SMETHPORT -ðOne could say they are on the edge.
Radio control racing car drivers of the Racers’ Edge are just as
serious about their hobby as the competitors behind the wheel on
the dirt track ovals and the NASCAR circuit.
Their enthusiasm is readily apparent as one sets foot into the
4-H Center on the fairgrounds on the county fairgrounds in East
Smethport on Sundays running November through March.
Many of the vehicle owners are seated at the tables along three
sides of the large room making adjustments to their vehicles to
make them “just right” for the heats and mains, while others
already have their cars and trucks warming up on the track.
An average of 20-24 drivers, ranging in age from 10 to the
mid-60s on this, converge on this track, the only track in the
area, which is more than 13 years old. Drivers hail from Warren,
Clarendon, Coudersport and Clearfield.
Other tracks can be found in Altoona, Warren, and
Pittsburgh.
Rick Morgan of Bloomster Hollow, near Smethport, who owns and
operates The Racers’ Edge Racing and Hobbies, is the man behind the
this racing group. He also owns the track and has taken on the
additional responsibilities of president and secretary.
“We offer different classes depending on one’s vehicles and
skill levels,” said Morgan. “The entry level class is ‘Production’
and the drivers are required to run a specific type of motor.
“Competitors are allowed to run any type of car as long as it
has the correct number of cells, a six-cell battery pack, and a 540
closed end Bell motor. The closed end prevents any tampering with
or making any adjustments to the motor.”
The next step up is the stock class for trucks and buggies.
Morgan said, “We designate a stock vehicle by a 27-turn
rebuildable stock motor, referring to the amount of wire on the
motor’s armature. This class also is powered by a six-cell battery
pack.
From there, it’s on to the modified classes where there are no
restrictions on the type of motors and number of batteries.
Vehicles range from the larger ones of the 1/10 scale to the
1/18, the smallest ones competing at the track.
There are classes for pro-stock truck and pro-stock two-wheel
drive, too.
Competition is based on the drivers’ equipment and class of
vehicles.
Many of the vehicles come unassembled in kit form, however,
numerous manufacturers also sell kits that are completely assembled
with radio gear, motor, and almost all the parts except the battery
pack and charger.
For beginning drivers, Morgan recommends the ready-to-run models
because there is nothing to assemble – and they are less
expensive.
Costs for vehicles vary widely. Morgan said, “A typical price
for a kit is $150-$250, plus radio gear which can cost from $100 to
‘the sky’s the limit.'”
Most R-T-R’s fall in the $225-$300 range for everything but a
battery pack and charger.
While most R-T-R’s come pre-painted, it is possible to buy
vehicles which can be painted in the favorite colors of the owner’s
real-life favorite driver’s car.
The track has outside measurements of 24’x50′ and a 98′
driveline down the center. It is covered with a specific carpet
which is similar to indoor-outdoor carpet, but more durable.
Around the outside perimeter are sections of four-inch PVC pipe;
two-inch pieces of the same pipe are placed in the center of the
track.
Racing begins at 12:30 p.m.
Much of the operation is computerized. All drivers are entered
into the computer in each class in which they compete.
Morgan described the lap counting system.
“A wire runs under the track and each driver gets a transponder
in their vehicle. Each time a race starts and each time a car
crosses over the wire, the transponder sends a message to the main
computer and records a lap. No one can get an unfair advantage by
jumping off to an early start. The computer runs for five minutes,
the length of the heats and mains.”
All drivers compete run in two heats, or qualifiers, for five
minutes. Drivers are then placed in the mains according to their
better heat finish. For example, if a driver runs 60 laps in the
first heat and 40 in the next heat, his position in the main is
based on the 60 laps. If there are three heats, there are three
mains.
Morgan said, “When there are more than 10 people, we divide them
into five for each heat and the main. The track is small so any
more than five people is crowding it.”
Strategy is an important part of the heats and mains. “In trying
to set up the leader for a pass, the second place driver is likely
to come into the turn higher so he can out of the turn lower,”
Morgan said.
John Williams of Clearfield, who attends the weekly races, said,
“The racing can be very intense. Your palms become sweaty as you
focus on your vehicle.”
Points are awarded according to the drivers’ finishes in the
mains. In the “A Main” the winner receives 175 points, with the
next group of finishers receiving five fewer point for each place.
Part way down the points system, the points are separated by fewer
than five points.
Throughout the racing season “Racer Bucks” are awarded and they
can be used to pay entry fees. Year-end trophies are presented to
the winners in each class.
After the heats and mains, the winners in the Stock and
Production classes must be inspected for the correct motor and
number of batteries.
A road course is set up throughout the day for the 1/12 scale
touring cars and 1/18 scale fun class. “This requires the use of
more sections of PVC pipe and challenges the drivers to turn right
and left as opposed to just left on an oval course,” Morgan
said.
Drivers have other reasons for competing in the radio control
racing. For Tom Himes, a mechanical engineer from Mount Alton, who
rides motorcycles and snowmobiles, “This is another form of
mechanical competition. It’s unique in that hand-eye coordination
is more important than gender and age.”
There are no dues for this racing group, Morgan said.
“If anyone wants to join the racers, just show up and pick out a
class and a rule sheet for that class.”
