RC Grass Track

[ahr43]

Re-located the start/finish/staging line to the 'backside' of the new track making it the front straight now. Layed down weed screen before setting the S/F/S line in hopes to slow the pesky growth between cracks. Increased the lane width from 44in last season to a full 60in (5ft) for 2026.

Used the dirt removed from setting these flagstones to fill for where they came out. May have to add additional fill. Will see how it levels out and overgrows. Have a few re-occurring depressions off the (now) turn 1 to fill. Decomposing tree roots from a previous tree getting a bit too deep to race over.

This prepares the track for practice certification. Still a bit of preparation remains before it is ready for race certification. -AC

 

[ahr43]

MT10 Certified the track for TnT today. Still a bit of finish work to do on the track but can now Annual Tech the cars for the 2026 season.

End of the day, MT10 put in 56 laps. 32Laps simulating an event to certify the track. An additional 24 Laps to reset steering travel and expo for the new track. You were right, Kevin, the tight turn section is a challenge.

One of the purposes of certifying the track is a check on battery end voltage. MT10 is 4WD and heaviest of cars and trucks running, so figured it would put the most drain on my stock of 2s batteries. Last year events, battery end voltage came in at about ~8.0v. new track MT10 TnT came in at 7.9v. Well about voltage cutoff, so good to go on track size and event laps. At the end of 56 Laps, voltage was down to 7.6v - close to cutoff. This at race standard of 50% THR throttle setting.

Finishing up, the gust front blew through and rain came about five minutes later. -AC

 

[WickedFog]

MT10 Certified the track for TnT today. Still a bit of finish work to do on the track but can now Annual Tech the cars for the 2026 season.

End of the day, MT10 put in 56 laps. 32Laps simulating an event to certify the track. An additional 24 Laps to reset steering travel and expo for the new track. You were right, Kevin, the tight turn section is a challenge.

One of the purposes of certifying the track is a check on battery end voltage. MT10 is 4WD and heaviest of cars and trucks running, so figured it would put the most drain on my stock of 2s batteries. Last year events, battery end voltage came in at about ~8.0v. new track MT10 TnT came in at 7.9v. Well about voltage cutoff, so good to go on track size and event laps. At the end of 56 Laps, voltage was down to 7.6v - close to cutoff. This at race standard of 50% THR throttle setting.

Finishing up, the gust front blew through and rain came about five minutes later. -AC

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What was your average lap time?

 

[ahr43]

It was an uncontrolled session, Kevin. No lap times.

Once Annual Tech begins, each car will get a controlled session with combined 12L + 12L times. Dividing by 24 will yield an ~average lap time.

Cutting the track surface at a mower deck height of 3in FR/RR. Higher than last year's 3in/2in FR/RR. Goal is to have a slightly thicker racing surface than last year. Also more drought resistant to thin-out. Adding a taller grass cushion to the outside of the track. Aids in track definition as well as discouraging running wide - taller grass really kills the lap time. Adding in dots on the infield this year to aid in assessing track cutting penalties. Gotta keep myself honest. . .

Seven events planned for 2026. All grass track. Canked the no-prep drag racing event(s). Sadly. Change over takes too much time with four cars running. Plus don't like running an event on the street out front of the house either.

Cheers. -AC

 

[CertifiedMike]

Track looks like fun. A challenge, not just turn and throttle! Good luck in the upcoming season!!!

I'd like to bet $100 on the winning driver.

 

[ahr43]

Here is an interesting image taken after today's rain shower. It shows the new track superimposed over the old. The fresh green appearing inside the new track is the old tri-oval track. Old tracks die hard it would seem or live on in shadow. -AC

 

[WickedFog]

Here is an interesting image taken after today's rain shower. It shows the new track superimposed over the old. The fresh green appearing inside the new track is the old tri-oval track. Old tracks die hard it would seem or live on in shadow. -AC

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That's pretty crazy!

 

[ahr43]

On the occasion of my 82nd birthday today, my RC grasstrack gets formally retired. It's had a good six year run from 2019. More work than I can handle anymore. Good thing about retiring a grasstrack is it grows back to normal soon.

Thanks, everyone for looking in and following along these last six years. Cheers. -AC

 

[Chubaka]

On the occasion of my 82nd birthday today, my RC grasstrack gets formally retired. It's had a good six year run from 2019. More work than I can handle anymore. Good thing about retiring a grasstrack is it grows back to normal soon.

Thanks, everyone for looking in and following along these last six years. Cheers. -AC

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I hate pine needles. Sorry to hear about that. Sounds like you need an rc mower or a riding mower. Happy birthday.

 

[RudyF6]

Happy Birthday!!

 

[WickedFog]

On the occasion of my 82nd birthday today, my RC grasstrack gets formally retired. It's had a good six year run from 2019. More work than I can handle anymore. Good thing about retiring a grasstrack is it grows back to normal soon.

Thanks, everyone for looking in and following along these last six years. Cheers. -AC

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Happy b-day AC! Kind of a sad day though because I always loved reading the race results. How about doing some 1/18 craw comps in the living room?

 

[Guest D]

Happy birthday

 

[CertifiedMike]

Happy b-day AC! Kind of a sad day though because I always loved reading the race results. How about doing some 1/18 craw comps in the living room?

I agree! Sad to see the track retire. It was fun to read up on the results!

Here is an interesting image taken after today's rain shower. It shows the new track superimposed over the old. The fresh green appearing inside the new track is the old tri-oval track. Old tracks die hard it would seem or live on in shadow. -AC

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Happy birthday!!!

Thanks for the entertainment and fun racing!!!

 

[ahr43]

Happy b-day AC! Kind of a sad day though because I always loved reading the race results. How about doing some 1/18 craw comps in the living room?

LoL, Kevin. Me and comp crawlers have a history. One I'd rather not re-visit. In the stead doing 1/32 Tamiya Mini 4WD. Racing is in my blood. And at an away track. No more track maintenance for me! Someone else can have all that fun.

Re-configuring my RC grasstrack'ers into backyard bashers. Probably end up with a couple of RC shelf queens too.

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. Cheers, all. -AC

 

[ahr43]

Well, shucks. Paraphrasing Top Fuel legend, Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, "Retiring is easy; I've done it lots of times."

With that in mind I've brought back the backyard track. Sort of. Compromised by not having to maintain a defined track and instead set up cones for an RC version of good old Texas quarter horse barrel racing. This time running west -to- east keeping the sun to my back and out of my eyes.

Planning a 2026 series Oct-Mar. Venerable Rustler first out of the box on the track. And, yeah, Chewy, pine needles are a PITA. Used to rake 'em down prior to an event. Anymore see them as just another track obstacle to accept. -AC

 

[CertifiedMike]

I'm glad we'll get to follow another race season!

 

[WickedFog]

Well, shucks. Paraphrasing Top Fuel legend, Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, "Retiring is easy; I've done it lots of times."

With that in mind I've brought back the backyard track. Sort of. Compromised by not having to maintain a defined track and instead set up cones for an RC version of good old Texas quarter horse barrel racing. This time running west -to- east keeping the sun to my back and out of my eyes.

Planning a 2026 series Oct-Mar. Venerable Rustler first out of the box on the track. And, yeah, Chewy, pine needles are a PITA. Used to rake 'em down prior to an event. Anymore see them as just another track obstacle to accept. -AC

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[ahr43]

Barrel Racing RC grass track series continuing apace. Into the second event of the series. Running the ARRMA Senton 2WD (SCB conversion) in two configurations. White body with a 'spare tire' in a new config and more conventional red body 'winged express' version.

Also took the opportunity to set up a beta slalom course. Deciding to use the barrel racing in the four primary events and the slalom for the two finals events. Running the course seated in a metal folding chair instead of standing position. Feels this gives me a more realistic 'in-the-car' feel. Bit more challenging in navigating the cones too. -AC

 

[CertifiedMike]

Barrel Racing RC grass track series continuing apace. Into the second event of the series. Running the ARRMA Senton 2WD (SCB conversion) in two configurations. White body with a 'spare tire' in a new config and more conventional red body 'winged express' version.

Also took the opportunity to set up a beta slalom course. Deciding to use the barrel racing in the four primary events and the slalom for the two finals events. Running the course seated in a metal folding chair instead of standing position. Feels this gives me a more realistic 'in-the-car' feel. Bit more challenging in navigating the cones too. -AC

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Good luck in the upcoming season!!! I have a hunch that you're going to win!

I'm going with white because it looks cool and I am hoping the spare tire gives better traction with more over rear wheel weight without costing too much roll or steering loss.

Have you considered a gas powered rocking chair for 'Real-Feel' racing?
The seated position does sound more challenging for sure!

 

[ahr43]

ROFLMAO, Mike. Yeah chances are I'll win. Just a matter of which chassis. Keeping it even without favoring one over the other is the hard part.

First iteration had the spare mounted low on the rear monkey bars. Dropped it in the grass and it would barely pull itself. Had to opt for a top mount instead. It responds to steering input o.k. Gets a bit wild in the rear, even at 60% THR setting. Third running coming up soon. Will dial in a bit of throttle expo to soften the launch and the acceleration rounding a cone. White body needs more stickers. Got lots but none seem "right."

Rocking chair? Ha. At my age, good idea. Knowing me, though, probably go to sleep at the throttle. Maybe even find an old go-kart roller for an even lower seating position? -AC