Against my better judgment, I'll offer an outsider's opinion here.
It looks from the bleachers like a lot of people are expecting warm and fuzzy Time Tunnel vintage
gatherings, and others are looking for hardcore racing with old cars with new technology. You can't have it both ways, but you can have both at the same event. You have to pick which direction you take it.
I have talked with Erich long before these races about the concept for the Vintage Nationals, and he has always tried to make it inviting for anyone and everyone who wanted to attend. This isn't the ROAR Nationals, and maybe calling it the "Nationals" gives some people the wrong idea about this whole concept. It is a Treffen of vintage R/C and shouldn't be thought of as a highly competitive race. He gave you a LOT more class options that I would have ever done. It has been proven over the last 3 decades of R/C that the more choice a racer has, the worse the turnout for each class will be. Offer one class—like the Vintage Trans Am Nationals—and you can see over 100 cars in a single class. And it was more competitive and fun than you could possibly imagine.
I am of the very firm belief that offering LESS, not more, is the way to work something like this event. I would like to see one motor rule across the board—like 17.5 brushless (no timing advance) or 27t brushed—and 6-round cell or 2S LiPo packs. Then, structure a few classes around that—2wd, 4wd, stadium truck, monster truck and plastic historic. Give everyone a target and let them hit it easily, and be done with it. Offering too many classes only dilutes the big picture and it isn't necessary.
IMO, monster trucks on off road tracks was rarely done, and bending over backwards for people who want to race monster trucks is kind of silly. Pick a class, bring your old school stuff and have fun. Or don't. Complaining about the motor options or the other cars in your class is goofy. It's a VINTAGE GATHERING and supposed to be fun. Sorry, it's just bizarre to me to get all worked up over toy monster trucks.
Maybe we will be able to pull one of these off in the Midwest and West coasts next year, and use a global concept for the event. Maybe even all on the same weekend. I know of a really nice outdoor track in Joliet that would be a good place to hold one in the center of the country.
Erich, I have run major events like this before with R/C cars and real cars, and the second guessing after it's over is normal. Your reaction to it is normal and expected, as well. It's easier to criticize and complain than it is to contribute. That's how this country works—haven't you watched the news?
Keep up the good work, everyone appreciates the event.
Sorry for the long rant, I'll go back to reading.
, he asked questions, got his car dialed in, and made the A-main in 2wd buggy.
