The second instalment of our etiquette guide goes over the race finals. Some clubs don't offer final's at their club meetings as they can sometimes cause more damage and disputes than staggered qualifying. We feel it’s the safest way to learn and get accustomed to the nerves that appear with those starting beeps.
No matter how many finals you've done at club level, there are always extra nerves that surface at regional or national racing. Learning the etiquette and practicing it at club level will make you a much better challenger when you take the step up.
What is the General Format to RC Car Finals
Finals are the only race where the position you cross the finish line is visually accurate. All cars start together on the straight and finish after the 5 minute final is over. We try to have a referee on the microphone to quickly settle disputes and help the leaders past back markers safely. The main rule of finals is that you must make your overtakes as clean as possible. If you come into contact with the car you are attempting to overtake, then the referee is more than likely to favour the lead car in the collision. If you pass illegally or are ordered by the referee, you will need to slow down and safely let your competitor back past. Referees will issue warnings during the race and can also apply penalties or even disqualifications to racers not competing in a fair manner.
What is the Etiquette for RC Car Finals?
1 - Passing another car (position or lapping) must be clean and without contact. When passing for position, if you hit the car during the pass you must wait for them to retake the place before you continue racing.
2 - You are not permitted to leave the rostrum until the final is over. If your car fails to finish, please remain quiet until the final has ended.
3 - The referees decision is final. Failure to comply with their decision will result in disqualification.
4 - If a leading car catches to lap you, you are expected to let them pass straight away without challenge or spoiling their final.
5 - Avoid airing your frustrations until after the final is over. Your frustration should never be aired at another racer. Speak to race control if you are upset.
Race Strategy Tips for RC Car Finals
Don’t start aggressively from the back. You are just asking for trouble if you try to overtake the whole field from the start line. There is more than a 50% chance someone will crash at the start of a final, focus on not being that 50% and more on trying to settle into a fast pace safely.
Communicate (in a friendly tone) with the drivers in your final. If you catch a driver you are lapping, try politely asking them to let you past. If you barge your way past or shout at them to get out of the way, it will probably just anger them which they'll remember the next time.
If you are lapped by a faster car, be cautious and considerate. Hold back until they have fully overtaken and are at a safe distance. Don't tuck in close behind them. The reason you might be slower is most likely because you are entering corners too fast. If you drive into the back of a lead car you are likely to upset both the leader and the referee.
Remember finals are 5 minutes long and not a 10 second sprint. Take your time. If you're in a position like 3rd with the leaders still in sight, sit back and focus on staying close and out of trouble. Listen for the time announcements and decide when to attack. It is more than likely mistakes or back markers will have changed your position before you start attacking.
Try pressuring mistakes instead of forcing passes. Nerves are high in finals, especially for those leading. Use this to your advantage and chase as close as you can without trying to overtake. This will drastically increase the chances of the racer in front making a mistake. You can also learn where they might be faster if you have to defend from them later in the final.
We hope these etiquette guides have been helpful, look out for more of these in the future. If you have any questions or requests please contact the Sheffield RC Racing team. Feel free to share this guide with friends or your local club.