Fast Pace Racing now has it's own Mini Z drift track! The surface is a low profile carpet that has some interesting performance when you drive on it with those little cars. I have to get my own Mini Z drifter now...
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Mini Z drift track at FPR
Fast Pace Racing now has it's own Mini Z drift track! The surface is a low profile carpet that has some interesting performance when you drive on it with those little cars. I have to get my own Mini Z drifter now...
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Removing paint from bodies: an easier method
URC founder the JANG got a tip from a youtube user on how to easily remove paint from lexan bodies. I wish this video was put up before I started the basher body rebuild...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=085nJyj4TBM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=085nJyj4TBM
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Basher Body Rebirth
This is the body that came with the Yokomo I just got. As usual, a body that comes with a used chassis isn't in the best condition. This one was no exception. But it was okay. Why? I was feeling creative today. Actually, it was yesterday...but today is when I put my creativity into action.
This body started out as a Yokomo S15 Silvia (the red and yellow one) but my plan was to give it a fresh new look with a method of painting I've never used before.
When I got the DP, team member Rob suggested I paint the outside of the body since it was already painted. After thinking about it, I decided to try it out. So I masked off the windows, lights, and hood and picked up a can of metallic blue that I had left over.
I started laying down the coats of blue and it turned purple! I know that's what happens when red and blue are mixed but the red wasn't even touching the blue. I put too many coats down and the purple was gone. Oh well. This is only an experiment.
The hood was something I hadn't thought of too well. I forgot that this isn't the inside of the body being painted. But after some creative mask use, I covered up most of the front end and painted the hood without any problems. Some window tint was the last coat I added. (on the inside)
I still have some things to do. I have some Tamiya X paint for models that I'll use to cover up the red spots, and I'll try to find a way to remove the paint from the lights. Maybe I can use light buckets in the future?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A new body at last
It's been a while since I last painted a body. It's been even longer since I painted a body that I was happy with. Luckily for me, the new DP is a good luck charm because when I painted this body for it, it came out exactly the way I wanted it to with minor mistakes.
This is my first encounter with mixing colors so to speak. I wanted a dark red for this body but there isn't a paint of the color I wanted. When buying the paint from FPR, Eric said to back the red with black to get a darker red. I've never done it before and I'm happy with how well it worked.
Now all I have to do is be more patient when it comes to masking/decals.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
How To: Stay Calm in a Competition
I know I'm not alone in this. There are other drivers that freak out when it's our turn to qualify/tandem and we just lose our cool and can't drive to our fullest ability. What can we do to remain calm in these situations? This is something I've been working on for a while now and I will list some things that I learned through trial and error and other people's advice.
1. Listen to music when you're up.
This is the best thing you can do when it's your turn. Bring a music player with headphones that cancel out other noises. The ones with the rubber ear peice are my personal favorites because they are cheap, and you can't hear anything except your music. With your music playing, and not being able to hear other noises, you can focus entirely on your car with no distractions.
The type of music is important. Some people like to listen to something that gets them pumped up. This may work for some, but I found that music that calms you is much better in this situation. (at least for me) Here is what I listen to when it's my turn to tandem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4abaowMqnI
Usually it's too quiet to hear in a noisy comp environment. So if that's the case, I would go to this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkNj7Aujme4
The point is, these tracks are calming to me. When I listen to them, I'm centered and I can drive like I can when no one is watching. This depends on what you think is calming to you. I find classical music calming, someone might find techno calming. Just find one track that you like, and keep it on loop on your music player.
2. Enter as many comps as you can
Yup, enter as many as you can. How does this help? The more comps you enter, the more times you are put in uncomfortable settings and the faster you get used to them. I've entered a lot of comps and each time I was a little bit less nervous each time.
You get confident in the situation because you've done it before. When you've done something before, you have experience and you can work in the environment better each time you are there. Think of a new job. You're nervous on your first day, but after going there everyday, you're so used to it that you don't even think about it.
3. Gain confidence with your driving ability
This is similar to number 2. Except this involves getting to a point where you know you can go on any track and learn it quickly. Where you know how to tune your car for any track set up or condition. This is why we have sessions every Sunday. Is for this exact purpose. Come out to the session, hang out, talk, drive and just have a good time. Going to sessions also gives you the mentality of comps being sessions. That's pretty much what they are anyway. If you look at comps like a session, you'll be more relaxed.
4. Don't worry if you lose
This is just a general rule that we have in drifting: Remember to have fun. I know losing sucks, but if you have a good time at the comp, you won't even remember you lost. Besides, it's better to lose 10 times and win once then to win 10 times and lose once. That one time you win is extra special because you worked so hard to get to that point.
A quote from DriftRC magazine issue 2:
"Sometimes you have to lose a lot to truly appreciate winning once. Start at the bottom and motivate yourself to the top."
Good luck!
1. Listen to music when you're up.
This is the best thing you can do when it's your turn. Bring a music player with headphones that cancel out other noises. The ones with the rubber ear peice are my personal favorites because they are cheap, and you can't hear anything except your music. With your music playing, and not being able to hear other noises, you can focus entirely on your car with no distractions.
The type of music is important. Some people like to listen to something that gets them pumped up. This may work for some, but I found that music that calms you is much better in this situation. (at least for me) Here is what I listen to when it's my turn to tandem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4abaowMqnI
Usually it's too quiet to hear in a noisy comp environment. So if that's the case, I would go to this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkNj7Aujme4
The point is, these tracks are calming to me. When I listen to them, I'm centered and I can drive like I can when no one is watching. This depends on what you think is calming to you. I find classical music calming, someone might find techno calming. Just find one track that you like, and keep it on loop on your music player.
2. Enter as many comps as you can
Yup, enter as many as you can. How does this help? The more comps you enter, the more times you are put in uncomfortable settings and the faster you get used to them. I've entered a lot of comps and each time I was a little bit less nervous each time.
You get confident in the situation because you've done it before. When you've done something before, you have experience and you can work in the environment better each time you are there. Think of a new job. You're nervous on your first day, but after going there everyday, you're so used to it that you don't even think about it.
3. Gain confidence with your driving ability
This is similar to number 2. Except this involves getting to a point where you know you can go on any track and learn it quickly. Where you know how to tune your car for any track set up or condition. This is why we have sessions every Sunday. Is for this exact purpose. Come out to the session, hang out, talk, drive and just have a good time. Going to sessions also gives you the mentality of comps being sessions. That's pretty much what they are anyway. If you look at comps like a session, you'll be more relaxed.
4. Don't worry if you lose
This is just a general rule that we have in drifting: Remember to have fun. I know losing sucks, but if you have a good time at the comp, you won't even remember you lost. Besides, it's better to lose 10 times and win once then to win 10 times and lose once. That one time you win is extra special because you worked so hard to get to that point.
A quote from DriftRC magazine issue 2:
"Sometimes you have to lose a lot to truly appreciate winning once. Start at the bottom and motivate yourself to the top."
Good luck!
San Jose Drift Scene: Current events
Countersteer has come to San Jose and more then half of the drifters here are doing it. Yeah, I've tried it with my Square TA05 with limited success. From the people who have tried my car, they say it handles very good. I find it hard to believe because that car just can't drive smooth no matter what gearing, set up, or driving style I use.
Also, Hyperdrift has come from Hawaii and it's the best thing that happened to the San Jose drift scene. More events are popping up all over Nor Cal. So Cal is actually jealous of our scene and that, to me, is a great success.
Right now, Hyperdrift has set up a point series. 4 Rounds. Rounds 1 and 4 are at Fast Pace Racing (set up inside) and 2 and 3 are set up at HobbyTown Fremont. Round two finished not too long ago and I got 4th place! That is my best result ever. Team Tengu is owning the point series. So far, round 1 had 2 Tengu members in the top 3 and round 2 also had 2. That is good news to our sponsor Amplified Boarding.
Team boss Eric came up with a really cool idea for the team bodies as you can see here:
From left to right: Binh, Rob, Eric, Nick, and me.
Before the point series, we had a competition Driftcon 1 at Fast Pace. The first time we ever drove inside the shop. Eric had spent days setting up the surface for the event and when we started practice on the day of the comp, everyone was caught off guard. The floor was slippery at first, but the longer you drifted on it, the more grip you got as the floor surface would cake itself onto the tires. The event was the first that Hyperdrift presented so it didn't go smoothly to some. People had complaints about the judging because the winner (Nick from Tengu) was a judge. I was eliminated early (still have nervous ticks at the time) so I picked up the camera and recorded the last few runs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wy0FPNxAQY
What's in the future of the San Jose drift scene?
From what I know, there will be a charity competition in November. It will be different from other comps we've done. How? Well, this is the first comp that uses a motor limit. We are all limited to a stock 27T BRUSHED motor! I have to say, I really like seeing everyone get nervous when that was posted. I've used a stock motor in my drifter for the longest time when I started out. I think that is the most powerful motor any drifter should have. I'm excited to see how that comp will go...
Also, Hyperdrift has come from Hawaii and it's the best thing that happened to the San Jose drift scene. More events are popping up all over Nor Cal. So Cal is actually jealous of our scene and that, to me, is a great success.
Right now, Hyperdrift has set up a point series. 4 Rounds. Rounds 1 and 4 are at Fast Pace Racing (set up inside) and 2 and 3 are set up at HobbyTown Fremont. Round two finished not too long ago and I got 4th place! That is my best result ever. Team Tengu is owning the point series. So far, round 1 had 2 Tengu members in the top 3 and round 2 also had 2. That is good news to our sponsor Amplified Boarding.
Team boss Eric came up with a really cool idea for the team bodies as you can see here:
From left to right: Binh, Rob, Eric, Nick, and me.
Before the point series, we had a competition Driftcon 1 at Fast Pace. The first time we ever drove inside the shop. Eric had spent days setting up the surface for the event and when we started practice on the day of the comp, everyone was caught off guard. The floor was slippery at first, but the longer you drifted on it, the more grip you got as the floor surface would cake itself onto the tires. The event was the first that Hyperdrift presented so it didn't go smoothly to some. People had complaints about the judging because the winner (Nick from Tengu) was a judge. I was eliminated early (still have nervous ticks at the time) so I picked up the camera and recorded the last few runs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wy0FPNxAQY
What's in the future of the San Jose drift scene?
From what I know, there will be a charity competition in November. It will be different from other comps we've done. How? Well, this is the first comp that uses a motor limit. We are all limited to a stock 27T BRUSHED motor! I have to say, I really like seeing everyone get nervous when that was posted. I've used a stock motor in my drifter for the longest time when I started out. I think that is the most powerful motor any drifter should have. I'm excited to see how that comp will go...
My Drifter: Update
I no longer run the Velineon brushless system. Why? Too old is my guess. That version of the Velineon was one of the first and I've used it in several cars. One day at a session, the motor kept cutting out in mid drift and when I got it back home and tried to fix it, the system doesn't work anymore. Oh well I guess. Now I'm rocking a Yeah Racing ESC and 5.5 motor. Yeah, I know. It does seem like extreme overkill but somehow it isn't. I got it, used it in one session to set it up for my car, and the next time I used it was in round 2. That's where I got my best result ever. Luck? Skill? I really don't know but I only got it because it was cheap and I've been shopping around for a motor/ESC combo for a long time and I just got fed up with searching.
The set up has been perfected. With the help of Eric, my car has been set up for a universal drift set up that is easy to tune and handles just the way I like it. Every session and comp, I don't have to stress about my car not handling right. If I do, there is a simple adjustment I do to get it right. Would you believe me if I said all I have to do to make my car drive better is the change the tension on the front shocks? Well, it's true.
I'm selling the Square kit so I can buy a Yokomo Drift Package that a local is selling. I splurged and bought a Square front motor conversion for my TA05. I was interested in seeing how it would drive and what do ya know? I didn't like it! From my experiences, the further forward the motor is mounted on a car, the better it does on small tracks. Rear motors are good for medium to large tracks. The majority of tracks we set up at sessions and comps are medium sized and I didn't follow my personal rule: If it works, DON'T CHANGE IT.
I've made that mistake in the past with the lightweight suspension set up. Oh boy, that was a big mistake. So I used the Square for a few sessions (no comps) and I changed it back to the regular TA05. Ever since, my 05 has been getting better and better.
Oh yeah, I'm getting a Drift Package. A local drifter traded it to Eric and Eric is selling it. I've always wanted to try out a DP and since countersteer wasn't working for me... I decided to buy it. I was inspecting it at the last session and I saw a few (what looked like minor) problems, the car could have the potential to be great. The main reason why I wouldn't want to get it? I like being the only Team Tengu member that uses Tamiya. :P
I am sick of belts though. I've owned quite a few belt cars but the 05 is the longest owned car and while I haven't gone through a million belts, I don't like belt drives. The tensioning, the adjusting, the wear... it's too much. There have been occasions where my car wasn't driving right because the belt tension loosened up. It's a simple fix, but it never should happen.
The set up has been perfected. With the help of Eric, my car has been set up for a universal drift set up that is easy to tune and handles just the way I like it. Every session and comp, I don't have to stress about my car not handling right. If I do, there is a simple adjustment I do to get it right. Would you believe me if I said all I have to do to make my car drive better is the change the tension on the front shocks? Well, it's true.
I'm selling the Square kit so I can buy a Yokomo Drift Package that a local is selling. I splurged and bought a Square front motor conversion for my TA05. I was interested in seeing how it would drive and what do ya know? I didn't like it! From my experiences, the further forward the motor is mounted on a car, the better it does on small tracks. Rear motors are good for medium to large tracks. The majority of tracks we set up at sessions and comps are medium sized and I didn't follow my personal rule: If it works, DON'T CHANGE IT.
I've made that mistake in the past with the lightweight suspension set up. Oh boy, that was a big mistake. So I used the Square for a few sessions (no comps) and I changed it back to the regular TA05. Ever since, my 05 has been getting better and better.
Oh yeah, I'm getting a Drift Package. A local drifter traded it to Eric and Eric is selling it. I've always wanted to try out a DP and since countersteer wasn't working for me... I decided to buy it. I was inspecting it at the last session and I saw a few (what looked like minor) problems, the car could have the potential to be great. The main reason why I wouldn't want to get it? I like being the only Team Tengu member that uses Tamiya. :P
I am sick of belts though. I've owned quite a few belt cars but the 05 is the longest owned car and while I haven't gone through a million belts, I don't like belt drives. The tensioning, the adjusting, the wear... it's too much. There have been occasions where my car wasn't driving right because the belt tension loosened up. It's a simple fix, but it never should happen.
Gaming Update: What's happening?
The Dead Space run isn't getting any view. I got the hint. It's done and won't be finished. I'm still debating on if I should delete them from my channel. It's a shame really since it was a good challenge to a game I really like. Oh well. Maybe I'll have some better success on future runs that are similar.
One game I have to bring up that I've played a lot of is Prototype.
All I can say is: holy crap this game is awesome.
Why? Well, the best way I can describe it is it's a game that makes you feel like you are playing as a god. Sure, there are games where you actually are playing as a god, but this one..
I just love the special effects. For example, the impacts on the ground and how they leave large cracks in the ground. Jump off a tall building and the higher up you are, the more spectacular the impact is when you land. It's insignificant to most people, but I love them.
The devastators...oh the devastators... So much power in a single move.. so spectacular to watch.. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I did a devastator move for the first time. Yes, they really did. Most people would say something like that but it didn't actually happen. This however, actually did happen. Groundspike graveyard, tendril barrage and even though it's not considered a devastator, bulletdive drop. Each one is so much fun to do.
The story is interesting but I had to play through it 2 times before it started making sense and now I'm at a point in the story where it's got me and I want to know more. There is the story that you get from the missions, but there is much more details from Web Targets. They are people hiding throughout the city that know about Alex Mercer's past and you have to find and consume them for their memories and unlock more of the story. Problem is, finding the targets. They show up randomly around the city and there are over 100 of them. Plus it doesn't help if you accidentally kill one.. They do respawn but you'll forget where they were anyway.
Just today I stopped by Gamestop and had a look around and I came across this:
For 4.99, it's not a bad find. I picked it up and tried it out. Quite a nice racer. I have to say, from being a Gran Turismo fan for many years, this racer is more realistic. But that doesn't mean it's better. It's just more realistic. The cars handle like they would in the real world.
One thing I'm dissapointed in is the tuning. First off, you can't buy parts like in GT. You level up the car like in Forza but each level lets you tune the suspension and hopefully the engine. The highest level I got was 5 so I don't know what the high levels offer. The cars sound good, and even though there is only 211 cars total, the ones in it are beautifully modeled. The tracks are mostly fictional but they are creative. How many sim style racers have a track that is in a cave?
One game I have to bring up that I've played a lot of is Prototype.
All I can say is: holy crap this game is awesome.
Why? Well, the best way I can describe it is it's a game that makes you feel like you are playing as a god. Sure, there are games where you actually are playing as a god, but this one..
I just love the special effects. For example, the impacts on the ground and how they leave large cracks in the ground. Jump off a tall building and the higher up you are, the more spectacular the impact is when you land. It's insignificant to most people, but I love them.
The devastators...oh the devastators... So much power in a single move.. so spectacular to watch.. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I did a devastator move for the first time. Yes, they really did. Most people would say something like that but it didn't actually happen. This however, actually did happen. Groundspike graveyard, tendril barrage and even though it's not considered a devastator, bulletdive drop. Each one is so much fun to do.
The story is interesting but I had to play through it 2 times before it started making sense and now I'm at a point in the story where it's got me and I want to know more. There is the story that you get from the missions, but there is much more details from Web Targets. They are people hiding throughout the city that know about Alex Mercer's past and you have to find and consume them for their memories and unlock more of the story. Problem is, finding the targets. They show up randomly around the city and there are over 100 of them. Plus it doesn't help if you accidentally kill one.. They do respawn but you'll forget where they were anyway.
Just today I stopped by Gamestop and had a look around and I came across this:
For 4.99, it's not a bad find. I picked it up and tried it out. Quite a nice racer. I have to say, from being a Gran Turismo fan for many years, this racer is more realistic. But that doesn't mean it's better. It's just more realistic. The cars handle like they would in the real world.
One thing I'm dissapointed in is the tuning. First off, you can't buy parts like in GT. You level up the car like in Forza but each level lets you tune the suspension and hopefully the engine. The highest level I got was 5 so I don't know what the high levels offer. The cars sound good, and even though there is only 211 cars total, the ones in it are beautifully modeled. The tracks are mostly fictional but they are creative. How many sim style racers have a track that is in a cave?
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