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The Mini Super Cub is a mini version of the most popular beginner airplane we sell. Everything is in the box and ready to fly for less than $120. The plane is loads of fun and unlike the no-name Hong Kong specials out there it actually flies properly without modification.
Got somebody on your list that wants to try a helicopter but you are not ready to fork over $100 or more. The Millennium NTU is the best 2 channel helicopter we have found. Unlike the cheap toys available that use infrared remote control (think TV remote) it uses a 2.4ghz radio so that you have solid control and don't have to point the controller at the helicopter. This little guy sells for under $50. |
The 2009 Speeders Raceway points series is going to be talked about for years to come. We will be racing nearly every weekend in 2009. Points races will be held once per month. Check the Racing Information page for the full schedule, classes and rules. We will be taking the champions from up to 7 classes to the 2010 Snowbird Nationals in Orlando, Florida. The grand prizes include vehicle transportation for you and your gear, hotel room, entry fee and $200 spending cash. We will also be handing out our regular weekly prizes. These include plaques for A-main 1st through 3rd plus B-main 1st and 2nd. If a class has 5 or more entries we also add gift cards of $10 for the A-main winner and $5 for the Runner-up and B-main winner. In addition to the enhanced prizes for 2009 we are also adding value to the track. The configuration has changed to lower the chance of damage to your vehicle. It will also allow us to run a very nice road course layout big enough for 1/10 touring cars. Even with all the enhancements entry fees for the 2009 points series will remain at the 2008 price level of $12 for your first entry and $3 for additional entries. If you own (or purchase for $40) an I-lap transponder you will save $5 off your first class EVERY TIME YOU RACE. That means only $10 to race two classes. Families may combine their entries to take advantage of the multi-class discount. Compare that to what others are charging. The big change for 2009 will be in practice time. Anyone who enters a race during a calendar month gets FREE PRACTICE for the rest of that month. If you race on the last weekend of the month your FREE PRACTICE carries over to the next month. I am committed to making Speeders Raceway the best value in Central Kentucky racing. We will do this by putting more back into the track and into the racer's hands. All I ask in return is when it comes time to make a hobby purchase give us a shot. We are happy to have an honest discussion about pricing and product any time you are in the market. The more dollars we can keep at home the more that will eventually make its way into your racing experience. |
Speeders Corner
Awards and Predictions
By Keith Hollifield
Each year at this time I publish my opinion of the products of the year. I also take this time to reflect on the state of the hobby industry and where it is headed. There is no doubt that the current economic climate will continue to have an effect on our hobbies. I don't expect that the number of hobbyists will dwindle. It may actually increase. This is still one of the best entertainment values around. Think of how much time you spend on your hobbies and divide that into the dollars spent. I do expect that the choices many hobbyists make will depend much more on their feeling of financial security than their actual bank account.
Lower prices will be the name of the game for 2009. I suspect we will see very few new product introductions in the over $300 range. That means manufacturers will be sharpening their pencils and putting in a little overtime to cram as many features as possible into that price point. Premium lipo batteries have already seen a dramatic decrease in price at the wholesale level. That should reach us by the beginning of 2009.
If you haven't gotten on the 2.4ghz bandwagon then you are running out of options. The product offerings are already being pared down for the old radio bands. While the equipment will remain in use and available on the second hand market the production days are numbered for most 72mhz and 75mhz products.
BEST HELICOPTER PRODUCT OF 2008
This is the easiest decision of the year. The Eflite Blade MCX has transformed your living room into a flying field. You can maneuver this little helicopter around your house with complete control. It is the best beginner helicopter yet produced and still has tons of entertainment value for the experienced pilots. If you have ever been interested in helicopters this is the one.
BEST AIRPLANE PRODUCT OF 2008
This is a little tougher. The innovations in airplane flying this year have been largely in electronics. That said there is one aircraft that has exceeded expectations and made small space flying inexpensive and accessible to the average hobbyist. I'm talking about the Parkzone Vapor. This airplane weighs only 12 GRAMS ready to fly. It can hang on the prop and fly at less than a walking pace. It can be flown in a large living room and you can do every maneuver in the book if you have half a basketball court.
BEST SURFACE PRODUCT OF 2008
There are plenty of vehicles that could contend for this spot. In the end I decided that the most important product this year was one that transformed almost any mundane vehicle to a blistering beast without breaking the bank. I'm talking about the Castle Creations Sidewinder series of brushless motors and speed controls. There is not a more capable power system available for anywhere near the price of the Sidewinders. If you've not seen a 1/10 or 1/18 stadium truck with the Sidewinder and a 3-cell lipo then you've not seen fast. It makes the fastest nitro vehicles look grossly underpowered. You can also use the castle link system to program the speed control from your computer. There are so many options it is ridiculous. To top that off it is a product actually designed and manufactured in Olathe, KS in the good old USA.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
'til next time...