Our Associate Editor Aaron Waldron is covering the IFMAR Worlds touring-car event this weekend in Houston, Texas. Waldo told me the other day that he had never spent any time in Houston, and in fact he had not traveled much outside of California during his life. I find this a bit sad, since visiting other places opens your eyes, introduces you to different people, exposes you to new cultures and ways of life, and gives you more of a “world view.” Traveling can also broaden your horizons and suggest that your “perfect little place” at home may not be so perfect (or perhaps it is). How can you know whether you appreciate your roots until you’ve seen the rest of the country? Check out the map above, and you’ll see the 46 states I’ve visited in my lifetime. I’ll see if Waldo is interested in making a places he hasn’t visited travel map when he returns…
So about this cool map I found while surfing the internetz today—-it’s called “Visted States” map, and it’s pretty simple. Click on the states you’ve visited in your lifetime, and it makes a map. I like the simplicity of it all, and all of the travel memories I’ve made.
While clicking on the states I’ve visited..and clicking on more states…and more states…it occurred to me that I’ve nearly traveled the entire country. I’m fortunate to have traveled extensively for work while at R/C Car, but I traveled the most when I was playing college baseball and afterwards when I played professional baseball. I’ve driven through most of the states on this map while sitting on a large Greyhound team bus, usually while reading a book and listening to my teammates argue about their Texas Hold ‘Em Poker hands, en route to a minor league baseball park. There’s vacation traveling, and then there’s bus/hotel/minor league ballpark traveling. I suggest vacation traveling, unless you like cockroaches, smelly teammates stinking up your transportation, and cheap hotels. But I can’t complain. I’ve seen 46 states and explored most of them extensively. I’ve made a home in 8 states, and after seeing the country, I can say confidently that Southern California—-with its flawless weather and exciting lifestyle (R/C, surfing, outdoor sports year ‘round) is for me.
So, I haven’t yet visited Idaho or Delaware, at least that I can remember. Are there any Idahoans or Delawareans (?) out there reading this who’d like to suggest a travel spot? Email me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if so.
Anyway, there’s a link to the “Visitor’s Map” at the top of this blog, just click on it to make a map of your own. They even provide an automatic link so you can post the map on your MyFace or SpaceBook page! Enjoy.
I visit local Southern California tracks for many reasons, one of which being that I get feedback from our readers and fans. I’ve heard suggestions ranging from, “You guys need to do more videos!” to, “You should really not let Waldron talk on your videos.” Whatever the feedback may be, I welcome the ideas and article topics many of you suggest.
The amount of feedback we received from our 2wd Short Course Shootout was overwhelming. Thank you to each of you who wrote in to say that you agreed, disagreed, were disgusted or loved our results. Keep the feedback rollin’.
So my next question is: What would you like to see in the next issue(s) of R/C Car? This is your opportunity to say, “I’ve never seen an article on _____ but I’d like to!” Email me and let me know. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) We will choose the best ideas and write them into next month’s issue. If it’s a truly unique article idea, we’ll even send you a prize pack of decals, RC Car parts trays, and other various sundries you can only get by winning a contest. Let the games begin!
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED… Jun 09, 2010 - 04:21 PM
Sometimes I have one of those days. Other times, I have one of those weeks. And still other times, I have one of those months. Last month was one of those months.
Have you ever woken up, stubbed your toe, banged your head on the shower door, cut yourself while shaving, broken a coffee mug in the kitchen, dropped your cell phone in the parking lot and hit every red light on the way to work…all on the same day? I have, and I did it a lot last month. Fortunately, I’m slightly “off,” so I reacted to most of these occurrences with laughter rather than cursing or frustration. But I’ll admit, I was happy when things seemed to turn around.
Runs of bad luck like this happens in R/C too. A few racers at our local track have had a long string of bad luck. One guy has purchased 4 engines in the last 5 months, experiencing everything from broken engine cases to cracked bearings. Talk about frustrating. Repeated strings of bad luck in R/C will test even the most dedicated hobbyist, especially when the bad luck costs money. So here’s my long winded point: There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. R/C is fun when everything works properly. R/C can be frustrating when things break and don’t work. Consider seeking out advice and help from experienced R/C’ers in your area to get a fresh set of eyes on your problems. Sometimes it’s an easy fix. Other times, lady luck may just be punishing you. In either situation, know that if it’s bad today, it’ll be better tomorrow. Thankfully, R/C is good like that.
YOU GOTTA LAUGH SOMETIMES May 11, 2010 - 01:44 PM
It’s nice to know that frustration, anger and overreaction occurs in all forms of hobbies and motorsports. Calling R/C a “motorsport” may be a stretch, but the adrenaline we enjoy during a close R/C race is the same you’ll find in auto racing, carting and motocross.
Speaking of motocross, I found a hilarious (and yet somewhat sad) story on our sister publication’s (Hi Torque’s Dirt Bike Magazine) website today. Having 8 magazines here at Hi Torque not only makes us the largest publisher in R/C, but it also provides mountains of weekly entertainment when various editors tell stories of their past week’s work.
One of Hi Torque’s editors, Adam Booth, participated in a Mini-Moto challenge this past weekend, and to make a long story short, was sucker punched by an overly-serious mini-bike racer in the middle of a race. Adam’s story is amazing, complete with photos of the punching incident, so check out his entertaining story here and enjoy. And the next time you’re frustrated at the R/C track, think about the guy who punched Booth over a mini bike race. Let’s not take ourselves tooooo seriously, eh?
DRIVING SKILL DOESN’T GROW ON TREES Apr 22, 2010 - 03:46 PM
I read a message board post last week about the costs of R/C racing. Essentially, the poster said that winning local club races was impossible unless you bought your way to the top. Where does this guy race…Southern California? Even here in So Cal, where the fastest off-road racers in the country world club race regularly, this money-burning mentality isn’t the case. Fast guys are fast, whether they run new tires every run or not.
If you’re one of the guys who believes that R/C racing is all about the money, I’d like to suggest rethinking your position. It’s true that new gear does help in racing (less likely to break, more reliable, etc), but only to a point. You can run brand new tires every qualifier at your local club race, and if you wreck repeatedly or drive the slow lines, none of it will matter. This may hurt, but believe it: Money does not buy driving skill.
R/C racing is exciting and challenging for many reasons, and one of my favorite reasons is this: you cannot buy your way to an A-Main win. You gotta have the driving skills. I’ve seen more racers than I can remember drag $10K in R/C gear into a club race, and get smoked by the dude with a clapped out buggy and nearly bald tires who can actually drive. The next time you think you need to have a brand new car, with brand new tires, just to win a club race, consider going to practice with what you already have. The extra track time will decrease your lap times more than a new set of tires ever will. Driving skill, like money, doesn’t grow on trees…
STEPHEN
