New class to encourage newbs..

[Charlie-III]

I've been in numerous clubs/groups over the years in various things from cars to motorcycles, sailplanes, even various RC stuff. Most of what articzap posted is dead on.

1-There is ALWAYS a core group of people that do 80%+ of everything.
2-There are ALWAYS a small (at least) group that are very competitive (the crawler group I'm in has Turbofest, Dezmoon, Marzzz23, RCRockin, Scatterbrains, Cory, etc) which makes it hard for us "lesser people" to really compete.
3-There are usually at least some that are willing to help "newbs" to progress

While I'm humbled trying to complete comp courses that the "better drivers" in our group clear with a sportsman rig, I keep trying to do better.

Not everyone is like that. If they spend X$$, they're expecting to do well. If they don't do well, they leave.
If newbs don't get support, they'll likely leave unless they have an inner drive.

It really doesn't matter what the task/group/hobby is, the underlying issues are the same.
-Money
-Time
-Commitment

From all the things I do/have done, the similarities are very, very much the same.

Just saying.

[alterchristopher, yes, I was expecting/liked your post.....8)...."thumbsup""thumbsup"....:lmao::lmao::lmao:....or at least one similar....]

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

I wouldn't worry too much about your first comp. Just show up, do the best you can, watch how other drivers navigate the course and handle their rigs, and most of all, have fun!

I did horrible at my first comp. Was it worth the 6 hour round trip? Absolutely. I learned a ton and had a blast.

 

[Tgreer]

I kinda like the idea of a "stock" class! I would love to see a whole lot of drivers from the big spenders to the penny pinchers be brought to the same level! I can totally understand how a new guy can get turned off when he comes out and can hardly make any gates. I think a stock class would be great! I started with a stock nightcrawler and got my $&@ handed to me for a long time, but I am totally addicted to this sport so it didn't discourage me, it just fueled the fire! But, I can understand someone coming into it, especially the younger crowd, and spending $300 to get started to just end up turtled on all the gates! $300 is a lot of money for someone to spend, and as we all know that's just a drop in the hat to have a good rig! I'm in with both feet for a stock class!!!"thumbsup"

 

[Robbob]

In all the competing I've done it seems the ones that spend the most and leave after they lose usually quit everything in quickly.

Another class is not always the best way. You have to come into anything you start new expecting to lose and willing to listen.

The best thing we as competitors can do is try to help. Those who listen will get better, those who think they know more will just make you look better.


Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

[mfawv]

so i read the first page of posts and i think one thing being left out is the fact that an event organizer already has a lot on there plate, 2.2pro, 2.2s, and mini and even supers all in one day. so where is there time for this new class? i do agree that the course difficulty and competition is getting harder and harder and can be a contributor to the loss in comp turnout #'s, but to add another class?????? i don't see it.
i know at my local comps its hard to be competitive, judge, and still find time to help out the new drivers. i have no problem helping them make a line if i am right there or giving advise for rig tuning and answering ???????s if asked."thumbsup"


mike

 

[ignorant_newb]

Ok, I'm a newb...which goes without saying so what I say may not matter much at all BUT I'll say it anyway.

I don't know much about this sport...at all right other than the fact that this is probably the best rc sport out there. The amount of skill you guys have is nothing short of amazing. I mean come on, most of you guys don't even run a rig that can be bought, they are all practically "one of a kinds" tuned and engineered to your own fingers and visual perception. The builds on here are astonishing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to blow anybody or anything. I truly am amazed. TO ME what makes this sport so awesome is the fact that you guys aren't just driving a rig you bought. You are driving a rig you DESIGNED, TESTED and actually fabricated to your liking. This is exactly why I want to be a part of this sport. A pro isnt just a good driver, he's an engineer. This sport should be called rhe "Machinist Class" or something!

This sport had the potential to be up there with MotorX or Rally Racing. There is SOOOOO much more to this than driving!

It's kind like the UFC was in the beginning. After a few years, the level of competion has become unreal, those guys really are the baddest of world.

It's only natural that the gap gets further and further between the newbs and Pro's. I think it will be our job as a newb to keep the fire burnif and will to succeed going. I have no problem with competing with great drivers and losing, just as long as I can learn something. To me, what would make me want to get out of the "comp arena" would be if the guys that run it or the guys I compete with are d-bags. I can't stand a cocky douche and to me if the sport is full of them, it will never grow. Once it gets to the "UFC" level, there will be a certain amount of d-bags allowable just because of the shear size of the community. BUT, if we want in to grow, to a massive scale, the guys who are serious about the sport and its future will have to be "teachers" and be helpful. Because knowbody likes to feel stupid after dumping $100's and lose. BUT, there is always a loser, sometimes it's you sometimes it's not. Its life.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I dont necessarily think there "must" be a entry level course, but the support for newbs should there.

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

Really there is no need for another class. It is not a life or death situation. If you can't handle going to a comp and knowing that there is a good chance that you will not do well, you should probably just stay at home.

 

[alterchristopher]

I'm not talking about a class for people to do well if they can't drive. I'm talking about a class that is for the kid that shows up with a red cat that he cut grass and saved for months to get a 150 dollors to buy and geting turned away because its wheel base is 1/8 of an inch to long. What I'm saying with a rtr class is a class that let's everyone come and have fun and turns away no one. You may not win (hell I think participation trophy are stupid people loose some time get over it) but if you show up to crawl then hey let them crawl I don't care if the kid shows up with a Walmart crawler it's better than he being glued to a game boy. That's all I'm saying

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

I'm not talking about a class for people to do well if they can't drive. I'm talking about a class that is for the kid that shows up with a red cat that he cut grass and saved for months to get a 150 dollors to buy and geting turned away because its wheel base is 1/8 of an inch to long. What I'm saying with a rtr class is a class that let's everyone come and have fun and turns away no one. You may not win (hell I think participation trophy are stupid people loose some time get over it) but if you show up to crawl then hey let them crawl I don't care if the kid shows up with a Walmart crawler it's better than he being glued to a game boy. That's all I'm saying

We already have that. Its called Sportsman. Local clubs can tweak the rules to allow just about anything they want.

 

[WHITE-TRASH]

I can see another class being useful for newbies. Any rig with any durability upgrades so long as there is no offset diff gearing or dig and the chassis remains stock and retains the stock link mounting points. I haven't even been to an R/C comp yet but I have a couple decent rigs to compete with. I'm sure I'll bring an all time high score on every course. :lol:

 

[EeePee]

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YQs2he00cKs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Olle P]

For newbies there could be competitions that adhere to the regular rules but simply add that seasoned (higher ranked) drivers are not allowed to enter. Courses could be a bit easier than those on the "open" comps.
It could even be that an event could allow everybody to enter, but the drivers are divided into different "driver classes". On each course there could be a few alternative gates where the lesser drivers get an easier path.
That should help to reduce the difference in driving skill.

As for an RTR class:
Even better is to have a vehicle class where the event host provides the vehicles. For a smaller event two or three identical crawlers should suffice. It should be a cheap and basic model with some durability upgrades only, so that any driver that feels like it can buy a similar (for training) at a low cost.
The driver gets a truck some 15 minutes or so before starting a course, in order to adjust the suspension. After the course is cleared another driver gets that truck.
This way it's all about driving skill.

 

[g-jero]

We have the same issue in Norway, not nearly enough new drivers just the "old guy,s" turning up for comp,s.
What we did was a "rookie" class, drive what you have. Only spec for the car is 12,5" WB, you can run a dig or 4WS or any other thing you might have.
(no winch)
If you use your dig or 4WS you get an 10 p penalty for each course, just to level out the diffrences.
Also we use some alternative gates for the hardest parts of the course, but basically the same course for all 2.2 cars.
This doesent take a lot more time to set up, and we can run all drivers at the same time without alternating the course.

 

[C*H*U*D]

They do now! But not the picture links; I posted a link to the videos above the pictures.

Most are in a private album...they still don't work for me

 

[C*H*U*D]

I did horrible at my first comp.

Hell, I did horrible at my last comp! Probably be the same thing at my next comp, but that's how it goes sometimes :ror:

Adding a beginner class does not mean people will just show up out of the blue. Unless you have some exposure to this, you wouldn't even know this sport exists. I had no idea RCC existed until someone started sending me links to builds here.

I think we all should work towards introducing new people and getting them to come out and play. I don't usually mind letting people run my truck if they see me out crawling, but I think I may put together a loaner truck and bring it with me when I go out by myself...if someone asks, I'll toss them a controller and break out some tennis balls "thumbsup"

I think I just found a good excuse to buy the new Axial SCX Trail Rated Jeep!

 

[JavelinSST390]

I used to run comps, but I never really had the $$$ to put together a competitive comp rig, I ended up borrowing a friend's built Kyosho to run in my first National event, got my butt handed to me by the rising "moa" rigs (bergs mostly at the time) and saw the writing on the wall then, back in 2009. So I got out of comp crawling, and the local club doesn't really do scalers, so I got out of organized crawling, and went to bashing around my backyard and the local trails by myself. A lot of the other local guys apparently did the same.

Here recently, I picked up a Losi Night crawler for next to nothing, went to modding it, and then the LHS put on a "shafty only" comp. This event was designed specifically to bring in the guys with LNC's, wraiths, AX-10's, etc. And guess what? The turnout was HUGE compared to even the "good old days" of the local comp scene (before you could buy a kit crawler) There were 30+ entrants. There was one SCX10 Dingo, one Venom Creeper, a couple AX-10's, the rest were bone-stock (or close to it) Losi's. No wraith's showed up.

The courses were fairly easy, (but not too easy, I was the only person to finish the final course). And as far as I know with the exception of one guy, a good time was had by all. I don't know how this is going to affect the local club (which I am hoping to get back into this winter) but if we could get all those guys to come we'd have something!

What was really cool though, was the exchange of information. Back in the day, if you were struglling on a course, no one said a word to help you. If your rig wasn't up to par, or your set-up was whack, nobody said anything.

But not here! Pointing out a line or a set-up change was not only encouraged, but happened in a big way!

 

[C*H*U*D]

... then the LHS put on a "shafty only" comp...And guess what? The turnout was HUGE

I think LHS involvement is a huge factor in getting people out. Our LHS in town sells crawlers, but they don't support them in any way. They are strictly a go-fast or flight group of people.

 

[WHITE-TRASH]

I think LHS involvement is a huge factor in getting people out. Our LHS in town sells crawlers, but they don't support them in any way. They are strictly a go-fast or flight group of people.

All we have now is a hobbytown here. They do sell a decent selection of axial parts and are willing to order anything you want so that's helpful. A couple of the guys there are really into crawling and the owner will support anything that will make a buck so it wouldn't be hard to convince him to put on am event.

I wish the old shop was still open. The owner would have a rock pile out behind the track guaranteed and hold big events just like he did for both on and off-road.

 

[Charlie-III]

Keeping existing people is one issue.
Getting new people (to replace those that leave, and to grow the "sport") is another issue.

A few guys in our group set up a deal with a 1:1 place in PA (Rausch Creek) and we run comps the same day they run 1:1 comps.
The 1:1 announcers also point out our comp as well as give "traffic alerts" as the scalers are running through the parking lot on their course.

It's pretty interesting and I think a decent way to show the RC end of what the 1:1's are doing.

JSlick and others may have info on how many joined EPARCC because of the dual comps, I don't know.

As to my LHS, I know them well. My son & I have made suggestions on some things they should carry, I've printed a few contact sheets for GSRCRC & RCC that are on the LHS wall. I also left my cell # so that anyone that asks about crawlers can either go to the crawler websites or call my cell.
We've had a few guys show up for GTG's and comps because of the info at the LHS.

 

[ik632]

The scene in NC is pretty small too. Our first comp had 6 people. It was nice because you were always driving and the races get more people as the season goes on, but it's hard because the LHS doesn't really carry much in the way of crawlers. You might find a Wraith but it's pretty much RTR kits they sell.

For me it's tough because the guys that are good are really good and being new it's pretty hard. Some courses it's near impossible to get past even the first gate (and I'm running an XR10 - granted it's built stock).

The group here will do 2.2Pro and sometimes a sporty class (but usually just take the old trucks off the bench and run them for the heck of it). I've talked to a few people and they don't like to comp but want to do other stuff. I'm thinking that the Ultra type events or G events could be fun. A bit of scale, but more or less a hike with your truck. I'm still trying to figure out what I can run and have fun and also bring my son to where he could enjoy it.

The thing that keeps me coming back is the group of guys is pretty cool. They are some of the best drivers around and always help you out. Now if I could only get my truck setup correctly then it might keep up