Now what do I do. . .

Original photo by

ben ullman

So, I've made a heavy investment into the RC world financially.  To date, I've spent $1300.00 on RC stuff; 3 RTR trucks, two chargers, LiPo batteries, and all kinds of miscellaneous parts.

I LOVE it, obviously.  However, there isn't a good track that's close to where I live.

In my previous post about RC cars, I was looking forward to checking out SDRC Raceway. Well, I checked it out this past Wednesday night for their Wednesday Night Worlds racing.  It was awesome and intimidating at the same time.  It was serious racing and every single person had invested a ton of money and time into the hobby.

That's what I expected to find, but wow, it was serious.  I think the guys were all having fun, but there wasn't a lot of vocalization of it or body language that was easily interpreted that way.

The other problem is that I've finally come down from my previous spending habits when I had a real job and was making real money.  I'm working part time making $12 an hour currently.  I don't have tons of disposable cash, none for that matter.  My point is, SDRC Raceway is 27 miles one way from my house.  My truck gets 20mpg, average.  Gas here in SoCal is around $4 to $4.50 a gallon.  So, I'm using three gallons to get there and back.  Doing the math, that's $12 to $13.50 in gas or, to do more math, two hour's work (because of taxes).

Yeah, not cool.

I've heard through the grape vine that a local park in Escondido, Jesmond Dene, has an RC track.  It isn't "official" in that the Parks and Rec Department doesn't maintain it.  At the same time, I guess they do allow it, or at least haven't bulldozed it flat.

I don't know how good or otherwise the Jesmond Dene track is.  I haven't been there yet.

I did just finish a small business class.  I've written exactly one business plan to date.  With all of this info my mind is a-buzz with ideas for getting the two local RC hobby stores; Hobby Town and RC Hobbies involved as well as The City of Escondido and possibly Schneider Grading and Excavating to help build an official outdoor track, maybe at Jesmond Dene.

I'd also like to get RC Hobbies and/or Hobby Town to promote a "run what 'cha brung" kind of event.  It'd be cool to get the local enthusiasts out and get them involved with the whole thing.  Plus it'd be a good way to see what the "market size" is for the business proposal on the outdoor track.

Any way, here's to future plans.

Keep it rubber side down!
Clayton