You will prolong the life and quality of your vehicle by making sure that it is consistently well-tuned and clean. A few suggestions for preparing your car for racing include:
Initialing your car/equipment: There is a lot of commotion and chaos during an RC race, and many cars are remarkably similar in style. In the rush of the race, you want to make sure that your car and its respective parts are clearly identifiable. Make sure that you initial all parts of your vehicle; if your RC suffers damage in the race, it can be difficult to figure out which remnants belong to your car unless indicated.
When you race, you will need to bring a small collection of basic tools to make any necessary repairs. You will also most likely have other important equipment on hand: battery packs, spare tires, etc. Use a marker to initial all respective equipment so that in the scramble of the racing pit, you will be able to find anything that gets momentarily misplaced.
Create a race-day checklist: If you plan to compete regularly in races, it is wise to develop a checklist to make sure that your car is operating at full capacity. Each time you test-run your car, review items on your checklist such as checking gaskets, testing plugs, and securing fuel lines. It is good practice to review your checklist each time you operate your car; on race day, you will then be accustomed to knowing precisely how your car operates and when it is running at top condition.
Fresh Battery Supply (Electric engines): Your battery pack is the lifeblood of your electric RC car, and on racing day, the worst thing you can do is find yourself with a dying battery and no source of recharging. When you are racing, make sure that you have a fully charged battery, and you may even want to keep a few additional battery packs handy. Get used to your car battery's running capacity so that you will know when to anticipate an impending need for a battery change. Be sure to follow your operational manual for how to properly condition your batteries to extend their life and get maximum performance from them.
Adequate Fuel Supply (Nitro engines): Just as electric cars depend on battery power to keep them running, your nitro engine RC will require an adequate amount of fuel on racing day. As you get used to your nitro car, you will eventually learn how much running time your fuel source produces. Keep in mind that due to the gradual degradation of nitro methane, aged fuel should be disposed of properly. Arrive on race day with a fresh supply of fuel; you will want to make sure it is a sufficient supply of a fuel source that you are familiar with.
Respect your fellow racers: Like other athletic competitions, RC racing requires a balance of competitive spirit and good sportsmanship. In the midst of noise, confusion and chaos, it is essential to make sure that you are always respectful of other racers and their equipment. There are certain expected rules of courtesy that should abide by while racing; reacting in anger will inevitably damage your reputation as a racer. If you have a dispute or issue with a fellow racer, refer it to race officials/judges, whose decision should be accepted as final. During a race, make sure that you label your gear and keep track of all materials that you bring with you. Remember that in the pit, space is limited; should your car have an accident, remove it promptly from the track.
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