Why Do Off-Road Vehicles Run Slick Tires with Spencer Rivkin

[@wareagleriver7980]

Thing is, off-road is not really off-road anymore. Racers have gotten to the point that they want smooth dirt tracks, basically they are on-road dirt tracks with some jumps, no loose fluff, dust, rocks, pot holes, etc. And track owners have complied. So now it has devolved that you can run slicks on dirt.

[@JokerEch0]

On "dirt" it's just compacted SOLID ground now. Might as well be clay or cement...

[@rc_brotherz]

It's more like evolution, not devolution. If racers didn't want it, tracks wouldn't be doing it and slicks wouldn't be flying off the shelves. I personally love having a sealed clay track. I can get close, fast, high grip racing. And go outside to an outdoor 1/10 or 1/8 track when I want to slide.

[@mikechellson6400]

Totally agree. Part of the challenge of "Off-Road" racing, is a driver/mechanic's ability to adapt to the differing track conditions. Carpet and hard clay are not "Off-Road" but are actually "on-Road" with jumps.

[@hogfan0789]

They didn’t comply for no reason. Racers complain about grip, racers complain about track being too wet, racers complained about the 45 minute for water to dry between rounds.

[@hogfan0789]

They didn’t comply for no reason. Racers complain about grip, racers complain about track being too wet, racers complained about the 45 minute for water to dry between rounds.

[@DirtConcept]

Thank you Spencer for the consistent high-quality content! There is no denying the benefits of high-bite sealed (glued) clay tracks and slick tires which you have clearly outlined. That being said, there is a big downside to slicks and sealed clay tracks: What will be done to bring the cost of tires down? I race at a track with the same prep method and get at most 3 club race days on 1 set of smoothie 2's. $105 per set once you factor in the RM2 foams, sidewall inserts, wheels, and tires. Which is $60 per club race day for one buggy with entry fee. For hobbyists that race every weekend, and race 2 buggies, that's over $400 per month and we haven't gotten into maintenance costs or fixing broken parts. In contrast, a set of green compound Ellipses costs $67, and will last a club racer 5-10 race days (depending on how often the track is watered and other factors). This comes out to $32-38 per club race day for one buggy with entry fee. And for the racers that race every weekend, and race 2 buggies, that's $175-225 per month. I understand the concern over tire expense exclusively impacts privateers, which make up the mass majority of racers. How will this impact 1/10 scale racing, and overall participation in RC racing long term? It is a hard sell to convince club racers to spend another $2,700+ annually in tires for consistent high grip. Thanks again - I truly appreciate the excellent content!

[@jhue73]

this is why i have a home track on dirt and tires last forever and its free to race😃

[@toolbaggers]

You need more Chinese companies to make them. More competition is better for consumers.

[@jamesmooney7538]

Late response and good reply....This hobby is getting so darn expensive,I am positive with the economy and racing is gonna kill this hobby

[@AntsRC]

Doesn’t even look like off road racing anymore. Inconsistency is what racing is all about. Change and adjust, use your skills.

[@whiskycharliejr6520]

gawd i truly miss 10th scale dirt and rear motors

[@TranceFur]

Still exists, my man. Just gotta hit up smaller tracks that don’t have the resources for this kind of stuff. Best thing is, those tracks need your attendance to survive even more than the major tracks do. I race every weekend at an indoor offroad track that on a guy’s home property, and let me tell you; It’s some old-school shit, haha. Bumps everywhere, irregular watering, loose dirt in some areas, and the track is constantly evolving. It’s difficult, but it’s a lot of fun. I’m sure not everyone has a small-time track near them, but it’s something worth looking for 👍🏻

[@dro8691]

Seems like you just want to be carpet or astroturf. If you want a good traction track don't buy blowers just buy some astro/carpet. Dirt offroad is supposed to have dirt/dust/debris that's part of the appeal. Either run dirt or run carpet this is just an in-between that seems confusing in my mind.

[@toolbaggers]

It's the spork of racing

[@davebutler4959]

Thank you to all the owners and clubs out there that provide these awesome tracks for us to race on. I cannot imagine the time and effort needed to sculpt and maintain these tracks! The dedication is astounding as I know most tracks change layouts on a monthly basis to keep things fun.

[@merdith6]

That's an easy answer it's because 10th scale off-road is not off-road anymore

[@jamesisjolly]

Thanks Spencer for another great vid.

[@jasonwills6694]

Great discussion and video. Such a great facility also

[@roarkfabworks]

I really miss the dirt of the 90's. Offroad racing needs dirt flying.

[@timothycollette8263]

This made me appreciate track owners even more. great video!

[@colestaples2010]

Way too much effort when you can just lay carpet for consistency

[@extec101]

carpet and astro works eaven indoors and dont need watering.

[@jasonkessinger8062]

Hoosier is a FANTASTIC track, I am blessed to live near by. It's awesome to see this video with Spencer giving Eddie props for a sick surface . Eddie puts tons of work in the track and it shows. Even better the sick track and big draw, gives us locals a chance to rub shoulders with the TOP guys like Spencer at INS and Clash of Champs. Spencer was super easy to approach. He spent time chilling and talking with everyone which was SUPER cool.

[@JokerEch0]

Except it's not dirt at all... if it was dirt, it would be different every lap. Here, it might as well be cement or carpet, or turf... I live in the desert... I see actual dirt everyday.

[@rc_brotherz]

@@JokerEch0 Pretty sure it's dirt. When you can bend down and grab a handfull of dirt marbles or get dust on your tires. It's dirt.

[@matthewsinex3053]

Definitely is dirt when you see Eddie out there on the tractor tilling it up and moving huge piles of dirt with the skid steer it is taken care of very well

[@JConceptsLive]

Couldn't agree more!

[@andrews1511]

Spencer is right 6 inches is a lot

[@toolbaggers]

She's lying

[@richardsak3723]

I'm sorry. I miss my RC10 and JRX2 on DIRT where u needed OFF ROAD tires. This is not on road. Lack of traction is part of the game in off-road. If that's not your thing race on carpet or on-road.

[@NordicRC]

Good video. So serious faces though.

[@482racing]

Then just run carpet or astro 🤷‍♂️

[@HYEonDEATHROW]

It’s important for tracks to evolve. Great looking track!

[@JokerEch0]

Except this track no longer evolves... it's the same surface and lane every lap. It's equivalent to cement now.

[@HYEonDEATHROW]

@@JokerEch0 not everyone will be happy with change. Hope things get better with your experience. Toy cars are fun.

[@Yellowwheelsarefaster]

Hoosier is the nicest track ive ever been to. its well lit, clean, and plenty of space. very well stocked hobbyshop. the track layouts have been excellent the two times ive been there. everyone involved in making that place what it is should be very proud.

[@Barbariandisks]

The slick thing i understand, by are there not any other color wheels, other that white or yellow? Are there ROAR rules against those colors

[@VestedUTuber]

There's nothing against it and I've seen some black ones as well. It's just that white and neon yellow are favored for visibility purposes.

[@VestedUTuber]

"racers want the most consistent track conditions that allow lap times and overall times to be similar race to race throughout a given round of qualifying." Translation: Racers are lazy and want to just use setups they downloaded from the internet instead of tuning for conditions or relying on car control, and don't care that it's causing the cost of entry to skyrocket by encouraging manufacturers to design hyperspecialized kits that only appeal to racers and thus don't sell high enough volumes to spread out the costs.

[@kevinwest1607]

Rc Pitstop & Raceway located in Newton Ks.

[@rc_brotherz]

Nope, this is Hoosier RC Hobbyplex in New Albany Indiana

[@hyster16t]

Kind of takes away the whole offroad aspect in my opinion. 🤷‍♂️

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

What are the best ways to make a track like this that is outdoors? I'm building a new track this year and want something that isn't a dry dust bowl like we're use to. We don't have water access so looking to make the track stickier. I've heard of people using Coke or grape soda but not sure how long it stays, so on and so forth. Thanks for your input.

[@toolbaggers]

Carpet/turf

[@VestedUTuber]

Easiest method would be astroturf with wood-framed jumps. You'd have to run "spike" tires instead of slicks, though. If you really want to run sealed clay, cover it in Soiltac and make sure your drainage is good because that stuff gets REALLY slippery when wet. They do this both for RC tracks and for BMX pump tracks. Alternatively, if you want something loose and easy on tires that discourages wallet dumping, just use your local soil and let it loam up.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@toolbaggers Yes to turf, no to carpet unless you can find a type of carpet that's both suitable for RC tracks _and_ outdoor use.

[@victorchalker5148]

Off road racing is just road racing with jumps

[@MrMaPierce]

It's nice not to play the tire game, but the majority of the tire sauce is disgusting. I can't hardly stand to watch a race for more than an hour because of the smell. If tracks required biodegradable low odor sauce that would be a different story. If people are looking for high traction, race carpet or astro. Glad there are options and I am all for growing the hobby, just my opinion.

[@mojojoji5493]

Cool thing about clay tracks if there’s a pot hole just fill it with clay lol

[@colestaples2010]

All tracks should be carpet. Or they should design cars for normal dirt conditions. It’s almost impossible to find a track to use these cars on

[@extec101]

that why alot of track in england is astroturf outdoors and carpet if its indoor so it dont need alot of attention and mess with watering.

[@joegodek3267]

It's just like full size clay racing. If want to learn how to prep for a rc clay race. get to a clay circle track.

[@mechadroit]

I wonder if using a sealant like what he is using would work on an outdoor track. Anyone ever done this? Our track is outdoor no covering, but it's hard red clay and red dirt.

[@johnsmith-oh2xo]

Lol it's not a dirt track anymore it's an asphalt track why don't you just say you want to run onroad instead of offroad.....

[@hairypaulmm7wab195]

Sheesh. Kinda defeats the entire point of building off road vehicles. If I ever find a track like this in the UK I will most certainly avoid it and go to a proper offroad track to enjoy the challenge and fun of adjusting the cars in to suit changing conditions on each race. If we want 'perfect' track every time that's what fixed tracks, road cars, carpet cars and board racers are for. I really don't think a track like that would survive long in the UK. But hey, each to their own, Do what You enjoy and as long as You are having fun, it's all good.

[@dexxeve9420]

The star wars intro style got out of hand due to the amount you want people to read become ridiculous

[@teofeo333]

Slicks stick

[@JokerEch0]

Spencer... work on your public speech. Here you're a spokesman. Stop saying umm..... be confident and be a man. It's so frustrating listening to a professional say um in nearly every sentence. Other than that, interesting vid and information. It's a shame that SC trucks are really no longer a thing.

[@WoodWerksUSA]

Spencer your video is great. There is no question you are a man. This is KZbin, and we know you are not a professional on-screen actor. Keep it up, we love these videos. Thank you.

[@spencerrivkinracing]

got it

[@mojojoji5493]

Wow what a asshole type of comment. dudes just talking and getting scrutinized by randoms online. He’s talking bout track conditions buddy! get with the program