Radio controlled model car racing covers a vast array of classes and abilities. The cars range from the "ready to go" things you see in Beatties through the Tamiya type of off and on road kits up to full blown, World's winning chassis.

Most beginners start by driving their new "toy" around the garden or on the street. After a while they get tried of this, what they need is some competition. If they are lucky they find out about their local racing club.

Turn up for your first time and it will probably seem very strange and off putting. There will be lots of people running around, all knowing what to do and probably ignoring you.

In one corner there will be a race control station, probably with someone looking official. Go up to them and tell them its your first visit. They will either tell you themselves or get someone else to help you. Either way you will be made to feel welcome.

You will need to "book in" to register that you want to race and then you will probably want to go out to practice. This will be organised either into set periods or will be "Free on the Pegboard". This is when you get a peg of some sort that corresponds with your crystal frequency. While you have that peg no one else should be on your frequency and you can set your car up, or do practice laps. BUT REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR PEG BACK AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED WITH IT.

This is a cardinal rule as someone else is bound to be wanting to practice as well. Even if you want to be back out in a few minutes, put the peg back in its proper place.

When booking in closes, the organisers will sort everyone into heats according to ability and crystals. They will post a list which tells you which heat you are in, what number car you are and which crystal you need to be on. Most clubs ask that you have at least 3 sets of crystals to enable everyone to be sorted easily. For the heats it may not be so important but when finals come around, if you only have one set then you may not get a run.