Guidelines for Marshalling, Pitting, and Racing

[Michowski]

Ok here are some guidelines for marshalling. Very good info I found and 99% of it applies to leisure and anywere you might race.


What to do when you marshal......

After your race, you MUST report immediately to the track for corner marshaling duties. The racers scheduled for the last heat/main will marshal the first heat/main.

Corner marshaling is a REQUIRED activity. You must take your turn at marshaling. If you are not physically able (or are under 12), you must make arrangements for someone to fill your marshaling. position. If you do not, you will be docked one lap in your main.

Pay strict attention to your section of the track; do not get caught up in the racing. Marshal as you'd like your race to be marshaled.

Keep an eye on what's coming toward you, and generally what's going on around you. Do not try to run between cars, placing yourself in harm's way - don't be a hero.

BE SAFE out there. Toy cars are more easily repaired than humans. If it takes a couple of extra seconds, then so be it. If the driver doesn't like it, he shouldn't have crashed in the first place.

Never, ever, cross oncoming traffic until it's safe to do so, for both you and the other cars on the track.

Wear gloves and other protective clothing such as safety glasses.

These cars, although they are toys, can be dangerous if not marshaled properly. Be aware of the hazardous parts of the car, exhaust, gears, tires, etc.

Eye protection should be considered as well, especially when running on a wet track.

Open toed shoes and sandals are NOT appropriate footwear for turn marshals!

Use both hands to marshal an overturned toy car, picking it up by the front and rear bumpers. Using one hand may seem quicker, but you'll generally do a better job if you use both hands.

Do not try to kick cars over with your feet.

Always marshal a car so that it points in the right direction when released.

Place toy cars back on the track in the location where they crashed or left the track. Do not advance a car on the track.

Don't throw a car into oncoming traffic and cause another crash! Wait until the track is clear before you set the car back down on the track.

If you notice that one car caused another to crash, help the innocent guy first. The guy who caused the crash doesn't deserve to be rewarded by being marshaled first.

Marshal all toy cars equally, play no favorites. Do not leave the track until all toy cars are finished.

Racers - GET OFF THE THROTTLE when you're being marshaled! The marshal may choose to just stand back and wait for you to get on the brakes before helping your overturned toy car.

Get to your marshaling position as quickly after your race as possible. The next racers will need your help during their warm up session; they can't drive any better than you can.

And above all else - LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!

[Michowski]

Info for racers and what to do on a night of racing.

If you've never raced before, you might feel a little intimidated showing up for your first time. There are some things to know that will make your first outing go more smoothly and help put your mind at ease. I often hear statements such as this, "I'm not good enough to race, I'll just embarass myself." The fastest way to get better is to get out on the track and race. You have marshalls to flip your car, and you get out there with people that know what they're doing and you can learn a lot real quick. To make you more familiar with the racing process we'll list some "quick hits" to get you off to a good start.

Show up early to get signed up and practice
Check the heats listings for your frequency, car number, etc
Wait for your race to be called
Install your transponder
Race
Turn off your radio and RETURN THE TRANSPONDER
Report for corner marshalling duties
Repeat and enjoy
When you're at the races, there's an order to the madness. You'll want to show up early (at least an hour before the start time) so you can get signed up and also get some practice time on the track so you can get your motor tuned in and your car ready for the race. During practice make sure that you get the appropriate frequency clip BEFORE you turn your transmitter on. And, return your clip when you're not using it, there will likely be others sharing your frequency and they might need some practice time too.

Once everyone is signed up, the race director will print the heats listings and announce that they have been posted. Check the listing to make sure you're in the proper class with the correct frequency assigned. You'll also want to pay attention to your car number, transponder number, heat number, and the race or two that preceed your race. There will be number decals available and you should place your car number on your car. The transponder number will tell you which transponder you should have when your race rolls around (more on this later). You can keep track of the races by the heat number, when the heat before yours is running, you should start getting ready so you're not late for your start (don't turn on your radio yet!!). Most days there will be 3 heat races followed by the mains.

Before you get on the track, you need to install a transponder in your car so the computer will count your laps. Transponders are the means by which laps are counted during the race. There's a wire in the track (called the "loop") that picks up a signal from the transponder and sends it to the computer which recognizes the unique signal from each transponder and registers another lap for your car everytime it crosses the loop. The transponders will be referred to by the last number listed on them. You can mount the transponder on your car in a variety of ways, but we'll be discussing the two most common techniques. The transponder has a body post sized nub on it with a place for a body pin to pass through. On most gas trucks and monster trucks you'll need to make a hole in your body, pass the transponder nub through (from the inside), and insert the body pin to keep it on the car. Mount it such that the transponder will not interfere with anything under the body, and where the transponder will be protected in the event of a crash (the windshield is a good place). On most 1/8 scale buggies a transponder mount is included that attaches to the radio tray. It's usually a piece of plastic with a hole in it that you pass the transponder nub through and pin it - simple as that. It is imperative that as soon as your race is complete you remove the rechargeable transponder and place it back in the rack so the next race will be able to start on time. There is also the Personal Transponder that you can purchase and permanently mount to your car. It is powered by your receiver pack and is lighter and much more convenient than the rechargeable transponders. If you plan on racing frequently, I'd highly recommend getting a personal transponder.

OK, so now they've called for your race and you've installed your transponder and are ready to go. There will be a short warm up session before the race starts (usually a couple of minutes). This will allow you to get your motor up to temp and get a last second feel for the track. The heat races are typically 5 minutes so you may need to top off your fuel tank after your warm up just prior to the start of the race. If you don't have someone who can do that for you (a pit person) it's generally pretty easy to find a friendly person willing to help you out. If you can't find anyone, just ask the race director and he'll likely find you a helping hand. Don't wait 'til the last minute though, try and find someone well in advance of your race.

After the warm up, the race director will say something like, "Let's top 'em off and get 'em on the gate." At this point you should drive your car over to the starting gate where your pit person will place your car on the gate and top off the fuel tank. Now you just wait for the gate to drop and you'll be RACING!! Try and drive smooth without crashing. If you can keep your car on all fours and without needing the help of the corner marshalls you'll likely finish pretty well. If you stay in control and place the car where you want, you'll get faster and faster. After your race immediately pull your car off the track. Exit the driver's stand and kill the engine on your car. Turn off your receiver and transmitter and RETURN THE TRANSPONDER TO THE RACK!! Get your car squared away quickly so you can get out on the track to perform your corner marshalling duties. After that race is done you can get back to the pits to perform any necessary repairs on your car to make it ready for the next race.

The nice thing about racing is that you'll have marshalls for your race that will be on the track and their job is to right overturned cars, unstick stuck cars, etc. The marshalls are the racers from the previous race, so after your race you'll be expected to take your trun at marshalling for the guys that are racing after you. For the first race, the racers from the last race will be the guys on the track taking care of the marshalling duties. Make sure you report for corner marshalling duties as soon as you return your transponder and make sure your radio is turned off, the next batch of racers will be counting on you during their warm up as well as during their race.

[Mr. Tune]

Thanks for posting this! The more people we can get this out the the better.

[Michowski]

ya no problem. I just hope these can help the new people and make it easy on themselves and everyone else.

[rocco79]

good stuff

[BagoXCAlum99]

Wow, that really answered alot of questions I had! Thanks for posting that, I found it very informative!!

[Krosenqu]

This was really helpfull. I've never raced before so I'm kinda timid when it eventually comes to this.

[r0nd3L]

Damn, that is a lot more confusing than I thought. I think it's gonna suck for me, especially find pit helper since I'm not social kind of person and it's hard for me to find friends overall. Marshalling sounds pretty hard too, I mean do it without hurting yourself etc.

[Mr. Tune]

It's easier than you think it is. Making friends in this hobby is super easy too. You'll have no problems finding someone to pit for races. As far as marshalling goes, sit on the sidelines and watch how others do it. Learn where the safe spots to stand on the race track are and you'll be good to go .

[MX_KEVIN]

All you got to do is ask...No one would say NO.

[Tex]

Originally posted by Rytm1 (Jack) - Pitting Guidlines -

-Make sure they know how to start your ride. Cold engines don't always like to idle like a warm one does. It's nice to be able to blip the throttle as you are going up on the stand to keep the carb cleared out, and then to be able to look down from the stand and have someone place your car on the track for you without it dying.

-Try to have your pit guy standing below you, with your starter box behind them on the table. There is nothing worse than to have your starter box at one end of the table, while you and your pit guy are at the other end when your car flames out.

-You may or may not want to discuss your carb needles, and what you mean by leaning out, or richening the top end, or low end, and what an hour of adjustment is. Depending on where you are racing, you may have to make subtle adjustments as the day goes on. This was evident this past weekend at the trophy race at LH. As the day went on, and the temps dropped inside a little, guys were choosing to lean out their motors a couple of hours. Its nice to know that when you are on the drivers stand, and you feel that your engine is getting a little rich on top, you can yell down for him to make the adjustment, and you don't have to come off the driver's stand to do it.

-Do a couple of dry runs with your pit guy, especially if they have never done it before. Show them where to, and where not to pick up your ride from to put it on the board. Also run through the easiest/fastest way to open the tank and refill.

-Keep their eyes on your car during the race. It sucks when your car flames out, your pit guy doesn't see it, because he is too busy watching someone else, and your trying to get their attention over the roar of a dozen screaming motors.

-Just some other general courtesies that anyone else would expect. If your not going to be pitting you car, and the pit guy next to you is..step back, and give him some room to work. If the situation is reversed, don't be afraid to ask if the other guy to give you some room. After all, we aren't racing for the keys to the Cadillac, its usually for bragging rights until next week. I've even helped out other pit guys when their driver comes in, and they have offered to help me (that will come with time, and once guys recognize you and know who you are and that you are not trying to screw over their driver).

-As for run time, every track layout will give you different run times. get there early to get a few practice runs in and time them. How often you put your car on its lid will also result in slightly shorter run times. This is due to getting on the throttle to keep it running, or to make enough noise to get a marshalls attention, this usually results in a little more fuel consumption. Don't try to use every drop of fuel before you refuel. Make sure you discuss when you are going to pit with you pit guy, and communicate with him/her when you are about to come in, or if he/she is going to watch the clock and call you in. If you know you can get 8 minutes per tank, come in at 7 minutes, or 7:30 for instance. Don't try squeezing in that extra lap, and finding out you don't have the fuel to do it. That will cost you a lot more time than if you have to make one extra splash-and-go, as compared to the guy next to you.

[maxximum_44]

This is some Damn good info! Being a long time basher and a soon to be racer, I had a lot of questions....but this thread just about answered all of them
One question, how is marshalling handled during practices?

[Michowski]

well the way it should be is everytime you run a tank, you marshal a tank. This doesnt happen a lot but i think that should become a rule. At practice its just go out and marshal. There no set way to do it. Best way to for a smooth and problem free practice is drive a tank, marshal for 10 minutes.

[maxximum_44]

Sweet, Thanks.

[Tex]

the rule at LHR is you keep your fuel in the pitroom, fuel up there, go run a tank then marshal a tank. After that you go back and fuel up again and do it all over again. This is good because it keeps the clips available for everyone to use for a tank and a tank only. Ahhh I need a spektrum.....

[MX_KEVIN]

And to help remind people, on practice nights fuel bottles are not allowed on the track so you cant just refill and go again. Run a tank then marshal.
See you all tonight :wavey:

[MX_KEVIN]

oops...beet me to it Tex
Damn fat fingers

[maxx-breaker]

well, that does help me get a good visualization on what it is gonna be like. I live about an hour and 30- minutes away from there. But we got two tracks here in my smaller town. I'm gonna go race on saturday for the first time. Once i get good at this smaller track, trust me. I will be up there, to show you all that a tmaxx will stomp any revos ass, lol j.k later

[SLOW REVO]

Wow, that really answered alot of questions I had! Thanks for posting that, I found it very informative!!

+1.
I will have a truck ready soon,
Want to try racing on a track. Driving around in a field is getting boring.

[Michowski]

glad to see almost 2 years later its still informative.

[SLOW REVO]

glad to see almost 2 years later its still informative.

Ive never raced on a track before . So atleast now i have an idea where to start. thanks for all the info

[pwnzor]

thank you for posting this, My first race in 19yrs is Aug 3/4 in Edwardville at Il RC Pro Series rd.4......w00h00!!!!

[Bfly]

I glad this is still here as we went out to LHR last Sunday. Just to check it out asked a few questions but didn't get much in answers. I seen the guys out in the middle of the track and was wondering who they where now I know. I have three boy one hell of a pit crew, but all they seem to do is break all the cars and trucks. Well need to work on that one. Right now they have the pit guy and I don't have none LOL. Look like alot of fun now that I understand how it works it sounds like a hell of alot of fun.