How would you rank these in order of importance?

[T.S.Davis]

I have 3 different motors for it for 3 different applications too. We'll see. By the time I get it on the water there will probably be some new fangled unobtainium 150c cells. I can go smaller if the weight is right but bigger is not going to happen.

[Make-a-Wake]

Hull choice..............you can put a big engine in a Yugo.............but it'll still be a Yugo, never a Ferrari

[T.S.Davis]

True, but a Ferrari in the hands of an idiot will be found mangled. A Yugo, while still pathetic, will likely finish a race in the hands of a real driver.

[Darin Jordan]

Overall the bottom line is that a successful FE racer is a system - an excellent performing boat driven with skill and maturity. Ignore any one of these and you will be less successful.

What Jay said!!

[DPeterson]

In the context of Spec Racing here is my order of importance.

Hull choice (Purchasable)
Hull setup (Non purchasable)
Driving experience (Non purchasable)
Battery choice (Purchasable)
Prop choice/work (Purchasable)
Motor choice (Purchasable)
ESC (Purchasable)

In Spec racing it appears there are select Hulls that find their way to the top. Then I have seen some of these select hulls run superbly while observing others that don't, putting hull set up as second priority. I put driving experience 3rd but it is IMO that the top 3 on my list, is too close to count. I have a lot of driving experience. I win a few heats, even against some top racers, but overall I still suck driving/winning. I think I win a few heats because I have the right hull and have it running good.

I have seen big differences in battery performances so it is listed 4th. Prop choice? I don't do prop work. Balance a little and make sure they are not dinged up. I haven't seen where I was at a disadvantage against someone who cut, shaved, pitched or whatever. (cracks me up) All things being equal I could imagine prop work being a factor. Motor choice and esc - in the context of Spec Racing it is what it is. The motor is the restrictor no matter how you push it.

Doug

[properchopper]

I think that driving skill, which IMO is a combination of innate ability and cumulative time around the buouys ranks highest when the criteria is podium placement. In a race, there's so many uncontrollable variables that, when reacted to advantageously by the experienced driver, makes a win very likely. Also, setup for RACING conditions is something I'm learning is of considerable importance. Racewater imposes different setup requirements than "funwater".

I took a class win recently in the P-Sport Hydro race at Legg Lake driving my nicely set up Spec-powered FE 30 against one other spec-powered and three FULL BORE P-Sport Hydros. With my comparitively small amount of buouy time relative to the other (and faster) racers I wisely chose Tyler to be my wing-man. He told me exactly where to be on the course at all times, and it worked.

[Doug Smock]

Interesting thread. I'm beginning to understand why some folks feel like they do, all things being equal.

I agree with Jay.

Originally Posted by Fluid
Overall the bottom line is that a successful FE racer is a system - an excellent performing boat driven with skill and maturity. Ignore any one of these and you will be less successful.


Thanks,
D.

[LuckyDuc]

Interesting thread. I'm beginning to understand why some folks feel like they do, all things being equal.

I agree with Jay.

Originally Posted by Fluid
Overall the bottom line is that a successful FE racer is a system - an excellent performing boat driven with skill and maturity. Ignore any one of these and you will be less successful.


Thanks,
D.

You’re a successful FE racer Doug. How would you describe these system components for your application(s)?

[T.S.Davis]

An angle I didn't think of. What type of racing are you doing. Oval racing, offshore, SAW, time trial? Sean wasn't specific.

I might adjust my thinking for SAW for instance. You can't drive yourself a bunch faster through the lights. You also can't just keep adding power. Eventually that stops doing anything for you. You need to start with a hull that can go where you want to be. Although I suppose you could start with a power plant that can achieve the speed your after and wrap it in a shell that can handle that speed. Where did you start? Motor or hull? Neither works without the other.

This is an interesting thread.

[Doug Smock]

You’re a successful FE racer Doug. How would you describe these system components for your application(s)?

I guess that depends on what your definition of successful is.

Success to me is having fun first and for most. People, it's more about the people than winning every heat for me. I enjoy winning as much as the next guy but what I enjoy most is seeing a new guy grow and become a force to be reckoned with on the race course. Success to me is being able to help the guy that struggles, the guy that needs a hand fixing his boat for the next heat. Lending a hand to the clubs and the organization ect.

"an excellent performing boat driven with skill and maturity"

A "excellent performing boat" doesn't happen by mistake. It takes time testing and tuning to land on the perfect fast, reliable set up that doesn't have any bad habits. It takes time to learn what you can change on that setup right before your next heat because the pond just got ugly ect.

"Drivin with skill"
Getting on the clock.
This also takes time unless you are one of the lucky ones that just have that gift.
Race conditions, racers, who you can go into a corner with, who to stay away from. Who is going to open the door and then close it when your less than three boat lengths from him.
Finding a good pit man, not just a lap counter. PRICELESS!

''maturity"
I don't take unnecessary chances risking my equipment or that of my fellow racers for the sake of a win. I really appreciate it if you don't either.
I take racing seriously, but not too seriously. When I get taken out nine times out of ten it's my own fault because I knew that guy was capable of doing exactly that. If I make a mistake out there I'm the first to raise my hand.

SAWs, I try to do the homework and go out and do a bit better than I did last time.
I do it for fun, and I love that sound.

Doug

[Flying Scotsman]

Doug,Terry and Jay very well said and I wish I had the the experience of you lads over my shoulder telling me what to do.

Douggie

[Grimracer]

Sean,

I really don’t feel I have 10 cents to add to this but it looks like a fun post.

I think its all driving.. .. or driver?

To me it comes down to driver/driving. Meaning, just doing, reading the water, reading the boat, understanding the handling to allow “Adjustment” (Adjustment might mean prop)

Take the best boat ever made. Place it in the hands of 4 different brand new people and you ARE GOING to get four different results.

Take that same boat and put it in the hands of the four BEST RC boat racers in the world.. and you are going to get.. yep.. four different results, (Albeat it they will likely all make laps the correct direction around the pond)

Having said this I also feel that RC boat racing has the shortest “to be competitive” learning curve out of the other toys I have played with. “To a point” Then its back to “Chase the driver aspect” to get consistent wins.

I also feel very strong that this is more of a team game then a “Its all me” game.. To me ones pit dude or dudette is a very large part of that “Driver Success”

Grimracer

[LuckyDuc]

I also feel very strong that this is more of a team game then a “Its all me” game.. To me ones pit dude or dudette is a very large part of that “Driver Success”

Grimracer

That is an excellent point! It is a team sport, and one's pit person is an equally important component to the "system."

What to look for in a pit person is a whole topic in and of itself that deserves its own thread.

BTW. Thanks for pitting for me in LSH at the 2010 NAMBA Nats!

[T.S.Davis]

Heyyyyy....I like that thinking Mike.

Does that mean I get partial credit for Fred ranking 4th in the nation? haha I feel much better now.

[DPeterson]

Grimracer

To me ones pit dude or dudette is a very large part of that “Driver Success”

Oh No. Whats a dudette? I know what a pit dude is. Is a dudette a pit dude that um, stands too close behind you, or is it a female pit person? Please clarify this dudette thing.

We may need some rules that restrict how close our pit guy's can stand behind us.

OK - Back on topic. Doug