[mole2k]

For lighting strikes I just use bulb mode!

For action shots in general camera's autofocus cant keep up with the RC cars reliably so you will usually get more keepers by prefocusing and waiting for the car to reach the focal plane then hit the shutter button (well slightly before the car reaches the focal plane so that when the shutter opens it's actually in there).

If the distance to the camera isnt changing too much the AF should work quite well, I would use the AF at times although you have to be good at tracking or you get the issues you describe.

Here's a few rc shots of mine in varying conditions.