Question for non racers only

[Hydrozz]

I started rc boats about 20 years ago. Im not a racer, just a guy that likes to build and run boats. Chris Craft runabouts to gas monos and hydros. I use to live about a 1/4 of a mile from a club lake. Very convenient, the bouys stayed up all year round. Nice dock right down to water level. I joined the club a few years just to have access to the lake, but you dont have to join to run there. The best times I had was running with guys on a saturday or during the week. Guys like me that like to go fast with good equipment, just not interested in racing. Then there were the racers.This hobby doesnt seem to bring out the best in people. I have seen people go to pushing and even fighting one time, throwing stuff at each other and on many many occasions just cussing each other out. Some days I would see who was there and turn around and go home. I have talked to and run with probably a hundred guys that were turned off with the club and only want to be a sport runner like myself. I think deciding to race takes some of the fun out of running, turning a great hobby into a chore. I have seen a few guys that were great to run with as sport runners, running hundreds of laps with, some good close running, turn into guys that you just dont want to hang around with anymore. Talking about how to run some one over or take them out. Deciding to be a racer can take some of the shine off of the hobby, so to speak.I have seen a few guys that were hard core racers, that just quit racing and can not go back to just running as a hobby. Not a rant here, just an observation. Racing or sport running, run and have fun. Thats what its all about.

[T.S.Davis]

This hobby doesnt seem to bring out the best in people. I have seen people go to pushing and even fighting one time, throwing stuff at each other and on many many occasions just cussing each other out. Some days I would see who was there and turn around and go home. I have talked to and run with probably a hundred guys that were turned off with the club and only want to be a sport runner like myself.

This makes me sad. This can happen though. It happens when you lose track of why we do it. It's happened to me. Where I lost my focus and got bogged down with wanting to win too much. Still like to win but I don't HAVE to win.

Last night Fred's boy spent the night at our house. The 3 of us left the house this morning to go to the pond at 7:30 for a club race. All summer I've been pounding into their little brains what the first rule of racing is. So in the truck I asked them. They both answered "have fun". Guess it's sinking in.

As a club sometimes you have to pull a person aside and remind them why we're out there. Sure competition and all that but honestly ain't it great to get out on the pond for a day, blow off some steam, laugh, and act a fool with a bunch of guys that are into the same hobby you are? It really doesn't get much better IMO.

[drwayne]

Racing is where it's at for a select group of people.. let's call them 'competitive'.

Numerically, most the rc boat fraternity are sports bashers.. where the competition is to beat their own clock, and return home without embarrassment.

What wins races for one, may not be the setups preferred by another.
Ive visited clubs where setup combination 'X' is the frequent choice.. yet another club prefer 'Y' .. and yet at interclub events they cover the winner's podium.. 1+2+3 at random.
There is no exact answer to 'what setup wins a class.

A ledger/poll here that details setups of class winning boats would be most beneficial to all ... newbs, sports runners and racers alike.

Pspec-mono-tunnel-sportshydro-rigger
Q-mono-etc etc yada yada yada

[Doby]

Racing is where it's at for a select group of people.. let's call them 'competitive'.

Gotta disagree with you there Doc...most folks I've met at races are there for some fun in the sun (hopefully) and to share some time with others who enjoy messing around with boats...

[drwayne]

Gotta disagree with you there Doc...most folks I've met at races are there for some fun in the sun (hopefully) and to share some time with others who enjoy messing around with boats...

Sure, like 'most' folks.. I thrive on events where ppl get together to 'race' ... where the fun is entering and (hopefully) finishing.....
A podium position generally means you dont buy the first round of drinks ..
However there are always a select few who must win at any cost.. and good luck to them.