How much practice?

[jsw123]

As a newbie, albeit I did race a Tamiya Boomerang a few times 25 odd years ago, how many times should I try and practice at my local track?

I was blown away with the speed of my 22 and found racing pace almost impossible to maintain. Apparently Eden Park is quite a technical track but I pretty much had to 'coast' to get round without wiping out.

I'd love to know how people got to the standard they're at and what sort of goals I should be setting for myself?

[djmcnz]

How quickly do you learn?

The only real answer is that you need to practice until you either become competitive in your chosen class or until you realise that you can't dedicate enough time to become competitive in your chosen class... and you'll only know this from your own personal rate of progress.

In my estimation, running a few packs a week will not be enough. You need regular and "recent" practice to learn. This is to say that every practice session should be close enough to the last that you can actually remember the last - what you experienced, the mistakes you made and more importantly the "feel" you had.

"Feel" is that intangible thing that connects you, through your radio, to your car. The ability to predict what the vehicle is going to do next and react (appropriately) to the prediction rather than the event... when you're doing that you know you've practised enough.

It depends on what you want to achieve. I would think ~40 hours of practice would allow a competent learner to be competitive in club racing (although this doesn't mean A-Main victories!). Open classes are a different matter - if somebody knows how to whip a 6.5 around a track quickly then no amount of practice will beat them if you have a 17 installed.

Mini class is a great class to learn really good RC driving in.

Edit: Tip - don't learn the track, learn the car. If you think you're learning more about the track than the car then take it to a parking lot and switch it up some.

[ianjoyner]

Originally Posted by jsw123

I pretty much had to 'coast' to get round without wiping out.

That is a great start choosing to coast rather than crashing. Go as quick as you're comfortable with, don't try too hard to be fast, get into a flow and it will become easier, you will become quicker without realising it.

Hard to say how much practice, most I've ever done is 2 club nights a week. I'm sure more would be good.

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by djmcnz

I would think ~40 hours of practice would allow a competent learner to be competitive in club racing.

Edit: Tip - don't learn the track, learn the car. If you think you're learning more about the track than the car then take it to a parking lot and switch it up some.

40 hours in total or per week?!

Interesting tip with regards to learning the car not the track, hadn't thought of that.

[Danny Harrison]

I got reasonably competitive (I'd say more middle of road) at my local clubs after about 3 months going once to twice a week.

Recently Ive been using a simulator to get track time and now I'm pushing hard with the faster lads as a result.

The more time you can practice with your tx in hand the better

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by ianjoyner

That is a great start choosing to coast rather than crashing. Go as quick as you're comfortable with, don't try too hard to be fast, get into a flow and it will become easier, you will become quicker without realising it.

Hard to say how much practice, most I've ever done is 2 club nights a week. I'm sure more would be good.

Yeah, two sessions per week would be about my limit. I'm guessing if I don't practice for a couple of weeks it would be like starting from scratch? Kind of?

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by Danny Harrison

I got reasonably competitive (I'd say more middle of road) at my local clubs after about 3 months going once to twice a week.

Recently Ive been using a simulator to get track time and now I'm pushing hard with the faster lads as a result.

The more time you can practice with your tx in hand the better

A simulator eh? Very interesting, how did you come across that?

[ianjoyner]

Originally Posted by jsw123

Yeah, two sessions per week would be about my limit. I'm guessing if I don't practice for a couple of weeks it would be like starting from scratch? Kind of?

Not for me, although I did first learn fairly young. Sometimes takes a while getting used to an unfamiliar track, but that's the same with or without a break.

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by ianjoyner

Not for me, although I did first learn fairly young. Sometimes takes a while getting used to an unfamiliar track, but that's the same with or without a break.

OK, that's good to know. Lets hope it's dry tomorrow!

[Andrew Twigger]

40 hours per week is ridiculous. That's a full time job's worth of hours. If you were looking to become a professional then maybe. For mere mortals with limited time and funds twice a week is ample and should see quick improvement.

Also sounds like your car is too quick for you at the moment. I would look into either a slower motor or turning down the settings if your speedo will allow. The key for me is not going too fast too soon. Learn to drive around without crashing first and foremost. The tight lines and corner speed will all come together with practice.

[Danny Harrison]

Originally Posted by Andrew Twigger

40 hours per week is ridiculous. That's a full time job's worth of hours. If you were looking to become a professional then maybe. For mere mortals with limited time and funds twice a week is ample and should see quick improvement.

Also sounds like your car is too quick for you at the moment. I would look into either a slower motor or turning down the settings if your speedo will allow. The key for me is not going too fast too soon. Learn to drive around without crashing first and foremost. The tight lines and corner speed will all come together with practice.

I think he ment 40 hours of total track time

Nobody can race 40 hours per week, that would be crazy!

I did get close last week though but that became pretty repetitive with only 3 tracks to practice on.

[jsw123]

40 hours a week, that's what happens when you down a beer and go straight on to Oople! Made sense to me at the time though.

40 hours in total would still take a while. I'm guessing my first year will be all practice, whether its called a race meet or not.

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by Andrew Twigger

Also sounds like your car is too quick for you at the moment. I would look into either a slower motor or turning down the settings if your speedo will allow. The key for me is not going too fast too soon. Learn to drive around without crashing first and foremost. The tight lines and corner speed will all come together with practice.

I'm almost embarrassed to say it but there's only a 13.5t motor in the 22! I think it's just the shock of not seeing a buggy for over 25 years. The difference is just astounding, I could try your suggestion of the speedo settings?

[buggy#0]

I only started racing two months ago, and I went out for my first heat with no practice. I have a 7.5, so it was quick, but I only opened up the throttle where I knew I could. The next week I was able to attempt the first corner flat out, and that is because I felt comfortable with the car in that section of the track, so I pushed it that little bit further. Just from going to the track every week and pushing the car where it felt comfortable I have gone from 21 second laps to 15 seconds.

[Paul Field]

Hi
The simulator is called Virtual RC, just search for vrc.com.
It doesn't have buggies yet but it does have short course trucks.
It will help you a lot with the amount of practice you can do and you don't wear your car out. From my experience of running a club and helping lots of beginers over 20 years would say 2 race meetings a week would see you progress to a competent level in about 6 months. As everyone else has said the key is to drive without crashing at a speed you are happy with. Then you will gradually go faster without even noticing.

Have fun.

Paul

[racingdwarf]

To be honest it's as much practice as you can fit in, and afford.The more you use the car the more it wears, more tyres motor etc etc.

Back when I was a teenager I was at the track most evenings doing at least 2 or three packs with someone timing my laps, I could drive that place with my eyes shut lol, and it was only 10min from home.

But now as an adult with kids and a business to run I get very little time to practice (but I love to).

In the end it's up to you, practice will always help but 40hours a week still may not make you lee martin some of the top guys just have the gift!

Just do what you enjoy, as long as you enjoy the hobby and enjoy the car it will come in time and you will find your level

[djmcnz]

Originally Posted by jsw123

40 hours in total or per week?!

Originally Posted by Andrew Twigger

40 hours per week is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Danny Harrison

I think he ment 40 hours of total track time

Yes, thanks.

[Adam Talbot]

practice?? forget,you need meetings.clubs off road or on road but you need meetings,you'll learn only how to go at a safe pace on your own you need to be in with the big boys that way your racing will improve quicker

trust me,i'm god me!!

adam

[jsw123]

Originally Posted by Adam Talbot

practice?? forget,you need meetings.clubs off road or on road but you need meetings,you'll learn only how to go at a safe pace on your own you need to be in with the big boys that way your racing will improve quicker

trust me,i'm god me!!

adam

I see your point, about meetings not so much about being god! I guess it's all practice to me at the moment? But getting the experience of a proper race meet will make a big difference I'm sure.

[jsw123]

Lots of great advice as ever.

Practice today was brilliant, the track was very damp and with multiple surfaces I really had to concentrate to get it round. Luckily there were two 'veterans' there as well and they gave me lots of tips, like feathering the braking, being more gradual with the power and not always trying to cut apexes. I think I learnt more today in treacherous conditions that I did last week in the dry.