HERO RC Club – Guide to a Race Day
Whether you’re brand new to RC racing or returning for another round, here’s what to expect from a typical day with Hull East Riding Off-road RC Club (HERO).
🕢 Arrival & Setup
Our gates usually open around 08:45.
Please check our Facebook or booking page as this may vary depending on the venue.
👋 New to Racing?
First time attending? We Recommend you come spectate before racing yourself. This is a great way to:
- See how a race day runs
- Learn the procedures
- Chat with club members
- Ask questions and get support before your first race
- We even have a club car that can be arranged so you can have a quick go if you wish
🛠️ Setting Up & Lending a Hand
Before setting up your personal pit area, we kindly ask that all racers pitch in to help prepare the rostrum, track, and pit lane. A few minutes from everyone makes a big difference and helps get the racing underway on time! Remember without a track we can’t race!
📝 Booking In
We Encourage everyone to prebook and pay in advance. This is were you can provide us with key information like:
· What class you want to enter
· Your BRCA License number (Yes we do check)
· Transponder number (This is how we track those all important lap times) we run an RC3 decoder so if you’re buying a new transponder we can advise you
Upon arrival, all drivers must sign in at race control and pay any fees due for the day.
💡 Pro Tip: Pre-book and pay online to speed up this process and secure your place.
📣 Drivers Briefing
Before racing begins, we’ll hold a short drivers briefing at the rostrum or when indoors this will just be via the PA system in the pits. This is usually done around 9:45 prior to the commencement of racing.
This will include:
- The day’s race schedule
- Track rules and safety guidelines
- Any special announcements
🔄 Practice Time
The track is usually open for a freepractice before heats begin.
Please note:
No track access until track build is complete and race control declares it open
Electric only – no engines or excessive noise
No more than 8 drivers on track at a time, please marshal after your turn
🗂️ Heats & Live Timing
During setup and practise we will post heat listings showing:
- Your name
- Car number
- Race heat
Live results and timing will also be available online through RC-Timing.
⏱️ Race Format
Each heat lasts 5 minutes, using a staggered start format. This works in the following way – There will be a 30second callout stating the race start order, followed by a 10 second countdown at which point car numbers will be called in starting order at 1 second intervals.
Your laptimes will be recorded using the AMB transponder system, Don’t have your own transponder? No problem – we have a limited number available for hire from race control.. Each driver will have chance to complete the most amount of laps they can muster over the 5 minutes. A Warble will sound for race end at which point drivers will race until they hear their car number called. TIP: You are racing the clock not your fellow racers.
Once you have completed your race you will pull over to the designated pull off area, collect your car, turn it off and place it in the car holding area and head straight out to Marshall
🦺 Marshalling
After your race, you’ll be required to marshal the next heat at the same number post as your car, these will be identified by coloured cone
Please head out quickly so the event can run smoothly and on time. In some locations there will be a marshall guard, this is their to protect you, If there is one please use it.
Important information:
– Monitor your track section for stuck vehicles, your job is to rescue cars. Not watch the racing
– Please be wary of your surroundings, only rescue a car when it is safe to do so.
– Place the car onto the section of track it crashed at and point it in the right direction.
– No Eating, Drinking or phone usage whilst marshalling
🔁 Rounds of Racing
You’ll typically get 4 qualifying rounds, depending on time and season.
After each round, updated results will be posted on the race board and online.
🏆 Finals
Everyone gets to race a final – unless your car is unable to continue.
Cars will line up in grid formation and start all at once after a 10 second countdown
Final listings will be posted once qualifying is complete.
Finals are 5 minutes long
📦 Pack up & Prize giving
After the final race, please lend a hand packing away the track, rostrum, and equipment.
Once everything is packed away we will hand out prizes to the race winners
As a community club, your help keeps things running for everyone’s benefit.