Beginner's Clinics

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

Hey, just thinKing out loud here....

I have been trading posts at LHR forum with another RC'er (not sure if he's here), but the topic was out of control basher-type truck drivers causing confusion on the track.

We all were new to RC at some point in out lives, and we all had different levels of experience when we first decided to step onto a track for the first time.

As I have learned, and am learning more each time I go, there is alot to understand and follow to make it enjoyable, and that's not just the time when you have a radio in your hands.

I was curious to know if anyone, at any track or club, has ever seen where the facility/group held an open house or clinic, to allow new RC's (or non-RC'ers) to get acquainted with the hobby and how the track operates.

Understanding how something works before you have to try it cold, can make or break the experience, especially for younger children who might be trying it. Getting instruction and a chance to ask questions in a less tressful setting really makes a difference. (that's why you went to school before you went to work...or why you were range trained before they handed you that rifle and pushed you out the door of an airplane..)

Again, just wondered.....

[squirrel]

Hey, just thining out loud here....

I never knew hair made sounds when it was falling out!!!

Didn't fix mine though!! hehe

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

fixed it.

[satoch]

I think there's a sticky post by Michowski near the top detailing quite well many of the important issues of concern to the first time racer.

I might just add that they read the history on the forums and use the search feature to avoid annoying the seasoned guys by having to answer the same questions a thousand times. Sure some are patient but it does get old.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

I think its a pretty good idea.

[maxximum_44]

Well....thats why his(Dave) is a good idea. Mich's sticky provides great info but a clinic or something of the kind would encourage the new guys(me) to come to the track and get answers for any questions that a sticky may not provide. Plus...they(me) won't annoy the "seasoned" racers with all of our questions.

[maxximum_44]

Thats it, I had it with you "seasoned" guys and your opinions and suggestions.

Im going to savage central!!:bustingup


















Ah crap...Im not welcomed, I don't own a Savage.mash:

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

I suggest it because not everyone is reading this board...

[snakebite46]

Just ask the guys at the track for help. I'm sure once you guys start coming around more, you'll notice who's there all the time and start to recognize what they are driving. This way, you can watch how their truck/buggy reacts on the track.

I think the best teaching is to go to the track on practice night and play with settings. Try different things. Using one guys set-up might not work for you.
They are good for baseline settings, but maybe your driving style requires something different.

99% of the regulars at Leisure will always take the time to explain what something will effect and what you can do to change something on your R/C.

[UE-Maxx]

I think it is a good idea. The people that you and the guy from the LHR forum(I read his post and your replies) are talking about don't read/go on forums like us. I would have been the same way if I didn't have informative posts like on here and other sites telling me what to do.

Maybe when someone registers for the first time at LHR they need to give them a sheet or tell them the rules/how everything works during practice and for races.

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

The handout sheet is definately a good idea.

I only threw this out there because Open Houses and Into to ***** clinics attract interested folks and allow them to interact with guys they know are there to help. Maybe, just maybe, the basher truck guy that pissed off the other Dave on LHR forum has never thought to ask for help, or is afraid that nobody would take time to help him. He might not register and read the forums or subscribe to any mags. Maybe to him his Revo is just a cool toy and he could care less about serious racing. A proper introduction (not that anyone could ensure he would come) would have got him into the track mode correctly right from the start?

Who knows.

[GWPHOENIX]

I agree with what you are trying to say,but you put it in a confusing way.
i believe what he is sugesting is for one day,wether it be once a week or
whatever,that a class be held to instuct new people in a lighter and more
netral time.It would give a safer and more informative way to teach new people the do's and don'ts of this hobbie/sport.
it's not easy to teach someone new when alot of vehicls are practiceing
or even at a race day.newbees drive all over the track, so a possible
paid set learning day would be more practicle,not a practice day for racers
who almost or do know what thay are doing.

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

GW, yes, you are right twice. I wasn't clear about the clinic being an off-hours event and that is what I meant.

My sportsman's club does this several times a year to get new blood into the sport of trapshooting. Club officers and other members take visitors out to the range, let them shoot a few shells, cook them a hot dog, and see what it is we do out there.

That's the idea I thought could be productive for RC racing.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

i think it would be a good idea to have a class like once a month before a practice or something, and have 2 or 3 RC's out there and then let the 'new guys' try marshelling and have someone watch them and tell them if they are doing it right or wrong.

[GWPHOENIX]

a off hours time to teach new people would definitly get more in the hobbie.
i know that something like this could give me the the opertunity to teach my
kids how to drive and race a safer setting.my 10year old daughter want's to
learn,but i'm not cumfertable with the mass amount of people at practice time.
i also know 2 other guys who want's to race. 1 did come to a race and had a louzy time and is not to thrilled to come back,the other is going to call me in a couple weeks to go.
maybee Burne could set up a time for teaching when other races will be held like the mini's
also who would hold the class? i my self have ben raceing for 6 years and do not think i qualify for it. and who would do it for free? what should the class fee be? same as practice or a little higher?

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

All good questions, and unless Bernie and the rest of LHR staff elect to pursue the idea, we would just be speculating on details. I would think that lots of guys would volunteer their time to promote this sport. The Dirtdawgs ran a demonstration track in an event in Elburn last year. Same idea here.

[BottledBeast]

i like that idea..i went to the track once to race and did horrible and got in everyones way so i never went back...if thier was something like this i would go to so i could start to race..

[GWPHOENIX]

well then, i do not know Bernie at all,just who he is.
so how about someone put together something and talk to him about the idea.

[DAVEC-NITRO-RS4]

I suspect he'll hear about or read about it. He's here from time to time. If he thinks there's value in the idea, it will surface. If not it will die quietly...

[Tex]

I think it's a great idea, I would help teach. I would think it would be best to have 1 teacher for every 3 racers or so. That way it can be more of a personal experience and the teachers can have more one on one time with the beginners.
I also think the fee should be slightly higher like $10 or even $15 because of the coordinating and help that's needed in doing something like this.

[BottledBeast]

i like this idea i would do it for sure..i wanna race but im a basher so i need someone to show me the way....and im sure thier are many others like me that would go thier to learn