Ask Ralph Collings...

[tomlau]

OK, I see Matt P now has a presence here on racechat (check out the blogs), so i figured we must be overdue for an 'Ask Ralph Collings' thread.

This is THE place to get an insight behind his immense rc knowledge and to learn what makes him just so fast. This is also the place to ask the man (read boy) himself advice on chassis setup, motor tuning, tactics, and race preparation...or just listen to his wise words, and be enlightened. :cool:






:D

[tomlau]

I created the thread so i get first question...

When do we get to see the prototype for your next pan car design? When do u plan to release it as a full kit to the public?

Also, where are you sourcing you chassis material this time? I really liked the rear axle on the first version, but is there going to be any improvement for V2? Perhaps use a different graphite..HB, H, F or B this time?

[tomlau]

Oh, and for all the haters, no slagging him off, just cos he's faster than you there's no reason not to give him some respect. :D

[Matt Pocknell]

At last, a thread where REAL racing advice is available!

My quesion....

At the last 1/12 national I was making quite a few mistakes, and i feel that they really affected my times. I also notcied you watched some of my runs, which made me feel quite nervous, but I would like to know if you have any tips for improving my driving?

I was thinking maybe a change in my dual-rate....what are your thoughts and opinions on this?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[ralph]

lmao!!!!!! Firstly, thanks for the thread, it humbles me to know you respect me so highly. If you ever want help at the track, your names will be top of my list :p .

Tom - The pan car is still in the early stages of development and I'm not really keen to estimate a release date as yet. Although the prototype has only been available to team drivers for 3 weeks, the initial response has been very promising. With good feedback and winning results in several series races this cars going to be a hit! You wont be disappointed. The chassis material is likely to be Lola composites sourced Ultra-high modulus carbon fibre. After much testing, I've found this to offer the best flex characteristics whilst retaining an exceptionally low weight. The car will feature two types of carbon fibre, one will be a cross directional twill weave pattern, but also expect to see uni-directional carbon used. This unique material has graphite strands running only in one direction allowing it to be orientated such that it is stiffest where required :p . Do ask if your struggling to understand this concept Tom (I know many find it hard to grasp). Also thanks for your praise on the rear axles of V1. You are correct in thinking that different types of graphite may be the way forward. I am currently looking at offering racers the option of which material to use. On the track I've found harder graphite such as 2H to perform better, but the material is more brittle and hence breaks more easily. For those whose expect to hit the barriers every now and then expect to see 2B graphite as an optional upgrade.

I'm glad you asked about driving style matt. Although you were quick between corners at the last 12th scale national I feel you could benefit from some professional advice. I think the easiest way is if I come and lend you a hand when you next race at a large meeting I'm at. Dual-rate is an invaluable way to adjust the amount of steering lock the car has and is well worth playing around with. Set it so you have just enough steering for the tightest corner on the track and you should be set.

See ya at the track,

Ralph Collings :rolleyes:

[Matt Pocknell]

I cant thank you enough ralph (you dont mind me calling you by your forename?) for the quick reply.

That would be brilliant if we could meet up sometime and you could give me some pointers on my driving, I feel I could benefit hugely from your experience.

Do you have any tips on car preperation? I noticed at hereford you were ready with plenty of time for each run, allowing you to spend time helping others.

Thank you

Matt

[tomlau]

Wow, that was a quick response. Thank you for taking time out of you busy schedule for us....really, we are the ones that are humbled.

Good to hear testing is going good on the new pan car! Im excited. V1 was revoloutionary, cant wait to see what your genius has brought to V2s design. I wish i could have made it to the test team (haha no chance!), guess im not good enough. I heard matt asked you if he could join tho? Are you testing at your new test track, the one just outside cambridge? I take it those kids, sorry, seasoned racers, you hang out there with are your new test team?

[ralph]

Wow! This thread has really been a hit, good idea Tom.

It always pays to be ready in advance Matt. If you were to come round mine at the moment you would already find my car almost 100% ready to race. I find this necessary anyway - you never know when u might be asked to make a celebrity appearance at the track :cool: . If your car is ready, you shouldn't have much to do between races except charge cells. Another brief point here - avoid making too many setup changes at a meeting. The best way to improve is to stick with a setup that works and practise your driving to suit it. :eek: Hope that helps.

Glad you're looking forward to the new car Tom. I'm planning to have the new company website uploaded in the next couple of days and you'll be able to preorder the car well in advance there. The test team spreads far over europe tom, with several well known names involved, nothing MLP style here!

[tomlau]

Excellent news! Matt says put his name down for one. Sorry, I dont think I can afford one just yet. I just re-read your post...i missed the bit about the carbon your using somehow. Interesting your using two types of carbon in the design, again revoloutionary - no surprise comming from you ralph :) . I think i get the idea about the unidirectional carbon (maybe you can explain next meeting a bit more) I guess your using it then so itll have similar properties to wood (i.e grain in one direction)? If it aint broke dont fix it!

Thank you

Thomas

[Matt Pocknell]

Wow this thread really has been getting lots of people viewing....and I can see why!

Ralph, my car seems to be losing some speed towards the end of the straight, its quite a weird feeling. Do you think I should be using a power-cap to correct this?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[tomlau]

****News Flash****

Ralph and Matt finally came out with their true feelings for each other today...Its true love. I wish them all the best and a happy future together.

How sweet.

[Matt Pocknell]

Thomas, I think you may actually have your own feelings for Ralph bottled up inside. Writing "I love Ralph" all over my shell was just a way for you to express these feelings!

[ralph]

Hey! Told you both before, not interested!... Sure, I might be a pretty popular guy, but there's no need to fight! :p . Matt, YGPM. Don't think the whole relationship thing is going to work out, but I'd still like to be friends, if you're not too upset :D

As for your question Matt, the power cap probably wouldn't help much. Its more to protect the ESC, though it may well give you a little more punch out the corners by reducing the voltage drop that occurs under acceleration. You say you're losing speed at the end of the straight? sounds a bit strange. If it's just lacking straight line speed you could try gearing up a bit, otherwise I'm not really sure what the problem could be.

[Matt Pocknell]

Hey! Told you both before, not interested!... Sure, I might be a pretty popular guy, but there's no need to fight! :p . Matt, YGPM. Don't think the whole relationship thing is going to work out, but I'd still like to be friends, if you're not too upset :D

Weren't you the driver with "i love matt" all over your shell?

Fine, whatever, i'll just go find someone else....Tom can have you all to himself!

:D :D

[ralph]

lolol! But wasn't it Tom that felt the urge to write "I love Matt" all over my shell in the first place???:p . Doesn't sound like ur going to have to go far so find someone else does it!

I'm sorry if your upset, but it's just not going to work out...:'(

[Matt Pocknell]

Haha i know ralph, its ok, youre not the girl for me.

Yeah Tom was pretty obsessed with writing he loves me all over your shell, even did it down a dark corridor by himself so no-one saw......a bit secretive eh tom? Very very dodgy! Is there any way we can keep this guy away from the club?

Matt

[tomlau]

Thats discrimination! Sorry im too fast for you guys, but lets keep sexual orientation out of this, huh? HAHA

Anyway, lets get this thread back on topic!

[tomlau]

Hi Ralph,

Where can i get a pit towel like yours? I want to look just as cool as you.