You say you want to try Dirt Oval, but are not sure or afraid of the cost, we have an option for you.

Getting into dirt oval these days is not as hard or nearly as expensive as it once was. With the additions to the SC Late Model and SC modified classes at local tracks.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Paul Peterson. I am one of the new guest writers for RC Soup. If you find this article interesting, comment on this post to let the guys know you appreciate this article and like hearing more about dirt oval racing.

Getting back to the topic. I started racing a few years ago based on dirt oval. A friend of mine came over with a  Dirt Late Model body on his car and I thought it looks very cool and well, expensive too. After talking to Redwood, he mentioned to me that is was just a short course truck with a 1/8^th scale C&M Atomic body mounted on it. Now that is interesting, because how many of you off road guys already have a short course truck? This will allow a person to “try” oval racing without having to spend a ton of money on a completely new oval “only” car. After asking more detailed questions, I found that the changes that can be made are very limited with the thought process of keeping the cost down with these classes. Most places allow for spring adjustments by opening up the spring rules and a few fine adjustments but other than that it is a mostly meant to be a blinky class and to keep costs down. While this is meant to be mostly stock, you will have a few things you can adjust and tinker with.

Which brings me to how I found that track….  I searched on line and found a track 15 minutes from my home. All I did at that point was contact the track.  It was great of Aaron Streblow at Attitude RC Raceway to let us come and form the class.. which took off right away and a second class was born from this later in the season… It is the SC Modifieds which is basically the same rules but with a Dirt Modified body on it, like the UMP or IMCA style Modifieds. The biggest difference in this class is the motor size which will vary from track to track; mostly depending on the size and if the track is indoor or outdoor.  After doing research, this class is increasing all over the place. It has grown so much that you can race these cars at 6 different tracks in my area now.  Many builders have sprung up with these type of bodies. You just have to check out Facebook or other sites on the internet. Places like Sippel’s Speed Shop, Bodies by Ed, Bodies by Wild Bill, Bulldog bodies, AFX Fab, HRC, KBC, Bad Boys Bodies and Bart’s Parts. I am sure that there is a few more that I have not mentioned. A few of these guys will even take the time to help you with set up information… Now isn’t that great if you are new to dirt oval racing?

The stereotype “I am only driving in a circle”. This is whatever you really want to make of it. Yes, you are just turning left mostly. But here are a few things to think about. In oval racing your passes are at high speed. You may be passing people a lot more than on an off road track. Trying to pass someone at this speed can be more challenging as well. Sure you don’t have huge jumps, but the racing can be just as good and your set ups have to be right on, because it is harder than you think if you lose a tenth of a second a lap. It is not as easy to make up that distance.

We like to make our cars look like real dirt oval cars as lot of us grew up on dirt oval in the Midwest and that is why we are drawn to it.

Setups can be a little tricky, as you have to remember that the main purpose of these Short Course Trucks is off road racing. Take your time and play with set ups, and do lots of reading on the internet. Maybe buy a body from  one of the Modified builders and ask them set up questions. You will be on your way to enjoying  some fun oval racing.

Since  you most likely own a Short Course Truck.. why not give it a try… The best part is you can always change the body and mounting posts and turn it back into your off road truck and hit the bumps and jumps. You won’t be stuck with an expensive oval car just sitting on the shelf.

Paul Peterson