Sport/Sportsman Class?

[oldhippie]

We run "novice" class. It has the same rules as 2.2 pro but no dig is allowed. Our novice courses are the first 6 gates in 5 min. of the 10 gate, 6 min. pro courses. It works great for newbies/"cheapskates" alike. We also have kids, wifes, and girlfriends running novice with good results. There are a few guys with killer rigs and skill running novice but they get laughed into the pro class soon enough. We get 10-20 novice and 15-30 pro drivers at our local weekly comps. As always it's all about having fun.

 

[poorboyrc77]

There's a very simple way to keep the playing field level. Put in a "claiming" rule where any of the other competitors can buy any of the other competitors rig (minus radio/Rx) for $300 (or whatever agreed upon amount) for exactly 1 hour after the comp is done.

That way you can build any rig you want as long as you don't mind losing it for $300.

I think I'd have to buy a Venom Creeper for 135 . Want to buy it for 300 if I win ? LOL

 

[engineerjoe]

I think I'd have to buy a Venom Creeper for 135 . Want to buy it for 300 if I win ? LOL

It'd be hard to win without a servo, motor and ESC. (It'd be hard to win with a venom creeper anyway, there's a reason that they're only $135)

I was just pointing out another way to keep the spending under control without making pages and pages of rules on what can be bought and what can't.

 

[poorboyrc77]

I just can't figure out a way to build even an artr for under $300 But I don't disagree with the idea"thumbsup"

 

[helhedded]

I run a local club where 90% are beginners to rc crawling. Occasionally I will hear complaints from a few drivers about how the courses are hard, and how their rigs aren't worthy. With this happening I can see where a Sportsman class would be better suited for them.

Now here is my scenario.
I just built a berg, and my shafty now has no electronics. I really dont like the idea of buying cheap electronics for it that I'm just going to break! I couldn't even run my shafty with a $30 limit mod rule. As we all know $30 isn't hard to spend. I would be more accepting to a plain no dig rule and be done with it.

Now since I am running this club and events, having a sportsman class sounds like a great idea that will keep the beginners involved and not discouraged. It also nearly takes all of the fun out of it for me! Now I'd have to spend some more money to get my shafty running. What's the point for me to even do it when I can't even competively drive my berg locally?

I'm not really agreeing with all of this, and I'm not really disagreeing either. I'm stuck on the wall about it. I will add that I did my homework for about 9 months before I ever set foot at any comp. I practiced and practiced and practiced. I learned my truck and broke the shit out of it before I felt it was comp worthy. I guess our club is too small to run a sportsman class since nearly all of the drivers would be in it. I guess as it grows I could see this happening.


just my rabble rabble.
please continue

 

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

i love the idea of a sportsman class!

customers that come in and are intrested,are turned
away buy the price tag that comes with all the "goodies"
2.2 comp rigs have.

my ideas...

4wd only,2.2 tires&wheels,stock motor 27t,no dig,chassis is up to driver,shocks drivers choice,1 servo drivers choice,12.5 max wheelbase,and width,7.4v max voltage input,esc is up to driver,stock axle internals no cvds or ti lockers,alum knuckles and c's are allowed and rear lockouts,no bta steering.

have specs,but let the driver have the ability to adjust his rig to his driving style.

some like em low,some like em ridin high...
just my thoughts.

either way im down!

 

[engineerjoe]

I just can't figure out a way to build even an artr for under $300 But I don't disagree with the idea"thumbsup"

LCC from Amain $250
Used sidewinder $50
Titan motor $20
645MG for steering $30
Total: $350

So make the limit $350 for your local club

 

[Nova's Ark]

I run a local club where 90% are beginners to rc crawling. Occasionally I will hear complaints from a few drivers about how the courses are hard, and how their rigs aren't worthy. With this happening I can see where a Sportsman class would be better suited for them.

Now here is my scenario.
I just built a berg, and my shafty now has no electronics. I really dont like the idea of buying cheap electronics for it that I'm just going to break! I couldn't even run my shafty with a $30 limit mod rule. As we all know $30 isn't hard to spend. I would be more accepting to a plain no dig rule and be done with it.

Now since I am running this club and events, having a sportsman class sounds like a great idea that will keep the beginners involved and not discouraged. It also nearly takes all of the fun out of it for me! Now I'd have to spend some more money to get my shafty running. What's the point for me to even do it when I can't even competively drive my berg locally?

I'm not really agreeing with all of this, and I'm not really disagreeing either. I'm stuck on the wall about it. I will add that I did my homework for about 9 months before I ever set foot at any comp. I practiced and practiced and practiced. I learned my truck and broke the shit out of it before I felt it was comp worthy. I guess our club is too small to run a sportsman class since nearly all of the drivers would be in it. I guess as it grows I could see this happening.


just my rabble rabble.
please continue

The club member that came out to our last comp and competed for the first time in Sportsman with his mostly stock AX-10 is an avid nitro buggy racer. He has raced for over a decade now in the Texas series and continues to do so. He decided to get into crawling as a way to relax. He loves RC and wants to participate in a "sport" that gets him out into nature and is less stressful. I think every member in our club was offering him advice on what to do to make it better, as well as free parts they were no longer using since the majority of our club is now berg.

Sportsman class needs less rules and better camaraderie between members. Almost every club will have a die hard out to win it all. Some clubs want members like that because they push the others around them to get better. Other clubs stop existing because there membership is more concerned with having fun than producing national caliber driving talent. A club has to have majority rule so that the personality of the club reflects its membership in every class they run.

I have a Super class comp crawler and the only time it was driven was at the Texas State Finals because no club within a 3hr driving distance (one way) runs a Super class. It's just not a popular class because of the thought, build time, cost and driving involved. So I know first hand what it feels like Ashton to have a comp rig and no where to compete. But if you stay involved, stay positive, and continue to build a good club with good membership, good friendships and positive attributes, it will get better and evolve into a healthy rc rock crawling club. Everybody started somewhere and more than likely they started small.

Each club should decide the rules for there sportsman class. If someone has MOA but wants to run sportsman and they club is OK with it, let him. There is no need to punish a member for what he chose to buy like they did in the 1.9 class with the Duratrax owners. Now if that member wins every week and he has a clear advantage, politely move him up to Pro class. The underlying goal of every club should be to make better drivers. It's not like the USRCCA will create a sportsman class for nationals. They basically already have that with the 1.9 class. So every club needs to realize the sportsman class is simply an entry level class to encourage club growth and club camaraderie.

 

[helhedded]

The club member that came out to our last comp and competed for the first time in Sportsman with his mostly stock AX-10 is an avid nitro buggy racer. He has raced for over a decade now in the Texas series and continues to do so. He decided to get into crawling as a way to relax. He loves RC and wants to participate in a "sport" that gets him out into nature and is less stressful. I think every member in our club was offering him advice on what to do to make it better, as well as free parts they were no longer using since the majority of our club is now berg.

Sportsman class needs less rules and better camaraderie between members. Almost every club will have a die hard out to win it all. Some clubs want members like that because they push the others around them to get better. Other clubs stop existing because there membership is more concerned with having fun than producing national caliber driving talent. A club has to have majority rule so that the personality of the club reflects its membership in every class they run.

I have a Super class comp crawler and the only time it was driven was at the Texas State Finals because no club within a 3hr driving distance (one way) runs a Super class. It's just not a popular class because of the thought, build time, cost and driving involved. So I know first hand what it feels like Ashton to have a comp rig and no where to compete. But if you stay involved, stay positive, and continue to build a good club with good membership, good friendships and positive attributes, it will get better and evolve into a healthy rc rock crawling club. Everybody started somewhere and more than likely they started small.

Each club should decide the rules for there sportsman class. If someone has MOA but wants to run sportsman and they club is OK with it, let him. There is no need to punish a member for what he chose to buy like they did in the 1.9 class with the Duratrax owners. Now if that member wins every week and he has a clear advantage, politely move him up to Pro class. The underlying goal of every club should be to make better drivers. It's not like the USRCCA will create a sportsman class for nationals. They basically already have that with the 1.9 class. So every club needs to realize the sportsman class is simply an entry level class to encourage club growth and club camaraderie.

thanks for the tips eddie, I guess with all things time is needed in order to grow. I will bring it up with a few of the guys and see what they think about it."thumbsup"

 

[sloppy]

Its kinda weird but it sounds to me like the 1.9 class would fit the description of this class pretty good.. Why not support the class that is already there??

 

[Nova's Ark]

Its kinda weird but it sounds to me like the 1.9 class would fit the description of this class pretty good.. Why not support the class that is already there??

Because 1.9 is not the 2.2 class. 2.2 is the most popular class, 2.2 has the largest aftermarket support, and 2.2 offers a pro class to work your way up to.

 

[sloppy]

Because 1.9 is not the 2.2 class. 2.2 is the most popular class, 2.2 has the largest aftermarket support, and 2.2 offers a pro class to work your way up to.

Really then why would pro's or guys that have been running the current 2.2 class be allowed to run in a sportsman class?

most the racing "sportsman" class's I have ran in PRO's and vets were not allowed in.

I understand the new guy showing up and being outclassed, But I have yet to see a new guy show at one of our comps(That was serious) that did not get plenty of help get the right parts and move right up..


Every single time this thread comes up there are 3 main things mentioned COST, MOA, and NEWBS.. fact is I can build a bully cheaper then a axial and get better performance. so cost and MOA dont really make sense.

I dont really buy the NEWB thing either help them out thats what they need not some BullCrap class that cheap vets want to run in..

 

[DeweyCJ5]

Because 1.9 is not the 2.2 class. 2.2 is the most popular class, 2.2 has the largest aftermarket support, and 2.2 offers a pro class to work your way up to.

well said "thumbsup"

 

[EeePee]

I dont really buy the NEWB thing either help them out thats what they need not some BullCrap class that cheap vets want to run in..

I think it should be more about a class for those that want to run in it, cheap, newb, or veteran alike. The newbs will learn they'll need to actually learn how to drive well, not just buy a Berg or throw parts at a poorly set up truck.

Cheap guys might have breakage issues or a substandard truck, and then the vets will have fun like they used to. Everyone will have fun... Sportsman... ship.

All I know is as soon as I hung my Berg up and brought out the no dig shafty I was smiling again. That was April 08.

 

[dezfan]

Really then why would pro's or guys that have been running the current 2.2 class be allowed to run in a sportsman class?

most the racing "sportsman" class's I have ran in PRO's and vets were not allowed in.

I understand the new guy showing up and being outclassed, But I have yet to see a new guy show at one of our comps(That was serious) that did not get plenty of help get the right parts and move right up..


Every single time this thread comes up there are 3 main things mentioned COST, MOA, and NEWBS.. fact is I can build a bully cheaper then a axial and get better performance. so cost and MOA dont really make sense.

I dont really buy the NEWB thing either help them out thats what they need not some BullCrap class that cheap vets want to run in..

I'm a Vet, and I want to run Sportman!

 

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

Really then why would pro's or guys that have been running the current 2.2 class be allowed to run in a sportsman class?

most the racing "sportsman" class's I have ran in PRO's and vets were not allowed in.

I understand the new guy showing up and being outclassed, But I have yet to see a new guy show at one of our comps(That was serious) that did not get plenty of help get the right parts and move right up..


Every single time this thread comes up there are 3 main things mentioned COST, MOA, and NEWBS.. fact is I can build a bully cheaper then a axial and get better performance. so cost and MOA dont really make sense.

I dont really buy the NEWB thing either help them out thats what they need not some BullCrap class that cheap vets want to run in..

There should be a novice class ,run both shafty and MOA. the you could move up to and PRO class with dig OR a sportmans class for the drivers that don't want to run the high dollar pro class.
People aren't going to stay NOVICE for ever, but they could run the Pro OR sportsman class along time.

The bull crap class that the vets want to run as you so rudly put it, is for all drivers. It's a drivers class. It's harder to drive without dig than it is with it. If you don't like the idea don't post up here and run the PRO class.
I myself would like to run 2 classes. "thumbsup" Nothin cheap about that.

 

[Nova's Ark]

Really then why would pro's or guys that have been running the current 2.2 class be allowed to run in a sportsman class?

most the racing "sportsman" class's I have ran in PRO's and vets were not allowed in.

I understand the new guy showing up and being outclassed, But I have yet to see a new guy show at one of our comps(That was serious) that did not get plenty of help get the right parts and move right up..


Every single time this thread comes up there are 3 main things mentioned COST, MOA, and NEWBS.. fact is I can build a bully cheaper then a axial and get better performance. so cost and MOA dont really make sense.

I dont really buy the NEWB thing either help them out thats what they need not some BullCrap class that cheap vets want to run in..

For our particular club, 1.9 is not popular. At our last comp, we only had three 1.9's and we shared them between 6 drivers. For some of our drivers, one RC rock crawler is all they can actually afford. That being the case, they would rather have the more capable and popular 2.2 than a 1.9.

At that same comp and I loaned my son's CDW LT2 berg out to three other drivers so they could compete with it. One of them ended up coming in first with a tie score with it. Our club is very much about helping every one.

I am not trying to start a fight and I hope I am not coming off as being rude. That is why I keep coming back to the issue that is something that should be agreed upon at the local club level. Every clubs terrain, membership make up, and financial make up is different.

 

[Boogie]

Everyone is just WAY overthinking this whole deal. Just a simple shafty class, no dig, 2 channel only, 1 motor. IMO, with the exception of dig, upgrades that most people buy for shafties are more for durability than improvement in performance (even if it is a performance increase, it would be negligible), such as aluminum knuckles, hardened steel outdrives, spools, etc. No limit on motor, esc, or steering servo. If someone shows up with a rig that has dig or moa, then they compete in the regular 2.2 class, case closed. "thumbsup"

 

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

... Every clubs terrain, membership make up, and financial make up is different.

!bingo!"thumbsup"

the class should decided on by the "club"
not everyone wants to compete on the same level.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

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.