Beginner Guide to Rc Racing
 

Title Should read "Beginner Guide to RC Racing in HOUSTON!"

This is a document that I wrote for a friend of mine who was considering getting her son into RC racing. I know it is not perfect, and not everyone will agree with my advice, but I hope it may help some who are looking at entering this awesome hobby.....

I have been racing Rc for about a year now, and I have had a blast. I have learned a ton, struggled through the beginner stages and I am now working on my driving skills and set-up. I hope that the following information will help you decide if RC racing is something you are interested in, and if so, help you understand the first steps and costs involved.

I highly recommend anyone wanting to Race rc cars goes to their local rc races and hang out for a club race. It really is a fun, family friendly event, but be prepared to be there for a few hours if you want to check out the mains.

I personally suggest EVERYONE start racing (in Houston) with an electric 4wd Short Course truck (unless 1/10 is popular in your area.....it is not in Houston) as their first race RC (Locally we only run 1/8 scale and short course). The short course will teach you driving skills, set-up, maintenance, and will be a blast to race. Typically the short course class is much more relaxed and the other drivers are more forgiving to the beginner. As well, the vehicles are typically cheaper to own and operate and can use less expensive electronics, batteries, and chargers. There are some cheaper options than what I have listed in the attached document but, I would not go that route as you will find it frustrating. You will spend more money in the end upgrading and struggling to be competitive. Be sure to buy a well known, name brand vehicle. That way you can get help with from other drivers with set-up, mechanical issues, and even parts if your in a bind on race day.

Weekly club races is where you hone your skill and build confidence. Those who race weekly tend to do better and progress in skills a lot quicker than those who do not.

There will be some on-going cost associated with racing. You will be able to control costs and keep to a budget as long as you plan and look ahead at your race schedule. In the attached documents is a breakdown of the major on-going costs.

Although I value your effort here, I'm not sure I agree with some of your recommendations. Mainly, I don't think 4WD Short Course is the best way to start. I will always argue and recommend 2WD for new drivers, that is what will teach you throttle, brake and steering control.

Metalnut, chop was chewed on in EP Off-Road, so I told him to post here where we are of the helpful and co-operative. Any guide tht's aimed at helping is a good thing.

Note: I wouldn't advise a SCT either, the document looked like it took an effort and that's worth debating in a more diplomatic way.

Hm, sorry, I didn't mean to come off judgmental or dismissive, that wasn't my point at all. I DO value his effort, it's a good writeup. People will search for it in the future and read it. But... having spent many, many hours at an offroad track, I really do feel that 2WD is better for novices than 4WD. I actually also recommend SCT over a buggy/truggy/whatever, for the durability, handling characteristics, etc.

A 2WD is harder to drive and so it will teach you driving skills that a 4WD will not. A good 2WD driver will have no problems driving a 4WD, but a 4WD driver will most likely struggle with 2WD. Throttle and steering take a much finer hand in 2WD where corner speed is everything. Yes, it'll be more frustrating at first, but the payoff will be greater.

Anyway, to each their own, but I do try to guide people to hone their skills.

Pretty tailored to someone wanting to get into 4x4 sct, but for that purpose it does pretty well of letting people know really what it entails, both in cost, time and materials. Tons better than buying a rtr slash!

I would definitely get a 2wd instead of 4x4 to start out. But like said above it depends on situation.


I would change a few things on the list though...:)
Kit: I would say Tekno SCT410 over SCTE...$370 for kit!
Motor/esc: I would say Hw 4000kv or 4700kv SCT Pro Combo for a budget friendly, but good setup. $200
Battery: SMC 7200mah 70C batteries...$55 http://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?...product_id=126

But honestly, for someone who's just getting into the hobby...I would say get something used, and see if you actually enjoy the hobby. You wouldn't want to waste $1000+ and then see that its "not for you". I got into this hobby with a brushed rtr 2wd SCT...Bought with lipo's and charger...completely RTR off eBay for $180...after I got that I knew this hobby was something I actually liked. After that I was more comfortable getting better stuff.

As stated in the Electric Off-road forum....I should have included the words "in HOUSTON" in the title.

In Houston, we do not (generally) run any 1/10 other than SCT and we do not run any 2wd sct AT ALL.

There are a couple 1/10 tracks in the works, but as of right now, they are not in operation.

Basically, if you are going to race rc cars in this area its Buggy, Truggy, or Short Course.

I understand that 2wd or 1/10 buggy is better if its a locally available class.

Sorry for not clarifying in the original post

I agree, and I included this on one of the attached pages. I purchased almost all of my race vehicles second hand, and I have had great luck doing so.

Metalnut, I invited him to the Rookie thread because of the constructive criticisms like yours. I'm not having a dig at you either and thanks for being helpful to so many others in rookie. I've been hanging around rookie since I started, the likes of MarkA, Panda and yourself rate high on my list of good RC folk.

We are "helpful" we don't ride on each other and it's how it should be.

Ctsvls2, FYI the skatepark by you is a blast with the vaterra kemora and the latrax rally for goofing off, I may try the mini 8T...

Sorry, back on topic.

I ment to add, if you could start a thread for tracks in our area and date to do basically what you are saying. The only two tracks close that I have found is the one at the motocross track off of 517 which I will be at this weekend as demanded by my 5yo son... And the other is in the back of the hobby store on NASA Rd 1, probably not as formal as you guys are used to but for my son and I it is a lot of fun, most of the guys seem to be engineers and to see them rip open and repair an esc or brushless motor in a few minutes at the same time trying to explain everything they are doing is pretty cool but it is als neat to see some of the hand made light set ups for some of the cars. One guy has a cop car that the lights are pretty spot on.

Anyway I think the article is great. I started out about 2-3 months ago by getting him a latrax teton to play with, now we have it and:

3- losi 8 truggies
1- losi 8 buggy all three I converted rollers to brushless set ups.
Losi mini 8t
Axial yeti
Latrax rally
2-ECX Circuits- 1 converted to brushless- hear me out, these things are indestructible, seriously.
Traxxas ken block set up, just bought...

And now I have been looking and debating a scte.... You could have done this post a few month back saving my money from my ADD. I Wasnt sure which route or type of vehicle to get so I've been trying them all....

I have found the 8th scale to be the most fun so far, maybe it is all the wing dragging at any speed, the 10th scale is next but I literraly blew the tires off of the modded ECX Circuit, the mini 8t, well not pleased. The second one they sent I'm afraid to drive it, guess I'm to hard on them...

How many places are you going to post this?

I asked him to post it here after you and others came down hard on the guy in EP Off Road for an effort that was fitting of someone who'd been in the hobby for 12 months. There was no need for so many to be so aggressive with him, he's was only trying to be helpful. If you think people were being amicable, then go back to the thread and read up on the number of times he had to justify his views and consider how few gave him a pat of the back for trying.

There's no gain in our hobby by making people feel lessened, he believed in his views and did it in the best interests of others, whether perfect or not, it was still a good effort.

Off Topic note to OPS:
I was given a 1 year infraction for getting caught up in politics when I was much better versed with the situation, personally knew the people causing the issues and was moderating at the user level. There was no evidence I was adding to the escalation of the issue and the Aussie moderator just shot first and asked questions later. So if you would please look into it for me I'd appreciate it.