Readers write

Radio Control Car Action, Dec 2001

Join the Club

Your mag is what introduced me to this hobby; I saw it on the stands and said, "Oh, why not?" When I sat down and read it, I found out that RC is really cool! I scratched and saved until finally (with a little help from my parents), I was able to get my first truck-a T-Maxx. When school started, I took it to play with on the running track. I have never seen so many people look at something in my life. Since then, we have started an RC program at our school, but we haven't yet found any sponsors to really get it moving. If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot! [email] Terry cheatham_terry@hotmail.com

I think it would be cool if RC manufacturers offered special package deals or bonuses to schoolbased RC clubs, as Estes does with model rockets. Get one of your teachers (probably the shopclass guy) to be your official school sponsor, and see what you can put together! This is just the sort of thing Chris Chianelli would love to put into "Back Lot," so keep in touch. -Pete

Lightning Strikes

In the June 2001 issue, you tested the Team Losi Triple-X Kinwald Edition with really trick graphics on it. Where can I get those killer lightning stickers? I've tried several hobby shops, but nobody knows where to get them. Please help! Thanks. [email] Bob

Actually, those lightning bolts are painted on, so there are no stickers to find; sorry! If you would like to get a body painted with the same graphics, contact Bill Zegers at rcpaintman@aol.com; he painted our Triple-X KE, and he can do the same for you. -Pete

With a Crowbar and Duct Tape, that's how

I wonder how the Hitec RCD Spectra module fits and works in the Airtron ics M8. I had a friend who put them together, but he no longer races. [email]

Matt Gould

I can guess why your friend doesn't race anymore. The Spectra module doesn't fit the M8. Maybe you could cut up the M8 and hack-rig some way of installing the module, but you would then have two voided warranties on some very expensive electronic gear, and the result would likely be a truly hideous Frankenstein of a transmitter that doesn't work. Get an M8, or get a Lynx 3D, but don't try to combine them! -Pete

Job Hunting

My name is Nick, and I'm a 14-year-- old looking to find a career in something I love to do. After a few years of thinking, I have found RC is definitely what I love. There are a few problems, though. I can't find any information on what I need to know or where I need to go to learn it. So I'm asking you for help in pointing me in the right direction. I know my way around an RC car pretty well; I would just like to get paid for it. Nick nick_g_404@hotmail.com Vermontville, MI

Retail is easiest and the first logical step. See whether the local hobby shop owner will let you help out after school. If he says no, tell him you'll do it for free; and when he realizes that you're useful to have around, he can start paying you then.

Working in a shop (and reading Radio Control Car Action) will quickly make you an RC expert. After high school, you can study engineering and design if you hope to work on the manufacturing side of the hobby, or you could study communication and journalism to become a contributor to RC Car Action, or you could concentrate on marketing and advertising to back into the industry from the advertising side.

If you set a goal for your life now, you will be much more successful much sooner than someone who goofs off in school and doesn't form a plan until he graduates from high school or college and realizes he has no idea what to do next. I have a feeling you'll do just great. -Pete

Sub Trubs

I got sick of the bookstore selling out of Radio Control Car Action, so I subscribed, but after seven issues, I'm already getting renewal notices. Don't I get 12 issues? If I renew now, will I get duplicates? I mean, I like the mag and all, but I don't need two of each month's issue. I sure don't want to pay for two! [email] Bradley Rellfs

I don't usually run letters regarding circulation questions here in "Readers Write"; instead, I forward them to the circulation guys so they can deal with them. But I decided to run your letter to call everyone's attention to the new Customer Service section that will appear from now on in every issue of RC Car Action. This month, it's on page 273; the section will always be listed on the contents page under "Resources." And to answer your question: yes, you will be sent a full 12 issues; and no, you won't get duplicate issues if you renew now, but you can be sure of a further year of issues. Thanks for your support! -Pete

YOU SAID IT

Wouldn't it be cool if there were RC dirt bikes?

I loved the Track Test of the Nuova Faor SF5oi! This is the most awesome RC piece I have ever seen. The chain on the Nuova Faor is awesome! I ride motorcycles, and I can't tell you how cool it is to see this action come to RC. Wouldn't it be cool if there were RC dirt bikes, too? Think about having a scale RC dirt bike with a gas engine and Lexan plastic that you could paint the color you want and have choices among the major bike manufacturers? What if they even came out with a frame to match Honda's aluminum frame? The only RC dirt bike I have ever seen is the Tyco toy, and I heard it couldn't get off the pavement! I might be nuts, but I think RC bikes would be a huge plus to the hobby. [email]