The Backyard – Coming Around on Carpet

Greetings all, Happy Friday and welcome to The Backyard!

Earlier this week, the folks at Team Losi Racing unveiled their latest 2WD buggy, the 1/10 22 5.0 – released in two different configurations – one for Dirt/Clay and the other for Astroturf/Carpet.

This is great news. I’m happy to see that despite some of parent company Horizon Hobby’s recent issues, Team Losi is still looking to support the hardcore racer.

The buggy itself isn’t really what I’m wanting to discuss today, though. Reading comments spurred on by the release of multiple versions of the vehicle, in particular those opining on whether dirt racing or carpet racing is better, has been entertaining and I figure it would fun fodder for discussion.

I am typically a dyed in the wool “race on dirt!” guy. In the past, my view has always been with 4×4 anything “give me dirt or give me death!” I feel different with 2WD buggies though. They are just a lot more fun on higher grip surfaces, IMO.

From my experience, higher grip race tracks tend to be smaller layouts, where loamier dirt tends to be larger outdoor setups…and again, it’s just a lot more fun to wheel 2wd buggies on smaller, tighter tracks.

I gotta say though, the older I get, the less strongly I feel about dirt in general….even with 4×4 rigs. I mean, yes, I will always love a good dirt track, but I’ve come to appreciate the specific logistical advantages indoor carpet off-road racing can provide.

For one, you usually don’t have to worry about rain wiping out a session. The Spring rainy season has absolutely wrecked havoc on the outdoor racing scene this year around where I live, which always seems to happen. The vast majority of carpet/turf tracks are indoors, and the older I get it’s just kinda nice to be able to plan ahead and not worry so much about rain ruining your weekend.

Young me would probably slap old me for saying this, but I also really appreciate not having to tear down my vehicles to clean them after a race day. I say this knowing fully well that I used to make fun of racers for complaining about this. “If you don’t want to get it dirty, don’t race it” used to be one of my mantras. Now, I get it. I just don’t have the time like I used to. It’s so much easier to just blow a bit of dust/residue off a vehicle from a day indoors versus having to deep clean a mud and muck addled racing vehicle.

There are also things of the non-logistical variety that I’ve come to appreciate. Having a consistent surface with grip can just plain be a lot of fun, even with 4×4 buggies/trucks.

All of this is to say that after a lifetime of being an admitted dirt elitist, I have finally changed my tune on carpet/turf. It absolutely has its place, and moreso than just for 2wd buggies. I finally, begrudgingly understand why many folks prefer it. There, I said it.

Thanks for letting me ramble!

Until next week, keep it on all 4’s!