The World of Racing Radio Controlled Cars and Trucks


Defined Tag: RC Car Racing.
There are many fun ways to enjoy the radio controlled car and truck hobby, but racing these cars is one of the best and most challenging aspects of the hobby. Racing the very powerful, very fast, nitro powered radio controlled cars and trucks is a great way to enjoy the speed and excitement that is part and parcel of this exciting hobby, and to feel the adrenaline rush that comes from powerful vehicles moving at high speeds.

It is important for the newcomer to the nitro radio controlled vehicle hobby to avoid the most commonly made mistakes.  One of the most common mistakes made by newcomers to the hobby is driving too must out of control.  It is important for the beginner to learn how to precisely control the steering and throttle inputs on the controls.  You will get a lot more out of the car or truck by rolling smoothly onto the throttle, and the vehicle will steer much more precisely when the movement of the steering wheel is smooth.

It is important for the new nitro powered radio controlled vehicle racer to take a few practice laps around the track, and to learn how to precisely control the car without crashing.  It is important to take these practice laps, and to focus more on precision and avoiding crashes than on sheer speed.  As you learn how to better control the vehicle you can add the speed it will take to win those races.

The value of maintenance
Every nitro radio controlled vehicle racer will need to learn how to properly maintain his or her race car.  It is important to perform regular maintenance, and also to do post race maintenance on a regular basis in order to keep the car running at peak efficiency.  

After every run, it is important to shake the car or truck out to remove any loose dirt that may have accumulated.  This will help to keep the inner workings of the vehicle clean and improve the longevity of the vehicle and its parts.  If you have one, an air compressor works perfectly to remove accumulated dirt and grime from the underside of the vehicle.

It is also a good idea to remove the engine and radio equipment from the vehicle after each race day and to clean the parts individually.  Be sure to inspect the parts for wear and make sure that you inspect all the moving parts like the drive shafts, hinge pins, ball bearings and suspension components.  With nitro powered radio controlled cars and trucks it is also important to pay close attention to the ball bearings in the clutch, because these clutch bearings will take lots of abuse during the race.  Some racers choose to lube their engines with a high quality after run oil, but as long as you use a high quality nitro fuel that may not be necessary.

It is also a good idea to replace the clutch shoes, clutch bearings and clutch springs after each gallon of fuel, and to replace the inner air filter, outer air filter foams and glow plug as well.  This may seem like a bit of overkill, but serious racers would prefer to focus on preventive maintenance than to lose a big race due to a preventable error.