Thinking about a dirt oval car for next summer. Looking for input.

[BarnFabRC]

There’s a handful of dirt/clay oval tracks reasonably close to where I live. I’m thinking about putting together a car for next year. I do not want something that’s RTR based like an SR10 or a Mudboss. I’d like to build something from maybe a B6.4 kit or something similar. What classes should I look into based on that?

I’d be down to put together something like a full scale dirt modified (I think that’s what they’re called, the ones with the big wing on top) or something based on a real car. I think it’s called Street Stock.

Also is there any 4wd classes? As a general rule I prefer driving 4wd’s but I rarely see that being discussed in any dirt oval conversations.

 

[lambdapriest]

Minor comment, the "big wing" cars are called sprint cars.

I'm a little jealous that you're in a good area for RC dirt oval; that's the only motorsport that I actually care to be a spectator / fan of - particularly, dirt late model. We don't have any dirt oval racing near where I live (to my knowledge).

 

[BarnFabRC]

Minor comment, the "big wing" cars are called sprint cars.

I'm a little jealous that you're in a good area for RC dirt oval; that's the only motorsport that I actually care to be a spectator / fan of - particularly, dirt late model. We don't have any dirt oval racing near where I live (to my knowledge).

Yes sprint cars! The dirt modifieds are the ones that are more full bodied and have a low roof line, no windshield and the engine is pushed way back into the firewall right?

I grew up just over the hill from the Flemington Speedway. My parents however were NYC born and raised so I didn’t even get the chance to realize how cool that stuff was until after I was able to get out on my own with my drivers license. That was in the final days of the track before it got shuttered and turned into a big box mall. “Progress” right?

 

[ahr43]

Hey BarnFab, here is a useful primer on dirt oval set-up. I used it back when running my back yard grass oval. It may be of value to you regarding the extent of set-up needed for dirt oval. Good luck. 'AC'

 

[bill_delong]

It's been a few years since I ran oval, but my personal favorite class was 4WD Late Model:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/sho...W-PR-Racing-SB401-LW&perpage=100#post41360325

 

[lambdapriest]

Yes sprint cars! The dirt modifieds are the ones that are more full bodied and have a low roof line, no windshield and the engine is pushed way back into the firewall right?

I grew up just over the hill from the Flemington Speedway. My parents however were NYC born and raised so I didn’t even get the chance to realize how cool that stuff was until after I was able to get out on my own with my drivers license. That was in the final days of the track before it got shuttered and turned into a big box mall. “Progress” right?

Here's a video of some modifieds racing against some late models - the mods are the ones that look like they have a wing built into their bodies, whereas the late-models look a little more like "funny-looking NASCAR cars":

Late-model is a little more prestigious and the cars are faster than modifieds. Sprints are the Big Dogs, but races are generally shorter. I enjoy late-model for the balance of "it goes really fast" vs "races are long enough for drivers to play the long game with regards to when they attack / defend / what lines they run".

I didn't get into it until a few years ago. I always thought that oval == boring, until one of my best friends dragged me down to Eldora to watch the World 100. We've been nearly every year since. Best racing I've ever witnessed.

 

[bill_delong]

...I always thought that oval == boring...

Having raced oval myself for about a year I can say it's a completely different form of racing... with off-road your "pucker factor" only kicks in when trying to make a pass, and with oval you're constantly trying to make a pass and it's all about getting through traffic and trying to avoid the less experienced drivers.

My only issue with oval was tire wear making it cost prohibitive for me.