Proxy Update

The Targa 2 Proxy is still months away, but I've already started with improvements. Since they made Class B suitable for just about anyone who owns a classic Slot.it car, I would make some modifications to hopefully help me pull away from the pack a little. I still fully expect to be a back marker, but if there are even just a few other Slot.it cars competing, then I have a chance to not come in last.

Last? Well, it's my first proxy race, and I'll be competing against some long-time proxy racers, so I certainly don't have the edge. I've had help, gotten great advice and assistance from one of the podium finishers last year, and it has really paid off. But I'll be realistic in my thinking, and who knows? Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I picked up some parts, and still have more to buy before the car is truly cooperative/competitive. 

What $50 worth of parts looks like. Some are so small they come in pill capsules.
L-R: rubber washers, motor screws, 2mm grubs, 3mm grubs. 2nd row: Paul Gage urethane tires [2 sets rears], 1 meter braid.

The first adjustment to the Alfa came by the way of the rubber washers, which were put on the body posts and in the front pod connections. Everything is now much smoother, quieter and more responsive. That loose car clicking sound is gone. Body "float" takes on a new meaning now, and is more like body cushion. The body now sits on the washers with slight pressure.

Next came mounting the motor with motor screws. This was an easy fix and they went right in. 

Motor mounted with gold mounting screws. I didn't use a washer on the rear one due to constraints. 

Then came the tires. I needed a set of urethane tires for the races, and picked up some on a recommendation. The Paul Gage tires are certainly good, and have already improved times on the track. 

Here's a comparison of the Alfa on the same track with the last race's time at 50 laps:

Race 18        2:40.44   [3.2 per lap]

Proxy Test    2:28.83   [2.96 per lap]

3.2 seconds per lap has been pretty much a standard for my faster cars, so shaving 3 tenths is significant. The PG tires have incredible grip, and feel almost like magnets. 

I have more to do to the car before I'm satisfied, and I'll need to order the parts to do it, as they were sold out at the place I got these from. Mostly waiting for longer grub screws to secure the front axle a bit. Once I can do that, I can work on finding the perfect balance for the car. Until then, I'm focusing mostly on rear end and getting it running properly. I've got six months til race time.