Sport/Sportsman Class?

[chevellian]

The sportsman class is about fun, while still learning the ropes for the newer guys. For the vets it is fun to run with a not so stellar rig. I Just threw together what I had available. I was running a tlt with a pede trans, moabs and no drag brake. It was Fun! My son has taken over this rig and has upgraded it to the point that it will soon be a completely new sss build and he will be running 2.2, and I will be able to put the old tlt back in service! Maybe I'll throw some panthers on it.

A vet could dominate the class with a very capable rig, but hey, to each his own.

 

[monkeyracer]

I always thought it would be nice to see a RTC stock class. Basically the vehicle would be limited to the parts you get in the Axial RTC box, do what you want with them, as long as there are no parts not available from the start. (break a part, you can replace it with the same part number that came with it.)

This would limit the mods to what you could cut or glue together from the stock parts.

For guys that want to run their bergs and modded shafties, they can "rent" one from the other guys.

The purpose would be to improve driver skill. Everyone drives the same course with the same crawler. It wouldn't come down to who's got the deepest pockets, or certain upgrades, but to who can control the vehicle the best.

 

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

I just got back from running my "sporstman" shafty through most of the courses that we ran last weekend at Lakeview (chalk marks are still visible). It did very well. Couldn't turn for chit, and I had to be careful about not getting it bound up for fear of twisting the driveshafts off, but I was pleasantly suprised.

Stock chassis plates, homemade skid and links, mismatched shocks w/mismatched & unknown oil weights, stock axles, stock servo, and a 35t motor/Sidewinder. Otherwise, no aftermarket parts.

First run was with the short Badlands. Ran course 2, 3, and 4. The only real trouble I had was making the tight turns and sidehilling (which was a bitch anyway). Got the axles high centered a few times, but nothing I couldn't overcome.

Second run was with the tall Rovers. Same courses, slight height and sidehill traction advantage, but otherwise the same.

Third run was with my regular comp rig, minus dig. The only real noticable differences were between suspension setups and power. There were even some spots where the cheapy rig drove better. Its made me rethink my suspension setup on the comp rig.


I really enjoyed driving the cheapy. It did well, and I wasn't worrying about what was going to break when it fell. Even the stock Axial servo wasn't much of a hinderance. It just has to be driven a little differently.

I still say keep the costs down and make this class focused on driving and tuning.

You just said your higher dollar crawler didn't do a whole lot better than your cheapy. So why would make some body go cheap on their rig and not let the ones who want to spend a little on their rig spend it. If Me buying better parts isn't advanage, why worry about it..

The guy with his low buget crawler can do just as good as the guy who wants to spend a little on his. Thats what makes this a drivers class.

 

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

The purpose would be to improve driver skill. Everyone drives the same course with the same crawler. It wouldn't come down to who's got the deepest pockets, or certain upgrades, but to who can control the vehicle the best.

I've been to my share of events and have never been beat because someone else spent more on their rig. I've only been beat by and person who could out drive me.

I've seen Saftys with no dig kick MOAs but before too.

I just think a shafty/no dig class would bring everyone closer to the same level. You are going to always have those who will do better than others , thats why we compete.

 

[monkeyracer]

I've been to my share of events and have never been beat because someone else spent more on their rig. I've only been beat by and person who could out drive me.

I've seen Saftys with no dig kick MOAs but before too.

I just think a shafty/no dig class would bring everyone closer to the same level. You are going to always have those who will do better than others , thats why we compete.

I've had issues with my rig when I was new because of no dig, no drag brake, and am radios. I couldn't afford to just go and upgrade, so I was "beat" by someone who had already spent the money on that stuff because they were able to control their rig better.

I still have AM radio, but getting 2.4 very soon. This doesn't mean I'm going to start winning, but it puts me close to the same level as the guys who are winning.

 

[Eritex Inc.]

Silly thought here, but I am going to toss it out......



RUN 1.9 FOR YOUR SPORSTMAN CLASS




It seems what you guys are after all the restrictions of a 1.9 anyway.

 

[dezfan]

Silly thought here, but I am going to toss it out......



RUN 1.9 FOR YOUR SPORSTMAN CLASS




It seems what you guys are after all the restrictions of a 1.9 anyway.

Gong.

1.9 sucks.

 

[666]

1.9 is a good alternative, I say I hate it, but really I love it, brings out the good drivers! Reminds me of the no-dig TLT days as well!

 

[monkeyracer]

Silly thought here, but I am going to toss it out......



RUN 1.9 FOR YOUR SPORSTMAN CLASS




It seems what you guys are after all the restrictions of a 1.9 anyway.

a sportsman 2.2 and the current 1.9 class aren't going to be the same.

I'd call it the novice class instead, or maybe the stock class. It provides newbs or people who are short on funds to buy dig, etc a way to compete with similar rigs.

I had a ton of fun competing against myself in the early days, but the bottom of the pack was where I stayed. Compared to other rigs with no dig or drag brake though, I was at the top of that list.

Some newbs get into the comps, get a few last places and leave, not because they aren't having fun, but because they aren't seeing the results of their improvement and get discouraged by the amount of money that the top guys have put into their rigs. The novice class would give them a way to compete with guys like them that are either new, or don't have the coin to drop (or guys that want to keep it simple and make a novice class rig to mess around with...)

 

[Eritex Inc.]

Gong.

1.9 sucks.

How so? It already has all the limitations these guys are looking for, cost less then building a 2.2, and already is a sanctioned class. The difference between 1.9 and a Sportsman 2.2 is the amount of money you will have to spend on esc's, servos, tires, bodies, motors, batteries, etc.

 

[666]

Gong.

1.9 sucks.

How so? It already has all the limitations these guys are looking for, cost less then building a 2.2, and already is a sanctioned class. The difference between 1.9 and a Sportsman 2.2 is the amount of money you will have to spend on esc's, servos, tires, bodies, motors, batteries, etc.

Because he has become a web crawler, and thats how it is, you should know that!

 

[dezfan]

How so? It already has all the limitations these guys are looking for, cost less then building a 2.2, and already is a sanctioned class. The difference between 1.9 and a Sportsman 2.2 is the amount of money you will have to spend on esc's, servos, tires, bodies, motors, batteries, etc.

The difference is, I don't like 1.9.

I'm going to run a Losi RTR for my Sportsman rig."thumbsup"

 

[poorboyrc77]

Most of us already have a 2.2

 

[Eritex Inc.]

a sportsman 2.2 and the current 1.9 class aren't going to be the same.

I'd call it the novice class instead, or maybe the stock class. It provides newbs or people who are short on funds to buy dig, etc a way to compete with similar rigs.

I had a ton of fun competing against myself in the early days, but the bottom of the pack was where I stayed. Compared to other rigs with no dig or drag brake though, I was at the top of that list.

Some newbs get into the comps, get a few last places and leave, not because they aren't having fun, but because they aren't seeing the results of their improvement and get discouraged by the amount of money that the top guys have put into their rigs. The novice class would give them a way to compete with guys like them that are either new, or don't have the coin to drop (or guys that want to keep it simple and make a novice class rig to mess around with...)

Totally wrong mentality to have. Segregation or dragging the good down to the level of the not so good does NOTHING to improve the new crawler. Getting your ass handed to you is what drives you to be a better driver, build and tune a better rig, and succeed.


You were not getting beat by superior rigs, you were getting beat by superior drivers. I bet if you handed them your truck and radio, they would walk lines you struggle with. At our last comp one of the new guys was messing around afterwords trying to get over a 2 foot tall rock with his Berg. He spent 20 minutes and never made it. Justin handed me the radio and said "you try". Mind you, I had never driven his truck and I was over the rock in 20 seconds......



Same truck, different driver.....

 

[poorboyrc77]

Totally wrong mentality to have. Segregation or dragging the good down to the level of the not so good does NOTHING to improve the new crawler. Getting your ass handed to you is what drives you to be a better driver, build and tune a better rig, and succeed.


You were not getting beat by superior rigs, you were getting beat by superior drivers. I bet if you handed them your truck and radio, they would walk lines you struggle with. At our last comp one of the new guys was messing around afterwords trying to get over a 2 foot tall rock with his Berg. He spent 20 minutes and never made it. Justin handed me the radio and said "you try". Mind you, I had never driven his truck and I was over the rock in 20 seconds......



Same truck, different driver.....

I agree with some of this.I've had numerous people take my rig where I could not. After I saw the line I could do it no problem. Some new drivers are not as persistant as others & will give up before they try one line 10 times much less 20 min.

 

[Eritex Inc.]

I agree with some of this.I've had numerous people take my rig where I could not. After I saw the line I could do it no problem. Some new drivers are not as persistant as others & will give up before they try one line 10 times much less 20 min.

But I bet if you asked the guys that are REALLY good at crawling about how they practice, they will tell you they will work that obstacle until they get it. Even if it takes them an hour, I would.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

You just said your higher dollar crawler didn't do a whole lot better than your cheapy. So why would make some body go cheap on their rig and not let the ones who want to spend a little on their rig spend it. If Me buying better parts isn't advanage, why worry about it..

The guy with his low buget crawler can do just as good as the guy who wants to spend a little on his. Thats what makes this a drivers class.

As far as my comp rig not being that much better than one I just tossed together...there are several ways you could factor that. The least of which could be that I'm a crappy driver/builder. Gerame can vouch for my machining skills. :ror:

The reason I feel we should put a limit on parts is that it can be very intimidating to go to a comp and be surrounded by tricked out rigs. I am one that understands that its the driver that makes the difference, but for others its hard to see past the cool parts. If you get beat by a rig not built much more than yours, you're more inclined to work on your driving skill vs loading up on new parts.

Personally I have no problem going up against a blinged out rig, but I've already established myself into the hobby. Its the noobs that I'm thinking of here.

 

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

I can put as much money in 1.9 as a 2.2, 1.9 is not any cheaper.

Anybody that don't want to spend money on this hobbie needs to find a different hobbie, You can keep your cost down by makind wise choices in your buying ,but you are going to spend money.
Bottom line no getting around it.

 

[Crawlin4fun]

If you read the rules chevellian listed ( I actually came up with them last fall for our club) all I did was take the official 2.2 rules and add a 2 channel only rule, 7 cell ni-mh or 2 cell lipo rule, no modified or custom tires rule and the only moa's allowed are RTR moa trucks such as the cliff climber and redcat sc-10.

also the same vehicle cannot compete in the standard 2.2 class and sportsman class at the same comp. If you want to compete in both classes you need 2 trucks.

it keeps it simple and easy to police

 

[Eritex Inc.]

Personally I have no problem going up against a blinged out rig, but I've already established myself into the hobby. Its the noobs that I'm thinking of here.

Noobs will come to the same realization you did without ant special hand holding.I have faith in them