When is "fast" really "too fast"?

[RC10th]

I've always been a fan of more power and a "you can never have too much" kind of guy. I've come to realize there is a point now where there really is too much, and although fun initially gets old rather quickly. Even a measly 8.5T boosted and turbo'd T4 with a big battery will run 20+ minutes, fry the tires almost non stop to speed and be so fast that the slightest bump in the asphalt will send it over backwards on its lid. The sound of lexan scraping across the asphalt gets old quickly

When does fast become too fast?

[Charlie don't surf]

The formula for too fast is simple.

(Skill)(Traction)(Set-up)
------------------------------ X (C rating)(weight)
(KV rating)

[Lonestar]

too fast is relative. what is too fast for you might be dog-slow for the Ryan's...

The ultimate test: take it to the track. If you're getting lapped by people with less motor than you, then it's likely too fast for your skills.

Paul

[kink]

If I wanted properly fast I'd be running 1/8th again. In 1/10th I just like a normal fun pace. Thrashing and smashing the car up for a few more mph is a bit dumb, imo.

[Coelacanth]

I can simplify Charlie's formula. You have to be honest with yourself, but you'll know when your car's speed and manoeuverability is beyond your capacity to control it. And I'm talking about not just speed-runs in a straight line down the street, which requires no skill at all. If you can't handle the speed and turning in a predictable manner, your car is too powerful.

I'm far from a racer but according to some top speed calculators and knowing my rollout ratio & gearing, one of my Optimas with a mystery 14-turn black can brushed motor on 8.4V was hitting the high 30's in mph, and it was just about at that cut-off where *I* couldn't control it predictably. An experienced racer no doubt would've thought this was slow and could've handled it expertly, I'm sure.

You'll know when you're overpowered by the frequency of unexpected crashes, rollovers, whoopsies, etc...you just have to be honest with yourself.

[rc10johnny]

Hmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my skills have gotten so slow that I have to get in the bed of the truck to keep from runnin over myself anymore

[Incredible_Serious]

Hmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my skills have gotten so slow that I have to get in the bed of the truck to keep from runnin over myself anymore

Only difference between you and me, Johnny..... your skills have gotten so slow, whereas mine never existed!

I've found that the best way for me to have fun is to pick my cars carefully. That's why I drive a short course truck offroad, Tamiya Minis onroad, and a PB Mini Mustang in vintage.... indestructibility!!!

Alex

[RC10th]

Thats what I'm talking about Coelacanth, although going quick in a straight line does take skill to some degree. There must be a point where something becomes too fast even for even the most skilled driver (we'll say basher driver for top speed runs)

I guess the easiest answer is when the car becomes undrivable.

[RC104ever]

I just slam on the brakes then turn slowly after doing a full speed run down the street

Seriously though, it comes down to modulation of the throttle finger. If your ESC is capable, you can adjust the throttle curve which can help (among other settings).

I still love that I can jab the throttle and watch my car fly down the street. Admittedly, I've yet to try it on a track but I'm convinced that I could handle it. I'm running a Castle 5700 in both gold pans, 4600 in the T4, 3800 in the Sand Scorcher and a 7700 in my B44, which is INSANELY fast.

[markbt73]

If you get to the point where the car is driving you, instead of you driving the car, it's too fast. If all you're doing is mashing down the throttle and hanging on for dear life, you're not really driving. But if you can open it up and let it sing, and still put it exactly where you want it, then it's not too fast for you.

Me, I have the most fun in the corners, either in 1:1 or RC. Top speed in a straight line is of little interest to me, but hitting a curve exactly right and accelerating out of it, then doing it 100 more times exactly the same way, therein lies a challenge. And you don't need a lot of power for that.

[slapshot1979]

fast is too fast, when you take out your new losi 22, with unglued front tires (because your like a 12 year old with a new present) make a few passes down the street, go to turn into driveway and realize at last second curb is too high to not smack on pass-over. So you nail the brakes and both front tires come off wheels and pass you..rubber only. the boy and I laughed like fools as did some neigbors.

[RC10th]

If you get to the point where the car is driving you, instead of you driving the car, it's too fast.

Or your car has given up on being a car and decides to try its hand at becoming an airplane, when you exceeded the aerodynamic properties of the chassis/body.

[EvolutionRevolution]

If you get to the point where the car is driving you, instead of you driving the car, it's too fast.

Or your car has given up on being a car and decides to try its hand at becoming an airplane, when you exceeded the aerodynamic properties of the chassis/body.

Why stop at "being an airplane"? Become a cruise missile, and explode upon impact with a concrete pole!

[Lonestar]

If you get to the point where the car is driving you, instead of you driving the car, it's too fast. If all you're doing is mashing down the throttle and hanging on for dear life, you're not really driving. But if you can open it up and let it sing, and still put it exactly where you want it, then it's not too fast for you.

Me, I have the most fun in the corners, either in 1:1 or RC. Top speed in a straight line is of little interest to me, but hitting a curve exactly right and accelerating out of it, then doing it 100 more times exactly the same way, therein lies a challenge. And you don't need a lot of power for that.

AMEN!

although going quick in a straight line does take skill to some degree.

err....

[kink]

An even simpler forumla... if you crash or roll your car even once on a run you were probably going too fast for your skill in that situation. A good run should result in zero marks being added to the buggy imho