Getting Started

Welcome to R/C Racing NI – the home of remote control car racing in Northern Ireland.

If you are reading this page then you are possibly thinking of getting started in the great sport of R/C racing.  Here in Northern Ireland (and indeed Ireland) there are hundreds of drivers out at weekends racing at various tracks around the country and having a great time.  Getting started is probably the hardest part of any sport and with the variety of choices available in R/C racing you really need to make a few decisions before you part with your (or your parents!) hard earned cash.

The most important point before going out and parting with a reasonably large sum of money to but your new kit etc. is, if you are a beginner, to pick a kit that others in the club are using.  That way you can not only get advice but also they may have the spare part that you do not happen to have with you.

But before all that here are some videos of the racing in action;

Touring car racing at Ballymoney with the UMCC;

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmVmr7oIH9o

and indoors at Bangor Grammar School with the UMCC;

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDghvvmOKO0

To help I have come up with the information in this page to hopefully point you in the right direction;

  • The two main types of racing in Ireland are 10th scale electric touring car and 8th scale buggy/truggy racing.  You need to think whether you like the idea of off-road, predominantly nitro (engine) based racing or smooth track electric touring car racing.  Both of these are well catered for by the two main clubs in Northern Ireland – the UMCC and the BADMCC clubs.  These are the main clubs but there are other clubs that do some electric off road so if this what you would check them out – see the clubs page for more info and links to their sites.
  • Before you decide check the calendar section of this site and go see them in action – believe me you will be more than welcome.  Wander around the pits and talk to the guys – they all love their racing and their kit and will be willing to answer any of your questions.
  • While looking around take a note of what cars, buggies or whatever the club members are driving – it makes sense to buy something that someone else has as it means that you are not stuck for help or the odd spare part when you do start racing.
  • It is also worth talking to some of the R/C shops either here in Northern Ireland or elsewhere that stock the kit that you are interested in – again they will be more than happy to talk to you.

Next up comes buying kit – again what you buy depends on what you want to race but there are a list of things that need to be bought depending on your choice;

Electric racing

TC6FT_151x151

  1. Electric 10th scale car (current favourite makes in the UMCC club are Xray, Schumacher and Associated)
  2. Tyres (something like an RP30 or Sorex 32 for outdoors, VTEC 27R for indoors but check the UMCC web site).  From 2010 the UMCC are moving to a control tyre to cut down costs – the club will supply the tyre at a reduced cost.
  3. Electric motor (the main class is 10.5 turn brushless with 17.5 being used indoors as well as 10.5)
  4. Steering servo
  5. Transmitter and receiver
  6. Pinions for changing the gearing of the car
  7. Batteries (If possible get two Lipo packs around 5000 in size.  It is possible to use one but two makes it easier for practise etc.  Means you can get out more!)
  8. A Lipo battery charger
  9. Power supply for outdoor racing – leisure battery or generator.  For indoors a 12v power supply is good but if you go for a leisure battery it can be used outdoors and indoors.  You will also need a car battery charger to charge the leisure battery.
  10. Tools for working on you vehicle – 1mm, 1.5mm and 2mm hex drivers as well as a 7mm wrench for taking wheels of are the minimum.
  11. Table for pitting on
  12. Bag to carry all your new possessions in and keep them safe

Electric racing has the advantage that it takes place all year round.  The UMCC club runs at Ballymoney in the summer and then moves indoors to the gym at Bangor Grammar School for the winter.

Nitro racing (buggies/truggies)

You will need;

  1. Buggy or Truggy (bit obvious this one!).  Buggies would have the biggest following but Truggies are bigger and a bit easier (in my opinion) to drive.
  2. Tyres (a set for wet and dry – rains the odd time in Northern Ireland!!)
  3. Engine. Normally a .21 size engine.
  4. Servos for steering and throttle
  5. Transmitter and Receiver
  6. Receiver battery
  7. Charger for receiver battery
  8. Power supply for outdoor racing – leisure battery or generator
  9. Fuel and fuel bottle – Fuel used normally 25% – 30%.
  10. Starter box (if not using a pull start engine)
  11. Glow plug
  12. Tools for working on you vehicle
  13. Bag to carry all your new possessions in and keep them safe

The best bet for nitro off-road racing is the BADMCC club which is based in Aghalee and has a fantastic track.

Remember the main source of information is the clubs web sites and these should be checked regularly for information, racing calendars and results.  Check out the clubs page and calendar page on this site for contacts and event details.

Any comments, articles and information is welcome – see the contact page for details on how to get in touch.

Good luck with your racing.