Off-road Racing + Mechs =?, A new sport... Options

[gifboy99]

It's been way too long since I last posted here guys. Feels good to be back.

Anyway, I had an idea a month or two ago (yes, that long ago) to blend racing (which I love) with mechs (something I thought was cool). This model is the first of what I hope to be many.



In my imaginary world where this mech comes from, each mech pilot builds his or her own mech to race with. There are three classes of mechs: light-weight, middle-weight, and heavy-weight. (The one above is of course a light-weight.) All the racing would take place over rocky and hilly terrain.

But that's about as far as the idea has developed.

If anyone wants to help me develop the idea of mech racing, drop me a PM and we'll chat.


Here's some other pics for your enjoyment:
In the cockpit
Close-up of the cockpit
Back of the leg
Front of the leg

Guess I forgot to mention the reason why the weapon is there. See, the use of low powered weapons is allowed only for trying to disable your opponent's mech. Makes it more exciting that way.

I saw your topic for racing mechs, and thought it was an awsome idea. I think that they should have other terains. an each mech acording to their stats could be better fit for their own sort of "zone."

-Utm

Yeah, I think swamp mech racing and the like might prove interesting. Different mechs designed for different terrain...

I like it.

Thanks for the idea, UTM! Hope you'll find the time to build a mech yourself.

So whatcha guys think?

This post has been edited by gifboy99: Jun 14 2006, 02:36 AM

[Ta-metru_defende...]

Spiffin'. Really looks like it could run a race. Problem is: It needs Greebs, and, I know it's difficult, the guy should be able to sit in his cockpit. And yeah.

But I'm loving the leg design

TMD woz 'ere

[Onuki]

I remember you, gifboy. Welcome back.

Overall, it's a nice MOC design. The cockpit is attached to the rest of the mech in a way that not only makes it look cool, but also gives it the ability to turn (at least, it looks like it can turn ). As TMD noted, the legs are constructed very nicely, and they do have their small share of greebs (and asymmetrical printing ).

The feet look a little narrow to me, though; perhaps the mech might be a little sturdier if they were just a bit wider. But then again, I can't tell how well it actually stands up.

My only gripe about the cockpit is that it's sort of an "open-air" cockpit; it would seem more "mech-like" to me if the cockpit was entirely closed off. But then again, it's a racing mech, so maybe open-air cockpits are the way to go.

But I think if you've got enough different-colored parts, this might be a neat idea. I can envision this as being the first in a long line of racing mechs.

(And who knows, with summer just around the bend, I might get out some of my old LEGO sets to MOC with.)

- Onuki

[Red Baron]

Well, I myself can't build mechs very well - But I like the idea and think it would make a great faction idea for .Space.

The mech looks a little skinny and unfinished in places, but it's a good build.

This post has been edited by Red Baron: Jun 11 2006, 11:15 AM

[~X-Clone~]

Kewl . Legs are a little on the long side, but ungainliness aside, it's quite good. Very mecha-esque style about it, especially in the shapes and contours of the body. cockpit is a little hollow, though - needs a fully-surrounding windshield to it, y'know? It's a little too...open with the current window. Colours are good, though, and those feet are pretty spiffin'. Keep up the good work!

~~

[gifboy99]

Spiffin'. Really looks like it could run a race. Problem is: It needs Greebs, and, I know it's difficult, the guy should be able to sit in his cockpit. And yeah.

But I'm loving the leg design

TMD woz 'ere

I wanted to get the guy to sit up straight in the cockpit, but it would've just taken away from the sleek racing look I was going for. And I suppose I could try to work in some greebs in my next mech. (If I ever get around to it. )

I remember you, gifboy. Welcome back.

Overall, it's a nice MOC design. The cockpit is attached to the rest of the mech in a way that not only makes it look cool, but also gives it the ability to turn (at least, it looks like it can turn ). As TMD noted, the legs are constructed very nicely, and they do have their small share of greebs (and asymmetrical printing ).

The feet look a little narrow to me, though; perhaps the mech might be a little sturdier if they were just a bit wider. But then again, I can't tell how well it actually stands up.

My only gripe about the cockpit is that it's sort of an "open-air" cockpit; it would seem more "mech-like" to me if the cockpit was entirely closed off. But then again, it's a racing mech, so maybe open-air cockpits are the way to go.

But I think if you've got enough different-colored parts, this might be a neat idea. I can envision this as being the first in a long line of racing mechs.

(And who knows, with summer just around the bend, I might get out some of my old LEGO sets to MOC with.)

- Onuki

Thanks for the welcome. And yeah, the cockpit does turn. It's even got a bit of yaw down where it connects to the hips. The feet were extremely hard to get to look right. And I'm still not completely satisfied with 'em. It stands up fairly well, except that the cockpit tends to tip downward if it's not level enough. I wanted to find another design for the "waist", but I couldn't figure out how to make anything that had as much functionality as my current design already had.

If I had enough styling pieces, I could probably could have made this model better. As of now, though, all my recent set purchases have been Bionicle. It's been a long time since I last bought a System set. I really oughtta save up and buy some.

Well, I myself can't build mechs very well - But I like the idea and think it would make a great faction idea for .Space.

The mech looks a little skinny and unfinished in places, but it's a good build.

I agree. It does look a bit skinny and unfinished in places. The main reason it looks skinny, though, is because it's designed to have a more aerodynamic shape. Quite different from most mechs, I know. But it's a new idea that I'm venturing into.

Kewl . Legs are a little on the long side, but ungainliness aside, it's quite good. Very mecha-esque style about it, especially in the shapes and contours of the body. cockpit is a little hollow, though - needs a fully-surrounding windshield to it, y'know? It's a little too...open with the current window. Colours are good, though, and those feet are pretty spiffin'. Keep up the good work!

~~

My guess is that if I had a larger cockpit on that the legs would probably look just fine.

And yeah, I would've liked to enclose the cockpit more, but I also wanted to use that windshield. So I made a sacrifice. But flaws aside, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.





Thanks for the great replies and suggestions guys! If I get around to it, I'll be workin' on a middle-weight mech next.

[PeabodySam]

Hmm, very nice... very nice!

Minifig - Hey, is that a Xtreme Team minifig body I see? Haven't seen those in MOCs for quite a while! Nice racer/space fig blend! 10/10

Cockpit - Ineresting use of the Alpha Team windshield and the Monster Crusher sticker. The gun in the front would look in place, since it's a mech, but for racing...? What would it do, fire power-ups? Plus, how is the driver guy going to see where he's going? 9/10

Legs - Hey, I see Recon Mech RP pieces in there! A nice way of having studs up bottom/studs down top parts of the legs. Detailed, and slick. Perfect for running, it seems. 10/10

Complete Mech - For some reason, it reminds me of a mini, red Blizzard Blaster. With a Life on Mars tone to it. Not exactly what I'd call good for racing, however. Perhaps replace the Xtreme Team guy with a Martian or Alien fig, then you got a cool new mech for the Red Planet! 9/10

Overal score - 9.5/10 Great job!

[GMan]

Ooooh... I think I wanna make a racing mech... I'll be sure to drop you a PM sometime... Nice legs... The cockpit looks a wee tad akward, but no matter, I like it. Good job, really. Legs are intensely interesting, I must say. And the windshield thingy gave me an idea. I hope you make more of these.

[gifboy99]

...Cockpit - Ineresting use of the Alpha Team windshield and the Monster Crusher sticker. The gun in the front would look in place, since it's a mech, but for racing...? What would it do, fire power-ups? Plus, how is the driver guy going to see where he's going? 9/10...

Guess I forgot to mention the reason why the weapon is there. See, the use of low powered weapons is allowed only for trying to disable your opponent's mech. Makes it more exciting that way.

...Complete Mech - For some reason, it reminds me of a mini, red Blizzard Blaster. With a Life on Mars tone to it. Not exactly what I'd call good for racing, however. Perhaps replace the Xtreme Team guy with a Martian or Alien fig, then you got a cool new mech for the Red Planet! 9/10

Overal score - 9.5/10 Great job!

Well, it's for racing. And I don't think I'll change my mind anytime soon. Glad you like it though.

Ooooh... I think I wanna make a racing mech... I'll be sure to drop you a PM sometime... Nice legs... The cockpit looks a wee tad akward, but no matter, I like it. Good job, really. Legs are intensely interesting, I must say. And the windshield thingy gave me an idea. I hope you make more of these.

I certainly hope I will. I have a general idea of how I want to make my next mech, just not sure if I've got enough of the right pieces...

[Shardwing]

Ah, gifboy, you photographed an NSM for me. Great mech, cool concept. I find the legs a tad bit long compared to the cockpit, but that would allow for greater strides...

-Shardwing Prime, The next evolution of Onyx-

[gifboy99]

Ah, gifboy, you photographed an NSM for me. Great mech, cool concept. I find the legs a tad bit long compared to the cockpit, but that would allow for greater strides...

-Shardwing Prime, The next evolution of Onyx-

Photographed a what? Sorry, but I've never heard of a NSM. (Whatever it stands for...)
If I had a different design for the cockpit I'm sure the legs would look just fine.

[Shardwing]

Photographed a what? Sorry, but I've never heard of a NSM. (Whatever it stands for...)
If I had a different design for the cockpit I'm sure the legs would look just fine.

The Neon spider mech of course.

But a cockpit change would probably suit the legs better.

-Shardwing Prime-

[Toast of Doom]

Curse... you...Gifboy...
Darn it, I had the same idea! You just happened to beat me too it! Okay, I'll stop ranting.
Nice minimalist design, I'm somewhat surprised that such a thin leg connection could look so good. It realy does look capaple of racing, but I think it needs some sort of overkill-esque spoilers and rockets. Spoilers and rockets always look awsome... As has been mentioned, racing mechs might make a very interesting faction.

-ToD

This post has been edited by Toast of Doom: Jun 13 2006, 09:06 AM

[Kenneth Almighty]

This sounds like IGPX, except off-road...great!

The Mech, even though it's good, doesn't look like it's entirely suited to that style of race...hmmm, maybe it's because of it's light frame...A little it of gribling would be cool.

Anyway, if you make this a .Space faction, this may be something I could really get in to. Cool concept! How about if you add things like jungle's into the mix? Then you could put stuff like chainsaws on the mechs to clear paths.

Kenneth Almighty

[gifboy99]

The Neon spider mech of course.

But a cockpit change would probably suit the legs better.

-Shardwing Prime-

Oh! Yeah, I completely forgot about that. (And I also thought your post was referring to my mech, since that's the topic here. )

Curse... you...Gifboy...
Darn it, I had the same idea! You just happened to beat me too it! Okay, I'll stop ranting.
Nice minimalist design, I'm somewhat surprised that such a thin leg connection could look so good. It realy does look capaple of racing, but I think it needs some sort of overkill-esque spoilers and rockets. Spoilers and rockets always look awsome... As has been mentioned, racing mechs might make a very interesting faction.

-ToD

Well, actually, it does have limited duration boosters at the back of the cockpit. If they're hard to see I guess I'll just have to get a pic of the back of the mech.

This sounds like IGPX, except off-road...great!

The Mech, even though it's good, doesn't look like it's entirely suited to that style of race...hmmm, maybe it's because of it's light frame...A little it of gribling would be cool.

Anyway, if you make this a .Space faction, this may be something I could really get in to. Cool concept! How about if you add things like jungle's into the mix? Then you could put stuff like chainsaws on the mechs to clear paths.

Kenneth Almighty

Actually, Ultra Toa Metru already PMed the idea for other terrains to me. I guess I was just being lazy again and put off updating the first post. But yeah, jungle/swamp terrain would fit in well with the theme.




Thanks for the posts guys! This is getting a better response than I figured it would.

[The Orb]

Dude. That rocks. I really like the fact that a two-legged mech with no arms can look this cool. The colors are defintely good, and I love the cockpit. I would give it a longer review, but I just gave a long one to a different MOC. >_<

[Zuva]

Nice...racing mechs, cool, original...
I think that there should be more emphasis on the weapons. You know, kinda like combat racing. Not to completely destroy the other mechs, but to put them out of the race for a while. I'm going to assume that light-weight mech reach their top speeds faster, but the heavier ones have faster top speeds.
Oh, I just built three mechs, I guess I'll PM you some pics if i get around to it...I've had a lot of free time...

Z