General
- Where can I follow on social media? Do you have a YouTube?
Answer: @NorCalRCMT on Facebook, Instagram and on YouTube.
- How often do you race and where at?
Answer: The Points Series generally runs between April and October with races typically once a month held at AMain Silver Dollar RC Raceway in Chico, Auburn RC, and Rescue Community Center RC Track. In addition, we put on exhibition events including the Nor Cal RC Monster Truck Showdown and the monster truck races at the ASD Autism Awareness Crawl. Make sure to check out our schedule page for the most up to date event information.
- I’m new to the hobby, what are some good trucks to start with for each class?
Answer: For the 2.2 class, the Axial SMT10 is an affordable and proven chassis that comes in a ready to run “Grave Digger” option that goes for about $350 new or as a builders kit for $200.
For the 2.6 class, the Losi LMT is the best bang for your buck solid-axle monster truck on the market and can be purchased as a ready to run “Grave Digger” or “Son Uva Digger” as well as the “King Sling” and “Bog Hog” mega trucks for $650. There is also a roller version, however it has been discontinued and may be hard to find new. There is also the $600 TLR Tuned LMT kit available which comes with a carbon fiber chassis and other upgraded parts. See below for the parts needed to be legal to compete.
The classic Tamiya Clodbuster is the ideal kit for the Retro class as it can be assembled and ready to race for around $320.
All of the above mentioned trucks compete in our series and have a ton of aftermarket parts available for upgrades.
- Are you a hobby club? How much are race fees?
Answer: We are a 501 (c)(7) non-profit hobby club which allows the group to contribute financial resources toward a tax-exempt recreational purpose. The club has a board of directors who meet regularly and vote on rules and uses of series funds. We offer a discounted annual Points Series pass at the beginning of each season or you can pay per entry at each event. First truck cost is $20, and each additional entry is $10 with two trucks maximum allowed per class for Points Series races. Exhibition event prices may vary.
- Are you related to the So Cal RC Monster Truck Series?
Answer: No. While racers from both series will occasionally compete in each other’s events, they are two separate race series with similar, but different rules and points scoring.
Rules
In general, if the rules do not specifically say you can do something, either assume you cannot or ask an official for clarification. It is the discretion of the race director/track officials to make the official call. Any attempt to cheat or do anything not within the “Spirit of the Rules” may be deemed illegal.
- Why are cube chassis not allowed?
Answer: Like other R/C racing classes that require scale appearing chassis (i.e., U4 and sprint car oval racing), and to make our series closer to scale in looks and performance, we require chassis to resemble a monster truck with the frame rails extending at least to the axles. The rule of thumb is if you are looking down on the truck from above and have an unobstructed view of the axles, the chassis does not meet the rules. Any bolt-on chassis extension to meet requirements must be integral to the functionality of the truck and if it was to be unbolted, would incapacitate the vehicle.
- Why do you require a spool in the center diff for Losi LMT’s?
Answer: Transmission/transfer cases must distribute power to the front and rear equally per our rules. If you switch to a lighter diff fluid, having a center diff gives a significant advantage in allowing the truck to send more power to the front wheels when applying power. Off power, it will allow the front and rear to act more independent allowing the truck to rotate more freely in corners with less bind in the driveline. It takes a lot of the skill out of it and makes the trucks act more like buggies while taking away some of the monster truck characteristics such as the front rising when under power.
- Can I swap bodies onto my other truck since one broke?
Answer: No, switching bodies onto different chassis during the event is not permitted.
- Can I have someone fill in for me if I can’t make it to an event?
Answer: Yes, you are allowed one substitution per season. You must declare this to the race director prior to the event who will be filling in for you. In this scenario, one truck per class may be raced by a current series driver for the racing portion of the event only. Fill-ins cannot be used for the first or final event of the series.
- What happens if a truck does not get both front tires up the ramp? What happens if both trucks racing get penalties?
Answer: Trucks must hit all racing obstacles on the course with both front tires up the ramp or will be penalized. If a truck misses an obstacle and goes back to correct the penalty, it must occur prior to the tires crossing the finish line. Once the tires have crossed the finish line, the race pass is complete. If both trucks are assessed a penalty for failing to get both tires up the ramp, the penalties offset. If multiple penalties occur, the truck with the least amount will be declared the winner.
- Is nitro allowed?
Answer: No, we only race electric 1/10 scale solid-axle monster trucks and do not have a nitro class.
- Are trucks tech inspected?
Answer: Yes, trucks must pass an initial tech inspection at their first event and are subject to additional inspections if it is presumed the truck is not legal or safe.
Losi LMT
- Is the Losi LMT legal to run or will it be its own class?
Answer: While the LMT has larger axles and the stock bodies are closer to 1/8 scale giving it a larger look, they are 1/10 scale solid-axle monster trucks and are legal to run in the series with some minor modifications in both the 2.2 and 2.6 MT classes. There will not be a designated LMT spec class for the Points Series.
2. What modifications need to be made to race in the Nor Cal RC Monster Trucks Points Series events?
Answer: The LMT has a center transmission which comes stock with a center differential and allows for quick changes with an optional spool. The optional spool (part # LOS242041) will need to be installed to be legal to race.
Additionally, the LMT comes with a short course-style wheel with a larger inner diameter rim which is not a traditional monster truck-style wheel allowed in racing. Traditional 2.6″ inner and outer Clodbuster-style wheels (JConcepts Tributes, Proline Brawlers, RC4WD Igniters, etc.) will be required to compete in the 2.6 MT class. Pre-mounted tires with the 2.6 x 3.8 wheels are not allowed.
See our full Losi LMT FAQ for additional information on the TLR Tuned Kit and more detailed information.
3. How do I mount aftermarket Clodbuster-style wheels?
Answer: The class rules allow for a maximum width of 16.5″ for the 2.6 MT Class. JConcepts and Treal offer LMT Tribute adapters and will keep the truck within the legal width limits.
4. What happens if more than one person is running the same body?
Answer: In the (likely) event that we have multiple Grave Diggers/Son Uva Diggers, they will be tracked by first name in the Points Series Standings. If you want to campaign a different body, 1/10 scale monster truck bodies made to fit 12.5″- 13″ wheelbases will work on these trucks.