So .... just how steep is the learning curve in RC's for the average newbie?

Are we talking days, weeks, months, or years?

I can't imagine that there is much from my slot car background that would translate to RC's --- but I've never drove one.

depends on the class. you are always learning new tricks and things to try but I would say a year or so if you drive regularly

depends on the class. you are always learning new tricks and things to try but I would say a year or so if you drive regularly

this is pretty acurate i started almost a year ago today and i am just starting to get comfortable with changes and having a decent idea of what does what. but dont be intimidated by it just jump in feet first and run with it.. last year when i started i was running in the stock class 27turn 4cell and wasn't that good for the first couple weeks/month but i progressively got better and started running up front so i moved up to 13.5 b/l and got pretty good at those speeds and now i just started running 21.5 lipo and to be honest with you i love this hobby more and more everyday maybe too much my wife is always yelling at me but she is usually ok with it...i can promise you this if take up this hobby and you comit to it you will not be disapointed.. just remember not to get frustrated if things dont go your way the first couple months

Wizard of Id,
I have good news for you. The learning curve has been shortened dramatically with brushless motors. These motors are practically maintainence free and produce the same power for everyone, week to week, month to month. New racers can focus on learning how to drive and how to set up a car.

My absolute favorite thing about the brushless motors is the simple fact that you can make a small change to your car, and you will know if it was the correct direction, or not. There was such a variation in power with brushed motors, that if you made a small chassis change, looking at the laps was hard to tell if it was the brushes breaking in, or getting worse, or if it was the chassis change.

With brushless, you no longer need tuning equipment (about $500 worth). More importantly, you don't need to learn how to tune motors. Anyone could buy the brushed tuning equipment, but to be a good tuner, it usually takes about a year of experience or more. Thankfully, you don't ever have to worry about that.

You should be able to get some people to assist you at your local track. That will help a bunch. To answer your original question, I just witnessed a brand new racer go from 38 to 59 laps in just 3 months. (At our track, that's faster than some racers that have been doing it for years.) This is a really good time for new racers to join RC racing. If you have any questions, people on this forum will be glad to help. And feel free to PM me.

So .... just how steep is the learning curve in RC's for the average newbie?

Are we talking days, weeks, months, or years?

I can't imagine that there is much from my slot car background that would translate to RC's --- but I've never drove one.

Don't worry too much about time. I've been at it for 16 years and haven't figured it out yet!!! LOL:thumbsup:

I've been at it for 20+ years and havent
figured it out my self. If U get it figured
out in a year or so U will be doing good.
I dont think that will happen..
Just one thing to remember
HAVE FUN while learning it.
U will meet some awesome people an
make some GOOD friends in the hobby....
JW#62

I've been at it for 20+ years and havent
figured it out my self. If U get it figured
out in a year or so U will be doing good.
I dont think that will happen..
Just one thing to remember
HAVE FUN while learning it.
U will meet some awesome people an
make some GOOD friends in the hobby....
JW#62


AMEN BROTHER.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

So .... just how steep is the learning curve in RC's for the average newbie?

Are we talking days, weeks, months, or years?

I can't imagine that there is much from my slot car background that would translate to RC's --- but I've never drove one.

You never stop learning! I've been racing off & on for twenty years, there were some times when "I was the man" and through the years there were some times when "I was the man that needed to get the hell out of the way" and let the good guys go. That's a big part of learning to race, is when you are off on the setup and/or just don't have the speed is to respect the guys who are hooked up and let 'em go. But the main thing to learn is to just have fun and enjoy this hobby. I won my first race in many years last time out at our local track and it feels just as good as it did the fist time years ago!.:)

Wizard,
Don't let these veterans frighten you with talk of 15+ years. This is something to look forward to. There is a lot to learn in this hobby. That's what makes it so great. There is always something to learn. Age doesn't seem to matter quite as much as you'd think either. We have a racer who's competitive and he's 76 years old.

However, if your initial question was along the lines of.... "how long does it take to be competitive?" ... then I would say, it's possible to be running in the middle of the pack as fast as a few months if all goes well. How much track time you give yourself will really make a difference.

Thought this might interest you Wizard, http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?p=2476031#post2476031 Indoor carpet racing is the BOMB!!!

"Words of Warning" Once you start R/C Racing its a lifetime Addiction.

Like the above people, I have been racing rc for thirty two years and I am still learning.
Butch

i take back everything i said in my original post we raced today and my car was not good and i wasn't much better.... but i still had a great time i cant wait till next weekend

i take back everything i said in my original post we raced today and my car was not good and i wasn't much better.... but i still had a great time i cant wait till next weekend

No racing next weekend Doughboy!

Keep wenching.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll make a point to tag along the next time one of the locals is headed to the track to practice.

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll make a point to tag along the next time one of the locals is headed to the track to practice.

Tag along??? Go get you an oval car and try it out. I am sure you will enjoy it. You may be lucky to see some of the slot cars guys running oval too, like Steve, Tom, Bob. Come to the track and we'll get you started....

So .... just how steep is the learning curve in RC's for the average newbie?
Are we talking days, weeks, months, or years?

I think there are two distinct aspects of the hobby to consider.
One is driving.
The other, is wrenching.

The driving part has so much to do with natural talent.
In the eighties, when I started oval racing,
I always did pretty well, no matter where I went.
(how times change :()
Then, my son started showing some interest, so I took him along.
Of course he was using my stuff, as he was only 14-15.
Within a couple of months we picked up a 4WD Dominator,
and he was winning.... in 7cell modified... against
some pretty good LHS team drivers.

He didn't understand all the stuff about the cars,
but he could sure wheel.
He was, and at 36 still is, an excellent athlete.
Great eye/hand coordination... great at video games...
You can learn to get better at something,
but you can't learn to be really, really good at something.
That's where the natural talent comes into play.
Just not gonna happen without it..
But that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the hobby!
The only way I can maybe win a race today,
is if everyone gets dumped on the buzzer....
but I still love doing it.

I know there are some really good guys that are going to say
"yeah.. but when I started... I really sucked..."
That isn't 'exactly' true..
they just needed to build on what was already there.
They are just being modest. ('cept Hanson :wave:)

Jeff Gordon had to be taught the finer points of winning in stock cars.
But he had won a hundred kart races, before he was out of third grade.
He won in sprint cars at 14.
Nobody taught him how to drive.

The wrenching part, I agree with a lot of what has already been said.
That is a work in progress! There is always something new,
and you can learn something every week... if you want to.
And I learned a long time ago, that you don't learn from just
the guys in the A-mains...
Listen to everyone, and decide for yourself if it fits your program.:thumbsup:

There are a few things you can FEEL or HEAR with a slot car and a r/c car that are alike. I have raced both quite often. 1. In a slot when you pull the guide flag out under power that would relate to a push or too much rear bite in an r/c car (wont turn). 2. GOOP (slots) or Traction compound (r/c)
there both required or your not going anywhere. 3. very important....AREODYNAMICS You understand how important areo is for slots, its just as important for R/C. Always think of areo when buying or mounting a body. 4. On both, everyting must be square, flat, tight and smooth. 5. Noise means lost power or speed.