getting started in racing/nitro

[RS4rally1124]

Hi guys, ive been around here on and off for the past few years ive had a few fun electric project boats but never really raced a boatt or had a competative hull. I've been talking to Ron about good starter points and basics but would love to see some of your racing setups and recomendation on classes to run.

I know nothing about the classes in boats and have pretty much decided on a tunnel outboard or a mono .21 boat. i live in michigan so anyone with local knoledge would be great. also i will be playing with this boat quite a bit on my lake at the cottage we also have a very very large pond i can run on when the lake is super choppy but this is the only downfall of a tunnel hull is handling the chop.

so yeah any recomendation/links/pics would be awesome as i think this is my next progression up from cars.

thanks

johnny

[Ron Olson]

Hi Johnny, me again.:wave:
If you're new to racing, you're best bet is to hit one of the races in your area. Watch, learn and ask questions. You'll find that the boaters around here are a very friendly bunch of people.
Watch how the races are done from start to finish.
What's really needed for prospective racers is a video from when a racer brings his boat to check-in until the time that the heat is over.
That might be a nice little project for me next season!

[RS4rally1124]

thats an awesome idea about the video just so begginers know what all to bring, thanks ron.... lol is there anyone else in this forum????

youve been a big help thanks again man.


johnny

[Ron Olson]

Basically what to bring is somewhat easy. Start a toolbox with everything that you used to build or work on your boat. It's inevitable that what you leave home you're going to need as it has to be one of Murphey's Laws.
Pack for the weather and being from Michigan also I don't really need to tell you what it's like here. Pick up some cheap rain poncho's from one of the dollar stores. Grab some folding chairs and a table. Plenty of food and drinks, especially water as it will have more uses than just drinking. I carry along paper towels and baby wipes, the're great for getting oil and fuel off your hands. A portable dining canopy makes having shade nice on sunny days or even the rainy ones.
A camera to record cool boats or for checking out someone's setup.
Always expect to go to a "primitive" site as most won't have AC power. I keep a power inverter handy but not really needed.

Either boat will work great here in IMPBA District 2 as you'll find plenty of competition in both classes. If you want, you can start out in a Novice class as some local races have them for your first time racing. The "B" or .21 classes are usually the first ones to start the day off so you have to be ready as soon as you unload your gear.

I'm probably forgetting quite a few things but it's early in the AM and almost bedtime.

[RS4rally1124]

rofl same here thanks man we will catch up more later this week... so are those boats you have .12 or .21???


johnny

[Ron Olson]

Those are .12's, I already sold my .21 .