Setup Sheet

Anyway after moving interstate, it's been a bit of a struggle for me to get on the pace. I have been about 0.5sec a lap slower than the fast guys which puts me almost a lap down in a 6 min race, when combined with the odd driving error. Not having the right tyres was part of that - seems all the fast guys are running MM Absolute 32s while I was trying to get by with Sorex 36s.

I built up some RP30's I bought last year and decided to scrub them when I got to the track yesterday. They felt pretty rubbish as I hadn't warmed them which made me nervous about using them. So I decided to wack on some Sorex 28's. These gave terrific grip but the fronts got a working over and the understeer got worse as the race wore on. This was reflected by the lap times in the last minute of the 6 min heats. Overall, the car was stable but still felt too stuck mid-corner and on exit.

First heat, laid down the rear shock - a little better.

Second heat, replaced front D-D with C-C - better again, managing to qualify 3rd but still about 8 seconds down.

1st final, took 0.5mm off rear hub ball stud for a little less camber gain - a little more steer again but not as much I thought. Made a few mistakes as well and finished 7th.

For the 2nd final, I changed from 45wt Losi oil to 40wt all round. I also bit the bullet and wacked on the RP30's. The car was totally transformed!!! I now had the grip and the balance did not change over the 6 min. The lighter oil was improved transition at the chicane. I finished 3rd but had 2nd for a while until I made a bobble... But I was on the pace and finished only 2-3 sec behind the 2 guys ahead.

So last final, what to do... The car felt pretty good and I was pumped. I decided not to mess with it too much. So I decided to move all of 5g of lead from the right front side (approx under the steering arm, but just to the right), to right rear side just in front of the suspension block. I got a good start but was busy trying to fend off 4th place in the 1st few turns which allowed 1st and 2nd to get a small break. Shook 4th loose and began to hunt down 2nd. Put pressure on 2nd who then bobbled and I made the pass. I was soon hunting down 1st.

I was on his tail and he too bobbled and I was in the lead halfway through the race! I got away from him a bit, but that gap got eroded when a car I just lapped decided to jump the chicane and T-bone me... So 2nd was back on my tail and applying pressure. I made a few little bobbles here and there to keep him in the hunt. And in the chicane for very last time, I got a bit too indecisive behind a couple of scrapping backmarkers and he sneaked through. Finished in 2nd by 0.4s...

I was pretty bummed I couldn't hold on but was extremely happy with the gains I made. I also managed to post the fastest lap of the day in that last final. Very happy with that considering it's my 3rd time at a new track and I was still 0.5s a lap slower at the last club meet.

Anyway enough yapping - setup attached. I am still chasing a little bit more mid-corner and exit steering so I might try taking off the steering brace next time. Any other suggestions?