What Skills Make a Dominating RC Club Racer?
Every club seems to have that one racer who dominates the time sheets week after week. But what is it that makes them so unbeatable? There are plenty of factors that could give them an edge, but we wanted to look deeper into the subject and find out what traits we can all work on to improve.
So, what are the possible reasons someone stands out above the rest? We asked this question to Reddit and some Facebook groups. While the response wasn’t as big as we’d hoped, we did get a few interesting answers. These revealed several key skills and habits that successful club racers share:
Consistency is Key
The ability to complete lap after lap without mistakes is more important than having the fastest lap. Slowing down and focusing on fewer errors directly improves results.
Car Preparation
Keeping your car in excellent condition is vital. Regularly check camber, toe, ride height, diff oils, and shock oils to maintain a reliable and consistent setup. A well-prepared car makes it easier to focus on driving.
Practice Makes Perfect
Frequent and focused practice, week in and week out, helps racers get familiar with track conditions, grip levels, and car handling. Experiment during practice sessions to refine skills.
Track Knowledge
Knowing your track’s layout and grip levels gives a significant advantage. Familiarity with how the car behaves on different surfaces allows for minimal setup changes and better performance.
Adaptability
Learning to drive different classes and cars, such as 2WD, 4WD, and nitro buggies, improves overall skills. Driving on worn tires or in less-than-ideal conditions helps develop finesse and adaptability.
Mindset and Focus
Staying focused on the race, such as following and learning from the car ahead, can lead to better results. It's also important to prioritise fun and personal improvement over just winning.
Here are some of our favourite comments:
ajlorello (reddit)
Consistency! Being consistent lap after lap. Not having the fastest lap but putting in a good lap, lap after lap. Racers chase that fast where they should be chasing consistency. I've had the opportunity to race with a couple of top pros and their advice was always the same. Slow down, work on making less mistakes to directly bring up your consistency. This is as quick example from the recent on-road worlds a couple weekends ago. Fastest lap doesn't win the race.
Andy-Travis (Facebook)
Week in-week out track time. You learn how much grip is available and the expectations. You learn setup and get it sorted for the track. Knowing the track will help massively. At my club, we have a different track every month. But you know how much grip there will be and minimal setup changes are required per track .
What skills do you the pros think say need to be a top RC Racer?
While all the responses were interesting, we can’t be certain how reliable the sources are, as we don’t know how dominant these racers have been in their careers. It’s fair to say that RC racers can sometimes be like fishermen when it comes to talking about their successes! To get a more solid insight, it helps to find someone with an undisputed racing record, top-level results, and years of experience in the sport.
That’s why I turned to one of the best names I could think of: Schumacher’s Andy Murray.
Andy is a long-time racer who specialises in 12th scale classes. His list of top-level victories is impressive, but one stands out above the rest—his 2020 12th Scale Stock World Title. That wasn’t just a dominant win; it was the result of five years of hard work since joining Schumacher to help them return to 12th scale racing. So he won the title running a car he had developed from the drawing board to the track!
In addition to his achievements behind the transmitter, Andy works as a developer, spending much of his time supporting and advising top-level racers like Michal Orlowski and Ollie Payne in their own quests for glory. Despite his impressive achievements, Andy remains humble and is always happy to help anyone who needs advice. When it comes to looking for reliable guidance, there aren’t many better people to ask!
Here is Andy's response to the question:
Andy Murray
From my experience racing at clubs regularly in the past, I would say the most important attributes for being a competitive racer in that environment are practising regularly, using the correct equipment, and keeping it well-maintained to the best of your ability. By doing this, racers achieve better results, improve their driving skills more quickly, and gain more confidence.
More recently, attending bigger events like nationals, Euros, or Worlds alongside top-level or pro racers, I’ve noticed that preparation and practice remain just as important. However, the best of the best take everything to the highest level, supported by the help they receive from those around them. They also place a high value on practice time and racing against equally skilled competitors to stay at their peak.
If we compare Andy’s response to the general responses, there isn’t much missing. The key takeaway is the importance of learning from your competitors and using them to push yourself harder—this becomes crucial at higher levels. It makes sense, as abilities and preparation are at their peak during top-level events.
In summary, a dominating club racer combines consistent driving, thorough car preparation, regular practice, track knowledge, adaptability, and the right mindset. Dedication and attention to detail truly make all the difference!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it’s given you some ideas to think about in your own journey to becoming a club racing king or queen. Remember, there’s no magic setup or latest piece of equipment that will instantly put you on top. Success comes from mastering all the skills, and when everything comes together, the results will follow. A big thank you to Andy Murray for his insights and everyone else who provided their feedback. Good luck with your racing!
Photo Credits: Schumacher RC Racing
Next weeks Hot Topic will be:
What Key Features Make a Great RC Club?
We’re asking the big question: What makes an RC Club truly great? Is it the hardworking team or committee behind it? The quality of the track, pitting area, or facilities? Or is it all about the competition and the racers themselves?
Share your thoughts on this hot topic! Let’s spark some ideas and discover ways to make our clubs even better.
Please join in with the hot topic on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rcclubhub
RC Pit Talk:
New RC Track Opens in Pinxton: RC Complex Now Open!
Exciting news for RC racers! A brand-new RC racing venue has opened in Pinxton, Derbyshire, just a stone’s throw from Mansfield. RC Complex Ltd is a permanent facility is set to become a hotspot for 1/10 drift cars and 1/28 Mini-Z racers.
The venue boasts two impressive tracks and a dedicated viewing area. The Drift Track features a simple yet flowing layout with a roundabout and skid pan sections, perfect for practising those tight drifts. The surface is made of plastic-coated drifting tiles, and there’s even a control tyre set to make sure it stays perfect.
The Mini-Z Race Track is a standout feature. It's a 50-metre, Kyosho Grand-Prix circuit equipped with a professional timing system. The current layout is technical, and promise to create some fun racing.
For those new to the hobby or without their own equipment, RC Complex Ltd offers rental cars. At just £25 for an evening, you can hit the track and experience the thrill of racing. If you bring your own car, the cost is £10.
The venue hosts regular club nights on Fridays, with additional practice sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Whether you’re an experienced racer or a curious newcomer, RC Complex offers something for everyone.
We’re excited to visit soon and give Mini-Z racing a go. If you’re eager to learn more, check out their website at www.rccomplex.co.uk or visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567175939955&sk=about
Mardave Returns to Oval Racing
Exciting news for RC Racers, British RC manufacturer Mardave is making a comeback to oval racing!
Founded in 1972, Mardave has a rich history in foam-tyred RC cars, creating iconic models like the V12 and Cobra buggy. Once considered the UK’s leading 12th oval RC car manufacturer, they shifted their focus in recent years to other foam classes such as GT12, Mini, Hot Hatch, and Bangers.
But this week, Mardave thrilled fans by announcing four new oval racing cars! The big reveal came through a movie-style trailer showcasing teaser shots of their new "Oval Hot Rod" and "Mini RS" chassis. Also joining the line-up are the "1300" car and "2LTR Stock Car."
The announcement was met with praise across social media, with fans fondly recalling Mardave’s roots in oval racing and expressing excitement for the new releases.
To watch the trailer and stay updated on stock availability, visit Mardave's Facebook page: Team Mardave on Facebook.
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RC World News:
Jilles Groskamp Secures Second World Title at IMFAR IC 1:10 On-Road Championships
In an electrifying final at the IMFAR IC 1:10 On-Road World Championships in Bangkok, Jilles Groskamp claimed his second world title after a race filled with drama and nail-biting moments.
Starting from second on the grid, Groskamp faced intense pressure early on. His team-mate Teemu Leino surged ahead, creating a gap at the front. However, Leino’s hopes came to an abrupt end just 8 minutes into the 1-hour final when a crash forced him to retire.
Naoto Matsukura then seized the lead, showcasing blistering pace and aggressive strategy. Groskamp, opting for a riskier tyre strategy—changing only one side of the car—had to tread cautiously. Matsukura, on the other hand, pushed hard but flipped halfway through the race, causing significant damage to his car and dashing his chances.
With Matsukura out of contention, Groskamp managed his race masterfully, sticking to his plan despite mounting pressure. The final laps were a heart-stopping battle as Capricorn’s Toni Gruber launched a late charge. However, Groskamp held firm, crossing the finish line just 13 seconds ahead to claim the victory.
Notably, Charlee Phutiyothin, who started 10th on the grid, also delivered an impressive performance, making his mark in the thrilling event.
The championship in Bangkok has been hailed as a fantastic event, though there is hope for greater manufacturer participation in the future.
For full coverage, including chassis details and videos, visit www.redrc.net.
Photo Credit: InfinityUK & www.RedRC.net
Cool Wall Submissions
Bradderz Evans - The Mondeo
Verdict: For what it is, this looks epic! We love the detail and the framing is great. First banger makes it onto the wall.
Jim Sim - Serpent SRX2
Verdict: This is Jim's first proper attempt at a body, we give it the thumbs up. The framing could be better, but given its a buggy, we'll let it slide this time.
Simon Babb - Mon-tech Monster
Verdict: We like the angle, we like the choice of colours, we like the decals. However, the school boy error with the paint means it doesn't make it the wall. Make sure you paint darker colours before lighter ones.
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