1998 Question of the Week:

"What's the single most important thing you would say to someone who's interested in getting starting in R/C?"

Let them know the fun and enjoyment that can be had with an r/c vehicle. Though I would also say that they have to realize that its not all fun and games, there is basic maintenance to be had also. On top of this though point out that if their into building models and such, this can be quite enjoyable in itself.

go have fun

No matter what level you take R/C racing to, whether you just play around or become a serious racer, ALWAYS remember that R/C racing is FUN!

practice, practice, practice

Just always remember that this hobby is supposed to be fun.

Make friends with an experienced driver who can be your mentor.

I would give him the transmitter and say "Have a go!".

Strats

GET AN ASSOCIATED KIT!!!!!!!

ok, I would say, never stop practicing. You may not have the hi dollar stuff that some people have but you do have your driving. This sport is concentrated on how dedicated you are. If you make time and practice you'll show how much better you've gotten easy.

-Joe-

Get a gas car because they go fast. I especially recommend the RC10GT.

I would tell them to grab a Radio Controlled Car Action magazine and read it. I would recommend them look into Team Associated R/C Cars.

It is a very fun hobby and the best R/C manufacturer is Team Associated!!!

Start off inexpensively, talk to experienced people they can direct you on to what to spend money on. With that out of the way learn all there is to learn about building and setting up your car. Most importantly, have fun!

JUST DO IT, YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID

go to your local RC track and talk to the better racers, or buy a RC-10B2 larry

I would ask the person whether he or she would want to have fun with R/C cars or race R/C cars. If you mention the money associated with racing R/C cars, it would drive most people away.

have fun dont take it to serious at first

Go to your local track and talk to the people there before you purchase anything.

Go for it it's great

If it's racing you're interested in, spend some time at the track to make friends with some of the local racers, see what is doing well out on the track, and make sure you're doing it to have fun!

"It's a lot of fun if you're into spending a little time and money."

Never lose site of why you started (FUN FUN FUN) its real easy to get caught up in the heat of the race. REMEMBER - (FUN FUN FUN) ;-) GAMERROW

Don't buy a pre-built car or truck, always buy the kit when you are buying a new car. This will help you to learn more about the sport of r/c car racing and a lot about your car so if something breaks you will know how to fix it. Also because it is a lot of fun building r/c cars and trucks in my opinion. If you do decide to buy an r/c car kit, like I hope you will, buy it from Associated. Believe me they know what they are doing not only because they make great cars and trucks but because their instruction manuals are clear with all the pictures in them and precise with the words they chose to use. Everything they do is 100% quality. Especially to a new comer to the sport all these weird names of parts and so many cars to choose from make things confusing but Associated clears everything up for you so you won't have many questions at all. Just remember if your going to buy a car or truck buy the kit so you can build it yourself.

P.S. This is from someone who has three Associated cars (T2, 10T, and RC10CE) and who has never been disappointed.

R/C is a very expensive hobby. Start out slowly and see if you like the hobby. It is always easy to move up to different levels than it is to spend loads of money just to find out it isn't for you. It is a fun hobby to grow with.

BUY QUALITY, KEEP IT FUN, AND DON'T LET IT DOMINATE YOUR LIFE. REMEMBER IT IS ONLY A HOBBY.

Buy a good quality kit and decent accessories. You don't have to buy the most expensive of everything to have fun. If you decide to compete in races down the road, you can always upgrade if need be. Just always remember that the main purpose behind this hobby is to have fun and as long as you keep that first, you will enjoy the sport for many years to come!

I own a GT, . . . If this person is talking off-road: AE all the way. Next they should consider racing or backyard bashing. Tight and twitchy cars or big and bad trucks. I mean there are a many things to consider. But most importantly, you need quality and durability coupled with easy of preparation and excellent performance for the beginner as well as the expert. This leads right to this company.

Get into it! There are many levels to start at and it's extremely fun. You won't be able to let your controller down.

The sport kits are there for a reason, don't try to start off with a team kit, work your way up. And you don't have to buy a high cost FM radio, the AM radio work great for starters.

I think that the single most important I would say to someone who is getting started in R/C is to purchase a vehicle that suits your needs and budget. Also, once you have started, the best thing to do is practice, practice, and practice some more.

Buy something not expensive but not easy to break down. Then start from there. Buy more hop up parts when you start getting used to your own car.

Always have fun!

If you are willing to pay the money then do it, but buy team associated!!!!!

Don't buy the car kits that come with electronics because most of them come with a mechanical speed control and they not worth any thing, nor the motors. So your actually saving money if you don't by the kit because you would end up needing to to by a electronic and a better motor.

Be Realistic about your budget and experience. Don't look for the most expensive/complicated car if this is your first because chances are you're going to need something to bang around in before you're experienced enough to handle today's high-tech cars. Upgrades can be added later.

Are you looking to race or play? If so buy Associated the kit can be upgraded should you decide to race their cars can be upgraded and parts are always available. The kits are easy to put together.

Always remember to have fun. It is only a hobby after all.

Know your budget, what you want to use the RC for ie. Racing or backyard bashing. Also buy a car at a local hobby shop, were people have answers to your questions. Plus... buy what Brand of RC they mainly sell, are RC's are great and it more fun when you don't have to order parts all the time. Showtyme

you need to practice and do not buy the hopups some of them make your car heavier. don't buy what u don't need. and be nice to your parents so they will buy u things for your car.

to get started in r/c you don't need the top of the line stuff buy some used stuff and have alot of fun racing with your friends

pick a good car like a T2-T3 or a B2-T3 and go with the team and save money in the long run

It is the best hobby known to man.

ask other racers questions

Don't get discouraged at all the high tech equipment that most racers use. When you first start in the R/C it is most important to have fun. And as your interest grows know that it is the skills of the driver that wins races not the expensive equipment. Tony-Barrington, Il

Get a reliable, tough car with a proven racing record, like an RC10!

Do not be discouraged if you get stomped in your first few races. Keep working at it and remember that full throttle is not usually the fastest way around the track.

Don't buy a "toy" r/c car, instead get a quality "sport" version car from a reputable manufacturer (such as Associated) that would be upgradeable with minor modifications to be more competitive if or when you decide to race. also parts for said vehicle would be more widely available.

your budget!!!!

Listen, Learn, practice...

it is something that you can not get in trouble for by the law

Buy an Associated vehicle and PRACTICE. Practicing really does make all the difference.

Greg Becker Moscow Idaho

Have fun, don't let people harass you, ask questions, and practice, practice, practice!!

my $0.02

I would say to do as much research as possible to determine which type of R/C you would like to do. Also, if you choose to run R/C cars, to find out which type of car/truck is most popular in your area for racing. If you are not gonna be racing, I would do some research as to what vehicle is best for bashing that has some local hobby store support. And, I would start in electric as this will allow you to learn the fundamentals of R/C cars without having to learn about tuning nitro engines as well. Andrew Gallant

The single most important thing that I would say to someone getting started in R/C would be, "Talk with your local hobby store(s)." They will (hopefully) be able to answer all your questions.

I WOULD TELL THEM TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO IS INTO THE SPORT. SO THAT THEY CAN ASK THEM ALL THERE QUESTIONS AND EVEN TRY THERE CAR. THIS WAY THEY WOULD NOW WHAT THE BEST COMPANIES ARE, LIKE ASSOCIATED, AND WOULD NOW WHAT THEY DO AND DON'T NEED FOR STARTERS

after why, then what do you want to do with your vehicle and check out your local track to see what's going on before purchasing your vehicle.

R/C Racing Kicks!! Go out and make some money. Buy a car or truck, show your friends. They will love it and then they will want to get one. Then pretty soon you will have a group of friends to race with, that's when the real fun begins. But most of all Don't get frustrated and HAVE FUN!!!!!

Get a good esc. Many of the cheap brand ESCs do not have more then 3 fets. Get one with 4 or more for better control over your car.

START WITH THE BEST RC SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE BEST EXPERIENCE FROM RC.

Drive somebody else's RC T2 truck, if your not hooked, your not human.

The most important thing in R/C is that you buy a good, high quality car (an RC10), practice makes perfect, but must importantly -- HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!

The instruction manual.

Buy quality equipment (Associated), maintain it, practice, and have FUN.

"Take my Team Associated RC10GT out on the track and then get your own!"

Don't get the most expensive stuff you can. Gradually upgrade because right at first you should learn how to tune your car.

I would say to get a good team kit first because of the better parts and drivability. Also that it's great fun and it's something the whole family can do together.

you better buy a associated or i will have to beat you

practice/ practice / practice/ and most of all have fun!

Don't get the cheap-o beginner model as your first car if you plan to race it. You'll spend more on hop ups than you would have spent if you bought a "team" edition.

INVEST IN GOOD EQUIPMENT, BUT DON'T BE FOOLED THAT YOU CAN BUY FASTER LAP TIMES. PRACTICE SMART AND PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS

You'll be hooked, But you'll love it. Speaking from experience.

Buy Associated!!!!!!!!From on-road to off, they have it covered..

You need to consider your price range and how serious you are about starting in RC racing.

I would offer my help and friendship, and find out if they were interested in organized racing or backyard bashing. The answer to this will determine the type of equipment i would recommend.

buy cheap so you can see if your interested enough to buy expensive stuff later

buy cheap so you can see if your interested enough to buy expensive stuff later

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A 1/10 SCALE R/C CAR. IT'S NOTHING LIKE THE ONES FROM RADIO SHACK AND OTHER STORES. ONCE YOU BUY YOUR KIT AND PUT IT TOGETHER, AND LEARN THE REAL DEAL ON HOW THE MACHINE WORKS, IT'S THEN TIME TO UNLEASH THE POWER, AND ONCE YOU START YOU CAN'T STOP.

Look on the rc10 web page on the internet and you can find a lot about rc cars and you can even order over the web and also you can ask them questions!! GO there!!!!

SOME OF THESE RESPONSES TO THE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ARE MORONIC! I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THESE ANSWERS WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING PEOPLE IN TO THE HOBBY, NOT DRIVE THEM AWAY! SOME OF THESE " COMMENTS" ARE EMBARRASSING! I ONLY HOPE NEWCOMERS READING THESE WILL NOT THINK THIS REFLECTS THE INTELLIGENCE LEVEL OF THE R/C RACER. COME ON PEOPLE, MAKE AN EFFORT TO BE SOMEWHAT VERBAL!

First off go to a race and see what there like. Look at the different cars and ask the drivers questions about tuning and there opinion on the car. Don't go buy the most expensive car around, just get a basic kit. Bearings though nice are not needed to begin with. Make sure it has a good suspension and don't run in water. Look for a good used car like an older RC10 or 10T team car. I found my first car for 75 dollars with a radio and tires. The most important thing you can do once you have a car is practice. Remember: going fast and out of control is not the way to win, running conservatively and going around the track without getting stuck is the way to win.

The most important thing is to not get frustrated and just have fun

Man, (or woman, gotta be "correct these days", your gonna Love this! Oh! by the way, did you bring your wallet?

It's as close to getting into a race car as it gets.

Choose your vehicle carefully and buy the best equipment that your wallet can afford, this will save you money in the long run not having to replace it as soon. and always learn from your mistakes that's how you will learn as well as from the more experienced racers at your local track.

"Be prepared to have the most fun you've ever had."

Practice time is the most valuable item in R/C.

I WOULD TELL THEM TO GET AN ASSOCIATED RC10B3 AND GO OUT AND HAVE A BLAST. I WOULD ALSO SAY DON'T FOCUS SO MUCH ON WINNING UNTIL YOU GET BETTER. ALSO I WOULD SAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE STUFF TO DO GOOD, BUT DON'T GO WITH THE CHEAPER STUFF IF IT CAN BE AVOIDED.

Make sure you take up racing as you will learn so much more about your car and have so much more fun.

Prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographic errors.