Getting Started
Posted on February 1, 2007 by Admin
Welcome to R/C Racing NI – the home of remote control car racing in Northern Ireland.
If you are reading this page then you are possibly thinking of getting started in the great sport of R/C racing. Here in Northern Ireland (and indeed Ireland) there are hundreds of drivers out at weekends racing at various tracks around the country and having a great time. Getting started is probably the hardest part of any sport and with the variety of choices available in R/C racing you really need to make a few decisions before you part with your (or your parents!) hard earned cash. To help I have come up with the information in this page to hopefully point you in the right direction;
- The two main types of racing in Ireland are 10th scale electric touring car and 8th scale buggy/truggy racing. You need to think whether you like the idea of off-road, predominantly nitro (engine) based racing or smooth track electric touring car racing. Both of these are well catered for by the two main clubs in Northern Ireland – the UMCC and the BADMCC clubs. These are the main clubs but there are other clubs that do some electric off road so if this what you would check them out – see the clubs page for more info and links to their sites.
- Before you decide check the calendar section of this site and go see them in action – believe me you will be more than welcome. Wander around the pits and talk to the guys – they all love their racing and their kit and will be willing to answer any of your questions.
- While looking around take a note of what cars, buggies or whatever the club members are driving – it makes sense to buy something that someone else has as it means that you are not stuck for help or the odd spare part when you do start racing.
- It is also worth talking to some of the R/C shops either here in Northern Ireland or elsewhere that stock the kit that you are interested in – again they will be more than happy to talk to you.
- Next up comes buying kit – again what you buy depends on what you want to race but there are a list of things that need to be bought depending on your choice;
Nitro racing (buggies/truggies)
You will need;
- Buggy/Truggy (bit obvious this one!)
- Tyres (a set for wet and dry – rains the odd time in Northern Ireland!!)
- Engine
- Servos for steering and throttle
- Transmitter and Receiver
- Receiver battery
- Charger for receiver battery
- Power supply for outdoor racing – leisure battery or generator
- Fuel and fuel bottle
- Starter box (of not using a pull start engine)
- Glow plug
- Tools for working on you vehicle
- Bag to carry all your new possessions in and keep them safe
Electric racing
- Electric 10th scale car (current favourites in the UMCC club are Xray, Schumacher and Associated)
- Tyres (something like an RP30 or Sorex 32 for outdoors, VTEC 27R for indoors but check the UMCC web site)
- Electric motor (the main class is 10.5 turn brushless)
- Steering servo
- Transmitter and receiver
- Pinions for changing the gearing of the car
- Batteries (Lipo recommended and two packs are good for a days racing – could possibly get away with one)
- Battery charger
- Power supply for outdoor racing – leisure battery or generator
- Tools for working on you vehicle
- Table for pitting on
- Bag to carry all your new possessions in and keep them safe
MORE TO COME…
Remember the main source of information is the clubs web sites and these should be checked regularly for information, racing calendars and results. Links to the sites are in the Links section along with links to on-line shops that will provide you with all the kit you need to get you started.
Any comments, articles and information is welcome – see the contact us page for details on how to get in touch.
Good luck with your racing.
