Mastering the Art of RC Racing: An In-Depth Guide to Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock Classes

Experience the Thrill of High-Speed RC Racing

Imagine the exhilaration of building a lightning-fast remote-controlled car, fine-tuning every component for optimal performance, and then putting your skills to the test against fierce competitors on a challenging track. Welcome to the world of RC racing, where the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes reign supreme.

These two classes have captured the hearts of RC enthusiasts worldwide, offering a perfect blend of scale realism, technical prowess, and heart-pounding racing action. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer eager to dive into the hobby, understanding the intricacies of these classes is key to building a competitive car and experiencing the ultimate thrill of victory.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you on a deep dive into the technical rules, chassis setup, motor and battery requirements, and other essential aspects that define the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to build a race-winning machine and join the ranks of RC racing’s elite. Get ready to start your engines and embark on an unforgettable journey into the world of high-speed RC competition!

Chassis Requirements: Building a Foundation for Success

At the heart of every top-performing RC car lies a meticulously crafted chassis. In the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes, the chassis serves as the foundation upon which all other components are built, playing a crucial role in determining handling, stability, and overall performance on the track.

Wheelbase Restrictions

• Street Outlaw: Maximum wheelbase of 13.5 inches
  • Longer wheelbase provides better stability at high speeds
  • More forgiving through corners and sweeping turns
• 13.5 Super Stock: Maximum wheelbase of 12.5 inches
  • Shorter wheelbase allows for quicker steering response
  • Enhanced agility, ideal for technical tracks with tight turns

2WD Supremacy

• Both classes require cars to be 2-wheel drive (2WD)
• No 4WD chassis or 4WD-to-2WD conversions allowed
• 2WD setups are more challenging to drive at the limit
  • Demands precise throttle control and steering input
  • Emphasizes driver skill and setup expertise

Embrace the challenge of mastering a 2WD setup, and you’ll find yourself developing skills that will serve you well across all aspects of RC racing. The ability to control your car at the limit is what separates the best from the rest in the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes.

Motor & Battery Rules: Powering Your Pursuit of Victory

The motor and battery combination is the heart and soul of your RC car, propelling you down the straights and out of the corners. The Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes have specific rules governing these components to ensure parity and excitement in every race.

Street Outlaw Motor Rules

• Open motor rules allow for a wide variety of brushless motors
• Popular choices include:
  • High-torque motors for explosive acceleration
  • High-RPM motors for blistering top speeds
  • Adjustable timing motors for fine-tuning power delivery
• Voltage is capped at 8.44V (2S LiPo) for both classes

13.5 Super Stock Motor Rules

• Requires the use of a 13.5-turn brushless motor (Blinky motor)
  • No advanced timing or turbo features allowed
  • Ensures all cars have similar power output
• Shifts focus to chassis setup and driver skill
• Motor claim rule: Competitors can claim the winner’s motor for a set price (usually around $150)
  • Prevents the use of expensive, custom-built motors
  • Levels the playing field for all participants

Battery Basics

• Both classes require a 2-cell LiPo battery pack (8.44V max)
• Factors to consider when choosing a battery:
  • Capacity (mAh): Higher capacity means longer runtime but more weight
  • C-rating: Indicates the battery’s discharge rate; higher C-rating provides better punch and acceleration
  • Brand reputation: Stick with well-known, trusted brands for reliability and performance

Tires & Suspension: Finding the Perfect Grip

Tires and suspension setup are crucial factors in maximizing your car’s performance on the track. The right combination of rubber and a well-tuned suspension can give you the edge you need to dominate the competition. Let’s explore the unique requirements for the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes.

Tire Choice: Rubber Meets the Road

• Both classes require rubber tires with foam inserts
  • Provides a balance of traction, durability, and consistency
• Street Outlaw allows both slick and treaded tires
  • Slicks offer maximum traction on high-grip surfaces
  • Treaded tires provide better forward bite on looser tracks
• 13.5 Super Stock limits tire choice to a specific treaded tire
  • Ensures all cars have similar traction characteristics
  • Emphasizes chassis setup and driving skill over tire advantage

Real-World Tip: Experiment with different tire compounds and tread patterns during practice to find the optimal setup for your driving style and track conditions. Don’t be afraid to make changes on race day if the track surface or weather changes unexpectedly.

Suspension Setup: Dialing in the Perfect Balance

• Minimum shock travel of 1.5mm required
• Shocks must be fully functional and visible from the outside of the car
• Key tuning options:
  • Spring rate: Softer for more grip, stiffer for responsive handling
  • Shock oil viscosity: Thinner for quicker reaction, thicker for stability
  • Ride height: Lower for improved handling, higher for better clearance

Transmission & Weight Distribution: The Balancing Act

The transmission and weight distribution of your RC car play a vital role in its overall performance. The Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes have specific rules in place to maintain a level playing field and promote close racing.

Transmission: Gearing for Success

• 3-gear transmission required (3-5 gears allowed)
  • Ensures all cars have similar acceleration and top speed
• Factors to consider when selecting gear ratios:
  • Track layout: Longer tracks may benefit from taller gearing for more top speed
  • Motor characteristics: Consult with the manufacturer for recommended gear ratios
  • Tire diameter: Larger tires effectively tall-up the gearing, smaller tires do the opposite

Weight Distribution: Finding the Perfect Balance

• Minimum weight limit of 54 oz (1.53 kg) for both classes
  • Includes car, body, battery, and all electronics
• Key considerations for weight distribution:
  • Front-to-rear balance: Affects handling and steering characteristics
  • Left-to-right balance: Ensures even tire wear and prevents steering pull
  • Center of gravity: Lower CG improves handling and reduces body roll

Step-by-Step Guide: Optimizing Your Weight Distribution

1. Start with the chassis and electronics mounted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
2. Install the battery and adjust its position to achieve the desired front-to-rear balance
3. Add any necessary ballast weight to reach the minimum weight limit
4. Fine-tune the placement of the ballast to achieve an even left-to-right balance
5. Test the car on the track and make small adjustments as needed to optimize handling and traction

Remember, the key to success in the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes is finding the perfect balance between speed, acceleration, and handling. By carefully selecting your gear ratios and optimizing your weight distribution, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the competition and standing atop the podium.

Body & Wing Rules: The Art of Aerodynamics

One of the most visually striking aspects of the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes is the scale realism of the car bodies. These intricate shells not only add to the overall aesthetics of the vehicles but also play a crucial role in their aerodynamic performance.

Body Requirements: Keeping it Real

• Fully painted and opaque
  • No clear areas allowing visibility of the chassis or electronics
• Realistic appearance with proper proportions and details
• Wheel wells must be cut out for tire clearance
• Bumpers securely attached, not extending beyond 0.5 inches from the body

Wing Specifications: Mastering the Air Flow

• Street Outlaw: Maximum wing size of 6.5″ wide x 3″ deep
• 13.5 Super Stock: Maximum wing size of 7″ wide x 3″ deep
• Must be mounted at the rear of the car, not extending past the rear bumper
• Adjustable angle of attack for fine-tuning downforce and handling balance
  • Steeper angle provides more rear downforce for improved traction
  • Shallower angle reduces drag for higher top speeds

Body Modification Limitations: Less is More

• Small cuts allowed for tire and suspension clearance
  • Must be kept to a minimum and not alter the overall appearance
• No additional holes or vents permitted for cooling or performance gains
• Original body lines, contours, and details must be preserved

Gyros & Driving Aids: The Purist’s Approach

In the world of RC racing, there is an ongoing debate about the use of electronic driving aids such as gyros and stability management systems. These devices, designed to help maintain car control and improve handling, are seen by some as a crutch that detracts from the true skill and challenge of the sport.

Prohibited Devices: Keeping it Pure

• Gyros and stability management systems
• Traction control and wheel speed sensors
• Steering assistance or correction
• Any other electronic aids that enhance car control or performance

The Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes take a purist’s approach to RC racing, strictly prohibiting the use of any electronic driving aids. This rule is in place to ensure that the competition remains focused on driver skill, chassis setup, and pure racing talent.

The Skill Development Advantage

The absence of electronic driving aids in the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes offers a unique opportunity for drivers to develop and refine their skills behind the wheel. Without the safety net of gyros or traction control, drivers must rely on their own instincts, reflexes, and finesse to extract the maximum performance from their cars.

This emphasis on skill development not only makes for more exciting and challenging racing but also prepares drivers for success in other classes and categories that may allow the use of electronic aids. By mastering the art of car control in the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes, drivers will be well-equipped to adapt to any racing situation and excel in their RC careers.

The Purity of Racing

In a world increasingly dominated by technology and electronic assistance, the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes offer a refreshing return to the roots of RC racing. By stripping away the electronic aids and focusing on pure driver skill, these classes celebrate the essence of competition and the thrill of man and machine working in harmony.

Embrace the challenge of racing without electronic aids, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a racing experience that is both rewarding and exhilarating. The satisfaction of knowing that your success on the track is a direct result of your own skill and dedication is a feeling that cannot be matched.

Protest & Penalties: Ensuring Fair Play

In any competitive racing environment, it’s essential to have a system in place to ensure that all participants are adhering to the rules and regulations. The Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes are no exception, with a robust set of protest and penalty procedures designed to maintain the integrity and fairness of the competition.

Protest Procedure: Keeping Things Above Board

If a driver suspects that another competitor’s car is not compliant with the class rules, they have the right to file an official protest. The protest procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. Filing the protest form and paying the protest fee (usually around $25)
2. Technical inspection of the protested car by race officials
3. If the car is found to be legal, the protest fee is awarded to the protested driver
4. If the car is found to be illegal, the protest fee is returned to the protesting driver, and penalties are assessed

Penalties: Discouraging Rule Breakers

In the event that a car is found to be non-compliant with the class rules, the penalties can vary depending on the severity and nature of the infraction. Common penalties include:

1. Disqualification from the race or event
2. Loss of qualifying times or grid positions
3. Fines or suspensions from future events
4. Revocation of championship points or awards

The severity of the penalty is often determined by the intent and impact of the infraction. Minor, unintentional violations may result in a simple disqualification, while more severe or deliberate breaches of the rules can lead to harsher consequences.

The Importance of Sportsmanship

While the protest and penalty system is in place to ensure fair competition, it’s essential to approach the process with a spirit of sportsmanship and respect for your fellow competitors. Filing a protest should always be a last resort, reserved for situations where there is a clear and significant breach of the rules.

Promoting a Culture of Integrity

Ultimately, the success and longevity of the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes depend on the integrity and sportsmanship of the racing community as a whole. By embracing the rules and spirit of fair competition, we can create a racing environment that is both competitive and welcoming to drivers of all skill levels.

As you prepare to compete in these classes, take the time to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations and commit to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the track. Together, we can ensure that the Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes remain a shining example of the best that RC racing has to offer.

Conclusion: Embrace the Thrill of Street Outlaw & 13.5 Super Stock Racing

The Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock classes represent the pinnacle of scale RC racing, combining the best of technical innovation, driving skill, and pure racing excitement. By delving into the intricacies of chassis setup, motor and battery selection, tire and suspension tuning, and weight distribution, you’ll be well on your way to building a competitive machine that can take on the toughest tracks and rivals.

But success in these classes goes beyond just having the right equipment. It’s about:

• Embracing the challenge of competing without electronic driving aids
• Relying on your own skill and instincts to guide your car to victory
• Developing a deep understanding of your machine
• Learning how it responds to different track conditions and setups
• Pushing yourself to be the best driver you can be
• Constantly learning and adapting to new challenges

As you embark on your journey into the world of Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock racing, remember to approach the sport with a spirit of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect for your fellow competitors. The true thrill of racing lies not just in crossing the finish line first but in the camaraderie and shared passion that comes from being part of a vibrant and supportive racing community.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tools, fire up your imagination, and get ready to build the RC car of your dreams. With dedication, perseverance, and a love for the sport, you’ll soon find yourself battling wheel-to-wheel with the best in the business, pushing your limits and experiencing the ultimate thrill of high-speed competition.

Welcome to the exhilarating world of Street Outlaw and 13.5 Super Stock racing — where the only limit is your own determination to succeed. See you at the track!