TEAM TEKIN 2014 VINTAGE OFFROAD NATIONALS • SEPT 5-7TH

[R/Cat]

How does everybody set up the torque curve on their ESC initially? I'm thinking of it as an electronic slipper clutch and have set mine to "quick" for a compact dirt track with little if any loose dirt per some research I've done as opposed to "normal" or "mild" for more loose track conditions. Is this correct and appropriate for the indoor track?

I set up my torque curve using the trigger of my transmitter every time I hit the throttle
It's convenient, because I get to tailor each acceleration to each unique corner!
I've been racing high-traction indoor for years, and as long as you've got okay tires, you sould be good.
ESC settings never made a big difference to me.

Ok, thanks. I was wondering if I'd even be able to notice the difference between the different torque curve settings so it'll be interesting to find out.

[R/Cat]

Suburbs and Barcodes are the tire to run there in the softest compound you can get. I've been trying to run closed cell inserts for consistency sake but haven't really found the same feel open cell gives you yet. Ions work for 4wd when the track is clean. Whichever tire you choose we heat and treat every run there too.

Great, I was going to stubbornly stick to running my M3 Holeshots I had intended to use last year for the sake of my budget but all this softer M4 tire talk made me cave and purchase M4 Suburbs. This blog may be free but it still costs me money. As far as heat and treat go, do you apply traction compound and then heat the tire up with it on right before each run? The sticky kicks video recommends applying the traction compound to the tires and then sealing them up in a zip-loc baggy overnight. What do you guys think of that idea and would you still heat the tires before each run in that situation?

[Charlie don't surf]

Suburbs and Barcodes are the tire to run there in the softest compound you can get. I've been trying to run closed cell inserts for consistency sake but haven't really found the same feel open cell gives you yet. Ions work for 4wd when the track is clean. Whichever tire you choose we heat and treat every run there too.

Great, I was going to stubbornly stick to running my M3 Holeshots I had intended to use last year for the sake of my budget but all this softer M4 tire talk made me cave and purchase M4 Suburbs. This blog may be free but it still costs me money. As far as heat and treat go, do you apply traction compound and then heat the tire up with it on right before each run? The sticky kicks video recommends applying the traction compound to the tires and then sealing them up in a zip-loc baggy overnight. What do you guys think of that idea and would you still heat the tires before each run in that situation?

Depends on so many other things in general. Heat treating with compound can sometimes attract fine dust and keep the rubber tire coated in dust making a dirt on dirt tire which sucks soo much. I've never been to the track, but hearing what they are doing to the tires means any treatment (I'd try diesel too) should work. Aggressive tire sauce and open cell inserts in bags usually means super short tire life and insert degradation.

[R/Cat]

Suburbs and Barcodes are the tire to run there in the softest compound you can get. I've been trying to run closed cell inserts for consistency sake but haven't really found the same feel open cell gives you yet. Ions work for 4wd when the track is clean. Whichever tire you choose we heat and treat every run there too.

Great, I was going to stubbornly stick to running my M3 Holeshots I had intended to use last year for the sake of my budget but all this softer M4 tire talk made me cave and purchase M4 Suburbs. This blog may be free but it still costs me money. As far as heat and treat go, do you apply traction compound and then heat the tire up with it on right before each run? The sticky kicks video recommends applying the traction compound to the tires and then sealing them up in a zip-loc baggy overnight. What do you guys think of that idea and would you still heat the tires before each run in that situation?

Depends on so many other things in general.

Heat treating with compound can sometimes attract fine dust and keep the rubber tire coated in dust making a dirt on dirt tire which sucks soo much. I've never been to the track, but hearing what they are doing to the tires means any treatment (I'd try diesel too) should work. Aggressive tire sauce and open cell inserts in bags usually means super short tire life and insert degradation.

Good to know, thanks. It doesn't sound the like the bag thing is a good idea so I'll steer clear of it. Is it necessary to heat the tire if you're using traction compound and vice versa? Is one or the other good enough and which is better?

[Erich Reichert]

See that and here you are worrying about torque curves in 17.5

[Mark Westerfield]

I just clean my tires after corner marshaling and scrub traction compound on with a tooth brush for the next round. If you need more traction than that, just adjust some more forward and side bite into the rear suspension, (That said, this track tends to like less rear suspension droop - typically 1 or 2 extra rear shock limiters).

In 4wd buggy I run Aka closed cell in the rear, standard foam in the front.
In 2wd Buggy I run standard foam in front and rear.
I'll have to ask some of the other guys about stadium truck inserts.

[covell2]

Thanks for the input folks.

[stickboy007]

Not trying to be a party pooper here, but somehow I doubt that traction compound is entirely necessary. Sure, it'll make a difference, but older RC10s have plenty of weight and should generate good grip without traction compound. I've raced at Wolcott a few times with my modern equipment and have done okay without any "sauce." I think it's just a matter of preference. Some guys really get into tire preparation and insist on a particular saucing ritual. I guess I'm just too lazy for it, and I'm not that interested in breathing in those nasty fumes. Most of the time, I don't even clean my tires, unless they're packed up.

Just saying...you may find that it's not the end of the world if you don't have the perfect tire preparation solution ready to go for this race. Only thing I'll be bringing is some Simple Green, if I can even bother to remember.

[Charlie don't surf]

Not trying to be a party pooper here, but somehow I doubt that traction compound is entirely necessary. Sure, it'll make a difference, but older RC10s have plenty of weight and should generate good grip without traction compound. I've raced at Wolcott a few times with my modern equipment and have done okay without any "sauce." I think it's just a matter of preference. Some guys really get into tire preparation and insist on a particular saucing ritual. I guess I'm just too lazy for it, and I'm not that interested in breathing in those nasty fumes. Most of the time, I don't even clean my tires, unless they're packed up.

Just saying...you may find that it's not the end of the world if you don't have the perfect tire preparation solution ready to go for this race. Only thing I'll be bringing is some Simple Green, if I can even bother to remember.

I've never run Wolcott, but any brand or compound at our local track without sauce produced 19.5 area lap times, sauced and prepped low 17's...custom cut and shortened tires made 16's. But then this is more of a fun event than an all out race too.

[R/Cat]

Not trying to be a party pooper here, but somehow I doubt that traction compound is entirely necessary. Sure, it'll make a difference, but older RC10s have plenty of weight and should generate good grip without traction compound. I've raced at Wolcott a few times with my modern equipment and have done okay without any "sauce." I think it's just a matter of preference. Some guys really get into tire preparation and insist on a particular saucing ritual. I guess I'm just too lazy for it, and I'm not that interested in breathing in those nasty fumes. Most of the time, I don't even clean my tires, unless they're packed up.

Just saying...you may find that it's not the end of the world if you don't have the perfect tire preparation solution ready to go for this race. Only thing I'll be bringing is some Simple Green, if I can even bother to remember.

Good point and something I'll keep in mind. I don't want to obsess over it so I'm definitely not going crazy with tire prep and probably won't race enough to develop a ritual but did want to get a handle on the basics before my first race since I knew nothing about it. I think I'm going to simply clean my tires and apply the "sauce" before each run. That said, I do have a beautiful near-new heat gun I've been looking for a reason to use so ....

[R/Cat]

Not trying to be a party pooper here, but somehow I doubt that traction compound is entirely necessary. Sure, it'll make a difference, but older RC10s have plenty of weight and should generate good grip without traction compound. I've raced at Wolcott a few times with my modern equipment and have done okay without any "sauce." I think it's just a matter of preference. Some guys really get into tire preparation and insist on a particular saucing ritual. I guess I'm just too lazy for it, and I'm not that interested in breathing in those nasty fumes. Most of the time, I don't even clean my tires, unless they're packed up.

Just saying...you may find that it's not the end of the world if you don't have the perfect tire preparation solution ready to go for this race. Only thing I'll be bringing is some Simple Green, if I can even bother to remember.

I've never run Wolcott, but any brand or compound at our local track without sauce produced 19.5 area lap times, sauced and prepped low 17's...custom cut and shortened tires made 16's. But then this is more of a fun event than an all out race too.

This makes sense and confirms that my tire prep will fall somewhere in the middle. I'll do some cleaning and traction compound but not get crazy about it and see what happens.

[stickboy007]

Not trying to be a party pooper here, but somehow I doubt that traction compound is entirely necessary. Sure, it'll make a difference, but older RC10s have plenty of weight and should generate good grip without traction compound. I've raced at Wolcott a few times with my modern equipment and have done okay without any "sauce." I think it's just a matter of preference. Some guys really get into tire preparation and insist on a particular saucing ritual. I guess I'm just too lazy for it, and I'm not that interested in breathing in those nasty fumes. Most of the time, I don't even clean my tires, unless they're packed up.

Just saying...you may find that it's not the end of the world if you don't have the perfect tire preparation solution ready to go for this race. Only thing I'll be bringing is some Simple Green, if I can even bother to remember.

I've never run Wolcott, but any brand or compound at our local track without sauce produced 19.5 area lap times, sauced and prepped low 17's...custom cut and shortened tires made 16's. But then this is more of a fun event than an all out race too.

I am genuinely impressed if that is the impact that traction compound has had at your track. I have not seen it do any more than a few fractions of a second around here, in which case it is unclear whether that is driver skill or a real difference in traction.

[Charlie don't surf]

Again, to each his own. At our indoor track the compounding has an effect by eliminating sticking of dust and fine dirt to the tire (pure clay, high moisture content, superfine) letting the rubber stay in contact with the clay, instead of dirty tire to clay. In fact, we could pull the car...toss onto dusty polished concrete around the track and still pull a wheelie. That type of change makes seconds disappear

[stickboy007]

Ah...yeah, we don't run pure clay over here.

[pumpkinfish]

Another thing we have noticed at our local track is to use plain water to clean your tires. I used to use Simple Green but have noticed that it makes the tires "greasy". Afer I pull the car, I put it down, marshall, then come back and clean the tires. After the tires are clean and wiped dry I wait to apply the sauce until 15 minutes out from the race.