Jan 18 2009
One of the funnest Hobbies Ever.
Remote Control Cars. Who would have thought? I was introduced to these wonderful machines and the world of enthusiasts when I was 27. A good friend of mine owns a few of these little contraptions, and he thought it would be fun to get me involved in his summer activity. I was very skeptical at first, but after learning a bit about RC cars and how they work, what the rules are for racing them, etc…and I was hooked.
First off, there are several different types of RC cars, and in order to get started in this hobby you need to be able to tell the difference between 1/8th scales, monster trucks, nitros, electric, and buggies. There are different cars for different levels of racer, and you can upgrade as you learn the basics. I recommend any newcomer to the sport to start with electric and move up to the gas powered models as more experience is gained.
The only downfall I could find with this use of spare time is that it is not the cheapest hobby in the world. These cars break, and they break often…not because they aren’t put together well, but because it is the nature of the sport. Anytime you are making an object move quickly and you have a human being responsible for the steering, accidents are bound to happen. You learn very quickly how to replace busted sway bars, bad tires, and how to use a soldering iron.
The people I have met through attending RC races have all been some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. They are passionate about what they do, and they are always willing to lend a hand or answer questions. A day of racing is as it sounds, a DAY of racing. It takes a long time to get the track ready (if it is outdoors), and then to go through all the heats and races for different classes. There is usually good food to be had, and I’ve even been to one where we were able to camp out the night before. I’ve always had a good time at these events.
If you or your children are in need of a good hobby to add something to your life, I would definately suggest checking out the RC racing scene. And ladies, though this is typically a sport populated by men, there ARE women who enjoy this activity as well. I’ve met quite a few women racers, and as one myself, I can say that it can’t be beat. There’s nothing like seeing the look on all the boys’ faces when they get beaten by a girl =)
