Readers write

Radio Control Car Action, Aug 2000

Put the Pedals to the Metal

In the December 1999 issue of RCCA, in the article about the history of RC cars, one of the pictures in it really caught my eye. It showed a couple of people starting a vitro car with a bike tire! Is this possible with current vitro cars? Would it work with the Nitro RS4 RTR? If so, how? This would be a lot cheaper than buying a starter box and easier than a pull-starter. [email]

ANDY NELSON

Sorry, Andy; the bicycle rig won't work with today's cars, although the principle of a starter box is the same. The guys in that ancient picture are actually starting the car by using the bike wheel to spin the car wheel; it works because the car is directdrive without a clutch. -Pete

Long-Distance Nitro 4-TEC

I decided to buy a Traxxas Nitro 4-TEC, and I'll buy the RTR version with the TQ radio. I visited the Traxxas website, which said the TQ radio has a 1/a-mile radio range. If I brought my Nitro 4-TEC to my school's running track (which is a'/a-mile oval) and stood in the middle of the infield, could I drive the Nitro 4-TEC around the track without losing radio range? [email]

MIKE OSTEN

I think you'd lose the car because of radio trouble or an inability to see it well. The TQ allows you to drive your car out of sight if you're in a wide-open space without power lines, chain-link fences, parked cars, light poles, etc., but I'm sure the running track has those glitch-causing items in spades. Trust me: it's more fun to keep the car close by where you can see it. - Pete

But Seriously...

Concerning the frequent use of the term "rides" in your magazine, how does one "ride" an RC model car? Sounds silly, doesn't it? The time, effort and money that people put into these small engineering marvels warrant a more sophisticated description than dumbed-dawn kid language. Please take it seriously. [email]

CHUCK

OK, Chuck; from now on, "Readers' Rides" will be called "Readers' Small Engineering Marvels." I'll also try to take everything as seriously as possible; this hobby isn't about fun, after all. And thanks for setting me straight about the "kid language"-you big poopy head.

- Pete

Get Your Circle Cutter Here

I read your article, "7 Steps to a Fast Finish," in the May 2000 issue of RC Car Action magazine and tried to find more information on the Olfa circle cutter you mentioned. The article referred to the Index of Manufacturers on page 216, but there is no information on Olfa listed there. I am interested in purchasing one of these circle cutters, so any help would be appreciated. [email]

ROBERT UTLEY

Robert, just go to www.olfa.com or call (8oo) 962-OLFA to order the CMP-1circle cutter. -Pete

Triple-XT versus Double-XT

I really dug the comparison you did with the photographs of the Double-X "CR" versus the TripleXT. But I noticed that the `CR' rear tire is a Step-Pin, while on the Triple-XT is a Taper Pin. Now my question is: could the height of the Step-Pin over the Taper Pin contribute to the slightly lower dogbones on the Triple-XT? I really love your mag. Keep up the great job!

DANNY S. Medford, Long Island, NY

It's always a pleasure to get intelligent letters from guys like yourself. I'm glad you liked the article and pleased that you read each issue so carefully. About the bones: if you took closely, you'll notice that the "ground line" for the Triple-XT is kicked up just a click to compensate for the Double-XT's slightly taller tires. For the side views, I used the rims' mounting nuts to match up the trucks so the tires wouldn't be an issue (if you look closely, you can see the Step-Pin tires peeking out from behind the Triple-XT's Reptile and 8-rib rubber, and the tires are concentric). I still wouldn't call the photos "scientific," but I did take pains to make sure they were as "real" as possible. Great questions; thanks for caring enough to write!

- Pete

Where are the Bikes?

Why don't I see any RC motorcycles or dirt bikes around? Didn't Kyosho used to make two motorcycles? I think it would make an awesome racing class with dirt bikes and motorcycles- What do you think? [email]

JOHN RAEDEKE

Kyosho had the "Elec Rider" way back in the early days, and then it had a pair of trick GP-style racing bikes in the early 'gos. The last Kyosho bikes were the "hanging-on" series, which featured riders that would pop out a knee to lean into turns! Sadly, the little bikes never really caught on here. I'm with you though-a race class for bikes would be wild. -Pete

Which Wheels?

Hi; I recently picked up the new issue; great job, guys! In the article, "7 Steps to a Fast Finish," which car ties under that Dodge Stratus body, and who makes those wheels? That car looks awesome! [email]

VINCE GRANA

Glad you liked it! It's a Kyosho TF-4 Type R wearing a set of RPM Avenger wheels.

- Pete

The Mark of Orion

You guys goofed! Mark Francis runs for Team Orion; you had him down as Trinity in the Reedy Race winners' listings (June 2000). [email]

BRIAN WHITE

Right you are, Brian. Mark also took second in 2WD and fourth in 4WD for Orion at the Cactus Classic, covered in this issue (and, yes, we got it right in the winners' chart!).