Restricted class for youngsters/ newbies/ those on a budget??

[Nige]

I freely admit that my knowledge of rc racing isn’t great so this might be a rubbish suggestion, but as we all know buggy racing isn’t cheap so how can we make it more attractive (i.e. more affordable) to new members.


Now I’m not sure what other clubs do, but to go alongside our open 2WD and 4WD classes could a new restricted (probably 2WD) class be formed? Ideally the rules would make entry into racing cheap, but also limit their speed to slower motors than those currently being used in the open classes. This should hopefully ensure close racing, but as the cars are slower there will hopefully be less breakages which in turn saves £££ buying spares. When a member has learnt their race craft they can progress on to either of the 2WD or 4WD open classes. So the restricted class should be viewed as a stepping stone..........


With regards to what rules should be included within this restricted class, that I guess is open to debate.

[Dudders]

Interesting idea, guess the only proven way to do it is to run set car, set speedo, set tyres, set batteries and set motor.

However getting people to purchase these might defeat the object.

Do any clubs run 'classes' of 1/10th buggy bar 2 and 4wd?

[Deano577]

That's a great idea it will also give people an goal to move up into the more experinced racers. Standard batterys and 12t motors as most 2wd rtr cars cost 100 quid

[simoncrabb]

The easiest way to implement any restricted class is by motor, either silver can 540, or perhaps by a wind limit. Ansmann and HPI produce some very good value brushed motors, sealed can, fixed wind.

A 'eco' class could be implemented, but what I've seen from (touring car) clubs, is that people very quickly progress to the main class, within a few months.

The 'classless' off-road works very well in my opinion, the less good go in the slower heats, and end up lower down the finals, but they can still experience good racing.

I think the setup and driving of an off-road car affects the results to a larger extent than the car performance, so I'm not entirely sure it's needed?

[jamiekerr14]

Another thing to think about is, Would there be enough (Eco) driver's to justify running a extra heat?
Im all in for the idea, but would it not seem a tad excessive it there was only 2-3 (eco) driver's each meet?
And you will find a fair few, will turn up with a B4 RTR or something. But a month down the line has gotten a faster motor ect..

[RobW]

Totally agree with Simon – he got all my points before I could type them!!

A couple of the on-road clubs I have raced at have tried this type of thing and it had some limited success. Aldershot did it with a one motor (HPI Saturn, about £10) class and fixed gear ratios. This was the class my Jack started in aged 7 and it worked for about a year and then everyone wanted something faster and moved to the more established classes.

I think the trick is not to make it too restrictive. Often beginners have already bought a car before they turn up at your club and then find they have a choice to buy another set-up or not be able to race with the other beginners so defeating the idea of making it cheaper.

But as Simon says I’m not totally convinced we need it – the easy availability of power in off-road means almost all beginners have more power than they can cope with and the seeding of heats means we all get to race with others of similar pace.

Interesting idea though and if we get to the point where we have enough beginners definitely worth gauging their opinions.

Rob

[martin so16]

it would be a good idear if we had the numbers but dont think we have to start a new class everyone seems to upgrade in a short time i know it cost alot of money at the start theres alot of stuff in the secound hand market to get you started i did it on 200 quid and the car and kit was good enough to do ok nothing is cheep anymore

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by martin so16

it would be a good idear if we had the numbers but dont think we have to start a new class everyone seems to upgrade in a short time i know it cost alot of money at the start theres alot of stuff in the secound hand market to get you started i did it on 200 quid and the car and kit was good enough to do ok nothing is cheep anymore

Everyone's point it totally valid and should be considered, I'm aware of 3 - 4 newbie's coming back or starting up, so we can set up an independent heat for the up and coming drivers. We don't need to make a mountain out of it, just simply beginners heat that is voluntary basis only. If there is not enough numbers then they go in the mix with others. Like the idea to make things more appealing.

[Nige]

See I did say I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, just something I thought worth discussing.
With regards having a separate heat for the restricted class, well if numbers are small which I would expect at the beginning they could run within the lowest 2WD class heat and the results would, if possible, be extracted from this.
I appreciate some people would move on to the unrestricted class over time, but how many potential racing members are put off by both the speed and cost, so never actually buy anything and have a go?? As with many other hobbies, we are asking for a fairly large ££ commitment before they find out whether they like it.

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by Nige

See I did say I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, just something I thought worth discussing.
With regards having a separate heat for the restricted class, well if numbers are small which I would expect at the beginning they could run within the lowest 2WD class heat and the results would, if possible, be extracted from this.
I appreciate some people would move on to the unrestricted class over time, but how many potential racing members are put off by both the speed and cost, so never actually buy anything and have a go?? As with many other hobbies, we are asking for a fairly large ££ commitment before they find out whether they like it.

Nigel

Great idea and welcome a method in holding new racers and not lose them over a few meets, just think we could make it more based on ability not equipment, therefore racers could mix it up and still have close racing. You can take an avergae lap time over a couple of meetings and use the ranking system to decide who goes into the beginers heat. My old man look like a biginner on Sunday untill the final

Hey this is what Oople is all about with suggesting possitive ideas and making better racing for everyone, so Nigel great thread and creates some good discussion.

Thanks Steve