(Revised 11/11/2007)
The following information is intended for people new to the
hobby of radio controlled model car racing and to introduce and welcome people
to the WEST LONDON RACING CENTRE.
Track Address
Pole Hill Park, Sutton Court Rd, off Long Lane, Hillingdon,
Middx. (OS Map ref. TQ 084835). The nearest post code to the track is UB10 9HT.
See Directions
Introduction
The WEST LONDON RACING CENTRE is designed to provide
an organised venue for racing 1:10th Scale Electric On-Road radio control model
cars. All meetings are run in accordance with British Radio Car Association
(BRCA) rules. The BRCA is the governing body for Radio Control car racing in
the UK - Visit the BRCA Website.
We have a purpose made Tarmac "Grand Prix"
Circuit Track. The width and length of the track is suitable for 1:10th Scale
Electric cars. The design is of the "Multi-Track" type and can be varied
by the use of temporary track markings. The whole of the circuit area is surrounded
by "ARMCO" to provide protection to the pit area which covers the perimeter
of the track.
Race meetings are held for "Scale Saloons". The older classes of "Pro 10 - Group 'C' Bodied cars" and
"Fl Racing cars" are no longer raced but would be raced if there are sufficient numbers.
Model car types:
SCALE SALOONS
This class of racing is now the most popular form of racing
in the UK. Most of the major manufacturers in both the UK and the rest of the
world now produce a 1:10th Scale Electric Scale Saloon kit.
Most scale saloons are four wheel drive with front and rear
differentials and they all comply with the weight, width, length and height
regulations laid down in the BRCA rules.
All cars can be raced 'straight from the box' without modification
but in all cases you will have to purchase a two channel transmitter and receiver,
a speed controller and a motor. Tamiya kit cars come complete with a standard
speed controller and the motor.
There are a lot of modified parts available for all cars to
reduce their weight and to make them "go faster"!
PRO 10 - GROUP 'C'
These are 1:10th Scale flat chassis cars with a direct drive
through a differential and therefore make them a very fast car needing a high
level of skill to control and drive at speed. The cars use foam tyres of which
there are many types, with different grades of foam to suit the track and weather
conditions, together with tyres designed for racing in the rain.
Fl CARS
These are replica 1:10th scale Electric radio control cars
based on full size Fl designs and manufactured by both Tamiya and Kyosho. These
cars can be raced 'straight from the box' without any modification and provide
an enjoyable, cheap form of radio control model car racing. (PRO 10 cars
and F1 cars are now raced as a combined class)
GENERAL INFORMATION
THE CLUB
If you are new to the hobby it is best to attend a couple of
race meetings and have a look round at what people are driving and ask questions,
most radio control car drivers are very happy to talk about their cars.
We run a Club Membership at WLRC which enables you to
save money on entry fees for all club meetings and take part in the Club Championships
You don't have to become a member straight away to race at WLRC race
meetings but, if you race on a regular basis you will need
to become a member. At present we are providing a discounted membership to the
BRCA if you join WLRC and BRCA. Membership to the BRCA will also allow you to race
at National meetings.
At WLRC all club organised races for scale saloons
are based on three classes - Stock 27T Motor, Pro Stock 19T Motor or 10.5 brushless and 5-cell Modified (including Brushless motors).
All three classes are run to BRCA rules for weight and dimensions. For National Meetings
which are run under the BRCA banner, some or all of the scale saloon classes are run. Further details of
the classes raced can be found on the FAQ & Club Rules page.
At WLRC for all types of on-road racing, we allow the
use of "tyre additives", so long as they do not contain 'Wintergreen'.
The additive is used to soften the tyre compound and therefore give more grip.
There are many styles of body shells available for all classes
of cars raced. These are all manufactured in 'Lexon', this a special material
which takes the rough treatment that the body shells get and they are sprayed
from the inside with a special flexible paint.
All cars operate on two channel radios, either 27 or 40 MHz
(PLEASE HAVE A MINIMUM OF THREE CRYSTALS) or 2.4Ghz radios can be used, battery
packs are either 4, 5 or 6 cells with 4.8, 6.0 or 7.2 Volts total or 7.4 volt LiPo.
There are many different types of batteries
available on the market ranging from standard packs at £20 to special packs
at £50/£60 per pack. Batteries allowed as per BRCA rules.
FACILITIES
At all of the race meetings held at the West London Racing
Centre track, we have a burger van which supplies hot and cold food and
drink and usually there is a model shop in attendance. Toilet facilities are
available and overnight camping is allowed for National Meetings and other two
day events when agreed with the Race Director.
Rubbish sacks are available to Keep The Track Tidy. Please
use them. Do not overfill them. Do not forget that it is the spare
parts packages and the tearoff back of the numbers that give us away!
BASIC EQUIPMENT
The basic equipment required to race is, of course, a Radio
Control Electric Model car! (Not A Tandy Type Car) complete with relevant battery packs
(minimum two for NiMH or one for LiPo), motor, speed controller,
receiver, and a transmitter either with inter-changeable crystals (TX crystals for
transmitter - RX crystals for the receiver in the car) or using 2.4Ghz and the following items
to use in the pits:-