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SHORT COURSE NEWZ
RT R
GET THAT
RACE READY
BY JEREMY LOSAW
RTR short course trucks are in a word, awesome. ;ey come straight out of the box as the perfect platform for bashing with mega power, scale realism and awesome handling. However, at some point, many bashers
get the itch to take their ride to the track and do some racing. ;is guide will
give you the essential tools to get your RTR short course ready to hit the track.

Before working on your truck, make sure that there’s a class for it at your local track.

CLASS

;e first order of business before you race is to choose which class you want to run. Head to your local track to find out what classes are o;ered for SCTs and what the rules are for each class. Most tracks will have a 2WD stock class with a minimum turn limit for the motor, and some form of open or modified class where anything goes. ;ere could also be one or more 4WD classes, and some tracks run a novice class for newbies. Choose the class that suits your driving ability and one that fits within your budget. Remember that even if a modified motor is the same price as a stock motor, running a modified class is harder on equipment. ;ere will be the added expense of more frequent tire replacement and parts will wear out or break faster.

One of the most important components on a short course truck is the tires. Most RTR kits come with a tire that is a medium or harder compound that is great for lots of di;erent types of terrain and is long wearing. While the stock tires may be great for bashing and for practicing, there is more grip and better lap times to be had by changing out the stock rubber. In general, loose packed and soft surfaces require a tire with longer and fewer pins and a harder compound. Tracks that are harder and have more compact dirt will require a tire with shorter pins and softer compounds for the best lap times. Note that the softer compounds may yield more grip at many venues, but they also wear out faster. If your budget is tight, you may want to stick to medium or hard compounds to increase tire life.

Since track conditions are di;erent at every race venue, the best resources for what is working at your local track are the experienced racers. Attend an event as a spectator and make notes of the most popular tread patterns. Chances are that someone has already run many di;erent styles and compounds trying to find the best tire and you can learn from their e;ort. Do not be afraid to approach your future fellow racers about their tire selection. Most racers love sharing the knowledge and are happy to help out new racers.