Rose City Scale Racing - Portland, Oregon

Rose City Scale Racing
Information Page

Welcome prospective racers. We hope to pass along some information that will be valuable to you if you are considering joining us in this exciting sport. There are many options for you to consider before you decide to spend your hard-earned cash. We hope to point you toward quality equipment that has a track record of success.

Rose City Scale Racing (RCSR) offers racers of all ability a place to compete. First of all lets look at the classes of cars we race.

Electric Sedan

Stock Electric 27 turn motor. This is a great class for the beginner. All competitors run the same motor, set-up and driving ability rule. Racers will benefit from car maintenance and tuning the suspension for the track. This class will be the least expensive alternative for club racing. These cars can either be purchased as a kit, which has to be assembled and will require purchase of radio gear (radio gear discussed later in this article), speed control and batteries. Or in a Ready-to Run configuration (RTR).

Modified and 19 turn Electric Sedan.

Faster than stock, due to fewer winds on the armature of the electric motor. This class is the next step up from stock for a racer who is ready to go faster. Racers in these classes will begin to add battery and motor maintenance equipment to their tool boxes.

Racers who choose to buy higher end equipment can race the stock class and would only need to change motors and adjust their car’s gear ratio to move into the 19 turn and then modified classes. For example electronic speed controls (ESC) receives a signal from the throttle of the radio sending power to the motor. ESCs can vary in price from around $40 to almost $200. A $40 ESC will run a stock motor but most likely not be rated for a 19 turn and definitely won't handle a modified motor. Racers should consider what level they may eventually race at to avoid having to buy the more expensive in addition to the lowest price model. Most of us have done this so don’t feel bad, just a heads up for the new racer.

To summarize. The electric sedan class offers the racer all the handling, adjustability and racing excitement of any of our other classes at a lower cost. The ability to move up in classes for the price of a new motor.

Fuel Classes

Nitro methane powered engines and two speed transmissions make it possible for these cars to reach speeds in excess of 60mph. The cars are split into two classes. 1/10th scale nitro sedan, slightly wider than their electric cousins, and 1/8th scale open. The 1/8th scale cars are referred to as the Formula one of Radio Control. Both classes are 4wd and run on methanol fuel with nitro content of 20% to 40%.

Nitro sedan class is usually divided into two classes Sportsman and Pro.

Sportsman Fuel Sedan: This class is intended for newer racers. A place to compete with racers that are of similar ability while you get a feel for racing, engine tuning and car set-up. Rules covering body and motors are more flexible than the Pro class.

Pro Fuel Sedan: Generally a class for the more experienced racer. Fast and competitive. This class conforms to rules established by ROAR, the national governing body for our sport, Motor size and type and body styles for example.

1/8th scale open: Crazy fast these are the fastest, and most expensive, cars on the track. Kyosho, Mugen and Serpent are the major manufacturers of these cars. There are many engine choices and their prices range from $250 to $600 or more. The lower cost motors are great for club racing.

Now that you’ve chosen your ride you’ll need to get the rest of the gear needed to race it. You’ll need a Transmitter and servos, engine or ESC (electric), tools and other items.

Transmitters

Like everything else in RC racing you have many choices in radio gear. The more money you spend, the more features you get.

Radios have one basic function to be your steering wheel, throttle and brake pedal. Any 2-channel radio can perform this function.

All radios transmit on the 36 or so frequencies allotted to ground radio control. Radio systems come with a transmitter, receiver and usually one or two servos. The lowest priced systems generally transmit AM signals and have very low-end servos. These systems will be sufficient for electric classes.

New racers should look at moving up to a radio that transmits on FM and has end point adjustments as one of the features. End point adjustment is an important function that allows you to set the maximum steering and throttle (gas cars) and FM tends to have less trouble with radio interference.

High-end radios have tons of features that some racers find useful and others don’t bother to use. Spektrum Systems, a fairly new type of radio with DSM™ technology have become very popular with racers. The Spektrum radio searches for an open channel eliminating the need to check the frequency board to make sure you have an open channel.

Servos
Servos do only two things they turn clockwise and they turn counter-clockwise. So your only concern is speed, torque and reliability. Servo prices range from $20 to over $100 dollars and the simple rule is the more you spend the better they are. Avoid the low end and look for a metal-geared model in the $40-$50 range. Quality servos can last for many seasons making them a wise investment.

Electronic Speed Controls (ESC)

Quality Electronics for your Radio Control Car!

An ESC is the fuel management system for your electric sedan.

Connected to the receiver the ESC converts throttle input from the transmitter to power the motor and apply braking. ESCs are rated by the number of motor winds they are capable of running with out overloading.

Lower priced units would work in the stock class but generally unable to run 19turn motor and definitely not a modified motor.

Mid to higher end ESCs offer lower motor wind capability (fewer winds, more amp draw, higher RPM) and the option of selecting different profiles for Stock and Modified racing.

Nitro Methane Engines

Unless you buy a Ready-to-run package you’ll need a power plant for your sedan or 1/8th scale.

The rules on engines for the nitro sedan class specify a 2.1 cc 3 port motor (also known as .12) 1/8th scale a 3.5 cc motor with no limits on porting (also known as .21).

Manufactures usually offer their base motors and then different levels of modifications that add to the cost. New racers would be best to stay away from the modified motors for now.

In addition to the cost these motors are very hard for new racers to handle. Often you would have faster lap times running the stocker.

Motors need a break in period. Follow the instructions that come with the motor. Proper break in will provide a faster longer lasting motor.

Come on out and join us

The above article was a very quick overview of RC racing.

We at Rose City Scale Racing invite you to come out to the races and look around.

We are more than happy to help you make a decision on what direction to go.

Most of all when you come out to race we are committed to helping you have a good race day experience.

Come on out to the next event. You can click here to see when and where that will be.

Feel free to e-mail us with any questions.

Sincerely,
Your Rose City Scale Racing Officers
info@rosecityscaleracing.com