DIY Network

Radio Control Dragsters: Bracket Racing and Dragster Lingo From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-403

Mark Price, dragster expert and record-holder.

In this episode of DIY's Radio Control Hobbies, host Chris Chianelli visits a RC track just outside of Greensboro, North Carolina where RC dragsters race. These impressive RC vehicles can go from 0 to 80 mph in less than 2 seconds.

In this segment, Chris explains "bracket racing," also known as "handicap racing." This allows different types of RC vehicles to compete alongside RC dragsters, with the results handicapped to compensate for the variation in vehicle classes. Chris then gets to try his hand in racing a more standard RC vehicle against one of these super dragsters -- with a handicap calculated in to make for a more leveled competition. Chris also talks experienced racer Mark Price from New York City and gets the low-down on some drag-racer lingo.

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Figure A

Bracket Racing Basics

In this segment, Chris explains "bracket racing" or handicap racing." In bracket racing, drivers can race just about any class of vehicle. In this case, monster trucks, buggies or other RC vehicles get to race against the dragsters. Here's how it works: Each car, the dragster and the vehicle racing against it, has three time trials. Those three time trials are then averaged. Based on those times, the slower cars gets a head start and leaves the start line early.

Chris demonstrates bracket racing by racing against a top-fuel dragster with an electric monster truck (figure A). Based on the time trials, he received the advantage of a 5.5-second head start. Even with that head start, his truck crossed the finish line only 0.3 seconds before the dragster.

The Full-Body Guy

Chris talks with Mark Price from New York City. Mark is known for the full-body custom paint jobs on the coupes and dragsters he races (figure B). Mark is the top qualifier in the pro-stock class at this competition, holding the day's record in that class, and would be attempting to break his own record. In order to capture a new speed record, drivers must make a second run and post a time equal to or better than the first run. Mark went on to try and beat his previous record (figure C), but fell short of it by just 2 tenths of a second.

Figure B

Figure C

Dragster Lingo

Chris interviewed some of the participants at the day's event, and conducted something of a pop-quiz on some common RC dragster racing terminology. Here are some of the terms:

The Christmas tree = the lights used in the starting-line system.

"ET" = elapsed time, from start to finish, of a dragster race. (Usually a very small number!)

Tipping the can = adding more nitro fuel.

Blow-over = the situation in which excessive speed in the presence of wind resistance causes the car to flip over backward.

Gooping the tires = adding a sticky compound to the tires to provide better traction at the starting line and allowing control of the vehicle.

Important: This demonstration provides some of the basic information for operation of these particular styles radio-control model dragsters. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions that come with your RC model -- whether it is one of these particular models or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can typically be found in the

RESOURCES :

Special Resources for Radio Control Hobbies, episode 403

Megatech International
North Bergen, NJ
www.megatech.com

Grand Motorsports
Mount Vernon, IL
www.grandmotorsports.com

Team Walbern
www.teamwalbern.com

International Model Drag Racing Association (IMDRA)
www.imdra.com