How to Race a Radio-Controlled Car

Jeff Gordon, Alex Zanardi and other famous race car drivers work for years to develop the skills that allow them to push a race car to its limits. R/C race car hobbyists apply many of the same techniques in their races to cross the finish line first.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Model Engine Supplies And Accessories
• Modeler's Tools And Supplies
• Scale-model Car Fuel
• Battery Chargers
• Battery Testers
• R/C Modeling Construction & Operating Publications
• Radio Control Car Action Subscription
• Stopwatches
• Phillips Screwdrivers
• Electrical Testers
• Jewelers Screwdriver Sets
• Long-nose Pliers
• Needle-nose Pliers
• Slotted Screwdrivers
• Tweezer-nose Pliers
• R/C Systems
• R/C model engines - OS, HPI Nitro Star, Ofna
• R/C model cars - Tamiya, Traxxas, Yokomo, Team Losi, HPI

Get Ready

1. Join an R/C car racing club.
2. Attend a few of the club's racing events.
3. Meet and talk with the more experienced and successful racers.
4. Observe good drivers. Analyze their techniques.
5. Check out local hobby stores. Some may specialize in R/C car racing, with store personnel taking part themselves.
6. Choose the type of race car you want - gas (actually nitromethane) or electric (battery).
7. Choose the type of suspension you'll need. Many R/C racers who compete on indoor, carpeted tracks or on smooth, outdoor parking lots use relatively simple suspension systems.
8. Remember, most R/C race cars are rear-wheel drive, although front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars are available.
9. Learn to correctly set up your R/C race car. Weight distribution, suspension layout, and aerodynamic manipulation all come into play.
10. Build yourself a pit box with the proper tools and support equipment, such as a second (or third!) set of batteries, a quick charger, extra tires, and a spare body.

Go Racing

11. Practice, practice, practice - and then practice more. R/C car racing requires that the driver develop reactions and master techniques of manipulating the racer.
12. Learn your way around the tracks. Each R/C track will be different. Arrive early and practice, finding the "line" through the corners.
13. Watch your car. Recognize whether it's "loose" or has a "push."
14. Learn to adjust weight distribution and suspension to compensate.
15. Be prepared to interchange R/C car bodies. Aerodynamics will be different at each track. Compensate by changing car bodies or by adjusting the way the body sits on the frame.
16. Make test runs as you adjust your vehicle. Understand that smoothness comes before speed.
17. Avoid bad drivers on the track.
18. Remember, skill, patience and practice are the keys to winning races!

Tips & Warnings

• Scale for R/C race cars usually runs from 1:18 to 1:8.
• R/C car racing is a great hobby for the whole family. Gas-powered R/C car racing has been more popular in Europe than in the United States, but it's gathering more U.S. enthusiasts.
• Battery-powered R/C cars usually race for four to five minutes. Gas-powered replicas run for longer periods, with some races set up so that the car needs a "pit crewman" to refuel the miniature racer.
• Clean up your pit area and help clean the facility after racing events.
• Many miniature race cars run proportionally faster than their full-size counterparts.