1999 Question of the Week:
How do you start an R/C racing club? What steps should be taken?
Well I am only 16 and of course I am still in high school. A close group of my friends proposed to our principal about the club. We had to get a teacher to sponsor it, that wasn't too hard because one of my teachers raced RC before. We rent what we call the "Commons" it is a big wide open lounge with a balcony that we drive from. We have 23 members right now. But if you are older and can't start one through the school, get a bunch of people at a track together that you get along with.
the first step is to find a location in NYC... that's the first step, find a location in QUEENS, NYC... that should help... and find one near BAYSIDE of QUEENS, NYC... that would be the best, and also find extra space for free parking [Associated responds: This is only a guess, mind you, but you wouldn't just happen to be located in Bayside of Queens, NYC, would you?]
First, there has to be other people in the community interested, which I can't seem to find. Jackson County, GA.
Well first you have to find a location for your track and club and chose the type of racing such as off road, on road oval, etc. You also have to have a fee for the racers so you can make money and have stuff to give away at meetings to keep your club members. It might help to put up posters at your local track to attract racers to come to your club.
To start a RC Club as I did, the most important aspect of it is planning. Firstly, find out roughly how many people would race, to determine if it is feasible. Secondly find an area suitable for running a race meeting, check with the owner or council if it's ok. Depending on how many people want to race the amount of equipment needed can vary. The bare minimum would be some sort of lap counting device (I used a laptop with a race scoring program called "Alycat"), but a manual device would be quite acceptable. Also some sort of drivers stand would be good. (crates or wooden pallets work fine). And lastly you need a track. Ours was just a youth club parking lot with the track painted on it and some Tamiya corner markers for the bends. To attract more racers, ask the local hobby shop if it would mind putting a poster in the window promoting the club.
I got one, What are some qualities that you would like to see on AE kits that aren't already there? [Associated responds: That's what the Feedback Form is for. Please fill it out with your candid comments. We read each one.]
There are a few different ways I can think of.
First is to find the people who are interested in driving RC Cars. This includes both males and females, young and old, different nationalities, different experience levels, and last but definitely not least, people with disabilities. I know first hand experience that I personally get looked at differently because I myself am in a wheel chair but that does not the way I race or I learn. I have just as much determination as the pro's but Now all I need is time and practice and I believe that I will become a successful racer.
Then you have to decide if you want a gas, electric or both, but remember your electric cars can't race against your nitro cars. They are two separate divisions.
Then you have to decide if it's going to be an on-road or off road club or both. But remember same holds true to this--you can't be racing on-road cars on a off road track and visa-versa.
And last but not least you have to decide whether you want an RC10 club or a Losi club and so on. This on the other hand is not as important because as long as they're all on road cars or all off-road cars and trucks you'll be fine.
Next is to find people for your club. Basically allow any and all people in your club. Start with getting your friends to join then If you're having trouble finding more people, Try hanging around your local hobby shop or race way. Talk to people; socialize with people. Gain trust and respect from people then start bringing up the subject your club or your team and you'll might be surprised how many people you get to join.
The next way is if you have internet access, start an RC Chat room and start a cyber club that way. Both ways are good but the first way probably the best suited for everyone that's not computer friendly or does not have a computer.
The final thing to do is elect a president of the
club someone who is a good leader and a good people then you have to elect a treasure
someone to handle all the money because it does take money to race and and it takes gas to
get there. Then decide how much money would be a fair amount to charge.
After you have all this figured out vote on a cool name and start your club, but remember
in order to have fun and be a successful club you need to be organized and you have to
treat everyone as equal and treat everyone with respect. This will insure a fun club with
happy club members And remember as word of mouth gets around you'll probably have more
people wanting to join get them signed up. Have fun and see ya at the Race ways Danny
Dudleston Farminton ut
[Associated responds: Thank you, Danny, for your highly detailed instruction! We hope others will be emboldened to start a club after reading this. We disagree on whether you should admit members to a club based upon a particular manufacturer's kit. With rival manufacturer's kits involved in a race, competition is sure to heat up due to the loyalty factor, and you'll get more people in--people motivated to work hard on their setups and share secrets among themselves to beat the competition! Nevertheless, there are different types of clubs, and an all-Associated club will have its own benefits.
The benefits of starting an R/C club are numerous, but here
are several:
1. Camaraderie (friendships) develop among those sharing the
same hobby.
2. You can be more sure to get setup help for your kit among
others with the same kit.
3. You can get others involved in the hobby who
may not get involved, thus gaining exposure for the hobby in general and keeping your
local R/C shop in business.
4. You are more assured of having someone to
race with when there is an agreed-upon schedule and a track location.
5.
Having a dues-paying club is extremely helpful; fees extend the range of services and fun
no one racer have have by him- or herself. Fees are helpful so you can award yourselves
trophies or highly coveted parts that you agree on, or purchase track banners.
6.
For a small group, your fees can go toward transportation to a big race out of town.
7.
Your fees can go to a racing library stocked with all the latest magazines and videos.
8.
Your fees can also go to better facilities, transponders, etc., so the bigger your club,
the more money you have to stage better-equipped races.
These are only a few ideas I thought of off the top of my mind. There are others, which you'll have to learn on your own!]
Try to get a race program going as soon as possible, and do your best (weather permitting) to stay on some sort of schedule because I believe that nothing builds interest like competition, even if it's just for a ribbon. Thanks Del, Redding,CA
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