Rookie FAQ’s

You have an r/c car. You’ve seen some of the race footage online. Now you want to go racing, but not sure of the process? This is a guide for new comers to our sport.
This guide is specifically for On-Road racing at our Westlake Girls circuit, but most of it will be the same for Mini Z drivers.

1. What should I bring?

   Other than the racing stuff, there are a few extra things that might make your day a bit easier:

   — table

   — chair

   — extension cord for 240v power to your table.

   — lunch & water (no eating on the courts)

   — We are covered, so on a sunny day you may want to bring sunscreen - but generally there is no direct sunlight on you.
   — The internet on your phone to see what race you’re in.
   — Wear fully closed shoes. No jandals. This is a H&S requirement, as marshalling is dangerous, and the cars and cause injury.
   

2. How do I enter?

   Our online entry system makes it pretty easy, and then make a bank transfer for the entry fee.
   Early entry is encouraged so that you our admin can check the payment against the entries before race day.
   We don’t take any walk up entries, or entries on the day.

3. Which class do I enter?

   Clubmans.
   This is a specific class for Juniors and new drivers.

4. Where is the Track?

   Westlake Girls High School, Takapuna.
   We hire the covered sports courts.

5. What time do I arrive?

   Check the times in the entry info pack. But generally between 7:30 & 8:30, allowing for some time to setup your workstation.

6. Where do I park?

   Parking for all R/C competitiors is the lower carpark.
   Here on Google maps.

7. What happens on the day?

   Check the race information, but generally the gates open around 7:30.
   If you can give yourself some time to arrive and setup before the racing starts.
   
   Once the gates open, club members will physically be unloading the track from our portable trailer, and assembling the track.
   One the track is built, there is a small window for those that helped assemble the track to get some testing on the track.
   Then there is an open practice. This means the track will be open for everyone. This can be a little tricky, as there are classes much faster than clubmans running at the same time. The main thing to know is that the faster drivers will take care getting past you - just take your normal line.
   
   The track will be closed just before drivers briefing. Then we all gather to hear what the Race Director has to say.
   
   Racing starts. There are x3 rounds of racing.
   
   Check the live time website to see which race you’re in, and your starting position.
   ** NOTE : your race for each round may change, so check the website at the start of each round **
   When it is your race, wait for the previous race to fully finish circulating then
   — turn your transmitter and car on, place it on the track (sometimes we have a pit lane - but not always). Place it off the racing line.
   — wait for all previous race drivers to exit the drivers stand, then take a place on the stand.
   — do some warm up laps.
   — race control may say something along the lines on ‘Finish your lap and grid up’
   — take your place on the grid, feel free to start from the rear if you wish to avoid early race crashes.
   — The computer will call out the count down to the start, then there is a little moment of silence before a beep. The beep is the go signal.
   — The race will go for 4 or 5 minutes depending on the class.
   — When the race has finished, keep racing until the computer calls out your name or says ‘all cars have finished’.
   — Wait on the drivers stand until all drivers have finished. This is a curtesy, not to distract others that are still racing.
   — Now it’s your turn to marshal. Promply collect your car, turn it off.
   — There is a specific place on the back of the drivers stand to place your car while you marshal.
   — Then head out to marshal.

8. What do I do as a Marshal?

   — Find a place around the track, distance yourself from other marshals so the track has event coverage. Sometimes there are cones around the track marking key marshaling spots.
   — Sometimes we have fluro vests around the track, we recommend wearing them to distinguish yourself from the general public. So you are an official marshal.
   — When flipping over a car - grab it by the front or rear bumper. There are no hot parts, or moving parts in this area.
   — Try to return the car to the track in a safe position (off the racing line), and pointing in the right direction.
   — Always keep an eye on your area of the track, there might be some close action going on - but it’s easy to miss a car that has crashed if you’re not paying attention.
   — Don’t use your cell phone.
   — No need to check your results - they’ll be the same when you finish marshalling.
   — Marshal others as you would like to be marshalled.

9. Is there a prize giving?

   We have a prize giving at the end of the season.
   The location might be somewhere local or trackside.
   For each round, we don’t have a prize giving for the day.
   At the end of racing we pack down the track, and go home.

10. Are there tables and chairs?

    Unfortunately there are no permanent table and chairs in the venue, so bring a table and chair if you can.

11. Is there power?

    Yes. We have 240v at the track. Bring an extension cord, to plug into a nearby powerboard. You might need to ask a fellow competitor for an available socket.

12. What is a li-po bag?

    Charging of any li-po batteries must take place in ‘li-po bag’. A Li-po bag is a sleeve or case that can help contain a battery that is externally expressing it’s capacity.

    They are mandatory, as once a li-po battery ignites, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. It is very important to protect yourself, and the property of the track and others by making sure you charge and discharge in a lipo bag.
    If you arrive at the track, and you forgot your own one - ask around for a spare. Do not charge without it.
    Ignoring the rules around charging without a Li-po bag will get an immediate ban.

    NiMh & Nicad batteries can charge without a Li-po bag.

13. Can I smoke or vape at the track?

    No. We are at a school, and strictly no smoking, vaping or drinking on school grounds.

14. What can I eat for lunch?

    There are some food outlets within walking distance, including Subway.
    No eating food inside the courts area. Please eat outside of the fenced area.
    You can have water, but no soda or coffee.
    Please abide by the school rules.

15. Can I use Drift Tyres?

    No. We wish to respect the track surface that belongs to Westlake Girls, so drift tyres are not allowed. The size of the track is huge, it’s wouldn’t be terribly fun. Best to use other dedicated facilities for drifting.

16. Can I race a nitro car?

    No. We are strictly 1/10th scale electric powered radio controlled cars.

17. How many races each day?

    There are 3 rounds of racing (1 race per round).
    Your race may change after each round, so make sure to double the website at the start of every round.

18. Where are the results?

    You can find the results updated in realtime at Live R/C.

19. Where are the starting grid boxes?

    We don’t use markings on the track.
    We have numbered signs on the fence line surrounding the track.
    Use your best judgement to line up the car to the sign.

20. Can I play Tennis?

    No. Generally there is Tennis coaching going on at the adjacent courts.
    Please respect their space they have hired.
    Do not touch their equipment.