Old School RC Buggies

[groomi]

Since getting back into 1:10th RC Buggy racing about four years ago, I have developed a bit of an obsession with the old Schumacher buggies from the 80's and 90's. Starting with the XLS I used to race as a teenager and progressing into all the buggies and upgrades I wished for at the time.

I've started a facebook page and have kept photo album build diaries for some of the cars, interspersed with comments from a few race meetings.

Here are a few pics and a link to my page: https://www.facebook.com/MuzzoomModels/


CAT XLS with RC Racer magazine article


Topcat mid-build


Cougar 2 Works just prior to build


Another Cougar 2 Works and a Cougar 1 mid build


Another XLS I built for a mate

I've also got a Bosscat Works and another Cougar 2 that have both been raced and boxes of parts for other cars to be built in future. All I need is time and space...

[groomi]

Oh, and just to prove they do get raced occasionally.

[RacingPete]

Nice!

I have a couple of Schumacher Cougars in storage along with a Top Cat, I must get them out and give them a service for the kids to play with. Also an ex-racer from when I was young. Though moved on to Team Associated RC10s in the later years... still had the best success with the Schumacher.

Where abouts do you race them now?

[cjs racing.]

Looks great.

I used to go to the early Iconic meets, that were at Clumber Park.

But since they changed to more race oriented events, I don't make many.

[groomi]

RacingPete said:

Nice!

I have a couple of Schumacher Cougars in storage along with a Top Cat, I must get them out and give them a service for the kids to play with. Also an ex-racer from when I was young. Though moved on to Team Associated RC10s in the later years... still had the best success with the Schumacher.

Where abouts do you race them now?

Generally I race the old stuff once a year at the Iconic RC Revival meeting at the A1 track in Grantham.

Last year I pitched the Bosscat Works against some modern buggies on a grass track in Kent and it fared pretty well - would have won a heat if I didn't have an electrical issue 2 laps from the finish.

[groomi]

cjs racing. said:

Looks great.

I used to go to the early Iconic meets, that were at Clumber Park.

But since they changed to more race oriented events, I don't make many.

I personally prefer racing, but it is a shame some of those informal meets couldn't continue.

They now do various meets at different tracks which are informal with no timing.

I did the one at Eden Park Raceway a few weeks ago. Great fun to run the old buggies and a rare opportunity to work on setup.

[SystemParanoia]

Still have my old Dirt Thrasher and RC10TC3 somewhere about..

really need to get some up-to date radio gear and batteries into em and give em a blast

[cjs racing.]

groomi said:

I personally prefer racing, but it is a shame some of those informal meets couldn't continue.

They now do various meets at different tracks which are informal with no timing.

I did the one at Eden Park Raceway a few weeks ago. Great fun to run the old buggies and a rare opportunity to work on setup.

I love racing, and I am even on a supported drive, in 1/8 truggy. When I go elsewhere I prefer a more relaxed time, to get away from racing.

I will still try and attend a few meetings next year.

[traffman]

Hi Groomi , your on Iconic Rc arent you?

My mates Dan Rowlands on there. The Kyosho fanboy. Ive a few New in box kits . Pics on request.

[groomi]

traffman said:

Hi Groomi , your on Iconic Rc arent you?

My mates Dan Rowlands on there. The Kyosho fanboy. Ive a few New in box kits . Pics on request.

Yep, I'm active on Iconic RC and know Dan.

Get them kits built - no fun in boxes!

[ferrisbueller]

groomi said:

RacingPete said:

Nice!

I have a couple of Schumacher Cougars in storage along with a Top Cat, I must get them out and give them a service for the kids to play with. Also an ex-racer from when I was young. Though moved on to Team Associated RC10s in the later years... still had the best success with the Schumacher.

Where abouts do you race them now?

Generally I race the old stuff once a year at the Iconic RC Revival meeting at the A1 track in Grantham.

Last year I pitched the Bosscat Works against some modern buggies on a grass track in Kent and it fared pretty well - would have won a heat if I didn't have an electrical issue 2 laps from the finish.

Do they run period motors, ESCs, servos etc?

[groomi]

ferrisbueller said:

Do they run period motors, ESCs, servos etc?

It's a bit of a mixture.

For racing nearly everyone uses modern 2.4ghz radio gear - you really don't want to break hard to find parts due to easily avoidable interference.

Most people use modern lipo batteries, but it's a more even split with brushed motors and speed controls.

For my 80's racers (Topcat and XLS) I use 2.4ghz radio, vintage brushed motors and ESC's and nimh batteries. For the later cars the competition is so tough I join the majority in running a fully modern setup with lipo and brushless.

A big difference is found in the tyres. I'm one of the few who prefer to race my 80's cars with period tyres. Again, for the 90's cars I go with modern stuff.

[ferrisbueller]

Interesting, are there different classes to split things up?

Tempting to dig out a Lazer ZXR. Reckon my Ni-Cads might be beyond their best, though!

[groomi]

Here's the link to this year's IconicRC Revival meeting. You can find the classes and basic rules there.

http://revival.a1racingclub.com

I'd forget about Nicads though. Even with nimh we don't have to worry about runtime anymore and with lipo it's silly power for a fraction of the weight.