mini quad racing time trial league

[danhampson]

As the title says, I've been thinking of ways to start a rc-hangout mini quad racing league.
my initial idea is a time trial consisting of some laps of a course that can be found globally. My first thought is to use the goal posts of a standard sized soccer pitch as the two turning points making the course a nascar style oval.
I would like say 5 laps from a standing start in the centre of one set of goal posts. All other laps then have to be completed without cutting corners over/through the posts.

I've opened this thread to gauge interest and collect ideas how this could be run to gain new members and create some competitive fun between members.

[Stambo]

Not a bad idea, but you also need some hoops somewhere so that more skill is involved.
Otherwise it comes down to whoever has the fastest quad and can get around the course semi ok.

[Lee]

I'm up for it.

[madphil]

I am up for that put my name down just orderd a CC3D

[cml001]

Gotta get me a 250 racer...

[danhampson]

Not a bad idea, but you also need some hoops somewhere so that more skill is involved.
Otherwise it comes down to whoever has the fastest quad and can get around the course semi ok.

I like the idea of an obstacle or slalom along one of the straights to add some complexity to the course, It has to be made up from something simple and readily available like windfall branches with plastic tied to them (for visibility) at say 2-2.5 metre intervals.

I think this would also help fpv beginners like myself to keep track of their progress and develop their flying / proximity skills as well as being a little bit of competition between rc-hangout members.

Heres a rough idea for a track, let me know what you think guys or any other ideas.

track v1.png (14.14 KiB) Viewed 2824 times

[Stambo]

I think the slalom is a great idea but 2.5m is probably a little close.
It seems like plenty until you try it.
I still like the idea of a couple of hoops or gates on the other straight, perhaps 2m wide and 1m high so you get that ground hugging action going on. Perfect spot for a ground mounted gopro.

[Tony]

Sounds interesting Dan, where will this all take place..

[Graham Lawrie]

I am of two minds:)

1. I am too competitive and would not enter as i would not win. Weather is a big factor:(
2. You would turn me into the"Eddie The Eagle" of the micro racing world:)

LOL Love the idea:)

[danhampson]

I think the slalom is a great idea but 2.5m is probably a little close.
It seems like plenty until you try it.
I still like the idea of a couple of hoops or gates on the other straight, perhaps 2m wide and 1m high so you get that ground hugging action going on. Perfect spot for a ground mounted gopro.

I like the idea of a limbo the only problem would be finding something to use that would be a standard for everyone, maybe half a childs hoola hoop?

Im going to start some trials next week (weather permitting), so that we can work on distances between slalom poles, 2-2.5m was just a number off the top of my head. ive just done a calculation and with 5 slalom markers that would give a distance of around 20m between markers

Sounds interesting Dan, where will this all take place..

The concept is that the track can be made by anyone who has access to a soccer pitch and use minimal equipment to mark the track out. This way we can run a global leader board.

I am of two minds:)

1. I am too competitive and would not enter as i would not win. Weather is a big factor:(
2. You would turn me into the"Eddie The Eagle" of the micro racing world:)

LOL Love the idea:)

My thinking behind it is that in order to help personal progression there is some form of challenge involved, even if someone is last in the league they have still got a personal best to try to beat.

[Graham Lawrie]

I would just want to be first:).......................Graham sneaks off and starts practicing...................LOL

[danhampson]

I would just want to be first:).......................Graham sneaks off and starts practicing...................LOL

Lol I'm super competitive as well Graham. I used to receive sailing boats when I was younger at national level.
With this sort of league your biggest competitor is yourself and the league table give you a nemesis from the forum.

[Lee]

Pool noodles are the best for making gates. They don't damage the quads when you hit them. Cheap to buy and very colourful.

[Stambo]

Pool noodles are the best for making gates. They don't damage the quads when you hit them. Cheap to buy and very colourful.

Yup, pool noodles is what I use, 2 joined together is a perfect size.
You could specify a spacing for the legs which would make the height uniform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXWqB4TOq1k

[danhampson]

I'll look into those lee. Are they rigid or would they need something to make them stand up?

[Stambo]

I'll look into those lee. Are they rigid or would they need something to make them stand up?

I use a piece of alkathene pipe in the join and I have some fibreglass rods left from an old tent that I stick in the ground.
Alkathene is semi flexible low density polyethylene pipe used for farm water.
At the moment I only have a small piece for the join but I intend to use it through the whole thing to stiffen it up a bit more.

If you wanted it a bit more rigid you use aluminium or PVC pipe throught the middle for a pole.

[Lee]

Use velcro or a piece of plastic tubing to join the two together, and tent pegs to hold them down.

[danhampson]

Loving the velcro idea to hold them together. I'm going to go and get some on Friday. I'll pick 7 up, 5 for slalom markers and 2 for a limbo. I've got some garden canes in the shed so I think I'll cut them into short sections and hot glue them in the ends of the noodles as ground pegs.

[Stambo]

Loving the velcro idea to hold them together. I'm going to go and get some on Friday. I'll pick 7 up, 5 for slalom markers and 2 for a limbo. I've got some garden canes in the shed so I think I'll cut them into short sections and hot glue them in the ends of the noodles as ground pegs.

If you are gonna do hoops like I have you need 2 for each one.
I tried 1 and the gap is just too small.
As far as ground pegs, don't glue them, it is easier to put the pegs in the ground and then put the noodles over the top.

[danhampson]

yeah was thinking of a hoop on the start/finish straight that way its not just a full throttle blast down the straight. i think that the start/finish line should be 1/3 the way down the straight just to move it away from the last bend a bit and then the limbo hoop an around the 2/3 mark on the s/f straight. Ive got to go to work shortly so I'll try to update the track image tomorrow.