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| It's always a blast to build your own jumps, bash around your backyard or in a vacant parking lot and just have fun racing with a friend or two. But maybe now it's time for you to take it to the next level. If you've ever thought about getting into RC racing, it may have had you shaking at the knees wondering what to do to even get started. We will outline much of what you need to know about the world of RC racing, and by the end you'll be well on your way to a track near you! Step 1: Your Friendly Neighborhood Track? Whether you are into off-road or on-road, you need to find out if there’s a place to race nearby. Check with any local hobby shops for information on area tracks. Many shops will hold regularly scheduled races in their parking lots. Another way to locate race venues is to go online. RC Universe has a great track locating search program. You can search for on-road or off-road racing, by state or country. Follow this link to start your search: • http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/locator.cfm Step 2 – Rules & Regs For most race venues you can’t just bring any ole vehicle to the racetrack and expect to be able to race it. There are standards that you’re vehicle must meet. For instrance you can't have a crazy huge engine that might blow a hole through a track wall or any modifications that give you an unfair competitive advantage. But that doesn’t mean you have to leve your vehicle box stock. You’ll most likely want to do some upgrading and tuning to your vehicle before going to race as long as they meet regulation standards. To find out rules, vehicle regulations and information about racing, visit these websites: ( the following information is quoted directly form thier respective websites) • www.roarracing.com. ROAR (Remotely Operated Auto Racers) is the governing body for RC racing in the U.S/Canada. ROAR rules have been the guidelines for R/C car racing for over 39 years. They are designed to promote fair competition, safety, and define what equipment can be used in ROAR competition. ROAR does not run races below the National level, but it does sanction races from the club level to Multi-Regional Championships. • www.ifmar.org. IFMAR (International Federation of Model Auto Racing) is the world governing body of RC racing. There are also other RC racing bodies besides these two, but they’re the ones you’ll mainly be concerned with for your first time racing. Step 3 – Prepare Yourself Once you have located a track you may want to call or stop by during a race and ask some preliminary questions such as: • How much does it cost to race at your facility? • Do you have a printed list of rules and guidelines for racing and vehicle setup? • What is your racing schedule? • What are the best times to come and race for a novice? • Do you have any advice for a newcomer? After reading this article, you may have more questions you’ll want to ask them. You’ll find that everyone is willing to help, so don’ t be shy! Ask questions, because it’s ‘more the merrier’ when it comes to racing. I recommend before going to the track that you spend a few days practicing with your RC vehicle. It honestly doesn’t matter if you do win or not your first time out, it’s just to build your confidence and gain experience with your vehicle. I don’t recommend trying to go race if you’ve never spent any ‘quality time’ with your RC. Step 4 – Now It’s Time To Race! So you’ve just arrived at the track, now what? There are vehicles already ripping around the track, people are chatting, others are tuning! Don’t be intimidated. It's better to be known as the "new guy who doesn’t know very much, but is willing to learn" than the ‘"new guy who thinks he knows a lot, but really doesn’t know anything." Modesty will work in your favor at the track. Preparation is Key! The whole process of preparing to spend an entire day at the track can be very time-consuming. You need to make sure you bring extra fuel, batteries, proper tools, battery chargers, spare parts if possible. Make a list based on what otheres have recommended while you were observing races during previous track visits. Basically you need a portable pit stop to handle any issues that could arise throughout the day. It's been my experience, however that if you need something you did not bring there is a good chance someone will have it and is willing to give it to you or lend it to you for the day. Registration You will have to get yourself registered when you arrive. The registration area is usually pretty obvious. Make sure you bring identification and some money to cover the entry fee. You’ll most likely need to give info such as: • Your name • Your transmitter frequency (channel) • Class (based on the vehicle style you will be racing) After you’ve signed up, you will find an available space in which to set up your pit space. The track is usually open for practice while registration is still taking place. Make sure know the scheduled pratice times. Before heading out to the track with your car take a walk through the pits and speak with other racers. Let them know it's your first race and you may be surprised at how helpful most are willing to be. I can’t stress this enough. Honestly, everyone has been a first timer when they were starting out racing so they are generally more than happy to offer advice. Frequencies & Crystals Being new to the whole RC racing scene you may not be familiar with how transmitter frequencies are handled. If you purchased a RTR (ready to run) vehicle the hand-held radio transmitter comes with a pre-set frequency (also referred to as channel). The frequency is the radio signal that communicates with your vehicle's receiver, allowing the car to repond to your input. Whe you are bashing by yourself this is a non issue, but once there are a lot of racers in the same area, there is a good chance of overlapping frequencies. If two vehicles are using the same channel then neither will operete correctly. One of the ways in which tracks will maintain control of frequencies is a frequency clip board. On this board is a clip labeled for each individual frequency, usually like a clothes pin. When a driver is going to take the stand to race or practice he takes the clip labeled with his transmitter's channel and attaches it to the antenna of the transmitter. If you want to drive your car but the clip for your frequency is not on the board then you cannot turn on your transmitter. When you do have the clip it is important that you return it to the board immediately after running a tank of fuel or a battery pack. Do not try to keep this clip for any extended period or while you do any work on your car in the pits. Make sure it is available for others. Most racers who are still running either 27 or 75 mHz will carry back up frequencies. These are usually referred to as ‘crystals’ – the actual ‘chip’ that you switch in and out of your hand held transmitter, as well as the one in your vehicle's receiver. Other radio options are available that make it less of an issue when dealing with frequencies. Synthesized radios and modules will let you set any your system to any available channel. And of course there is the 2.4gHz spectrum line of radios now available from several of the major radio manufacturers. These will cost a little more but if you get serious about racing I am sure you will want to have either of these options. Inspections If the track where you will be racing follows ROAR rules, chances are they’re going to inspect your vehicle to make sure the playing field is level for everyone. So, they’ll check things such as your tires, vehicle weight and height, engine modifications and other modifications you may have made. Most stock RC vehicles can be raced as they come out of the box but eventually you’ll want to get tuned-up to be more competitve. Just a little reminder, though.... learn to drive well before worrying about upgrading your vehicle. Categories, Mains & Qualifiers Race day will consist of practice, qualifiers (two or more short races) and Mains (these determine final winners). To determine the skill levels of all drivers, and in which Main they will race, everyone runs in a minumum of two qualifying races. (Some tracks may run three or more qualifiers). Qualifiers are generally much shorter than the Mains. The results will help to place drivers in races against other drivers of similar skill level tomake the competition as fair as possible. Each track may have their own way of organizing the race categories, such as beginner, novice or expert. They may have categories that split racers up by age, such as a “junior” category. The Mains are longer races. The number of racers determines how many Mains will be run. The A-Main is for the drivers with the best overall times. Subsequent Mains i.e. B, C D , are organized best to worst, with the B-Main including those that didn't quite make it to the A and D includint those that are just happy to still be up and running. Marshalling One thing you may not be aware of is the process of ‘marshalling.’ Basically, when you race your vehicle flips over, runs off the track or gets taken out by an accidental hit from another car. The people from the race prior to yours are required to marshal for your race and you will marshall the race immediately after yours. A marshall is responsible for getting vehicles back in play after any sort of mishap that may take them out. As a marshall you aren’t allowed to repair or attempt to fix any vehicle that is being marshalled. You are to set it off the track so that the drivers pit person can grab it and attemp to get it working again. The same applies to you and your vehicle when you’re racing. RC racing’s future depends greatly on those currently participating and new drivers working to get started. Keep it fun. Teach what you can, learn what you can..pass it on. In Conclusion... Now that you are armed with the info you need I suggest compiling a list of questions you may have and give a quick call to your local race track. Just remember to speak up, put yourself out there and be courteous to your fellow racer. After a few times out, you’re guaranteed to have had a blast. Be prepared to make some new friends in the process. RC racing’s future depends greatly on those currently participating and new drivers working to get started. Keep it fun. Teach what you can, learn what you can..pass it on. Happy racing! About the Author Lee Brain is a freelance writer and offers sound advice in the field of RC cars and RC nitro cars. He currently runs his own personal hobby website, and specializes in RC trucks, among various other RC topics. |
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