Anybody racing RC cars/buggies?

[DarthtaterM16]

Morning chaps.

Just got myself an Associated B6.2 to build over winter and then (covid permitting) start racing at my local carpet track sometime in the new year.

Anybody else into racing?

[cholo]

Massively, but not much racing going on at the minute

[johnpsanderson]

Out of interest, what’s the driving standard like at a typical club? It’s something I’d like to take a punt at one day, but wondering how wildly off the pace/hugely irritating to other drivers I’d be...

[Bungleaio]

I have done it on and off for years. I have a front wheel drive touring car at the moment. Everything is paused for covid at the moment.

johnpsanderson said:

Out of interest, what’s the driving standard like at a typical club? It’s something I’d like to take a punt at one day, but wondering how wildly off the pace/hugely irritating to other drivers I’d be...

It varies wildly from national to international champions to complete novices but there will always be a rookie class.

If you have a look at the brca it will have a list of clubs local to you.

People are generally very friendly and willing to help out.

Racing is great fun and I'd recommend it to everyone.

[lufbramatt]

Used to race touring cars when I was younger. Was good fun, used to get one or two miserable old guys but on the whole everyone was very helpful and friendly, I remember being lent a speed controller by a random so I could do the final after mine blew one day. Often the race format would be a qualifying round which was used to seed the finals (~3-4, 5 min races) so people of similar ability would be racing together. Not sure if that is still commonplace. Timing used to be by a transponder that was clipped inside the bodyshell.

1/10 Touring car racing seems to have dies a death though, none of the clubs I used to go to appear to exist anymore or have changed to off-road.

I built a Schumacher CAT XLS in the summer which I'm really pleased with, am hoping to race it next year as there are a couple of local ish tracks and it should be eligible for the vintage class which seems to be getting quite popular. Need to investigate what motor/battery combo will be suitable as it's currently running a 18 year old brushed motor.

[Bungleaio]

Touring cars is very much still alive, my local club was running 10 heats over the summer.

[pete]

I built a Schumacher Cat XLS last year with the aim of getting into vintage racing, but only managed to do one meeting this year due to the obvious. I’d also been getting my son into racing with his Tamiya DT03, but rediscovered the 30 year old obsession myself, hence the XLS and now a used B6.1 for either of us to run when racing restarts (not to mention a growing box of batteries, wheels, tyres, springs, shock oils, pinions etc).

I found other racers to be universally friendly and accommodating of my crap driving - and very welcoming to my son learning to race a buggy for the first time. You’ll quickly get the hang of staying out of the way of quicker drivers in qualifying heats, so don’t worry about the learning curve, just get out and do some race or practice meetings at your local club.

[clockworks]

I used to be chairman (general dogsbody and race controller) at my local club. It was a very small club, rare to get more than 20 people at an outdoor buggy meeting, and less for our winter indoor carpet meetings (1/12th).

We had a few members who were just starting out, and a few who raced at National meetings.
The good guys were good enough drivers to usually avoid the beginners on the track during the qualifying heats, and the occasional crash was mostly taken in good spirits.

The biggest problem with newcomers was getting them to learn how to marshal properly - quick to react to a car going off, while staying safe. A marshal stepping out in front of a fast-moving car didn't go down well

[Jetblackonetenth]

There is still a healthy rc racing scene. Unfortunately at the moment a lot of it is paused. Have a look at

https://www.brca.org/clubs

There are clubs all over the U.K.

Most racers are friendly and helpful to newcomers. Everyone remembers what it was like when they started

Beware it’s very addictive

[dom9]

Seem to have stockpiled a load of 2WD off-road and 12th on-road... should probably get back to Surrey and Hants when the madness is over!

Edited by dom9 on Wednesday 30th December 11:57

[DarthtaterM16]

Quite surprised to see so many replies to be honest

There's a BRCA track fairly close to me which is the one I'll be going to. They are still operating but as I'm in tier 4 at the moment I'll just be taking my time to build the buggy as best I can until as and when we go down a tier or two and I can get to a couple of practice days.
I've sent the shell off to a guy who airbrushes them. His work looks excellent so can't wait to see that. The radio is due to be delivered today then other than a Lipo and a couple of tools I want then I'm ready to start the build

[groomi]

I got back into racing a few years ago and have kept it up ever since.

I race modern 2wd, currently a Schumacher Laydown at club and regional level. But what I really enjoy is the ever-growing vintage racing scene. My local club now has a vintage class and I attend several of the brilliant Iconic RC events around the UK each year - think of grids of old CATs, Ultima's, Optima's, RC10s, Yokes etc.

Fingers crossed that we can get back to racing properly again soon.

[Sub5]

I've just decided to scratch an itch and go racing. My local club do stock and modified Touring Cars. Quite an expensive hobby to get into for a start. I set myself a budget of a bag of sand, but could've easily spent more, which necessarily wouldn't have made me any quicker. I'll be happy to get racing, be clean and pick some brains. Hopefully I'll not get smoked by my local paper boy

Came home from 3 weeks away to this lot. First race 30th May.

The Alfa shell is for my Vintage TL01.

[Bungleaio]

Touring cars has a high setup cost but apart from tyres, the ongoing costs aren't too bad. I did a full season last summer and quite a few practice sessions without any breakages.

They are sensitive to setup so accurate camber, droop and ride height gauges are very useful. If you haven't got any then other racers are likely to help you and let you use theirs. You don't need to rush out and drop a few hundred on a load of hudy kit but it is very nice stuff.