Radio Control and Slot Car Blog

MWRCA Baraboo, WI

The Midwest Rock Crawlers Association met at Devils Lake WI on Sunday September 30th for their 3rd competition this year. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or a more perfect location. The Devils Lake area is perfect for RC Rock Crawlers offering an endless amount of obstacles and natural beauty. The RC Crawlers are challenged by various elements when navigating the obstacles, such as loose debris which compromises traction, moss growth which can also limit traction, rock faces reaching or exceeding 60 degrees of angle and ledges of all shapes and sizes.

Two classes were ran on Sunday, a Super Class and a 2.2 Class. Four people competed in each class with driver “Brushlessnut” dominating both events.  The results are as follows:

For those of you not familiar with RC Rock Crawlers, the 2.2 Class limits the wheelbase and track width to 12.5″ and also prohibits rear steering. These are usually more realistic looking often resembling real vehicles.  Here’s a few 2.2 Class shots:

The Super Class has very little restrictions; hence the name “Super,” although Super Class rigs must have four wheels and a 1/10th scale body or larger which has not had more than 30% of the body cut away or removed.  Here’s a few Super Class shots:

A driver’s performance is scored in various ways. The lowest score wins. Points are added to the driver’s score when certain actions are performed, such as going in reverse which adds one point, a rollover which adds 5 points, or a reposition which adds 10 points. Drivers must maneuver their crawlers through “gates” placed in various locations throughout the course which require the crawler to conquer challenging obstacles. Tennis balls which have been cut in half are used to mark the gates. Arrows are drawn on the tennis balls to show the required direction of travel.

Negative points are awarded for clearing each gate of a stage, except for the start and finish gate. One negative point (-1) is awarded for each gate cleared in the stage at the completion of the stage. A bonus gate may also be placed on a course. A bonus gate will usually be more difficult than a normal gate, and the scoring is a little different too, for example reversing and rollovers are not penalized during the bonus gate.

RC Rock Crawling is becoming more and more popular with mainstream vendors producing parts and new people getting involved - it is growing rather quickly. RC Crawlers are very unique and offer a much different experience for RC enthusiasts. RC Crawling can be performed and enjoyed alone or with groups of people, unlike on-road or off-road racers which need a group of people and a good organized event to race or compete. With RC Rock Crawling it’s simply you, your Crawling Rig, and Mother Nature.

RCSLOT offers many popular products for RC Rock Crawlers. Soon we will be adding a complete separate category for Rock Crawler items only. Be sure to check back often as our site is continually improving and new products are added frequently.

Checkout a few videos below and our YouTube channel youtube.com/rcslot with even more.