So Cubby mentioned the long jump bash event we were at this weekend! Special thanks to Craig for building that amazing ramp! It was incredible! The event had a bunch of great people with all sorts of vehicles.. I’ll save that write up for the video covering the event coming soon.. this post is all about Tim! Tim has been writing, racing, and bashing with Big Squid RC for years.. almost since the beginning! It was great to be able to witness some amazing big air skill this weekend!
We have all seen the previous videos online, Saxton and his 137.3 foot jump, Adam Drake’s 144 feet, so we had some goals to set this weekend. I’m sure there will be a ton of emails with everyone’s opinion.. but 176 feet is nothing to laugh at!
The gauntlet has been launched… watch the video!

It’s in HD if you click on the vid and watch it on the YouTubes.

RC Racing 101 #3- What Car/Class? by Tim Mohr

In the first two editions of RC Racing 101 (see here and here) I wrote about how to find a track and what questions to ask once you found one. If you are new to the hobby or a basher just wanting to give racing a whirl the next issue you might have on the way to your first race is what car/buggy/truck to race with. Some tracks have lots of classes and are very accommodating to cars that they do not currently have a class for, but other tracks may offer very few classes and will not let you run a car that doesn’t perfectly fit in. Here’s a top 4 list to help you determine the best class/car for you to race with.

4. The Car You Already Own- This might be the only option for some people, and if you are just wanting to get your feet wet there is no sense in buying a new car just for a race or two. Call ahead to see if the track has a class for your car, if not, most tracks have a “5 cars make a class” rule, so you might be able to ask around and have other people help fill up the class. If your closest track does not offer your class, then check other tracks in your area, you might get lucky. If it’s going to be a long drive each week to race the car you own, it just might be cheaper to just buy a new one.

3. Easy To Drive- Some cars/classes are easier to drive than others. Typically the smaller the scale the harder they are to drive, and 2wd is nearly always harder to drive than 4wd. Among some of the hardest to drive classes are 12th scale on-road, 18th scale off-road, and 2wd 10th scale buggy. Considered some of the easiest classes to drive are 8th scale truggy, and touring car, but of course this varies by track and with personal driving styles.

2. Price- If you are up for buying new just for racing, some cars naturally cost more than others, and not just in brand names, but also in operational costs. Typically the larger the scale the more they will cost you to run a season, with 8th scale on and off road considered to be two of the most expensive. But remember, the cost of racing is totally up to you. For example, you can easily sink over a thousand bucks into a little 18th scale car, or you can race it bone stock for just over $200. You can race a spec short course truck for under $300 and spend very little on a weekly basis for tires and other support equipment, or you can bling out one of the 4×4 short course racers and spend over a grand right off the bat. I must also mention that rarely does the amount of money spent equal more fun, as more expensive usually only equals faster cars. In fact, many racers will often tell you the most fun they ever had was in the cheapest class they ever ran.

1. What’s Popular- Every track will have one class that is more popular than any other. Racing in the largest class has several advantages like typically having more people of a similar skill level to your own, more people to get set-up advice from and more spare parts to borrow from fellow racers. At some tracks the “popular” class changes on a yearly, sometimes even monthly basis, while at other tracks it has remained the same for over a decade. So at some tracks if you buy what’s popular this season it might be good for several years, while at others you might be buying a new car every couple months, it just varies with the track.

Until next week, see you on the grid.

RC Racing 101 #2- What To Ask About A Track by Tim Mohr

Last week, in the first installment of RC 101, I went over the best ways of finding a track to race at. All tracks are different, so installment #2 will focus on the top 3 questions to ask a track you are considering racing at. Typically these questions can be answered from a tracks website, but some tracks rarely update, and some don’t have websites at all, so it’s always best to call to get the most accurate information before you pack and head their way.

Here are the top 3 questions to ask a new track.

3. What classes do you provide? You might own a Duratrax Evader, but your nearest track might be carpet that only races touring cars and 12th scale. It’s important to know what cars they have classes for, and which ones they don’t. Many tracks have a rule that 3 cars make a class, so if they don’t have a particular class you are interested in, you might be able to round up a couple buddies and get to race.

2. How much does it cost to enter? Most local tracks charge between $5 to $20 per class for a local race, and from $15 to over $100 per class at a big event. Some tracks also require that you be a member of one of the rc sanctioning bodies to race, while others are club tracks that require a club membership. Membership fees are usually paid once a year and are available at the track, but can add significantly to the cost of your first race.

1. What pitting aids do you supply? Some tracks provide everything, while others provide nothing. Bringing all your rc gear is a no brainer, but you might also need to bring an EZ Up, extension cord, pit table, and chair to the track.

Until next week, see you on the grid.

RC Racing 101 #1- Finding A Track
by Tim Mohr

BigSquidRC is a bashing site, but even the most fervent basher gives racing a whirl from time to time. My weekly “RC Racing 101″ column is a compendium to help everyone from the first timer to the weekly racer that wants to up their game.

Article #1 is focused on the top 3 ways to find a track to race at. If you live in a large metropolitan area it may be a breeze, if you live in a rural area it might mean hours of driving.

3. Magazines- When looking for tracks magazines can be a great resource. Find a copy of R/C Car and they conveniently list them in a track directory. Also, all the magazines sponsor rc events from coast to coast, so within their pages you’ll find advertisements of these tracks and events.

2. The Internet- There are lots of places to find tracks on the internet, but the best two that I’ve found are RC Car Action Magazines track directory, and the RcTech.net forums. The RCCA track directory is not a perfect source, but it’s one of the most complete and easy to use on the internet. The RcTech.net forums include a track locator forum, as well as fairly comprehensive North America Regional racing forums. You can find the RCCA track locator HERE, and the RcTech.net forums HERE.

1. Hobby Shops- Over the years, the single best resource I’ve found for finding a local track has been hobby shops. Like anything else, this can be hit or miss, at some shops they’ve never even heard of rc racing, but usually at least one person behind the counter can give you some pointers on where to go for a race. I must also mention that many times it’s not just the guys behind the counter that have the inside scoop on a local track, often times another customer will overhear you and will pipe up and volunteer information about an under publicized track in the area. So keep your ears open and don’t be shy about asking where other rc’ers are running. Better hobby shops will also have race flyers from local tracks posted in their stores, so keep your eyes open as well.

Next week I’ll venture into the process of which class/car to go racing with, until then, see you on the grid.

A big congratulations goes out to our driver Tim Mohr who took third in the A-Main for Mod Short Course truck this weekend at the Chitown Shootout event at the Leisure Hours Raceway! There were about 290 entries this weekend, and a ton of classes with some great final races! Tim was racing the HPI Blitz and it handled great! He said he didn’t break a part on the Blitz all weekend!

The pits were packed, and it was elbow to elbow everywhere! Always good to see tons of familiar faces, and meet a bunch of new ones!

I’d like to mention that the folks at Leisure Hours did a great job on race day! All the races moved very quickly! None of this waiting around for 30 to 60 minutes between each race like a ROAR event. When one race ended, the next group was on the driver stand and ready to go!

For the most part, the drivers were pretty calm. No big blow ups. It was also great to see some kids running in the novice classes! I know both Cubby and myself have complained many times about the lack of kids coming into the sport, but there were a couple dozen at the track this weekend! Keep it up guys!

Congrats again Tim!

Pro Driver, basher, occasional writer for Big Squid RC, and awesome guy, Tim Mohr has officially signed on with Hot Bodies racing! Tim will be racing the new Hot Bodies Ve8 Electric buggy! Congrats and good luck Tim!

Pro Driver, good friend of Big Squid RC, and all around good guy, Tim Mohr just won the Great Lakes Division title for 1/8th scale electric buggy this weekend at the State Line RC Raceways in Fremont Indiana! This is Tim’s 3rd division title in the RC Pro Series!
His setup, for those interested, Castle Monster ESC, Castle 2650kv Motor, MaxAmps LiFe batteries and a Caster Fusion EX-1R! Congrats Tim!!

Slash Stock was the largest class at the nationals, going all the way down to an “E” main. It’s also arguably the most popular electric class in the country right now. The Slash Stock class requires that the trucks race with nearly no modifications, making the class very much a “driver and battery class” because all the trucks are nearly identical in performance. The MaxAmps 2S 4200HC helped Tim TQ and finish first in the A-main to take the national title! To quote Tim “Luckily, my MaxAmps 2S 4200HC was the fastest battery on the track. Thank you guys a TON. I couldn’t have done it with a lesser battery. I was pulling guys on the straights, and making all the jumps with ease, while other guys running lesser packs were having a rough time. Winning over a huge field of awesome drivers, in nearly identical trucks, in perhaps the most popular class in the country right now…. OMG I’m still so stoked today after the win…!!!!”

In 2wd Open, racing a Thunder Tech Outlaw chassis’d Traxxas Slash and being the only Traxxas Slash to make the A-main (the class had about 20 entries, enough for a full A and B). Tim qualified 5th, and ended up finishing the A-main in 5th place running MaxAmps 2S 4500 LiFePO4’s on a Mamba Max and Mamba 7700 motor. In Tim’s words “I gave it 110%, and it felt pretty awesome to mix it up with some of the best factory drivers in the country while wheeling a Traxxas”

Congratulations to our Pro Drive Tim Mohr who TQ’d this weekend and took first place in the stock class at the Short Course Nationals this weekend!! Sounds like there was some serious bumping and grinding going on over there. Tim also took 5th in the MOD class! Awesome job buddy!!

Hope to post up some pictures soon.

Caster Racing USA and our own driver Tim Mohr won big at the St. Louis RC Pro Series!

RC Pro Series Midwest Division Race #1 electric 1/8 scale division. First place and TQ goes to Team Caster Racing driver Tim Mohr running a Caster Fusion Pro, proving once again that Caster Racing products are very capable on the track. Caster Racing is the first manufacturer to make an electric 1/8 scale buggy and truggy and the radically different design from conversions is proving effective once again.

Way to go Tim! Also, Huge props to one of our other drivers and occasional guest writer (see The Slash Report) Jason Annis (on the right) Taking third! Great job guys, you ROCK!
Taking second place there on the left is Mike Marshal. Wanted to make sure we got everyone!

BigSquidRC Race Report- RC Pro Series, Great Lakes Division Round #1.
By Tim Mohr

Race Type- Nitro Off-Road
Venue- Hidden Springs Ranch, Springfield Ohio
Date Held- May 22nd-24th, 2009

The opening round of the RC Pro Series Great Lakes Division was held last weekend in Ohio. As I pulled up to the venue, I found out it was being held on a horse ranch, complete with lots of horses, cows, and working dogs. The Hidden Springs Ranch is just outside of Enon Ohio, near Springfield, and was a beautiful place to put an rc track. The track was nearly as beautiful as the surroundings. It was well designed with lots of jumps, bumps, and even a wagon wheel corner.

Friday was an all day practice session, then Saturday brought on 4 rounds of qualifiers. Carlton Eppes, owner of the RC Pro Series, flew in for the race, and along with the local track personnel, made sure everything ran smoothly for the roughly 100 racers.

Mains were on Sunday, and first up was the Pro Mod Truck (Monster Truck) class. Mike Hempy took the win, with Jake Baker and Rick Sayers rounding out the podium. Yours truly was racing the 8th Scale Electric Buggy class, but because I was the only entry, I also raced with the Pro Mod Truck guys. I was very dissappointed that no other 8th Scale electrics showed up, but I had a blast racing my Castle Creations/MaxAmps/BigSquidRC/Caster Racing Fusion EX-1R with the Pro Mod Truck guys.
Read the rest of this entry »

Our Pro Driver and good friend Tim Mohr checks in from the 1/18th scale nats! Thanks for the report Tim, looks like you got a few awards yourself! Congrats!

2009 18th Scale Carpet Off-Road Nationals Report by Tim Mohr

The 6th annual 18th scale Carpet Off-Road Nationals went down over the weekend at RC Madness in Enfield Connecticut. While attendance dropped off a bit due to the economy, the race still had a very respectable 223 entries, and 27 races per round.

Here’s a quick race recap-

2wd Stock- TQ Ron Spinelli ran into problems in the main, while Castle Creations/MaxAmps driver Wesley Dennis picked it up and finished with his first win at the off-road nats. Second place is listed at Dean Berry, but perhaps it was RC Drivers Greg Vogel behind the wheel? Third place went to Matt Maziarz.

Stock/Spec Buggy- RC Driver’s Greg Vogel hot a race long battle with carpet guru Mark Smyka, with Vogel ending up on top. Both the top two guys were running the Duratrax Vendetta. Third place went to Associated’s Bob Stellflue.

Stock Rally- TQ Ashely Villar took down the win, with Ron Spinelli finishing second on the podium, and Nick Zaccaro nailing down third.

4wd Stock Truck- TQ and factory MaxAmps/X-Ray driver Zack Barry destroyed the field in both qualifying and in the main. Nick Zaccaro and Aaron Wilson rounded out the podium.

Tamiya Spec Class- TQ Carrisa Smyka ran clean out front for the win, while RC Drivers Greg Vogel and Mark Smyka went back and forth for second place, with Vogel gaining the spot at the end.

Novice- Talk about a good group of racers having a great time out on the track! Andrew “Lil’ Fish” Bishop took the win with his Assocaited RC18, while Cameron Dopp came in second, and Trevor Stevens finished third.

Mini-Monster- Once again, MaxAmps/X-Ray factory driver Zack Barry had the field covered, pwning qualifying and the main. Castle Creations/MaxAmps driver Tom Loranger put his X-Ray M-18MT second on the podium, while John Cravotta started his day on the podium with a third.

2wd Open- John Cravotta really upped his game for this years nats, and was way out front for the win driving his Team Scream Thunder Tiger mid-engined 2wd truck. Second on the podium was yours truly, with Team Scream driver Mike Wilder coming in third.

Buggy Open- Another race, another big win for MaxAmps/X-Ray driver Zack Barry. Mark Smyka piloted his Duratrax Vendetta to second, and John Cravotta continued his podium streak with a thrid.

Rally Open- Get used to his name, because he proved his incredible speed this year. Team Scream’s John Cravotta totally pwned this class, putting in times nobody else was even close to for the win. Dillon Spinelli finished second, with Castle Creations/MaxAmps factory shoe Tom Loranger finishing off the podium.

4wd Truck Open- This was the premier class at the event, and also had the most entries. Alex Galinski was in a class of his own though, as he dominated qualifying, and took the win in the A main with his Associated. Team Scream’s John Cravotta proved to be his closest competition, finishing second a mere 3 seconds back, Another Team Scream driver Mike Wilder finished off the podium in third.

We just received a few pictures from our Pro Driver Tim Mohr who is out at the 1/18th Scale Nationals this week! Always cool to see Tim represent the Squid in his Basher Approved attire.
Looks like they have some interesting turns and jumps out there!

Good Luck out there Tim! We look forward to hearing how it all goes down this weekend! Tell everyone we said hello, and to stay out of your way!

The RC Pro Series and Caster Racing USA have temporarily joined forces to help kick off the new 1/8 electric 2009 season with a bang!

Since Caster is currently the only true electric buggy and truggy manufacturer on the market, yet are unrecognized, they offered to do a great promo that will help RC Pro and YOU!”

Caster Racing has announced that they created a promo sku for their cart that will take the Fusion race roller all the way down to $250. This is a $100 savings!! What a great way to enter the 1/8 scale electric races. This is an assembled buggy just add radio gear, speed control, motor, servo and batteries! This gives you the freedom to choose the electronics YOU want!
OR for those who want to step up to the Pro Fusion instead of the Race Roller the code will give you a $50 discount off the Pro.

Now you are probably asking yourself how this benefits RC Pro. RC Pro has decided that with proof of purchase, a person can receive a free RC Pro membership. That is right. On top of getting the fusion discounted, with proof of entry, Caster Racing will pay your RC Pro membership or membership renewal at your 1st event of 2009 ( a $20 value) as long as the buggy was purchased through Caster Racing USA.

This is awesome to see these two working together to bring everyone some savings in these tougher times! Were also excited to see Caster starting to make some waves in the industry. First by signing our pro driver Tim Mohr, and now teaming up with RC Pro Series to bring us some awesome 1/8 scale electric buggy action!

Caster Racing USA announced today the signing of multiple time 18th scale champion, Tim Mohr, to their Caster Racing factory team for 2009. Mohr will be racing the new Caster Fusion EX-1R Factory Team buggy at the 2009 RC Pro Series, along with selected other events.Caster Racing USA was the first company to release a rolling electric eight scale chassis. “We’ve been working real hard making the Fusion EX-1 the best buggy on the market. With Tim on board, our product will elevate to even higher levels.”, said Mike Mazza of Caster Racing USA. “Racing is core to product development, and by now having Tim on the team, it helps reinforce our position at the top of the product category.” Tim Mohr, of St. Louis Missouri, jumped into the public eye by winning many titles in 18th scale classes, including the 2008 18th Dirt 4wd and 2wd Pro titles and the 2007 RC Pro Series 18th Scale title, among others. Tim was also an early proponent of brushless motors and lithium batteries for use in rc car racing. “Electric eighth scale is at the cutting edge of technology in our sport, right where I like to be. I’m really stoked to be given the chance to race the Caster Fusion EX-1, as it sets the standard for the class.” said Tim. For more information regarding Caster Racing products, and to view their entire race team, please log on to Caster Racing USA.

Tim has been a good friend of Big Squid RC for many years now, and we are happy to see him sign on with Caster. Congratulations Tim!! Can’t wait to see you on the podium at the Pro Series!