[ScottH]

Another poster posed this question in a different thread so I thought it may be beneficial for some other readers of our forum to see some of the reasons why.

His post was this:

I sat at my computer looking at all your 1/4 scale cars....trying to talk myself out of (figure out what to sell so I can) buying one. Looking around, I'm a couple hours from Algona, IA and about 1 1/2 hours south of Hideaway up in Isanti, MN. I've been racing 1/10 scale carpet oval for a while now and 1/4 looks like a blast. I just don't know if I can pull the trigger.

My answer to him:

Pull the trigger!!

Imagine this.

A night or two before going to the track you charge your transmitter and receiver pack.

Then comes race day.

You get to the track, unload your stuff and set up your pits. Now you are ready to run. Do you have to wait on batteries to peak? Get all your chargers set up and watch the batteries charge? Do you treat the tires with all manners of chemicals? True the tires down until there is just enough fuzz to hold on to the carpet for one run?

NO!!!!

You put fuel in the car, turn on the transmitter and receiver, pull the rope and HIT THE TRACK!

Are you done at the end of four measly little minutes of track time?

NO!!!

You run about 100 or so laps (at LPR anyway) on a tank of fuel. If you want to run some more do you have to come in and wait on yet another battery for that measly four minutes of track time? NO!!!! Just add more fuel and hit the track again!

No more waiting on batteries.

No more battery of the day.

No more motor of the minute.

No more constant rule changes.

I can tell you first hand. And I argued this with my fellow racers until I started quarter scale. This is by far the least expensive form of R/C Oval racing there is. My tire bill alone is WAYYYY less than when I was running pan cars. Once you get past the initial start up $$$, which for what you are getting is not so bad, especially if you buy second hand, you will not believe it took you so long.

So that all being said, I have but one question...

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

BTW, I am a former 1/10th scale pan car racer, both carpet and paved, Nitro Pan too.

Now sitting here I have thought of some more reasons as I am sure several of you have some to add to this as well.

MORE track time, no more traveling for only 16 minutes of RACING.

In Quarter Scale we race for LAPS, not time.

The fellowship, of course. Pan cars, off-road and all other forms have this as well, but I tell you here it is different. These guys will do ANYTHING to help a fellow racer make it to the race, be it parts, advice, or a ride.

A constant set of rules. The rule set we are racing under today has had very few changes over the years. The main ones have come about due to availability of some of the components we use but for the most part they have remained unchanged.

Yes, right now, there are some new rules being talked about and even a new class added this year. That class was added to attempt to revive a DEAD class and so far seems to be working.

NO BATTERY OR MOTOR WAR!!!

It is just plain FUN! These things are a blast to race, not the "on the ragged edge" of pan car.

Less stuff. Although I do still take my trailer to the races, it is mainly to accommodate both my stuff and Tim's. The amount of spare parts I have/need is nothing compared to what I had for pan cars. What takes up the most room is the car and the tires. Both are considerably bigger than pan cars .

Take in a race or two in your area and see what I am talking about, ask around about some used cars and then to use your phrase.

PULL THE TRIGGER!!

:wave::dude::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Rembrandt]

There is a good stock car close to algona for sale complete with parts ready to race. Might be a sprint car in the area.

 

[fig865]

I definitely understand the "pros" of it. I'm just struggling with my personal "cons". Dropping $1000+ into an RC setup that I might not be able to race more than 3-4 times a year is a bit of a plunge for me. If I knew I could devote more time to it, the decision would already be made. I am however, watching for a sweet deal that I won't be able to pass up. :thumbsup:

 

[Clemenade]

I bought my first car rtr for 400 buck and slowly went from there. I understand the initial cost can keep a guy out if it. For a couple years i had more money in my 10th scale than i did my quarterscale. I suggest you come on down to algona and you can run my car before or after the race if you havent ran one before. Look for the trailer with 77 on the side. I bet you will buy one after that lol. I might not make next race in algona but ill be there in june for sure. Also this is the closest a guy can get to full scale racing. Theres nothing like standing on the drivers stand with the smell of vp in the air and your heart beating 90 miles an hour.

 

[Rembrandt]

There will be a NCS race in Algona on the 22 and 23 of June. I know that there will be two Mfgs. there plus some used cars, come early and stay late

 

[DrtRcrM87]

fig865,I hadn't been around the Big cars for a looong time. Take 1 of your best 1/10th cars and break it down in $$ and cents.I did and wasn't too surprised.Best part of it so far has been meeting the guys I'll be running with.Next is all the folks here on the board that have lent help and advice.
I just sold off a nice Putnam Nitro Bolt Sprint-car.I returned 1/2 my investment I have in my WCM. One can't get it back,but wished I had stayed with q-scale from a way back.As for time to race,you just gotta make the time,and stick with it.you won't be sorry.

 

[DC71]

I too raced 1/4 scale back in the mid 90's and regret not staying in it. I have also raced everything electric at some point and as of late was involved as a race director at a local track, but was tired of spending money on electric upgrades, motors, tires etc. If I didn't race for a few months I needed something new to be competitive again.
When the chance to race the big cars came up I jumped at the chance. The driving experience is so different than 1/10th. 10th scale is now squeeze and point, if your chassis is off a tick, your goin backwards from the tone. With big cars, and cautions, anything is possible, patience pays off, it's not a 4 min sprint race.

And one of the best things is they make noise :thumbsup:

 

[ThrottleKing]

I jumped into it this year after a good friend let me drive his car last year and I have not really looked back. It is by far the most realistic form of car based R/C I have been involved in in my 20 years of racing cars. I have already purchased a second 1/4 scale to run two classes since I like these things so much. I agree with most that I will still play on the carpet in the winter as I like pan cars too but I wont play the battery of the month and rotor of the week game anymore as I have done in the past. I will just enjoy the atmosphere and look forward to the spring when I get my "Q" scales back out on the pavement. People who know me know I am tighter than a frogs a$$ when it comes to blowing money. I have never regretted a penny I have spent on the 1/4 scales as it is by far less than playing the ROAR rule changes game and trying to stay in the top 5 of pan car and 1/12. Quarter Scale is well worth the time, money and gained friendships you will enjoy devoting to it.

Jeremiah Ward
QSAC #1974

 

[sprint2b]

I just purchased a WCM grandnational complete with radio, extra tires, 2 bodies, thing is race ready for $645 to my door. In 1/10 you'll get that in a roller. Personally i cant figuer these 1/10 scale prices 4-500 car w/o tires $60+ set of tires only to cut 75% off to get the size ya need, $2-300 radio, not to mention the motors $250+ nitro bumpbox and so on WOW.. And they cant justify buying a 1/4 scale. cost me as much to run 1 race weekend (custom works open wheel race weekend) as it cost all year in 1/4 scale... Not to mention the clicks if your not in your nothing.... So glad i came back to the large cars.

 

[DC71]

This thread should be in the oval racing general discussion for other oval racers to see

 

[Speedracer1962]

I made my living working on & racing "big" cars for 25 years. These cars are so much like those it's unreal. I never ran the other forms of R/C car racing. Never even held a remote until two years ago. Just started out in 1/4 scales. Just like the rest of the posts say...add your gas/oil & have fun!

FYI: If any of you are thinking about going "big" car racing, be prepared to spend about 1,500.......per week on the local level.

Ken Dillard #00

 

[Sam32]

For once, and it may well be the first time in history, I 100% agree with Scott.

1/4 scales are the way to go. I raced one along with 1/10th scale last year, but this year I am only racing 1/4 scale, and I enjoy it a lot more than any other form of rc racing I have done. Its tight and very competitive, but also laid back and relaxing at the same time. Its hard to explain, just get one and you'll understand:thumbsup:

 

[ScottH]

Hey Sam!!!

You going to make it to Clover?

 

[fig865]

I just purchased a WCM grandnational complete with radio, extra tires, 2 bodies, thing is race ready for $645 to my door.

That's about what I'm hoping to find. A deal like that would make it easier to "try it out". I'm thinking of heading down to Algona this Sunday to check it out.

Where is the best place to look for used cars besides HobbyTalk?

 

[sprint2b]

I found here at hobbytalk is safest but ebay also has some.. You could contact Fred Murry also.

 

[ScottH]

There is a lightning for sale in the for sale section. Will has good stuff and it is a good price.

 

[Sam32]

Hey Sam!!!

You going to make it to Clover?

No, not for this race, I just bought a car and a new Donnie Nelson engine, so its not really in my budget. But to be honest, I've been struggling at Easley, and I'm from the mindset that I don't need to go somewhere else to race until I'm running good at home. I am looking at making it to the fall race there if I'm running better by then. I'm sending Robbie as my representative, if he runs there like he has been at Easley everyone is in trouble.

 

[Dodgerc74]

No, not for this race, I just bought a car and a new Donnie Nelson engine, so its not really in my budget. But to be honest, I've been struggling at Easley, and I'm from the mindset that I don't need to go somewhere else to race until I'm running good at home. I am looking at making it to the fall race there if I'm running better by then. I'm sending Robbie as my representative, if he runs there like he has been at Easley everyone is in trouble.

I'm happy to represent the Easley Gang! Thanks Sam! I have to agree 100 percent with everything that has been said here guys...this is my first full season and from everything to the way the cars drive to the way they mimic full size technology and the simple fact that what you have this year wont be outdated next...it's 100percent worth the investment over 1/10th scales!

-Robbie Burgess

 

[fig865]

Now if only I lived closer to a track or two. Algona is currently 1:45 from me and I am probably moving a little further from it in the near future. Then I'll be closer to Hideaway but they're only running a couple events a year. What is the average drive you guys make to race your 1/4 scale cars? Please don't include NCS or money specials. Just the average hobby racer.

And another small push for me to get one is that the guys at Hideaway seem interested in running more. Their car counts dropped over the years but if interest built back up, that might be a good opportunity up there again. If I can add a car to the mix myself, it wouldn't hurt.

 

[dangerousdave]

I drive 2 hours to my LOCAL track MPR but if I went to the next closest track it would be 3 1/2 to 4 hours to Ingalls...

DSD
QSAC #821