Backyard fun- Tamiya choices

[MOmo]

So a fellow racer has decided to build a track in his backyard.
The goal is vintage "Bashing" Tamiya/Kyosho/etc and less about the competitive cars
(Not cars like the RC10s or JRX2s- though 6gears could be allowed.)

limited to SilverCan 540s.

I've already updated my Frog (original) with the following:

-brushed ESC (upgraded from the MSC)
-newer steering servo
-modern receiver. (75mhz)

In keeping more with the spirit of Backyard Bashing,
I am wondering if anyone races either the originals or some of the modern RERE cars?
IF so, is there a particular chassis or car that is better than another? Is a Hornet better than a Frog or Grasshopper?
All things being equal, I know there probably isn't much difference, but would I be better off saving my Original Frog in favor of a RERE or different chassis all together? I did take it out in the ally behind my garage on some gravel and run it around and it was surprisingly good. how cross compatible are the RERE parts with the classic? Direct fit or are there differences? I kinda want to get a Brat, and keeping the budget under $200 if I can help it.


I was looking online at some of what is available.

Amain:
https://www.amainhobbies.com/rc-car-trucks-kits?fb=89&lg=fb
(grasshopper looking pretty cheap)


Tower:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0091p?&P=SM&C=CAA&V=TAM


So if anyone has anything they would like to share, or if there are any shortcomings with a particular car that I should steer clear of, OR knows of other sources for Tamiya kits, LMK.



MOm

[clm]

So I am guessing an rc10 worlds car with a 6 gear dropped in and short front arms would be a no go? For the approximately $150 you can get one from tower with the $20 off thing they do it's hard to beat.

Although if you are going for the FUN aspect.. get something totally unsuited for racing like a Lunchbox

[MOmo]

So I am guessing an rc10 worlds car with a 6 gear dropped in and short front arms would be a no go?

I do have a couple of 6-gear Trans based chassis' and I was debating on going thru a 6 gear and making a short arm runner (in addition to my 2 WOIN builds, one of which is an outdoor runner).


I do like the Lunchbox and actually I do have a King Cab for the retro MT/ST class!



MOmo

[GoMachV]

Raider. It's already mid motor, semi decent suspension, and super readily available. Already has hexes on the back. Weak link is the rear diff but no weaker than a frog.

[tamiyadan]

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[Lonestar]

I have raced a Fire Dragon a few years back in a vintage class... I was shocked at how well the thing behaved. All the upgrades it had were ballbearings and a servo-saver, plus carefully picked shock springs (can't remember which, though). It's also very robust. I would have sworn that with a proper set of tires and electronics and a bit more work on the oil/spring/piston combo (the kit setup is just as bad as anything stock tamiya from that era), the thing would have been reasonably competitive for modern 4wd club racing, not top-contender, though.

[tamiyadan]

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[Lonestar]

cost wise a reproduction firedragon NIB kit goes for like 350$

whaaaaaaat?!?

I remember picking up TWO when they got Re-re at like $129 or whatever something like a decade or so ago... one went straight to a friend's place (at cost), the other one I bashed mildly and raced a couple of times, then sold it for like almost nothing and it was perfect, painted driver and all...

Why do I never learn?

and, yes, agree, the Manta Ray is even better. I didn't suggest it as I thought prices were commanding a premium over the Fire Dragon, but then again if a re-re NiB FD is $350 these days

[tamiyadan]

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[Wahrsuul]

My favorite races BITD were the "box stock". Bearings were allowed, but that was it - stock motors and mechanical speed control. We raced the lunchbox/pumpkins as well as the blackfoot/beetle and the Clods.

My Thunder Shot held up well and was probably my favorite. I still have it, but later converted it to a Terra Scorcher. I had a Marui Ninja, but didn't like it as much so I sold it a while later. I ran a Fox briefly, but I didn't enjoy the 2wd class as much.

[tamiyadan]

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[matt1ptkn]

MT racing is alive and well. http://triggerkingrc.com/ Maybe not like it used to be, but there is a niche. I'm trying to get some friends to get together and bash like these guys, but its a slow process.

Anyway, for backyard bashing type racing, I enjoy, and am frustrated as hell by my Grasshopper II and my Clods. I've never really been a Kyosho fan though, so I can't say much there. But you really can't go wrong with a short arm, 6 gear. That is fun.

[tamiyadan]

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[Turkbot]

Hi, is this track really going ahead?

[yellowdatsun]

We built a track in my backyard as well. It takes up nearly the whole yard. I personally run a 4x4 ECX Torment, one friend runs a Bandit, another a B4, and another a 4x4 slash. I also have an RC10T buggy that I run. Mine are dedicated to this track, as I have other cars that run at the "real" track.

The RC10 Worlds is going to be one of the best choices for something like this. I'd also consider a re-re Optima. The Optima isn't good at the real track, but does well in my backyard track, where the jumps aren't as high, and the track not as technical.

So there you have it, Optima, or RC10 Worlds, or maybe a B4. The Bandit kinda sucks.