2026 US Nationals Recap
Nick Szalai - GTLM 2500kv Setup
Nick Szalai - F1 Setup
Albert Wu - Mod GT 6500kv Setup
Albert Wu - Open Pan Setup
Albert Wu - F1 Setup (incoming)
1.) How did the xb1 and f1 platform allow you to shift to the grip/conditions over the weekend?
Nick Szalai: I have really enjoyed using the Xbility setup wheels and rear wheel simulation blocks, mounted to an extra diff axle, when setting up the ride height and droop on my cars. They provide a constant frame of reference for setup consistency that allows me to more quickly and confidently try different setups. When I arrived, my cars had no front droop and minimal rear droop. The track was very bumpy and adding droop helped the car feel more stable. Further to that, I found myself trying some different combinations of springs all around the car, which often required me to re-check ride height and droop. These setup tools helped me find the setup that worked better for both cars more quickly so that I could spend more time on track, learning the layout.
Albert Wu: as a local, I already setup for the grip but I would say slipper spool allows for quick changes based on rising grip and also the ease of configuring and changing springs allows quick changes and tests in the short amount of time you have to practice.
2.) Is there something you tried and would love to share with the community?
Nick Szalai: At this race, I was definitely trying something to prepare for PNWC, but before I get into that, I wanted to share a simple yet profound thing that I tried at this event that I had rarely done before. I asked another driver for their opinion about my cars. First, it started with asking for an opinion about my ball diff tension, which led to a very helpful discussion about how diff tension affects the car. After applying the advice I was given to tighten it up, I made a notable improvement on track, both with consistency and speed. Later, I swapped radios with my teammate Albert, and we drove each others cars and gave one another helpful feedback. As for things I was trying as part of my PNWC prep, I abandoned slip discs with both cars to explore using CA sidewall glue in their place, since that would be the only method available to me with the PN spec wheels for the F1 class. I figured, doing it on both cars would help me learn twice as fast! Although I acknowledge that this method does lack the convenience of adjustment that discs provide, and requires you to become skilled with using different abrasives to maintain the glue edge, I found sidewall gluing had made a notable difference in how my cars handled the corners, and I didn’t traction roll once the entire weekend……with my cars at least! 😉
Albert Wu: Hmmm. Slipper spools! Also trued and grooved 14s are the best.
3.) What are you most looking forward to trying for your next big event?
Nick Szalai: For this race, I decided to stay overnight, Sunday into Monday, to catch a morning flight so that I didn’t have to leave in a hurry. This allowed me to trade cars with Albert and enjoy some track time after the event. While driving, Albert was observing my driving and offering feedback on how I might find some time in the corners. We had concluded that I need to work on my corner exit steering. I have a tendency to continue turning longer than I need to. In preparation for the next big event, I intend to work on breaking my bad habits and building new ones that will help me find the pace and consistency that I am hoping to have. Also, I’ll have the new XB-SF platform as an option, so I’ll definitely be turning plenty of laps with it and learning the car.
Albert Wu: I'd like to try winning this time... And not making setup mistakes that cost the race lol