The Sheffield RC Racing Team are taking on a unique challenge in the FPL 8 Championship: the Vibe TC Challenge. Thanks to the support of Schumacher RC, we’ve secured a brand‑new Schumacher Vibe Touring Car. Over five rounds, each team member will prepare and race the car at our Killamarsh track, before handing it over to the next driver. At the end of the championship, we’ll reveal all the setups — and you’ll get to vote on which racer nailed it best.
This challenge is designed to:
- Introduce our team in a fun, open way
- Show that you don’t need the latest or most expensive kit to enjoy club racing
- Promote the Vibe TC platform as a great option for racers of all levels
Round 2 – Driven by Club Chairman Steve Baggley
For Round 2, the car was raced by Club Chairman Steve Baggley, and it was a fantastic outing for the new chassis.
Early Issues
The only problems came from a transponder plugged in incorrectly and a rear diff leak. The leak was traced back to not using the updated o‑ring supplied in the new kits. Despite this, Steve pressed on with his plan to run a setup he commonly used on previous cars, believing it would suit both his driving style and the Killamarsh track.
Qualifying
In qualifying, Steve was flying. The car looked fast and capable, and after the transponder issues in Round 1, he set two strong times in Q2 and Q3 to line up 5th in the A Final. Pace‑wise, Steve estimated he was 0.3–0.5 seconds per lap slower than with his Mugen MTC — but given the Vibe was running budget JustStock electronics, this felt like a win.
He wasn’t completely happy with the setup, particularly with the car over‑rotating on corner exit, but made adjustments before the final.
The Final
The changes paid off. The car performed the best it had all evening, and Steve immediately pushed for 4th place. After a long battle with Tom Berry, he forced a mistake and moved into 4th. The car’s consistency allowed him to hold that position to the finish.
Club Member Feedback
After the race, members voted on Steve’s performance. Here are the results from five votes:
Car setup look: 4 – Good
Slow corners: 4 – Good
Fast corners: 5 – Excellent
Consistency and balance: 5 – Excellent
Meeting management: 5 – Excellent
Qualifying performance: 5 – Excellent
Final performance: 4 - Good
Comments: “Brilliantly set up and well driven” / “The rear looked a bit lively coming out of slow corners”
Steve’s Reflections
How was the meeting?
“I had a great meeting, the track at Killamarsh was one of my favourites and the Vibe felt great from the off. I really enjoy working out setups on new cars so this was an ideal challenge for me. To top it all off I was happy with the result I achieved from the meeting.”
Strengths of the Vibe
“It’s amazing value for money with a lot of latest tech trickled down into the chassis. Even the parts made from cheaper materials are manufactured to a high quality level. The layout impressed me most — little things like access to changing a pinion or taking out a diff are easier than most other cars I’ve worked on. That means a lot when you’re suggesting it to beginners.”
Weaknesses
“I found it hard to find any weaknesses. The diff leak was a known issue with a fix already provided. I feel the lack of roll bars could be seen as a weakness, but that’s debatable. Maybe the only concern is some plastic parts could wear or break faster.”
Comparison to Current Car
“It’s unfair to compare against my long‑term Mugen after only one meeting. I’d guess the Vibe was 0.3–0.5 seconds slower, which is expected given the JustStock power train. It was fun to race and could be even closer on pace with more testing.”
What would you do differently?
“I don’t think I’d do anything differently. I’m happy I went with my setup theories. Some of the other team members will try the kit setup, so I’ll find out if I did the right thing.”
How will others find it?
“I think all the team will have good meetings with the chassis. It feels well balanced. The team are all experienced and the track is a safe indoor layout. It will be very interesting to see where each racer goes with setup.”
Looking Ahead
The Vibe Challenge continues at Round 3 with Chris Ratcliffe behind the transmitter. With the car proving consistent and adaptable, it will be fascinating to see how Chris approaches the challenge and what direction he takes with setup.