[neurokinetik]

We have a small track setup locally that I have been running on, and it is interesting to see how differently the Mini-Zs perform from the XMods. The track is very narrow (lanes are probably only 24" wide) so it makes for tough driving with the XMods, requiring full steering lock to make most of the corners. OTOH, the track surface (carpet) is a bit tricky, and RWD cars are at a big disadvantage both under braking and coming out of corners on throttle. Rubber tires work best here, which is the opposite of what I was expecting,

This is a stock Mini-Z, so it isn't totally fair to compare it to our XMods, though my only mods are motor, bearings and AWD. On this track, the only thing that the Mini-Z had going for it is that it can corner tighter, and more importantly, without rolling over. It was slower everywhere on the track, even the long straight, though that is really because of the stock motor. I'd like to see it with an X-Speed, but the drivers were having a hard enough time keeping it going straight as it was, I think on this track a slower motor can actually make for better lap times.

Anyway, I think the two cars certainly can be competitive, despite the initial reports that I saw...