Racing in Southern Oregon (what now?)

Hey friends, I haven't posted (or even checked in) in awhile. Other hobbies, real life and "grown-up things" took me away from racing and such for the last couple months. I browsed around on here and not much activity is happening, so I head over to Rogue Valley RC Club's website to see what he status is on their "lack of interest" situation to find this.

It seems that, aside from Jacksonville (which is a private track), we have lost our only racetrack in Jackson County. That's not to say the club can't do something else, but my understanding on this is that they have given the whole property back to the County and it no longer exists to the public. This sucks. Granted it wasn't the best facility and could have been better promoted, but losing anything related to the hobby sucks pretty hard, in my opinion.

What now? Are the handful of racers in the area going to continue the twice-monthly pilgrimage to Klamath Falls? Is there genuinely enough interest in this area to start something greater? Or did this club fail for the same reasons any other club would fail? Part of me wishes that I could build something new myself; start a new club, a new location, new direction, new promotion, all that jazz. But I don't think I have what it takes at my disposal, especially the physical stuff.

Chime in, I'm curious to hear what the other racers think.

Well if you got the ability and property to build a track or something you could always post something on here and ask for help alot of guys can put there professions to good use! I on the other hand work at a plywood plant and can get alot of plywood at cost or cheaper!! Like i did for adam at sledd's and his indoor 18th scale track! There is always that you could do also!

I appreciate the feedback.

I don't have the ability or the property. Besides, I personally think anything done needs to be public (a true, democratic club) and not privately run facility.

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Like i did for adam at sledd's and his indoor 18th scale track! There is always that you could do also!
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While I'm sure this is cool, my passion lies with off-road racing.

I agree 100%.

Hey guys.  With the area you have to draw from, you should be able to have a good sized club and have decent  turnouts.  Our club has done well over here in Klamath,  mostly due to the work done by Steve Borror.  Our most important rule is to have "FUN".  A simple 2S lipo battery rule and thats it.  We are lucky that we have dirt to race on that works pretty well.  The guys from Medford, Grants Pass and Yreka have all been fun to race with and we have had no problems from any of them.  They all enjoy coming over and we appreciate them showing up.  We are located on private property, so we have no one to answer to except the owner.  Who, by the way, is a great guy.  If you guys get a track going,  I'm sure the Klamath guys would come over and play.  Good Luck.     

Took you a while to see that Nexus, I have known about what was happening for quite some time, also FYI the property is somewhat up for availability to be re-leased to the proper parties that would do what was asked of them.  This quote kills me

All tracks are private and are NOT open to the public at ALL hours day and night, so these statements about the Jacksonville track being private are kind of pointless and these dragging posts about no tracks are really starting to rub me the wrong way, and in saying that if I offend anyone or this post annoys you keep it to yourself.

Now on to what I wanted to say, I tried like CRAZY to get you guys out to the track in J-ville many times for various playdays and club races and you know what?  Three people showed MAX, not a ONE person from here ever showed.  I tried to give you a place to run and have club events bi-weekly as they used to be and not more than a few people showed interest, yet I come here and see belligerently ridiculous post how another "track closed down and what are we to do????" or "I'm building this bitchin track in my backyard" There is a common lack of interest and also a lack of desire for most around this valley to make the effort to make anything work.  I have put in the time, the money and the word and I got nothing for it.  I'm burnt on the idea of everyone bitching about a track when the whole time we had one with a great atmosphere and good people, and not a person even made the effort to show.  I will again reproach and say that these posts about tracks and who is "going" to be building them is pointless, there are tracks to play on and good people running them, they may not be as close as some want but I think it's high time for those to put on there big boy panties and do what they say they are going/want to do.  Rant over, please continue with this BS thread.  I'll be on RCTech if you need me.

Hey sinister So im just now getting into the off road stuff! I got my difter and my crawler which are pretty cool but now im getting into the off road stuff just because i feel the need for speed...lol Im still kind of new to the area and was woundering who and if they still run there tracks this time of year? But really i just want to go jump this thing and maybe break a few parts...lol Know of a good place i could cause some mayhem? Its just a vxl rustler with a short course truck body but its pretty quick!

The track just held it's last race for the year this last weekend which I posted in the events section.  It will reopen sometime late Feb weather permitting.  If I see enough true interest I "may" try again helping host club races bi weekly.  As for good places to run and just play I know a bunch of guys play around at B-street and there are some great tracks that are withing about 2-3 hour driving distance.

What about b street jumps. Its now a park but iv never been told to leave when digging. My friend and i used to go there all the time before this forum was open. And actually started to draw a crowd. Its its open but more of a freestyle. I know most of u know about. So if u want track go dig there. Most of it is done for u. I put in a drift track in my backyard.when it was done seemed everyone was over drifting. So i can see it being pointless as well. Plus im sure we might get a track at the fairgrounds again. (Just heard a rumor). But i got my winter set on the 1/18 indoor circuit. And always fly in the winter seems to be hardly any wind.. but if u want to bash richard, there alot of natural jumps in this valley. But we used to love b st. Jumps loose granite so u slide in your turns too.. 

As one of those three guys that showing up to those practice days and races keep it up I know ill keep showing up and for anyone who has yet to run at chads your missing out its an amazing track were lucky to have it.  plus everyone there is super chill and awsome people. It's a good time. Keep it up.

chime time !
What would be better than 1 badass rc track(j-ville)  in the valley ?
answer, 2 tracks.  although if the wc track is just a grass roots track, it's still good for the hobbiest that live here to have another (non-competing schedule) track to race and practice @.  I can't afford a timing system yet, and if i choose to run races @ white city or not, lack of a timing is not going to stop me. I would love to get that track up and running and have fun there for what it is.  I realize it won't be the level of track in J-ville, nor do i think it needs to be.  It just needs to be fun,  and to better the experience for newbies and seasoned racers alike., remember we were all newbies once too.  also IMO you have to develop into a racer,  and i think we can help increase the amount of racers locally, so more will race at both tracks.  I will probably need a little help from my friends. and I know the klamath racers will come race.  anybody with me ?  i'm putting my name in.

Austin I was happy to hear that you were in the process of trying run the WC track. It really needs someone that truly cares about the RC racing hobby. If there is anything you need help with let me know. 

Matt

Austin I say go for it I'm also always willing to help out as well. I think the combination of the jv track (amazing) and the wc track run by someone like yourself would be dynomite. Are you planning on doing 1/8 scale where the circle is.  keep us posted

I truly hope you can do something Austin, but I really think your forgetting about a lot of things that go into a track that are monetary., lap counting system, dirt, pipe, power, water etc etc.  It's not as easy as most think, but if you do it you should know you will have my support.  Also just FYI, years ago we did not have a counting system and if you remember we lost ours for a day at Chads and it was a MESS!  In reality it just didn't work as I think you will remember.

I could help when im not working but i also work at a plywood mill so i can hook u guys up with plywood really cheap!

Maybe people don't listen to you because you come off as a dick. "I'm gonna go off about everything I don't like and bitch and moan, and if you don't like it then please.... keep it to your self"

Your funny.

I was one of those people that attend this board that DID attend one of Chad's track days. His track IS a private track. As opposed to a public track that is open every week on a set schedule. There is a difference, they are not all private.

While Chad's track is great and Chad is also a friendly great guy, his track is purpose built. Its an 8th scale track. It's made for racing high dollar machines.  Driving 1/10th scale there is just not that great. It is a lot more affordable to race 1/10th and this is why K falls has a better turn out.

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to race 10th anyways at chad's. The dates just didn't line up well for me. I just feel that a dedicated 10th scale track would pull more people. Klamath succeeds because it is laid back, 1/10th scale, and the rules are very minimal. The track is private but it doesn't matter.

I feel like a new track along the same lines is a good starting point. Once some weekly races are established a club could be formed. I am not sure if I agree that a public club/track is the best. I just see it turning into another power struggle.

What it really takes is one person with the resources and the drive to run a track. Well... 2 people, one with the resources and one with the drive. I wish I had the property or the drive, but unfortunately I do not have either.  :-\

Maybe people don't listen to you because you come off as a dick. "I'm gonna go off about everything I don't like and bitch and moan, and if you don't like it then please.... keep it to your self"

Your funny.

I was one of those people that attend this board that DID attend one of Chad's track days. His track IS a private track. As opposed to a public track that is open every week on a set schedule. There is a difference, they are not all private.

While Chad's track is great and Chad is also a friendly great guy, his track is purpose built. Its an 8th scale track. It's made for racing high dollar machines.  Driving 1/10th scale there is just not that great. It is a lot more affordable to race 1/10th and this is why K falls has a better turn out.

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to race 10th anyways at chad's. The dates just didn't line up well for me. I just feel that a dedicated 10th scale track would pull more people. Klamath succeeds because it is laid back, 1/10th scale, and the rules are very minimal. The track is private but it doesn't matter.

I feel like a new track along the same lines is a good starting point. Once some weekly races are established a club could be formed. I am not sure if I agree that a public club/track is the best. I just see it turning into another power struggle.

What it really takes is one person with the resources and the drive to run a track. Well... 2 people, one with the resources and one with the drive. I wish I had the property or the drive, but unfortunately I do not have either.  :-\
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I come off as a dick to invalids like yourself because you do not understand anything that is being said and contradict yourself accordingly.  Golf clap to you buddy.  As YOU just stated " As opposed to a public track that is open every week on a set schedule."  If it has a schedule and it "closes and opens"  It is PRIVATE!!!!  Are you a bloody moron???  Public in the entire sense means that if I so want to at 3am I can go to said track and run my rigs.  There is NO such thing unless you own it!  Before trying to become a dick yourself you should try and do some research so that at least you can be an educated dick   As far as 1/10 scale goes we had many 1/10 classes this year and many guys were pushing for more so the comment about it being "not that great"  Is again your own personal opinion, which as you did me I will slay and say that you sir are a moron to the level of assburgers syndrome (watch southpark some)  Next time read something in it's entirety and then present a response before trying to bash someone that may or may not have more time, resources and brains than you sir.

Remember being kids on your bikes. You get board and so u grab dads shovel and start digging some jumps. We live where there is quit a bit a open land. I built a small figure 8 with double and berms on a hillside. Had for two months till the owner of the land told me to tear it down. I did with no questions, but i still had it for a while. Same for my buddy at his apartment complex. The point is if u wanna race on a track. Build and they will come. At least you'll get practice in by the time a legit track opens again. I said it once before. Im looking to buy a home with some property. When i do there will be a track for everyone's type. Drift, off road no scale limit. Fly feild. And of course not to get off topic.... a putting green. Cant live without that. Witch will all be public after introductions. (Cant let serial killers and chimos just waltz right in. Lol) so its not gonna happen right away. But will come. In the mean time. Grab a shovel......

Very true, but sometimes land owners aren't that nice anymore.  I myself helped the neighbor kids build a small track just a few houses down and built a 1.9/1.4 rock course on the side of my house for them, but the idea of a purpose built ANY scale raceway completely open to the public as in ALL HOURS 365 a year is by nature extreme or obscene thinking.  Like I said before the reasons really equate to that of a monetary factor.  All things and OPINIONS aside it comes down to the money.  If I hit the lotto them surely you will find a track open at all hours and for everyone to use, but until then let the banter that fills this forum carry on.

You are what is wrong with RC in southern oregon. Picking fights with clubs and being a jerk in general.  I am only a dick to people that deserve it. You really just need to shut up once in a while and attempt to be positive about the future of RC in the valley instead of jumping in with an " I told you so" type of attitude. Your arguments against me are a joke.

Your argument: All tracks are private and are NOT open to the public at ALL hours day and night 

So public pools must be private, they aren't open all hours.  ???

Many public parks close at night, I'm sure those must be private too then according to your logic.  ???


Public = owned by the public you ignoramus. Private mean it is owned privately by a person. It has nothing to do with what hours it is open. Maybe YOU should do some research.


Again on Chad's track:
Chad's track is just too big for 1/10th scale, yes I stated that as my opinion. Several jumps are too big for 1/10th scale and it is hard to create a good rhythm. It is a magnificent 1/8th scale track and kudos to Chad for making it happen. If they had 1/10th scale races every other weekend I would still love to race there. I am just saying I prefer the kfalls track because it is built for 1/10th and that is the scale that I race. 1/10th scale is a lot more affordable and will pull in more participation.