Outback RC, 2008

[BobWoodhouse]

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvz9BydL0ls]YouTube - Outback R/C all electric rc racing near Marengo, IL[/video]

Outback 2008 track.

[rocco79]

Your little track looks pretty good! Slash trucks would work well there.

*cough* Music was alittle weird*

[slaytanic]

Looks good. Just need some air!

[BobWoodhouse]

More air in 2009!

[BobWoodhouse]

I posted info about outbackRc over on nitroKillers:

http://www.nitrokillers.com/showthre...ed=1#post10932

I thought it was an interesting question, and I have wondered if outback gives any weird feelings to folks due to the free admission, such as it must not be a real track, or maybe it won't last long enough to be worth visiting. Here was the question and my response. Let me know your take.
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Quote:




if racing is always free, how do you guys make ends meet? do you pick the racer's pockets during the races?



Well, now the cat's out of the bag. Off to a new town now.

No, just kidding.

Here is the idea. If I rented a commercial building, started a store and a race track; I might not break even, I might go out of business, I might end up loosing $x,xxx.
So, instead of doing all that work, I plan for about $2,000 per year to put into the track. It is really no more expensive than other hobbiest's approach -- instead of having several rides with cool stuff, I have a couple older used rides, plus a track.

In 2007, I bought a tiller attachment for my tractor ($800 used (it's aDeere)) and a couple/few hundred feet of pipe ($75) and some roundup.

In 2008, I bought a timing system ($500+), scoring bridge ($50), drivers' stand ($400), more pipe ($75), rock salt ($25), 3/4" hose ($100), better extension cords ($90), a used pop-up camper (to be 2009 scoring booth) ($500).

Next in line is a Commercial hose reel (I get worn out reel up that hose in my arms)($250), Extra drivers' stand section ($100), more iLap transponders ($300), full racing software for scoring ($250), more pipe ($75), occasional bobcat/dingo help from neighbors or rental store ($xxx), and porta-potty rental/purchase/service.

[slaytanic]

Is this going to remain strictly electric? I would visit but I currently have no flashlights.

[BobWoodhouse]

Dear Slaytanic,

Yes, the plan in my mind is that it will remain strictly electric.

[cheesecake]

Is this going to remain strictly electric? I would visit but I currently have no flashlights.

your wife likes my flashlight hehehehehe maybe some time next year ill bring out the t4 to get it dirty. it only has a bit of clay residue from leisure

[BobWoodhouse]

That would be awesome to have you out! That indoor clay, as great as it is, sure is a pain to clean out of something like a Panther Switch tire.

[rusty savage]

I sold my mini quake for a sweet eclipse HU but I have plans on building up a dark impact or some other not so known 4wd electric and go lipo. Im sure ill make my way out there again next season. the rustler needs some lovin to the front end before it will be any sort of consistant. plenty of time over the winter!

[cheesecake]

the worst part of the clay is the way it packs the screw holes. but man i love the traction.

[BobWoodhouse]

Yeah. I bought this set of 4 metal picks just for digging clay out of the screws.

[BobWoodhouse]

The outback lies beneath a gentle blanket of pure white snow. It thought it could sleep until 2009, but no such luck. Saturday, December 20th, the snows shall be parted with a short-notice Slash gathering. A snowblower carved track of some type will emerge with at least 1 jump (more if YOU grab a shovel)

Some transpondering with the iLap system will be available. A warm garage can keep you away from a chilly death while you are not out there running your Slash. I don't have a Slash, but our first Slash entry is SavageChick's.

Why not?

[BobWoodhouse]

Alright, not much going on with Slashes in the snow. Otherwise,...

I was sketching out some track area for next spring (see attachment).

The rectangular dimensions are about 75 by 60 feet. It was drawn on notebook paper to 1" equals 8' (going top-to-bottom, there are 3 ruled lines per 8 feet, but the squares I drew are at 1 inch apart.

The drivers' stand in at the lower left. The scoring camper is at the bottom-middle. The top of the picture is West.

I drove at Leisure Hours once when they had the "wagon wheel". It gave me fits, so I wanted to have some challenge such as that so we can learn how to drive on them. Any "wagon wheel" experts should chime in and tell me the secret to making a tough wagon wheel. The wagon wheel is drawn directly in front of the drivers' stand.

Just past the wagon wheel, from the driver point of view, is the rythm or "air" section, with an eye on not making it easy to leap into the sweeper straight if you get carried away. I did not draw many other jumps or elevation changes, but there would probably be some. I would personally like to see some "rough" over at the west side of the track where the sweeper begins opening up.

The run line is about 46 inches, or 368 feet, which, at the typical racing speed of 11 mph, is a near 23-second lap.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.