Getting Into Radio Controlled Car Racing

Getting greedy for speed? If you're in too deep with your RC hobby, chances are, you'll want to show off your newly acquired skills. If the idea of heart thumping competition has your adrenaline rushing, then by all means, take a shot at professional radio controlled car racing.

Joining clubs is not only a means to get to this end, but is a good way to learn from other people who are as pumped up about this hobby as you. When you're a member of a club, especially if it's a chapter of a national organization, you will have contact to resources you would not have been able to get to without the backing of the club, such as special insurance, etc.

Here are some easy steps to get you started:

1. Find a local RC club - You can do a quick search in the internet, ask your local hobby shop, or ask friends who are already a part of these clubs. Chances are, if you're already into this hobby, you'll definitely bump into people who are in the know of how to become a member of a local club.
   
2. Find a trainer/instructor - Yes, yes, you may know all the terms and lingo in the RC circuit, and you may have beat the pants off all the other hobbyists in your area, but nothing beats having a mentor to guide you on how to prepare for the races.
3. Participate in organized meets - whether it's a mock race or just plain fun, try to involve yourself in these to get as much practice and to meet, share, and get insider information about your hobby from fellow enthusiasts.
4. Join the organized races - OK, so after those first few sessions with your trainer, you're not too sure if you're ready to actually participate in a race, but don't worry, there's always a first time and after that, the adrenaline rush will get you hooked for more!

One thing to remember when hoping to participate in professional races is to practice, practice, practice. Like any other sport or hobby, you can buy all the right equipment, you can buy the fastest RC that money can buy, but you can't buy the skill it takes to drive the RC around the laps, nor the experience and the steel will you need when the competition gets really tough.

So, got the need for speed? Sign up at a local RC club and see how far your dream to race can take you.

How To Get Started With Radio Controlled Car Hobby

Within each person is a high, a desire to expand one's horizons. While some require a huge physical and monetary challenge, embarking in a radio controlled car hobby is much less demanding and more practical to turn into a reality.

But a radio controlled hobby is no joke to deal with. It could turn nasty if you don't get yourself ready for it. The desire is just the start of passion and a time-consuming journey which can be one of your life's' greatest rewarding activities.

First you need to determine which you would prefer to have: toy RC kits or hobby kits. Hobby kits are higher in quality but require more expertise. A good way to test if the hobby is for you is by purchasing the toy kit first and then stepping up to the more sophisticated hobby kit if you get the feel for the hobby. Toy kits are assembled and even available in toy stores, while hobby RC cars require assembling capabilities and a bit more than basic knowledge.

There are a host of RC car types available for you, and only you can determine which suits your fancy. There are scale models which are 1/20 of the original, and there are others which are life-size or even bigger than the original. If you're just getting started the smaller the better and more manageable. They vary in speed depending on size and power source.

There are two types of power source available for a typical radio controlled car: electric and fuel. In terms of speed, engine powered ones are more reliable and exciting to use. However, electrically generated ones are much more user-friendly as far as maintenance is concerned. Since you are beginner, always choose the lesser evil and upgrade to a higher challenge only when you are knowledgeable enough to do so.

Electric-powered motors require a radio system to keep them going. These include a transmitter, a receiver and servos. Servos are placed in both the vehicle and the receiver. They serve as connecting nodes between commands from the transmitter to the receiver. The battery pack is rechargeable, though it takes much longer to charge. Some tools for the hand are also needed for the routine maintenance checks.

Engine-powered ones also require a radio system. But its battery is non-rechargeable by electricity. An igniter is also needed, since it relies on fuel combustion to move it at awesome speeds. Nitro models don't usually operate on gasoline. It requires a different mixture of chemicals for combustion. You will definitely need a bottle for fuel storage; lest you run out in the midst of the action.