RIPPIT Tuesdays

Welcome back to Rippit. Switch back to a complete change in direction.

Battles continue no matter the surface

 CS vs RWD  takes a bit of balance

adding some non-traction additive made a world of difference to the grip level. 

A change of setting had my DRB-REW sliding with the wide.

And of course a bit of technique to get things out on the limits.

Because of the extra grip, carpet driving requires a different skill set, tuning setup and whole lot more to think about. 

GCRC Tuned cars run pretty well anywhere, but making some adjustments can add those few extra degrees and a few extra inches if slide.



But the end result is similar. It's RC drift, and we have a great bunch of drivers.

So the battles still happen. We have split the large Rippit area into a two track layout. One larger wide open layout. and a small tight proximity circuit.

Having both helps keep a bit of flexibility in managing skill levels and keeps the interest alive.

 We still get our drift on.

Rippit is open any day, but we are lucky to have the support of the RIPPIT venue at Oxenford for dedicated drifters on Tuesday nights at the moment. Come and check it out.

 Join the battles

And try a new direction.

Countryside Drive.

What line would you run this countyside drive?


Drifters love their country roads and some shorts straights are definitely also part of it. True 90 degree T intersections and undulations are unavoidable. Hills are also massive part of any road that contains my favorite corners.  As I think about what a drift track might resemble. I chopped up the elements and when I joined them together it looked pretty normal.

Where can I build it?  In the country?

Find the hairpins at IRO-HAZAKKA

DRB-R Setups

Swapping a DRB format to rear motor moves more weight to the rear. For more rear hang time.

While this one will soon be converted to DRB-REW, the basic steps are already undertaken. It also frees space in the front for more steering options and is perhaps the first steps towards such a RWD conversion.

Unfortunately this donor's centre support has been trimmed for mid mount battery placement. But it's something I need to consider for a potential DRB-REMid Mounted battery

Type V2 front set and MST knuckles already are RWD compatible components. Add some wiper extensions and gyro, remove one-way and CVDs for RWD action. 

This format can allow you to try RWD and expand the CS options before you commit.

GCRC Trial Surfaces

What is RC Drift anyway. Why do we play? What do we want to do?

Do we want to be serious and ultra realistic, do we want to emulate a style,

Do we want rc speed or scale speed. 

Do we want to be able to get cool rwd style and absolute proximity.

Are you afraid to run the wall?

Are you afraid to ride the curb? To test your suspension and CVDs. DRB-REW and RERs were working pretty well. 

Test your droop, rebound and compression settings?

Are you worried about scratching a body or chassis? My Chassis and body combo is way over $2000. 

Are you ready to combine all these in battle mode. 

in between poles and walls. And collide with them constantly.

Are you ok to ride over grass and  still stay on line.

These are all things that RWD handles easily. No setup changes for me other than raising the ride height slightly.  

Battles were intense and as we are in a confined space, you are close to the action.

You can feel when you are squeezed.

And you can really feel it when it goes wrong. Vertical grass features are special creations. Bolts and metal supports are very special.

With more grip on offer, high CS should require some gearing and/or power changes as it always does to balance grip vs wheelspeed and they are way less forgiving on the different surfaces.

From smooth to rough on a downward slope was no problem for the RWD clan. Awesome fun actually.

Lots of PLAY with new terrain, new grip levels, tight spaces, 

And obstacles. Is this what we want... to PLAY? Or do we want more serious action? Do we want competition, or constant close proximity.

All these things offered a lot of interest for a single session and get you thinking about slight modifications and ideas.

With lots of carnage on offer, tonight after one 4 hour session, we saw, broken body shells, wings, broken suspension, broken wheel rims, broken CVDs all from from harder running and collisions with this track's special features.  

We see that the flexibility of RWD can handle anything with ease and the cars tuned on a GCRC polished concrete surface are simply shining in another environment with more grip.

Was it fun? Yes,
Did it have some elements of reality... Maybe.

Do we want to do it again? Definitely up for the discussion.

GCRC Flashback 2013

My first shots at GCRC were a long time ago, but when I go back though the archive, the memories come back.

Side by side from the start

GCRC Final Battles Part #2 Closure

GCRC - Gold Coast RC Raceway has been a big part of, not only my RC Drifting Hobby, but many many enthusiasts who passed through the doors over the last 3 years.

I wish to express the wishes of all by saying a huge Thank You to the GCRC Owners Martin and Marianne Moolman. 

While Martin Moolman is predominantly a Champion Off Road RC racer, he enjoys a bit of drift for relaxation.  Like others, he progressed through 50:50, through CS and on to Rear Wheel Drive and supported all those who wanted to try new directions in RC.

  
And these days, there's a lot of directions. While not on track in the final sessions the rest of us were as usual, going for it.

The Rocket Bunny influence is HUGE in RC right now. The wide fendered machines are always ready for a battle. If you are lured up the inside by a black RX7... You have to follow... right>? 

And stay on line. But it also means that previous lead car has the right to fight back... right?

And so it was for more than a few laps of crazy aggressive battles. No trains here. 

Just full on side by side deep entries and glued together drift. 

After an awesome deep entry and running the fence as far as you can. 

Suddenly you get the chop... 

And you are good to attack again.

In these shots you will find a different lead car in almost every one. Such was the game.

But whoever was in the lead, the chasers were coming.... hard.

Among the intensity you can still find those perfect moments.

We were not the only ones having a great time with some great machines lapping well. 

It was good to see a bunch of RE-Xtreme FD3s sevens on track.

 

And even better to play along side.

Overdose Vacula RWD vs DRB-REW + Overdose RWD Awesome fun.

Passing close by my seating position. i made sure I spent tome close to the track today.

Because when you are not at helicopter height watching above the track. At ground level, GCRC's true colours would come out...

... and you could enjoy the party atmosphere.

As you slash by.

 And battle up.

Some keen partners joining the seven battles.

in what was a great night to finish the GCRC chapter.

3....2...1 the countdown was coming...

To that final corner with the handbrake locked.

GCRC has closed.

We will find start the next chapter soon.