DIY Network

Dirt Oval-Track Racing: Tips, Tricks and Behind the Scenes From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-401

Speedzone racer Larry Lennon.

In this episode of DIY's Radio Control Hobbies, host Chris Chianelli visits Speedzone Raceway in Athens, Tennessee. In this second segment . . . more action from Speedzone Raceway. Also, Chris visits with several drivers in the pits and gets some tips on racing off-road buggies.

Important: This demonstration provides some of the basic information for assembly and operation of the particular radio-control models shown in this episode. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with yours -- whether it is this particular model or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can typically be found in the manufacturer's instructions.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B

"Turn Left, Go Fast"

Chris talks first with long-time dirt-track racing enthusiast Larry Lennon who began racing RC models about 20 years ago. He recently renewed his interest when his sons and grandsons got into the action. "It's a great way for us to get back together on weekends," he says. "We spend nearly all of our weekends here at Speed Zone. It's a great family sport."

Larry races both the buggy class and late-models. His outlaw-class racer (figure A) is an example of the extreme version of dirt-track racing -- the class that allows virtually any kind of modification, without restrictions. As Larry says, "It's anything-goes." These are the fastest vehicles on the dirt-track, and can reach top speeds of 67 mph or more.

The cars are designed with a special "wing" to aid in steering on the track, and can only turn left when being driven -- since they will always be traveling in the same direction on the dirt track. Without the wing, the cars would basically only travel in a straight line. If the race falls of during a race, the car is essentially out of the running.

The cars are 4-wheel-drive and designed with a wedge shape to be aerodynamic and keep air flowing up and over the back. A foam bumper protects the front end and chassis (figure B).

Larry's car features disc brakes and a hot-rod engine -- the Roddy C5. Hardened steel gears are required since stock-gears would quickly be destroyed by the power of these hopped up engines. The transmission is removed from these cares since they are only run at one speed . . . fast!.

Since races in this class are frequently won by only tenths or hundredths of a second, the operators are constantly adjusting and tweaking their buggies, to achieve their best possible results, in tents and trailers at the side of the track.

Figure C

Quick Starts

As one of the racers shows Chris, these racing buggies don't use pull-starts. In order to get them off and running, a special battery-powered starter box -- or "bump box" -- is used (figure C). A spinning wheel on the starter box comes into contact with the vehicle's fly-wheel at the bottom of the car. The starter boxes are custom-set for the specific type of vehicle they'll be used for. This system makes it possible to get a stalled or refueled car started and back into the race quickly.

Figure D

Oval-Track Racing Tip: Height Adjustment

Veteran dirt-tracker Frank Ledgerwod talks to Chris and shows the results of one of his earlier races that day -- a blown motor in which the connecting rod actually pierced through the body of the crank-case (figure D). Frank's best guess as to how this happened is the use of improper fuel for this application.

One of the racing tips that Chris receives from Frank is how to adjust the suspension for a truggy or buggy.

To lower the center of gravity, remove one or two shims (plastic clips) from each of the shock absorbers. By using the shims to adjust the height (figures E and F), the vehicle can be set for off-road conditions or lowered for high-speed oval-track racing.

Figure E

Figure F

Important: Refer to manufacturer’s instructions for using the appropriate oil with any shock absorber modifications.

In the segment that follows, Chris reviews some of the special the rules and regulations in this style of racing. It's all in preparation for the big race that happens a little later.

RESOURCES :

Speed Zone Raceway Park
1116 North Congress Parkway Athens
Athens, TN 37303
Phone: 423-744-8358
Toll-free: 866-590-0763
Web site: www.speedzoneraceway.com