new, please help

[bentgixxer]

hello all, i am new to rc cars and stumbled across this site while at work. I just recently purchased a new R/C truck, and was wondering if there were any tracks around to drive it at. I know im not ready to race anyone, i just want to take it to a track. are there any tracks in the clear lake area that someone can just show up to and run? thanks for the help. Bryan

[Gary]

Bryan, welcome to the RC world! What kind of truck did you get? The closest track to Clear lake would be Area51 in Sante Fe. Thats a really big track though and may not be the best for a new guy that has never raced before. Especially if your running a lower cost electric truck than a full blown race truck. Another option is Fastrak on the east side of town. That might be better for you since your new. Ill look around and get the addresses for ya!

Good luck and keep us posted how its going.

[Gary]

Heres the directions and number to Area51.
Area 51 is in Santa Fe. Hwy 6 to Santa Fe, then southwestish on Jackson St, then several other turns, past the "Deaf Child" sign, and you're there. Ph # is 713-249-0028

For Fastrack Ill have to hunt around but you can ask Smiley. He has a thread going on up above in one of the sub forums.

[Tol Thomas]

http://www.fastrakrc.com/ This is the home page to Fastrak.

[bentgixxer]

i got the traxxas nitro sport se .15, the 2.5 rustler was just a bit out of my league for being a starter truck. do these tracks allow people out there during the week just to putt around? and what is the cost like? im sure im not ready for organized racing ( still having control issues ) :o but i would like to check out the tracks and meet some folks. thanks for yalls help. bryan

[cjtamu]

Yeah Bryan, you can practice there during the week. Area 51 is on Harl's properyt, so the schedule kind of revolves around what he has going on. Best to call. Fastrak is closed on Mondays (I think), and open the rest of the time. Just call the hobby shop for hours.

[Gary]

I agree with the other guys since you live in Clear Lake. I highly recommend K&M but its an awful long drive. Fastrak would be a good choice for ya. Talk to Dan in the shop and tell them we sent you there. Youll be taken good care of and if you need any help, ask Dan or his brother Smelly. I mean Smiley. :rotfl:

Seriously, tell them that Tol, Chris and Biff sent you there and they better not charge you for practice. The cool thing in return though, is to buy your stuff in the shop and not mail order them. Support your local hobby shop kinda thing. It keep the tracks open around here. :)

You have any pics of your truck?

[bentgixxer]

no pics as of yet, its all stock so far. the only problem im having is burning up glow plugs like mad, ive had the truck now for about a week, and been through 8-10 glow plugs. i think im burning them cause i havent gotten timing down right so i run out of gas and it leans out. im pretty sure thats my problem. other than that, its a blast, i might head out to one of the tracks either tomorrow ( thursday ) or sunday.

[bentgixxer]

allright, now im having serious issues, ive got spark at the glow plug, ive got compression, and ive got fuel flow ( fuel movement through carb ) but no ignition, it has tried to fire up, then it just turns over and makes almost like a detonation sound, like its trying to run but something is backed up. i am not sure what the problem is, ive had the truck right at a week, and i am starting to regret spending the money on it. if anyone has experienced this problem, or knows of a cure, please let me know. bryan

[KevinLRC]

What you are describing are normal tuning problems that occur all the time. You need to learn how to tune your engine so you can deal with these problems when they happen because it will happen countless more times. This is why I never recommend somebody that is brand new to r/c a nitro vehicle.

It's been so long since I've run nitro that even I don't even know how to troubleshoot things anymore. I would take out the glow plug and turn the motor over to clear it out. I would then try and set the motor's needles back to where they were when you got the truck and start over with it.

You know to troubleshoot and you're checking other things with the truck. Just take the time to read some stuff on how to tune a nitro engine and maybe learn from the other guys at the track and you will be alright.

[bentgixxer]

i tried setting everything back to its settings when i brought it home from the store. and i know just starting out it can be a headache trying to learn on nitro. hopefully i will control my temper and not throw it against the wall :D i think i just need to head out to one of the tracks one of these days and work with some of the guys who have been racing nitro for a while. is there a set day that everyone or almost everyone gathers, it would be cool to meet and greet everyone and get some pointers

[Tol Thomas]

http://web.archive.org/web/20030706133332/parisracing.com/tipspage.htm

This is a great site to use as a baseline for learnign how to tune along with pointers for even the most experienced. Many links here are not needed for tuning engines, but the ones dealing with engine tuning, reading the plug, and pipe tuning are great.

[cjtamu]

Nitro can be a little tricky when you're starting out. If it's a pull start sometimes they need a little throttle to get started, but you can't give it to them 'cause you're having to hold the car and pull the cord, etc. If you have throttle trim on your radio, open it up just a little before you try to start it. Once it starts and idles you can put teh trim back where it was. Just be sure you have your foot or something in fromt of the car, because it's going to idle a little higher with the trim open and you don't want it to run off. See if that will get it fired. Read teh info Tol posted also, it will help.

[bentgixxer]

if anyone is going to be out at any of the tracks this weekend, let me know, id like to try to make it around the track. and if beverages of the adult nature are allowed, let me know, ill bring some :brew2:

[cjtamu]

Brian, there's a THRC race at M&M this Saturday. Peopl ewill probably start showing up around 8:30. There's always racing on Sat evening at K&M in New Caney. There will be people at both places. Not sure what's happening at Fastrak this weekend, just call them. I have work to do this weekend or I'd meet you somewhere and give you a hand.

[Gary]

Yall got into tuning nitro motors and lost me! :) Tol tuned mine when I ran them. lol I still have a Losi and need to get the electronics put in it. I still have some fuel. Do some bashing when the weather cools down some.

[KevinLRC]

There's almost always no alcohol allowed at any of the tracks. After the races at Bennigans or some other restaurant with a bar is usually where all the drinking takes place.

[Ronnie Norris]

damb!...lmfaoooooooooooooo

[David Early]

Hmmmmmm :)