mikesd1980

iTrader: (76)

How long did it take for you guys to get better? What technique's are you guys using to make you faster? This my 2nd race season and I am trying new stuff to make me faster.

vagnik

Xa, xa, xa!!!
A lifetime...

Well, I have been thinking this question my self! That is why I start with xa,xa,xa!!! I race for years in 1/10 electric on-road and the last 3 years in 1/8 off road! Unfortunately my work does not leave me much free time to be as competitive as I want, but my goal is to always be in B-main and I do manage this...B-main and some times A-main.
The most important is P R A C T I C E ! ! !
Drive as much as you can!
The second is to have a well build car (ie no binding, same camber, droop, etc left and right etc)
The third that worked for me is: stop blaming your setup for everything - drive better. In my beloved previous car D8 I tried 2-3 Tessman's setups (not 9-10), I found the best suited for me/my track and then on...just drove!!! It made a big difference - I stopped blaming ie wrong ackerman for my faults...I just drove and that was it...soon after better lap times!!!

Hope it helps,
Vagelis

ScottyM

iTrader: (27)

The only thing that can make you better is simply doing it.. There is no amount of time, as everyone learns at different rates.. I've seen guys come in that have never raced do extremely well, and I have seen guys that have raced for years still struggling..

The best technique is cornering. Out - In - Out of corners will always be faster, but you need to be aware that it can leave you open for a pass.. In jumps make sure to find a rythm that works for you.. Don't worry too much about how eveyone else is doing it, find one that is quick for your style.. Something I do when at a new track is go hang out at different track positions durin practice, and watch different areas to see the lines in and out of each section of track to find the smoothest and quickest lines.. I do it during practice so I can watch others. Because there is almost always someone that will hit the perfect line, and someone that will hit the worst line..

Most of all HAVE fun while racing.. If it isn't fun then you won't stick with it and won't get better.. But, don't put to much pressure on getting faster, just enjoy.

Jaz240

iTrader: (52)

I am racing 18 months now and I'm still not better It all depends on your dedication to it. To me its just a fun way to hang out with my friends, and something to do on the weekends. I dont practice much and I only race about twice a month. If you really are dedicated to it, you can be really good in a few months. Stick with it, get lots of practice, race allot, learn set-ups and how to pick the best tires and you will be kicking butt in no time

mikesd1980

iTrader: (76)

Thanks. Sorry to say but I have never done any setup on my truggy or buggy. I am pretty good and a local race I can make the B-main and maybe the A-main. This year I am doing setups and hoping I get better.

DOMIT

iTrader: (1)

Undetermined. I've been racing 3 years and I'm still slow. I'm better than I was, not as good as I should be. It is an ongoing process. (It doesn't help that I don't get to run much, and I'm 46...)

Keep practicing... we have a local guy who has been at it about a year... and got put in open (expert) class in RC Pro because he got too good for the intermediate class.

mikesd1980

iTrader: (76)

I definetly have fun with it but I have more fun when I am winning. I try to race every weekend if I can. Now that i dont work weekends no more it made it alot better for me to make it to different tracks. I only practice before the race starts.

yzracer758

iTrader: (18)

#1. Practice, practice, practice......
#2 Watch the fast guys. Try and use the same lines they are, listen to when they get on and off the throttle in the corners and if possible ask one of them to watch you drive and give some insight.
#3 Set-Up. If you dont have the right tires or set-up for a particular track, chances are no matter how good you are the car is going to be a handful to drive or not do what you want it to.
#4 You either got it or you don't. Some people pick things up quickly and are just naturally talented and others no matter how much work they put in just will never reach a high level.

Keep it fun and stay positive!

Racecrafter

iTrader: (25)

I skimmed over what was already posted and to put my perspective in a nutshell from 30+ years of doing this;

#1 You have to enjoy racing R/C. I mean enjoy racing and competition. If you only like the "driving" aspect and hanging out to have fun that is perfect as a hobby this won't make you faster.

#2 If you want to REALLY be competitive you have to dedicate your time and resources to do so. Practice, Practice and more practice. I don't mean put fuel in the car and go drive down the street, I mean serious lap after lap timed practice. Change your set up not only to improve your lap times but to improve the car and know what each change does for you

#3 Race with faster drivers than you. They will show you the lines, the braking points, and other things like how to (sometimes) pass clean etc. You will get beat like a drum until you figure out that slow is fast and tight lines are the fastest way around the track.


#4 Attitude; You need to be very confident in yourself. Not a cocky ass on the outside, but a controlled confidence. There is nothing worse than what will kill your game than going to the track with the mind set "if so-in-so is there I'm going to get beat." Because you already have it programmed that you will get beat. You have to go to the track and say "Hmmm who are the fast guys here that I'm going to beat today?" Go out do your best and most importantly if you win or lose come out of the experience with something learned. If you didn't learn a new line, or something about your car or set up you won't get faster.

#5 If things go bad, and they will more times than not, stay cool and learn from it. Ask yourself "What made that happen?" My driving? Focus? Improper car set up? Never go away with "it was the other guys fault" as again you won't learn anything by blaming others.


My $1.389

Trevor Williams

iTrader: (207)

you have to practice hard. You have to be dedicated and serious. You have to be focused and concentrate without putting too much pressure on yourself for winning and being the fast guy, just try and be calm and let it happen.......it's hard......LOL!

Trevor Williams

iTrader: (207)

wow......could'nt be said any better Jimmy

mikesd1980

iTrader: (76)

Points taking. Will keep all these in mind. Thanks for you $1.389.
This year working on Set-up and Attitude. So far its been good so my friends tell me.

NitroFreakManHo

iTrader: (3)

There is no real set time for getting better, most will advance at their own level, and it takes practise at any of those levels in order to keep advancing.

I just race against 'myself' and try to do better than I did before. It works for me. I try not to think to much about who I have to beat, because I just want to be better than I was the last time out.

In a race, if I feel myself getting excited or in a panic, I try to realize that it's happening, and tell myself to keep calm, this usually helps me keep my cool.

If you're doing good without paying attention to your setup, then you're only going to get better once you start to set it up for your driving style.

Marcus Falconie

iTrader: (1)

IMO race on as many different tracks as you can it helps you to learn lines fast. I know alot of people that are fast at there home track but you see them at another track and they are lost. Try and race a few big races if you can or try a Joey track (The Dirt) if you can, it will make you home track feel easy and just race race race!!!! Walk the track, watch the fast guys, and have some one video your race to watch and analize.

motomatt

iTrader: (12)

Who says I got better?
Patience is a virtue.
Practice, practice,practice.
There is no substitute for time with a controller in your hand.
Then learning from mistakes.
I see many drivers make the same mistake repeatedly.
(even me)