| Beginner's Guide Part 1 |
Click on the images below to get a closer look |
| Most people try to arrive at the track as early as possible. This lets
them prepare their batteries, test their equipment and get some practice
before the race. This is also a great time to talk to the other drivers
and get help with problems you might be having. Don't be afraid to ask a
more experienced racer to try out your vehicle. They may notice something in the
handling you might have missed. |
 |
| Before turning on your controller you will need to go pick up the clip
with your radio frequency on it. If the clip is not on the rack it is in
use, you will need to wait until the clip is returned. If two people try
and use the same frequency at the same time they will not be able to
control their vehicles. |
 |
| A few hours before the race starts the signup sheet will be made
available and an announcement will be made. You will put your name and
frequency on the sheet under the class you want to race in. Before the
races start the sheet will be picked up and the information will be
entered into the race computer. If two people are singed up for the
same class and have the same frequency a track official will work with the
drivers to try and get one of them to a new frequency. |
 |
| Five minutes before the first race starts an announcement will be made
and the race sheets will posted. The race sheets show who is in each race,
the order of the races, and what transponder they should use. If you click
on the picture to the right you will get a closer look at the sheet.
You will see that Rodney will be using transponder Black 1, and Phil will
be using transponder Yellow 1. Everyone not in the first race needs
to turn off all radios as soon as they can. Radios must remain off
during the races when not being used for racing. |
 |
| The transponder is a small electronic device that broadcasts a serial
number. Buried under the track are antenna wires that connect to the race
computer. Every time the transponder crosses the antennas the lap time is
recorded. Transponders are supplied by the track and is included in
the race fee, or you can buy your own. Notice the transponder to the
right is Yellow 1. The peg sticking out of the top has a hole in it,
this allows you to mount the transponder using a standard body
clip. |
 |
| After each race you have to remember to put your transponder back in the
charger, this will ensure it will be ready for the next person to
use. Make sure you put the transponder back in the correct spot, but
because not everyone does, ensure you have the right one when picking it
up. |
 |
| The transponder to the right is now mounted in the car. If you do
not have a mount like the one shown, you can simply put a hole in your
body and mount the transponder to it. Notice the body clip holding
the transponder in. These do not come with the transponder, make
sure you have one ready before the race. |
 |
| Some racers own their own transponders. The small red box in the
center of the picture is the personal transponder. The personal one shown is
powered off the cars electrical system so it does not need to contain a
battery, like the ones shown above. This makes them lighter, which
the more experienced drivers like. It also makes things easier since
you do not have to remember to pick it up and then put it back. |
 |
