Does racing a FE boat take less driving skill than racing a nitro/gas boat?

[LuckyDuc]

Does racing a FE boat take less driving skill than racing a nitro/gas boat?

The topic was presented to me by a nitro club member who is well known, and an accomplished racer (Multiple US-1 wins) He told me that he wasn’t interested in running a FE boat because it doesn’t take the same skill level as the nitro classes. When I asked him why, he said… “In a nitro or gas heat race, a large part of a racer’s success depends on their ability to jockey for position in the mill and get on the clock. The FE heats start their mill at 30 seconds, everyone starts at the same time and makes one lap then goes. This type of milling removes the skill requirement that many of the long time nitro/gas racers have worked on perfecting over the years.”

I gave him some reasons why we do it this way, but his point was valid. He told me that if we required a longer mill time (like a two lap minimum mill) before the start, more IC guys might take an interest in FE because it would then require the same skill level as the nitro/gas classes.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Fluid]

When will folks begin to realize that every fuel racer doesn't have to join FE!

Some fuelers will ALWAYS have some excuse why they do not run FE. Once we go to 2-lap mills they will find another excuse - like 'you don't have to be careful to stay out of another boat's roostertail to avoid being drowned out', or 'you don't have to have the skill to set a needle', or 'batteries are too expensive', or 'FE is too quiet'. I have heard them all, they are just excuses. The two disciplines are different, they do not have to be the same. We do NOT have to change our rules to accommodate guys who don't even run FE boats. Let them enjoy their part of the hobby, and we'll enjoy ours.



/

[sailr]

His logic is just a copout to refrain from FE. The battle for the start line is just as valid from a standing start at mid course than running around all the buoys for two laps. The REAL reason they do that with the nitros is to get the engine warmed up and make sure its ON THE PIPE. We don't need to do that with FE because we have instant max power immediately.

I've heard more excuses from the nitro boys than I wish to repeat. Just hard to get old dogs to try new tricks. With the cost of their engines and fuel, FE is now much less expensive and the batteries are nowhere near as volatile as they once were. That's two of their favorite excuses now down the drain.

I have absolutely nothing against nitro or those who don't wish to run FE. Just stop making up crap to dissuade others from enjoying electrics!

[JackBlack26]

The only extra skill necessary to run nitro boats is patience for when your motor flames out in the middle of the pond and you have no retrieval rig.......I've been there!

[Eric Bourlet]

It sounds like his comments are more towards the way you run your heats. We here in NAMBA District 8 run just like the nitro heats. I just hold my boat and launch at the 30 second mark. Our rules only require we be in the water running at the 30 second mark. I have always thought that with the present power systems that the electric classes should be run the same as the nitro or gas races. It sure would help get rid of such ignorance as someone that believes that driving electric is any easier that any other power system.

[keithbradley]

Honestly, I see this happen in every form of racing, whether its rc or full scale. I don't know if it comes from insecurity, or if mom didnt love them enough, or what. For some reason, racers want everyone else to believe that they are doing something special and that no one else could accomplish what they can.
Dont get me wrong, all of it takes skill and learning, whether its full scale auto races, rc boat racing, or rc truck racing. Still, people over-emphasize the driver's role.
If someone prefers nitro over Fe, or FE over nitro, thats fine and I think both are cool...but the idea that one group is an elite breed and just too skilled to try the other is laughable.

[Doug Smock]

I think Jay hit the nail squarely on the head.
I also think since FE racers only have one lap to safely position themselves in lane one prior to the start, we could argue that FE is harder.
Apples and oranges.

I personaly have no interest in tuning my FE boats to do two or three mill laps and a bake lap. I would consider doing it in a open class just because.

Doug

[Doby]

So the IC guys need more mil laps for what exactly??

[egneg]

I run FE with nitro in combined racing so I have to run at least one mill lap. The only comments I have heard is "Electric is way to easy!" This is because the nitro guys are busy as all get out getting the boats started, keeping them revved up until they get tossed in the water, and hoping they stay running once they hit the water. My boat gets walked down, set in the water, and I hit the throttle between the 45-30 second mark.

[Chilli]

The nitro guys love being our pit men though. They don't get a shower.....unless I want them to get one. LOL

[HOTWATER]

When it's hot at the races, I don't mind getting the "launch shower"...refreshing! He,He! Gotta love launching the gas boats!

[egneg]

But you don't get the shower a gasser creates from an FE!

[HOTWATER]

He, He! Right sir!

[Grimracer]

Does racing a FE boat take less driving skill than racing a nitro/gas boat?

The topic was presented to me by a nitro club member who is well known, and an accomplished racer (Multiple US-1 wins) He told me that he wasn’t interested in running a FE boat because it doesn’t take the same skill level as the nitro classes. When I asked him why, he said… “In a nitro or gas heat race, a large part of a racer’s success depends on their ability to jockey for position in the mill and get on the clock. The FE heats start their mill at 30 seconds, everyone starts at the same time and makes one lap then goes. This type of milling removes the skill requirement that many of the long time nitro/gas racers have worked on perfecting over the years.”

I gave him some reasons why we do it this way, but his point was valid. He told me that if we required a longer mill time (like a two lap minimum mill) before the start, more IC guys might take an interest in FE because it would then require the same skill level as the nitro/gas classes.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

I have raced both and I would not say it takes less skill (racing) but there is a ton of difference between the two in allot of other places.. and its not just the power system.

FE guys are always heavy defenders of there hobby… Prolly because IC guys have been a pain in the ars in the past.. Whatever it is or was its time to burry the hatchet.

I will take the lead and apologize for the IC crowd.

When racing FE I really miss reading the air, the drama of starting the boat, trusting your buddy to get a good launch and the building of the mill.

I also happen to enjoy the “Tuning the motor” and winning or loosing based on my skill or lack of it, regarding the home work I have done on this.

Tuning the boats hardware.. The 6 laps of racing, FE, IC, is ALL THE SAME to me.. it’s a good show down from lap 1 to 6!

Having said this I do happen to prefer racing Nitro boats over FE but that’s just me.

The easy clean up that FE brings does not matter to me. I enjoy my hobby enough that doing the clean up is part of the fun. Besides when Im racing FE I bring those boats into the hotel room to work on them too!

ROCKET AND ROLL!

Grim

[ScarabChris]

In my opinion it take more skill and concentration. My big gasser (50" mono) would only hit 50 MPH which is pretty easy to control. My twin electric 54" mono is so fast that if you are not super careful it will fly right out of the water at 60+ MPH.