I'm not that new to the forum but I have never introduced myself. I'm Ken 29 years old from Guelph, ON, Canada and I own a Losi 8ight kit version. This is my first buggy and am going to try the club series at my local offroad track this May, (once the snow is gone). www.hardcoreracersrc.ca I've purchased my servos (ace ds 1313 for t/b and steering), Ofna truggy starter box, Futaba fast 2.4 transmitter/receiver (which I had for my monster truck), JP 3 pipe, fuel filters, screw kit, cvd condoms, rear mud guards, spare rims(no tires yet), and in a month or so I think I have my heart set on an O.S v-spec engine. As this is my first season racing I don't want to go too far with purchasing but is there anything else I can budget for before May that might be worth while having in stock. Maybe a good set(not toooo expensive)set of tools? If so which ones? Any ideas? Or any info in general that might be useful to me. I will start with a Drake set up that I got off line. Thanks for sharing any info with me. This is my buggy. I have posted it a while back so you might recognize the pick but I'm pretty excited. Thanks. Ken

For racing, I suspect you will go thru multiple sets of tires in not too long of time. Perhaps keep at least one new set on stand by, and maybe talk with folks who know the track about which ones are the best to use (at least for starters).

I'm somewhat of a rookie, so I'll leave the more advanced ideas and suggestions to others.

Is there such thing as an all around good tire for multiple dirt types. The track I race on has an inground sprinkler system and the dirt is semi loose. (kind of pact in spots on the straights and jumps and loose in the corners. Thanks.

Crimefighters and Bowties work well on many surfaces.

I recommend you talk to those that run on the track you will be running on. One of my favorite tires are Bow Ties but all depends on the track conditions so I take a couple sets with me.

Wow. Nice tire inventory. What about a good tool set (allen keys) for the losi 8ight. As you can see, I'm just trying to make sure I have everything before I start trying to race. I don't want to be stuck at the track without something that I should have purchased ahead of time. Thanks for the input guys.

I'd get a set of Allen wrenches from Sears or your local parts store, metrics, a good temp gun, a big box for everything, especially if you own a pick up truck to slide the box in when you're ready to go. Get some air filter oil, I use cheap 100% mineral oil from the drug store, extra filter foams, tire glue, I use loc-tite superglue gel from Wal-mart, a small container of hand cleaner and rags, a method of hooking up a charger to a cigarette lighter, granola bars and bottled water, and then my regular misc. supplies such as screws, bearings, and whatever else I have extra of that I've bought over the years.

I usually don't try to carry things like spare diff gears, or anything that would take time to fix. If my car goes down that hard, I just try to help out at the track pitting for someone, turn marshaling, or whatever help I can be rather than fighting with my car trying to fix it in a hurry, making my self miserable and a nervous wreck in the process.

I take enough parts just about to totally replace my buggy. Replacing a diff is not that time consuming. Make sure you get a GOOD set of hex wrenches to help keep from stripping out the head of the screw. I use these
http://www.carolinasrc.com/Webstore/...idproduct=2704
with this driver to make things quicker but you have to be careful not to strip plastic threads.
http://www.skilshop.com/screwdrivers/2336-02.html?ref=googawskil313&kw={keyword}

I carry a metric 1/4 drive socket set 4.5mm to 17mm , a set of T handle allen wrenches at least 3 glow lighters lots of tires and glow plugs complete extra ft and rear suspention and I also have a back up car just in case. This hobbie is like crack.

I do not have a small car and when I go to the track it is just about filled up. I all so carry a small air compressor among MANY other things. It is not good when you need something and you say I have one at home. LOL This is just my tool box and one of several pit boxes.

I use the Integy 6pc hex driver set. Hasent failed me yet. Also a 4 way wrench is a good tool. Buy a cheapo glow igniter for back up, Duratrax makes one for $4. Definantly carry some spare glow plugs. also try to find a set of small flat head screwdrivers. Just check around to see what other poepla are breaking on their 8's at your track, and stock up on those. Whenever I break someting, i usually order 2 more, just so I have one back-up.

I do not worry about an extra glow plug starter as if I have a problem with mine there are plenty I can barrow. That is one of the best things about racing is everyone is will to help where they can. Being I take so much to the track I am one that many check with if they need something. At big races there is normally a couple hobby shop owner with big trailers with parts.

heat gun,permatex,extra carbs,fuel line,carb cleaner and spares for all the above..im making a budget promise to myself $50 a week but to be honest to run 1 bug its about $75 a week..i just try to spend a minimum amt without ecxeeding a personal budget..rcns fun but it takes a lot of hussling outside of racing & being on a budget

My budget's blown to smithereens, but we race anyway.

Whats this budget thing you guys keep referring to?

I've heard of it before, but I really have no idea how it works.



2 RC8's, 1 electric RC8 in the works, and 1 RC8T, several spare motors, enough spare parts to build 3 or 4 more cars, enough tools and support equipment to build a house, enough tires to float a battleship, a workbench that looks like a bomb went off, a pi$$ed off wife (most of the time) and a severely depleted bank account.


But I can't put a price on enjoying a Saturday at the track with my Son, burning a gallon of fuel, playing in the dirt.




Back on topic, sorry.....


Tools-The Integy wrenches will get you going, just don't try to put King Kong torque on a screw.

Glow plugs-If you don't keep spares in your box, you'll burn one. Keep spares handy and you won't ever need them-Murphy's law.

Tires-as mentioned above, talk to other racers @ your track and see what they are running.


Spares of ?????-it's hard to say what you will need before you ever get started, but it won't take you long to figure it out.


FAT WALLET-mandatory requirement for this hobby.


Have fun.
Ask questions.
Remember that slow=fast.
Life will be good.


Enjoy.


Scott

I think a good set of precision hex wrenches is very important , much easier to to work on your car when your not stripping heads on the screws . I have the Integy set and for the cost they are decent . My buddy's have the Losi set but the shafts are not very long on them .

I echo what was said. I bought hex wrenches at Pep-boys and they stripped, waste of money, so I would buy the quality ones suggested.

46u - is the air compressor useful? My Wife offered to buy me one for x-mas.

Doesn't the Losi come with some imperial hex screws as well?
If so i suggest you buy an imperial and metric set.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I appreciate it. I can't find the Integy hex set on amainhobbies. I have to run so I will look later tonight. Another question is, if I can word this properly, I used to have a TNX 5.2R. That was my first RC and this 8ight is my second. I would rather not speak about the truck because I don't have too many good things to say, a few, but not many. It was great to learn on though. To the point, the steering rod ends used to pop off the steering ball stud all the time and it was a pain. When I was at the track marshaling in the summer I met a guy and on his Losi 8ight he had a screw from the top loosely holding the rod end on. I thought it was a great idea. Is this a part that you can buy, or do I have to fabricate it and how? I would rather buy but either way. Thanks again.

I can suggest that you go through the car and anything that you have second thoughts about will fail. Its no fun getting DNF because a part came loose. anything that can come lose will in a race. And get some gloves for when you corner marshal. Lexan gets pretty sharp and heat sink heads get mighty hot when you are grabbing at a pile of buggies.