Beginners Guide
Everybody
has to start somewhere, and the best place to start is at a club meeting. The
following guide should help you to understand and enjoy 1/10th
Touring Car racing. Snetterton Park Model Car Club organise several open
meetings each year. The dates for which can be viewed on the Calendar Page. We welcome drivers of all abilities from
complete novices through to experienced racers. If you intend to compete at one
of the race meetings, you should arrive at the track by 9.00am at the latest.
BOOKING IN
When you arrive you will have to book in at race control, this is
the room under the rostrum. Booking in normally takes place shortly between
8.30-9.00am and the first race starts at 10.00am. When you book in, you will
need to tell us your name and all the frequencies that you have available.
Please have at least 3 frequencies with you. The entry fee is £5 for everyone.
We do require every racer to hold a BRCA licence, BUT newcomers can race for 3
meetings without holding a licence but recommend that you apply for a licence
which can be obtained through the club.
PRACTICE
Practice is open from 7.30am until just before actual racing
commences. If you want to practice, you must first take the peg that has your
frequency number (or colour) on it. The pegs are located on a board beside the
door to race control. This peg entitles you to switch your radio on and use your
car for 5 - 10 minutes. 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 during practice unless you have the correct peg. If the peg
is not on the board, either ask the drivers on the rostrum, or come to race
control and we will put out a call on the P.A system.
DRIVERS BRIEFING
Before the racing begins, a driver's briefing will take place. You
should 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 at race control. You should check this
as it has 3 important pieces of information on it.
If
you booked in and had more than 1 frequency (which of course you did!!), you may
have to change frequency. The preferred choice that you give us, 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 is favourite. Never allow the transponder to come
into contact with the hot engine / exhaust, or any rotating gears / shafts, as
they will be damaged if you are running IC. 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. At
this point your radio handset and car should be turned off. Once the previous
heat has finished and the drivers are off the rostrum you may turn on your radio
and your car. Place your car on the track at the start point which will have
been explained during drivers briefing.
When
the computer starts the race, an audible sound will be heard, and the number of
the car to start will be announced over the PA, your individual 5 minute heat
will start. 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 designated pull-off area, do not drive back across the track, come down
from the rostrum pick up and 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 put on the notice board at the end of 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, the finals will be generated and
printed and posted at race control.
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 the main
straight and all at the same time. A countdown from 10 begins, The final is
started when the warbling tone sounds. When the final has finished retrieve your
car, turn off your transmitter, return the transponder to race control and go
quickly to your marshalling point.
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.
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.
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10 GOLDEN RULES
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