Bit of controversy at the 1/10 Offroad Pre-Worlds in Chico, CA as the best drivers in the World struggled to make it round with a lack of traction – more evident in 2WD than 4WD the decision was made to apply sugar to the track to help bring up traction, Team Associated’s Brent Thielke showed his feelings on this on Facebook in a statement:
Let me be clear, I am against adding a substance like sugar to a track surface not because Associated doesn’t have a mid-motor vehicle, but because of the precedent it sets. As an industry, people look to the major races as guidelines and using a substance that rusts cars and increases tire wear causes a ripple effect throughout events. There are many short term benefits that sugar provides, however the long term effects when you consider club racing, potential weather conditions and the inconsistency that arises when not maintained on a daily level, I feel it’s the wrong direction for any track/event. Off-road is on dirt. Add the magic ingredient (water) and go race.
I was in a minority of manufactures that voted to continue watering the track today and then soaking it tonight. The track hadn’t seen water in over a week and in my experience adding water would allow the track to naturally wear in and for a racing groove to develop; however much grip it had. The decision has now been made to sugar the whole track and not just the straight. If the one application of sugar makes the track consistent and “raceable” then I guess it worked. I just don’t want to have to see them add hundreds of pounds of sugar to make the surface consistent when I feel a good night of water would of done the same.”
Tamiya driver Lee Martin had this to say:
“Long day at the track… 14 hours! The surface at the start was crazy loose! But now after the sugar it’s coming around. I don’t know what will happen for the worlds, all I know is that how loose the track was this morning was impossible to drive and so far it’s been a good call to get some traction into it. Tyre wear is a little high, but I’m willing to take that in exchange for traction. The facilities here are super Dialed and I’m sure they will so all what is in their power to make a good race. Another practice day tomorrow so lets see how things go!!”
Video: Steven Hartson in practice, via Paul Wynn / Facebook
[…] Let me be clear, I am against adding a substance like sugar to a track surface not because Associated doesn’t have a mid-motor vehicle, but because of the precedent it sets. As an industry, people look to the major races as guidelines and using a substance that rusts cars and increases tire wear causes a ripple effect throughout events. There are many short term benefits that sugar provides, however the long term effects when you consider club racing, potential weather conditions and the inconsistency that arises when not maintained on a daily level, I feel it’s the wrong direction for any track/event. Off-road is on dirt. Add the magic ingredient (water) and go race. Read more here. […]
These guys are the best of the best and they complain about a loose track?
Well it was way beyond loose. We know how to make that track work and dial in for 1/8 scale quickly, but for 1/10 scale we relied on the myriad of opinions on how to do it correctly prior to the event. We were told for 1/10 scale we needed a hard packed track, and it should be run dry. So we water packed it to make the track super smooth. A lot of people told us we would need to sugar it to bring it around quickly in practice, but we also had some who told us sugar was a really bad idea so we decided not to use any additives and see how it worked out.
The combination of a hard packed, smooth track surface which got dusty super quickly was terrible, and it was clear it was the wrong choice. We tried watering it, but it was not coming around quickly at all. It behaved pretty much how it normally does when it is green, but with 1/8 scale cars being heavier and spitting out a ton of caster oil to help keep the dust down, it just did not come around like it does with 1/8 scales.
The manufacturers all voted to lay down some sugar, so we did. The end result brought the track around very quickly, and now we should not need to touch it again except to blow it off for the rest of the race. Although some people still do not agree with the decision, I think it was the right decision and it is what the vast majority of the manufacturers at the race wanted.
And here I thought the hobby was about the drivers and not the manufacturers.
Every driver there was very happy with the decision. Just ask them.
That’s good. I was just taking issue with the weird wording that left out the drivers and made me think the manufacturers call all the shots.
Drivers are getting soft. What is next, they going to complain the tarmac is not black enough or the dirt not brown. Please, pro drivers are being paid to drive, so, stop whining and start driving.
Additives being added to a track/layout is nothing new. So I’m not sure what the real issue would be. Event’s like the Catus have been doing so and it seems to work out well. Sugar isn’t the worst thing that can be added. Be thankful it’s not diesel. I think the right call got made, some are never going to like a decision like that. Like they say, you can’t, please everyone.
While I can understant Brant’s concerns/complaints, I don’t know if I’d fully agree with them. For regular club racing, sugar may be a lttle too much, but all of the big 1/10th events at Amain’s outdoor track this summer are anything but a regular club race. While tire wear is a legit concern, most of the top teir Driver’s don’t usually worry too much about needing tires. A Priveteer would see it differently, but Priveteer’s already know the cost of tires for some events are high, so it’s not a new issue for them. Rusting of parts? That can happen, but the topr tier Driver’s keep their rides in top shape, even new looking for every run, so I don’t think that would be a huge issue for them. Sure they might have to spend a little more time prepping the rides for the next round, but it’s not something that they haven’t done before. Should be thankful that Cal Chloride wasn’t used. So that leaves me thinking of what the other underlying reason would be? Mid motor config. should traction become that high. Being that AE doesn’t currently have a mid motor option, they’ll feel the strain probably more than others if traction gets that high. In that case, that’s on AE for not having a new car that has a mid motor option like many of the other cars out right now. It’s not like a mid motor car is so new, that it’s unproven. Could cars with a mid motor option have an advantage if traction is that high? Sure. Again, that’s on AE for not having a new car ready with that option. It’s not on the track, event, orginizers, it’s on AE. Period.
[…] that don't know, these photos are from the warm up IFMAR world championships happening right now. http://www.neobuggy.net/2013/06/07/1…-sugar-coated/ __________________ […]