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Getting Started in RC

One of the most frequent email subjects that I get is "How to get started racing". The best way to get started is to come out to the tracks on race days, observe, ask questions, and decide what type of car you want to race. Dirt or Asphalt. I think that dirt is easier to learn on and it is easier to find a place to run the car at home without busting it up against a curb or a real car.
   
Cars come in kit form and RTR ( Ready to run) if you think that you can build the kit, get that because you will know how to put it together and take it apart to repair it. And you will repair it, often. Nothing is indestructible and things get broken. It is a part of the hobby. The kits usually have better parts, bearings, instead of bushings, better race tires, etc. Plus you can choose your batteries or engine, radio, chargers, etc.
   
The RTR's are less expensive overall and come with a AM radio instead of a FM (much better) radio. But they are much better  than a few years ago because the manufacturers found that more people will get into the hobby if they can get everything in one box. You can always upgrade later.
   
Once you decide, get the car and come to the practice sessions on Wed nights and Sundays. Ask for help from experienced drivers, they will not steer you wrong because the more people in the sport the better. But, as anywhere, they have their individual style and opinions of "how to" do it. So ask the same question to a couple of drivers. You must get your frequency pin from the board before turning on your radio. Get in the grass parking lot and drive around slow, getting used to steering right and left and the throttle and how it affects the turning of the car. Then, get on the track and go slow around it, staying in the middle of the lanes. The best way is to visualize yourself sitting in the car and drive it left or right. It is hard to steer it from the drivers stand when it is going away, coming at you, going right or left. It just takes practice.
   
Roll over the jumps for a while until you get used to turning the car. When you get so you can go all the way around the track without hitting the pipes and not mistaking a left or right turn, go a little faster, still staying in the middle of the lanes. Go over the jumps at a steady speed and do not let off in the air or increase throttle. That stuff will come later. 
   
First Race
   
Strickland has a Sportsman class (novice) It is run what you brung, any type race car. The race fee is $7.00. This class will be without the competitiveness of our regular classes and promote building skill level, learning race organization and race protocol. Everyone started out at this level and we feel that new racers will feel more comfortable coming out and getting on the track in a race environment in this class. You will sign up with the race director, and then try to get on the track when there are as few other drivers as possible and take a couple of runs around the track. Ask questions as to the schedule of the day, anyone will be glad to fill you in on what to do when you tell them you are just getting started. Attend the drivers meeting when called, check the race board and make sure that you are in the right race and your frequency is right. Put a hole in your body for the transponder. Someone will help you with this with a special tool. The race before yours, go to the race director and get your transponder and put it in your car. When called, place your car on the track and go to the drivers stand. By now you have observed other races and know the drill. We usually send a experienced driver onto the driver stand during the sportsman race to help with directions and advise.
   
Now, relax, everyone started out where you are now. The purpose of this class is to give you experience without the worry of crashing someone or making mistakes. You may be driving a tenth scale electric truck and another driver is driving a eighth scale nitro buggy. Driving skill, not speed, is who does better in this race. It is the usual hare and the tortoise scenario here, so drive to the best of your ability but not overdrive and you will do just fine. The director is watching and if a drivers ability is too good for this class, he or she will be bumped up out of sportsman.
   
This is a hobby with no end. There is everything from club races all over the country, to world championships. You can race one class or have a trailer full of different cars. The object is to have fun and hang out with others who enjoy the sport.

See you at the track. 
Sheriff Mike