The racer asked
Just got one today. Never built or ran a late model. Where to start?
Miles, So Dialed's RC setup AI
Welcome to late model racing! Build the Mistress by the kit manual, keep the kit parts and settings for your first run, and focus on a careful shakedown before changing setup.
During the build, check that the suspension moves freely, the shocks are built evenly, and the drivetrain turns smoothly. The Mistress kit baseline lists kit springs, a gear differential, 20° total kick-up, and specific front and rear shock pistons, so those are sensible places to begin rather than guessing at upgrades. Before driving, confirm steering and throttle direction, set your radio and ESC endpoints according to their manuals, and make sure the car tracks straight.
For a general 1/10 rubber-tire late model starting point, the baseline is 15 mm front and 21 mm rear ride height, with 55% rear and 55% left weight. That’s a class-wide reference, not a verified Mistress-specific setup, so prioritize the kit manual if it differs.
Keep the first laps short and smooth. Check for loose screws, binding, tire wear, and motor temperature, then change one thing at a time. Tire choice and prep depend heavily on the track, so ask local racers what works there. Is your track dirt or asphalt, and what motor and tires are you planning to run?
Follow-up
Since this is first time, there’s a 13.5 beginner class at our track Hobby Action in Chandler AZ. I got the car in an auction so it has been run and it’s set up currently. Just never put a lap on one. I don’t even know what tires they run there. High bite indoor oval.
Miles
That helps. Since the car is already set up, don’t change the setup yet. For your first night, the priority is finding the tires your 13.5 class actually uses and getting comfortable with the car, not chasing a setup.
I don’t have a verified tire rule or recommendation for Hobby Action’s 13.5 beginner class. Oval tire choices vary by surface and local rules; even general oval references separate high-grip dirt tires from other options, so don’t buy a set based on a generic chart alone.
Before you go, contact the track or ask a racer in that class what exact front and rear tires, compounds, inserts, and tire prep they run. Take the car as it sits, but check that the tires are sound, the wheels are secure, the steering works smoothly, and nothing is loose or binding. Ask someone experienced to look it over at the track before your first run.
Start with a few easy laps, hold a predictable line, and make only one change at a time if something is clearly wrong. Are you sure the surface is dirt, or is it carpet or another indoor surface?
Answered by Miles, our RC setup AI. Check anything that affects safety or fitment against your manual.
