Getting started in 1:10 I.C

 


So you’ve decided to race in the exciting world of 1:10 I.C.?

 

Well done! You’ve made the right choice – you’ll find close racing in every class of 1:10 I.C. and at every level, from the enthusiastic club driver right through to the seasoned veterans of the 1:10 I.C. scene, and best of all, you’ll have a blast! Not for nothing is 1:10 I.C. one of the most popular classes raced within the BRCA.

 

The Car

 

 

So what do you need to start racing in 1:10 I.C.? Well obviously first you need a CAR. The car, or more precisely the chassis of the car, is the all-important device which you’re trying to get around the track as quickly as possible. There is no one car currently available that is better than the rest, so why not get down to your local club where you intend to race and find out what cars other racers use. Ask them what they think of their cars and why.

 

There are of course, many factors to take into account when choosing your car. These include:-

 

-           Performance – Is the car a winning car? Have other racers achieved success with it?

 

-           Spares – Are you able to easily obtain spares for your car?  Does your local model shop stock the spares, or will you need to source them from overseas? You’ll find that most racers carry some spares with them and are willing to help if you get stuck, but it’ll be no use if your car is a one-off.

 

-           Popularity - The more successful cars are generally also the more popular cars amongst racers. The advantage here is that when you race using similar cars, there is more likely to be someone at the track with the same car who can help; together you can work to make your cars perform to their potential.

 

-           Ease of use/maintenance – Take a look at the car. Does it look easy to clean and maintain? Can you get to the major parts such as the engine, transmission, and radio equipment easily? A car that is easy to maintain will perform to its maximum potential more often.

 

The list, of course, is not exhaustive; as previously mentioned, the best way to find out about these things is to go to your local club and chat to other racers.

 

Other Equipment

 

Now you’ve got your car, what next?

 

Well, you only need a few basic items of equipment to get you going

 

-           Radio Control equipment (Transmitter/Receiver/Servos)

-           Engine & Exhaust system (if this does not come with the car)

-           A starter box if your car does not use a pull-start mechanism

            -           Also a Glow-starter (ask at your local model shop)

-           Fuel & a fuel bottle

 

As with all hobbies; it’s really up to you how much you think you need to spend. These essential extra items can be bought relatively cheaply; however, again it is advisable to ask other racers what equipment they use as they too at some point have been novices and will have been thinking exactly the same questions you are asking now.

 

So you have your car, and you have the equipment necessary to go racing. Now all that remains is to get racing!

 

Let’s go racing!

BOOKING IN

When you arrive at your club on race day you will have to book in at race control (this is Race Control / Rostrum at the Halifax club), which is an area that is set aside for administrating the days racing. Ask another club member where this is if it is your first visit.  Booking in takes place well before qualifying begins and is where you tell the race director that you wish to race. Remember to take some money with you as a small fee will be charged for you to participate in the racing.  When you book in, you will need to tell the race director your name and all the frequencies that you have available. Please have at least 3 frequencies (4 frequencies if you’re racing in the 1:10 I.C. Nationals) with you. The entry fee varies from club to club. If you think you will be racing regularly at the club, you will need to become a member there; again ask the Race Director about membership of the club.

PRACTICE

Practice varies from club to club; some allow practice before qualifying commences, others don’t. If you want to practice, you must first take the peg that has your frequency number (or colour) on it and replace it with a peg bearing your name (get some wooden clothes pegs from your local supermarket or beg the Race Director for one). The pegs are located on a board near or on the driver's rostrum. This peg entitles you to switch your radio on and use your car for practice. When you have finished, please return the peg to the board, as other drivers may be waiting to use the same peg. You must not switch your transmitter on at any time unless you have the correct peg. If the peg is not on the board, either ask the drivers on the rostrum, or go to race control inform the Race Director.

DRIVERS BRIEFING

Before the racing begins, a driver's briefing will take place. You MUST attend this, and listen to the instructions that are given. This will explain the start procedure, marshalling duties, etc and any special procedures for the day. If you have any questions, please ask.

A list of all the heats will be displayed on the back of the driver's rostrum. You should check this as it has 3 important pieces of information on it.

NOTE: You may have to change frequency. The preferred choice that you give the Race Director may not always the one that you will end up racing on. If you give a choice of frequencies at booking in, please make sure that you have them with you and that you can change to them if necessary.

The car numbers are available from race control, as are the handout transponders, which will automatically count your laps. If you do not have a Personal Transponder, you will need to borrow one of the clubs Handout Transponders which can be collected prior to your race and must be returned immediately after your race. They should be securely fixed to the car. Most cars now have a special transponder mount fitted to the radio tray, if not it should be securely fitted to the inside of the bodyshell. You will need to drill an 8mm hole and have a spare bodyclip. The windscreen or side pod away from the engine are favourite. Never allow the transponder to come into contact with the hot engine / exhaust, or any rotating gears / shafts, as they will be damaged. Each transponder costs over £60 to replace.

QUALIFYING ROUNDS

An announcement will be made over the PA system, calling drivers for the next heat. If this is you, you should make your way to the rostrum, with your car and mechanic if you have one. At this point your radio handset should be turned off, and your mechanic should wait with the car near the ‘Pit Lane’, please do not enter 'Pit Lane' until the previous heat has finished and the other mechanics have left. You may have you engine running to help warm it up. Each qualifying heat will be run using a "Rolling Start". Once the previous heat has finished and the drivers are off the rostrum you may turn on your radio. An announcement will be made that there will be a certain amount of time before the next heat begins; at this point your car may exit the pitlane and you are now on the track. There will be a 2 minute countdown prior to the start of each heat, with announcements at 2 minutes, 1 minute, and 30 seconds. During this time you should be getting your car's engine warm and get used to the track. You are not racing at this stage. During the countdown, your mechanic should call you back into the pits to re-fuel your car before the heat starts. The suggested time for this is around the '30 seconds’ announcement; however the actual timing is up to you. You must drive your car around into pit lane. Never drive the wrong way around the track or into pit lane from the wrong direction. If you have just started a new lap, when called in, continue the lap and enter pit lane.

When the computer starts the race, an audible sound will be heard, and the next time that your car crosses the start finish line, your individual 5 minute heat will start. If you are approaching the start/finish line and the 10 second announcement is made Do not stop your car on the track. You must continue at race speed, around the track and start another warm-up lap. Don't forget: - Qualifying is against the clock not other drivers. If during the race, a faster car comes up behind you, do not block or crash into it, instead you should pull to one side and allow the faster car through. Try and follow the faster car, you will learn the correct lines and corner speeds. Remember "slow in fast out", by this we mean enter a corner slowly, choosing the correct line, will allow you to exit the corner faster and achieve faster lap times. If you are going faster than another car wait for them to pull over (or make a mistake), and pass them cleanly. Accidents will happen, but do not deliberately crash into other cars.

At the end of the race, "race over" will be called and you should drive into the pit lane, turn off your car and transmitter, return the transponder and quickly go to your marshal point. You only have to marshal the race following your own, and you should stand at the numbered post that corresponds to your car number. Whilst marshalling you should remain alert at all times and be as quick as possible getting to cars that need assistance. However, never put yourself at risk, such that a car can hit you. Remember these cars are travelling at high speeds, and if they do hit you, they can break bones.

The heat results are published and put up on a board near Race Control after the race. When you have finished marshalling, you can check the results, clean your car, alter the set-up etc. Don't be afraid to chat to other drivers. They are all very friendly. Look around the pits and see if anybody else is driving the same car as you. A 5-minute chat could save you a lot of frustration, as well as time and money.

FINALS

At the end of all the qualifying rounds, please inform the Race Director if you are intending to leave before racing in your final. Some drivers cannot stay all day and this would leave gaps in the finals, so it is preferable to know who’s staying and who’s going, so the finals can be re-sorted to produce a full field of cars.

The finals listing will be put on the back of the driver’s rostrum. You should check this as it has 3 important pieces of information on it.

Just as you did for the heats, check this listing and make sure your car has the correct number and frequency. When your final is called, you should collect the transponder (if needed), and make your way to the rostrum. The final's start procedure is slightly different from the heats, as you start from a designated starting grid and all at the same time. A countdown from 10 begins and when it gets to 3, you mechanic must put your car on the ground and step back. The final is started when the tone sounds. The finals vary in length according to your success in qualifying, but may be reduced during the winter due to the weather and shorter days. Due to the length of these finals, your car will need to be re-fuelled by your mechanic. It is up to you and your mechanic to decide when to come in for fuel. Remember that most fuel tanks will only last for about 5 - 7 minutes. The mechanic must stand or kneel behind the raised pit lane wall whilst re-fuelling the car and lift the car behind the raised wall whilst re-fuelling to allow other cars along the pit lane.

When the final has finished return your car to the pit lane and turn off your transmitter, return the transponder to race control and go quickly to your marshalling point.

 

Conclusion

 

That is the end of your days racing. It may see a bit daunting at first, but once you have been, you will soon realise that it is not as complicated as it sounds and is very VERY addictive!

Things may not always go right at first, but do not get disheartened, there is always next time. Remember, we all had to start somewhere.

We hope to see you trackside, and good luck with your racing.

10 GOLDEN RULES