First race with the NTC3

[snowboardgeek1]

I raced my NTC3 today. I bought an NTC3 plus a month ago, and just added a Novarossi CX12. Still running the stock pipe. I have a HS-525BB brake/throttle and steering HS-645MG for my servos. Also running a 5 cell flat pack. Added my RS310 receiver and JR XS3 radio. Still running the same suspension as the NTC3 plus. I haven't messed with the suspension hardware at all.

When I got to the track, I was the only guy signed up in the novice/sportsman class. Everyone else was experts. So the experts asked if I wanted to race with them. I didn't mind at all since I was there to have fun anyhow

First two races are qualifiers. I placed 5th out of 6th both races. But during the breaks, I was practicing, and getting a feel of the track. I felt I was getting the hang of everything.

Third race, A-Main, they added two more guys. Keep in mind these are club races, so they'll change the rules a little bit if there aren't many racers out there. For the A-Main, I placed 4th out of 8 racers. Not bad, considering EVERYONE else was running an MTX-3 with some really high revving RB and picco engines. I was the only one running a novarossi. AND, during a pit stop on the last race, I noticed my right rear tire had a big chunk taken off. So I ran the last race, taking it really easy on the turns because I didn't want to spin out or crash.

I felt I did pretty damn good considering its my first race ever, and racing in the expert class. I feel proud, and the guys that I raced against were surprised I even placed that high. I think I've earned the right to get a Mugen MTX-3 or Prospec for my birthday lol.

I definitely learned a lot of good things. First, I figured out I had to count how many laps I could do before I had to bring the car in for pitstops. Second, get more foam tires. Third...get a better starter box. Other than that, I had a lot of fun. Only thing I broke all day, was the rear shock tower, which I was able to get a replacement quickly.

I can't wait to get my other NTC3 up and running. That one has a Novarossi MT12, rear exhaust. Should be a little bit faster than my CX12!

 

[Team 17]

Nice job! Sounds like a very good day.

 

[Diver6127]

Since you haven't messed with the suspension, I would suggest you do since the TC3 has 2 diferent setting baselines for foam and rubber tires. Looka at the back of your manual. The settings are there. With the basictools ("basic" is even stretching it) you get with the car, you can get them close to where it should be. The only way to get accurate settings is with setup tools (KUDY, PMB, Integy). It's costly but worth it if you plan to do a lot of racing.

ALSO, you don't have to count laps. Just pay attention to the announcer. He'll call out the times. You usually pit around the 5 minute mark. Depending on engine and settings, it may be longer or shorter. Try counting laps in at least a 10 mnute main. Most races have at least a 15 minute main and can stretch it to 40 minutes if they wish. Your pitman should have a stopwatch and will tell you when 5 minutes is fast approaching. Coordinate with him when you will come in and also hand signals if need be.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

Yeah we figured out that it took us about 10 laps around the track before we had to fill up. The main was indeed 14 minutes. Good idea on having a stopwatch for my pitman. I like that.

When I said I didn't mess with the suspension, I meant it by replacing hardware (i.e threaded shocks, springs, etc). I did mess around with the camber, caster, and toe settings, and I had some of the guys at the track help me out with different settings. They had me going in the right direction.

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep them in mind in the next race.

 

[rossb]

Sounds good. How many guys crashed out?

 

[snowboardgeek1]

lol two or three. I forgot how many but there were definitely some good racers out there.

 

[Diver6127]

Yeah we figured out that it took us about 10 laps around the track before we had to fill up. The main was indeed 14 minutes. Good idea on having a stopwatch for my pitman. I like that.

When I said I didn't mess with the suspension, I meant it by replacing hardware (i.e threaded shocks, springs, etc). I did mess around with the camber, caster, and toe settings, and I had some of the guys at the track help me out with different settings. They had me going in the right direction.

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep them in mind in the next race.

When sl0eg1n and I are pitting for one another, we have a set standard for hand signals and whistles. If all fails we yell at each other over the noise of the cars. Try to get your pitman to pit directly beneath where you're standing. That way your car is visible and you can talk to him when pitting.

Sl0eg1n and I usually coach each other when we're racing or qualifiying. We let each other know if we're about to get lapped by the race leaders or if someone on the same lap we're on is coming up behind pretty fast. We also tell each other where the turn referrences should be or to step it up if we're getting lazy or slow down if we're over driving the car due to ebing excited.

Well, because of this coaching whil driving, we would come home with very hoarse voices from yelling so we're going to start using VOX 2 way radios with the earbuds and microphones that pickup the sound from your throat via a neck band. That way no background noise is picked up. We'll be able to talk and coordinate with who ever is driving and the driver can tell the pitman what's going on with the car so he knows what to do when he makes a quick pit stop.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

Hey I like that. I may have to use that method of using a two way radio, for talking to my pitman. I definitely will consider using it. For club races, I dont think its that important though...the other racers were actually quiet.

I checked the results today...I actually came in third instead of fourth YES! I made it to the podium! lol

When sl0eg1n and I are pitting for one another, we have a set standard for hand signals and whistles. If all fails we yell at each other over the noise of the cars. Try to get your pitman to pit directly beneath where you're standing. That way your car is visible and you can talk to him when pitting.

Sl0eg1n and I usually coach each other when we're racing or qualifiying. We let each other know if we're about to get lapped by the race leaders or if someone on the same lap we're on is coming up behind pretty fast. We also tell each other where the turn referrences should be or to step it up if we're getting lazy or slow down if we're over driving the car due to ebing excited.

Well, because of this coaching whil driving, we would come home with very hoarse voices from yelling so we're going to start using VOX 2 way radios with the earbuds and microphones that pickup the sound from your throat via a neck band. That way no background noise is picked up. We'll be able to talk and coordinate with who ever is driving and the driver can tell the pitman what's going on with the car so he knows what to do when he makes a quick pit stop.

 

[Diver6127]

Well, when there's others standing next to you yelling it helps. Also when you're standing about 8 feet in the air and your pit is about 14 feet in front of you, it also helps. Also helps to keep your game plan from being heard by the others standing next to you.

When we race at prospeed, it's not a factor since we're all friends out there. When it comes to a trophy race when everyone comes out, it brings out the worst in them as well.

When we were racing at BARCAR, we saw the need for it. It's just another way to keep the advantage as well as keep things simple when vocal instructions are needed to be kept quiet. I also helps to have a pitman that you always use so there's a mutual understanding of the other drivers habits and needs.

 

[snowboardgeek1]

I definitely agree with ya on that. Hopefully I get good enough to race in the experts class more often. I definitely learned a lot by racing with those guys. They never give up and put their best effort out there.