2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Hey guys,
At the last comp we talked about having a year end meeting rather than just a kick off meeting. This way for those of us who do a lot of tinkering and building in the winter we can be ready for the season kickoff next year.

MEETING DATE SET - December 7th @ Davannis @ 11:30 AM in Richfield by the Hub Hobby

6345 Penn Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423

Figured I'd start a thread to get some input on rules, classes, comp schedule, etc. or just some bitching :mrgreen:

I would like to say first of all, that this has been a great first season for me. Thanks to all the veteran guys who have really helped me up my game and thanks to all the other newcomers who have been coming out this season, hope to see you at the last comp this weekend and at the howl crawl.

Heres the key subjects and I'll try and copy/paste everyone's feedback back to the OP on the corresponding topic.

Schedule:

• Byron was such a great time, we definitely need to have that on the schedule if we can.
• How about Duluth area, the beach and the dam were great spots I'd go back for sure.
• Incorporate local GTG information into the schedule

1.9 class rules
Add some basic rules, but not too restrictive??

• No Comp Chassis
• No dig or Rear Steer
• At least 1 straight axle
• We need to discuss number of drive axles overall for the trail classes. What's the harm in allowing a 6wd or 8wd rig? My gut says a lot of gates would be hit
• Maybe we have a "try it and see if you like it" rig at the comps. Something capable but low powered to let anyone passing by try. I'd think between all of us we can piece together an scx10 pretty easily. I definitely have parts id donate.

2.2 shafty class rules

• Idea - could this be just a scale/trail class? 2.2 tires with a scale appearing rig.
• No pure comp tires?
• Or maybe keep it like this year but sort out trail and sportsman rigs at the end of the year for a winner in each??
• Idea - I'd love to see an open class kinda like class 3 in sorrca but without the scale point system. 4ws and dig are allowed but you take a one time penalty for using them.

2.2 pro class rules
Need to discuss the life of this class. How many more years will we run?

Other discussion:

• What about another TTC. I would live to see some Yetis blasting through a mud pit
• We've muddled thru several g6 events now. Definitely need to have more. I wonder what it takes to get Parker and the g6 crew to come to town??? A few of us chatted about going to an event nearby (Missouri, etc). Would be cool to have a good MNrcrc showing.
• What about a small U4 series. Do we reduce our comp crawling events, do we add more events. We need some land
• Selfish plug here. For those who have the itch all year round, Phil will be hosting winter crawls at his garage again.
• Help organize multiple regional clubs that can help grow the hobby throughout the state. Band together for special events??
• Get involved with western Wisconson crawlers. Maybe a Mn vs. Wi comp or G6 or TTC??
• Advertising - we need to decide upon a person or persons to handle distributing flyers to hobby shops and get some business cards or small flyers to hand out at Taylors Falls. Also the flow of information to/from RCC to facebook, etc is key (as we saw at the Howl Krawl)
• What about an inclusive 1.9 and 2.2 combined "stocker" class? Only can run an off the shelf rig with bolt on modifications, motor/esc/servo, and wheels/ tires. No custom axles, no knuckle weights, no "comp" stuff. Think Honcho with better tires and steering servo and motor/esc with Al links. Running 2.2 (wraith/ridgecrest) against the scx10 can work as you set up the gates and challenges - some to favor a narrow rig, some for a wide rig.
• Incorporate comp style portions of an afternoon trail run. Go out for a couple hour run at TF and put up some gates where we will score people per the normal point system (but only 6-8 gates). Run rigs right after the other with no time limit. Just give people a taste of the comp.
• For lack of a better name, I'm going to say we need a welcoming committee at the comps. Just one person at least. Talk to passers by when not running, hand out business cards, put the radio for the "try it " rig in some kids hands (kids young and old)
• Collaboration with western Wi. Let's setup a crawling event day with them comp crawling, trail run, g6, ttc, whatever. I gotta think the other side of the river has some sweet rocks too.
• Mnrcrc membership gets you into events for the year and a t-shirt (up it to $40??)
• Any interest in other items like Hats or Sweatshirts?

The goal here is to collect ideas that we can all discuss and decide on as a club. Give your ideas some thought and throw up as much detail as you can.

Thanks,
Dana

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Maybe bring a pen and paper to the comp on Sunday and we can work out/get ideas/take notes for what we'd like to see next season while we are BSing during down time... Just my $0.02

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Will do!

Definitely want some feedback from folks that won't make the comp this weekend so please chime in here.

Thanks,
Dana

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Great to see this come up early.

The Pro Class seems pretty well defined IMO. Even though I never really liked the clod truck concept unfortunaly. My Pro truck is getting old long of tooth as they say and I'm not sure I really want to upgrade it. :shock:

I like the scale trucks they have increased our membership it's been a good direction. But at this point we're only interested in scale comp style competition.

1.9 was supposed to have some rules in place? All though it seemed to be a pretty much open to anything with 1.9 wheels this season?

2.2 is a hodge podge of "what ever you brung with 2.2 wheels" it's almost to loose. I woudn't mind seeing a pure 2.2 scale class.

It's been impossile to keep up with all the new next great kits being released or even have classes for them all? It's almost overwhelming as the market goes every which direction dispie the reality of declining local club memberships?

The last five years has been great for manufactures but not so geat for club members or club membership building. This hasn been complicated by the USRCCA rules commity doing absolutely nothing to stabilize club membership declines with class rules that would lower "class overal costs" like the lack of a minimum weight limits on vehicles in all classes?

Clubs need to create affordable classes or continue go down the road of out pricing it's potential new local membership.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

How would Nov 30th or Dec 7th work for everyone for a winter meeting?

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

As F'ed up as my schedule is as long as its a Sunday it'll work better but I would have a better shot at attending if it's on the 7th... Pretty sure we are going to be running trains the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I'm fine with both dates so long as after the meeting we decide it's a date that will really live in infamy...









How many thinkers are among us?

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Well I guess college paid off for something.:shock:
I know what it is, lets see how many others will get it.:mrgreen:

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Infamy works.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Infamy and toy trucks don't often cross paths? Congratulations to all we must be a "special" bunch of toy truck nerds? I meant enthusiasts. "thumbsup"

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

1.9 class had rules.

No comp chassis
Scale tires only (no cut and shuts)
No dig or rear steer
Must have 1 straight axle.
No more than 4 drive wheels

I like these rules but I don't understand why we should be limited to 4 wheels. If someone shows up with a 6x6 or 8x8 I wanna see them run. We shouldn't turn away or discourage these drivers from competition.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Had this idea today while I was running a mill.

It seems that the scale side of things for the club is going quite well the only problem I see is that if we want to get more people we need to have more events so people can come. My idea was that we kinda split our state up into groups or Clubs and each club has some events specific to their area but also we still would have the MNRCRC Club events. If people want to go to the other club events so be it but I think doing this way we will have more events but these club events can just be a small fun run but it still gets people out and familiar with the people already in the club.
Sorry for just rambling on it sounded a lot better in my head then it does on here but its just an idea like I said.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

If someone wants to take on that role we would all do what we can to make that happen but it's nothing I would want Pimp to do.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Oh no see it would be the small clubs job to create events for their local community. There would be a Club leader(or two) for each "sub" club and they along with their local club members would create events and what not.

Like for you Chad, you could be the club leader for the D.O.R.K.S and you along with your local members would create events in Duluth or near. That way at least people dont have to drive to kingdom come to go to an event. The only problem I see is there would have to be small club meetings just like the one we have coming up and its going to be a big responsibility for the club members to out together the events. But honestly if its just like every other week your club decides to do a fun run at least it shows support and gets more people out of the wood works.

The reason im trying to get more events is because for the last event I posted it up on facebook and as all of you saw we had a lot of new members come some locals and some had to drive pretty far, but at least it shows there are people interested in crawling.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Understood.

It would be pretty cool to see people show up to any event. The hobby shop I work for sells at least 1 crawler every two weeks and they're never seen again.

If my work schedule is friendlier next year I'll do what I can to get DORK up and running. Some of the original crew are dusting new and old trucks off and mention how much fun we used to have just free crawling.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Maybe you should ask to post up some flyers at the shop you work at?

Yeah thats the point just fun free crawl or if you want to get crazy so be it.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Fliers get posted every year but it's usually centered around competition. I can get 1 out of every 20 crawler customers to consider showing up.

It's easier to sell the idea of free crawling and g6 events.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

That statement is so true. So maybe to increase the clubs number of people we need to provide more laid back free crawls and fast past G6s?

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I'd like that.

It's alot easier to justify the time and money spent to only running 14 minutes.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Yes a lot easier and hell its way more fun to get some friends together for a day and just go out and explore.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Does anyone know the ratio of members statewide? Also how many are into scalers vs bashing? The reason I ask is I really enjoyed last howl crawl, knowing it was a free ride type day and no competition was taken place unless it was for bragging rights. But I also considered it to be a bashing day.
How many are into a slower pace and more technical driving with cl1, cl2 , cl3 rigs at a scale park. Does anyone know of a park or someone's personal play area? I have been thinking on building one. But no means of parking.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I'm guessing its around 90% bashing and 10% hard core competing.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Wow that's a spread. Ok I will be showing my face more and give more support towards what has been established. I guess I'll go on the term, "if you build it, they will come".


If you know me, I love scale! Crawling I could see my self getting into maybe....
Bashing yes but need to make more body protection for the mog. The yeti, use it like I stole it.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

For the most part are club is not that much scale. Were no where near what your Mog was (that thing was sick!) but we are more performance driven scale rigs. They drive good and look good too. As far as class specific events ( C1, C2, C3) we do not go by the SORRCA rules, we run a modified USRCCA rules.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Haha now I feel like a dumbass! It felt weird at first when some people were looking at me then the mog then me. But anyways, I learned. I still had fun and that's what made my decision to continue in this Rc addiction. Thanks for all the chimes and feedback.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I meant as a whole. Racing is around the same ratio.

Not everybody wants or needs to win and that's a huge market we're not tapping into.

I hooe you do show up more. Maddog. You've got some kilker builds and I think your attention to detail will encourage more folks to come check out what we do.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

No I'm not looking for the win.... Just maybe a few guys getting together at a future scale park and sit back and have a few beers or sodas for the little ones. I have two little ones as well. So family time is important too. Just basically having fun and competing on your own skills. Learn from others, help others with whatever. I'm open when I can. Just figure that there are a few of us that could do some scaling. No matter what, you will see me next year for sure!

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Give me a few days to read up on all the local rules, locations, upcoming events, and more local builds threads. Need to apply the rig to the face to the name...lol

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Chad kinda hit it on the head. Clubs and groups grow and excel when they have a driving force who can dedicate a TON of time. For Kevin to take on that role would be just too much. Even if we have a variety of local clubs, still need a central point to be the overall organizer. The idea is dang good, maybe just need to figure out a way to handle the workload.

I've found the best way to do things is to benchmark how other people do it. It'd be nice to see how clubs like kcrc and showme scalers operate. Two big clubs in one state. Also Arkansas, Washington, and Texas have good size clubs.

The first steps we can take is to get some more planned events next year. Then as usual its communication. Some major strides have been made this year, as River pointed out, with the impact of Facebook to notify people of when and where.
We can discuss this at the fall meeting and maybe get a couple people to volunteer to take on communication for next year.

Lots of good discussion here. Like Kevin said at the howl crawl the club has been very open to the members input since the beginning. Keep it coming and we can bring it all together in about a month.

Dana

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

You actually hit on something here that is a challenge with forums. Knowing who a person is and what rig is theirs and what their id is on the forum is always challenging. A directory of sorts would be great but it is the internet and many folks don't want to get that much info in one spot (but then we'll tell you we're going to the bathroom on Facebook or Twitter lol)

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Updated the first post with some of the data.

I spent some serious time last night reading the USRCCA scale rule discussion for trail comp from Fishmaxx and John Rob Holmes. They are going through a lot of ideas to grow the scale scene and setting up the rules. Trying to keep it from getting too crazy like the USRCCA and SORRCA rules have gotten.

One of the more intriguing ideas is an inclusive 1.9 and 2.2 combined "stocker" class? You only can run an off-the-shelf rig with bolt on modifications, upgraded motor/esc/servo/ wheels/ tires allowed. No custom axles, no knuckle weights, no "comp" stuff. Think Honcho with better tires and steering servo and motor/esc with Al links. Running 2.2 (wraith/ridgecrest) against the scx10 can work as you set up the gates and challenges - some to favor a narrow rig, some for a wide rig.

Another idea was to break people into the comp idea by incorporating comp style portions of an afternoon trail run. Go out for a couple hour run at TF and put up some gates where we will score people per the normal point system (but only 6-8 gates). Run rigs right after the other with no time limit. Just give people a taste of the comp scene.

Dana

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Fawk fish and more rules.
Nobody wants to tech vehicles.
We need to simplify the day and focus on a run what ya brung format with minimal rules that might include wheel size, tire size, and/ or allowed tires.
That's my opinion.

Got 6 axles? Run it.
Got a Losi mini with a scale moon buggy chassis? Run it.
Got a Teluride with stock slash style rims and stock tires? Run it.

I would give up comp crawling for G6 events. More run time and less rules = more fun.
Amnicon Falls should be added as a possible G6 location
Southern WI has made the trip to Taylors more than we have made an attempt to run with them. That should change.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

My only disagreement with Chad's post is my guys and myself like the "comp style" competitions and that's what has kept us coming back for more MNRCRC punishment for eight years. Just saying "thumbsup"

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I think Chad is right more G6s and less comps. Maybe once we acquire more people and actually have a large group then we could talk about more comp oriented events but for now we are just trying to have fun for cheap.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I disagree with your disagreement :flipoff:

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I agree with norm and chad. To compromise, how about comps and more gtg events :mrgreen:

After my first year of comping, I do quite like it. I can speak for Phil when I say he'd like it too. As you all know he couldn't make many due to work, but he is a competitive guy.

Question for all you guys who have been doing this a while, have we ever had enough people where we could run more than one class at once? Seems like the hardest part of a comp day is waiting around until it's your class. With more activity, it won't be as boring.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

ADHD medication is expensive but if the club can afford the supplies and find enough surface area I think it can be done.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

We did that when we had more members, but we also used to run every course with a 5 minute time limit. Also had everyone form a running order line with their rigs, that is something we could bring back, it did help.

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

I'm not sure a "hurry up and run" format would be beneficial to new members. It already seems that there's enough confusion(stress?) with trying to get people to get from course one to course two when they are supposed to, but maybe that's where Mikes idea comes in, and Chads :mrgreen: (what's this ad....wtf...)
It's supposed to be fun and to me "hurry" isn't fun:cry:
Maybe reverse the order, like trail class first and ending with Pro?

Also vote for more G6 and also U4!"thumbsup"

Re: 2015 MNRCRC Season - Discussion/Idea Thread
 

Looks like the only votes for a meeting date were for December 7th. So let's go with that. Dana, could you add that to the OP? Thanks.

Is everyone ok with the same Davanni's? (By Hub Hobby in Richfield)