scale items/cars to be more active if they want the hobby and more importantly themselves, to survive. Once again just my opinion and totally just meant to put awareness out there.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

Jeremiah

I agree with what you are saying 100%. As far as WCM is concerned that is all part of growing a business. It takes time to put the infrastructures in place so we can do the simple things like answering phone calls and emails. But we are working hard on it. it can be tough when the 3 owners work jobs that offer very little free time. So I can sympathize with other manufacturers and suppliers.
Wait a minute.... You are a pro 1 guy anyways! Haha

Chris Hogue

 

[jak43]

I think the big thing is to overcome the misconception of the cost of 1/4 scale racing. Yes, the initial investment is big, but what it costs to race and maintain the car is minimal compared to other forms of r/c. I've raced for 25 years of 1/12 road course, 1/10 oval, offroad and 1/10 at the Velodrome in Indy and 1/4 scale racing is by far the least expensive to be competitive and gives you the most track time. At a practice day last summer, I ran for 2 hours of actual track time (in 10-30 lap segments) just working on the chassis and figuring things out. I'd drive to indy and race at the velo and get maybe 8 minutes of practice if I was lucky (not totally destroying the car running 50mph) and then 16 minutes of racing. Last year I raced a $500 used WCM, broke one part (a $4 heim) and had more fun than anything that I had raced in the last few years and was competitive.

I remember back in the 80s and 90s 1/4 scale racing did get some press in rc car action and even on tv during Winston Cup races. I have a short clip on the 1988 last race at Riverside where ESPN showed a 1/4 scale car (Richard Petty Grand Prix 2+2). Man did I want one of those.

The Newton Park race is the perfect opportunity to get national exposure if we could get speed channel or someone to run a 30 second segment on it. Racing with Tony Stewart was incredible last year and one of the highlights of racing r/c all these years. If we could get a site like Jayski.com or thatsracin.com to do a write up on it with pictures, the exposure for the hobby would be huge.

John Kissel
proud QSAC and GLQSR member