Rough off road tracks, a relic of the past?

[b181]

Hi all,

I've been away from the hobby since the 90s, but have recently rekindled my interest and have marvelled at all the changes in technology, fashion trends (bodies, racing classes) pricing, etc.

One thing I have noticed, is the change in off road RC tracks. Back when I used to race, hard packed "blue groove" tracks only existed in europe, but in the US, loose dirt and rough tracks were more common.

Nowadays, when i look at online videos, it appears everything is now hard packed blue groove, or not even dirt but CARPET for indoor tracks.

Do rougher loose packed tracks still exist, or they pretty much an obscure relic of the past?

I can understand from a business perspective, hard packed or carpet makes more sense with lower costs. But there's something that's so fun/appealing to me about making dirt fly, challenging bumpy tracks that tax the suspension etc.

Also, is there any aftermarket company that makes 90s style bodies for off road buggies/trucks? The cab forward design of today's models doesn't sit well with me. I've read about the downforce performance aspect, but still...

[Lonestar]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

[Lonestar]

And welcome aboard btw

[b181]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

This is disappinting for me to hear- today's "off road" seems more like "on road, with jumps" instead

[KidAgain]

You just need to find an outdoor track bub if there isn’t one well.............

[Lonestar]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

This is disappinting for me to hear- today's "off road" seems more like "on road, with jumps" instead

I remember hearing "offroad is onroad with jumps, now" many times in the late 90's already

Welcome to the 202x's my friend

[b181]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

This is disappinting for me to hear- today's "off road" seems more like "on road, with jumps" instead

I remember hearing "offroad is onroad with jumps, now" many times in the late 90's already

Welcome to the 202x's my friend

Thanks. I figure it's only a matter of time, before off road kits are using pan car chassis and T bar suspension. Then I can dust off my 10L

[RC10th]

TC3-O baby

[XLR8]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

This is disappinting for me to hear- today's "off road" seems more like "on road, with jumps" instead

I remember hearing "offroad is onroad with jumps, now" many times in the late 90's already

Welcome to the 202x's my friend

Thanks. I figure it's only a matter of time, before off road kits are using pan car chassis and T bar suspension. Then I can dust off my 10L

and here ya go...
not exactly a "pan car" but it is on-road.



It seems to handle those big jumps pretty well.

[Trass]

Hi all,

I've been away from the hobby since the 90s, but have recently rekindled my interest and have marvelled at all the changes in technology, fashion trends (bodies, racing classes) pricing, etc.

One thing I have noticed, is the change in off road RC tracks. Back when I used to race, hard packed "blue groove" tracks only existed in europe, but in the US, loose dirt and rough tracks were more common.

Nowadays, when i look at online videos, it appears everything is now hard packed blue groove, or not even dirt but CARPET for indoor tracks.

Do rougher loose packed tracks still exist, or they pretty much an obscure relic of the past?

I can understand from a business perspective, hard packed or carpet makes more sense with lower costs. But there's something that's so fun/appealing to me about making dirt fly, challenging bumpy tracks that tax the suspension etc.

Also, is there any aftermarket company that makes 90s style bodies for off road buggies/trucks? The cab forward design of today's models doesn't sit well with me. I've read about the downforce performance aspect, but still...

I'm like you, i prefer true dirt and disordonned jumps ----> maybe evolution ?!?

I don't want to talk about bodies it's just not buggy


Jerome

[b181]

They are pretty much an obscure relic of the past indeed... The cars are also reflecting that, a lot more forward-biased now.

This is disappinting for me to hear- today's "off road" seems more like "on road, with jumps" instead

I remember hearing "offroad is onroad with jumps, now" many times in the late 90's already

Welcome to the 202x's my friend

Thanks. I figure it's only a matter of time, before off road kits are using pan car chassis and T bar suspension. Then I can dust off my 10L

and here ya go...
not exactly a "pan car" but it is on-road.



It seems to handle those big jumps pretty well.

Haha love it