Brushless Radio Controlled Cars
News, reviews, tuning and hop-ups
RC Glossary - The A to Z of Radio Control
R
Race Director-- The person running and organizing the race. Responsible for calling
the drivers to the stand, making sure each car is in the correct spot on the starting
grid, calling traffic if necessary, and other duties.
Racing Line -- the fastest way
around the track. Not always a straight line from corner to corner, the racing line
is often flowing and smooth, representing feints into hard corners and drifts coming
out of corners.
Radio-- refer to Transmitter
Radio-Controlled--Refers to how Rc vehicles
are controlled. By the use of a Transmitter
Rally -- A newer class of R/C cars. At
first glance appearing to be a touring car with treaded tires, a true rally car will
feature slightly longer shocks and some protection for the drivetrain. A rally car
is generally able to travel on any on-road surface, as well as gravel and hard-packed
or loose dirt.
Rc -- An abbreviation of radio-controlled
Ready To Run-- A term that
usually means a kit is at least 95% assembled, with minor finishing work being the
only requirements to getting it ready. Some painting, tire mounting and minor assembly
(such as attaching body posts and body clips) may be necessary, and a nitro-powered
car will require break-in.
Receiver -- The electronic device that receives the radio
transmissions from the radio transmitter. Through wire plugs inserted into the receiver
case, the receiver passes signals to the steering servo and electronic speed control
or throttle servo.
Receiver Cover -- A plastic or vinyl cover that protects the receiver
from fuel, water, mud, dust and dirt.
Receiver Pack -- The battery pack that provides
power to both the steering and throttle servos in a Nitro car.
Rich-- A condition referring to engines where the engine is getting too much fuel.
If you accelerate from a stop and the engine dies, you are probably running too rich
and should lean out the engine's low speed idle adjustment a little (by turning the
needle valve or low-end adjustment slightly clockwise).
Ride Height -- The space between
the lowest part of the chassis and the ground, measured with all of the car's electronics
installed; racers measure the front and the rear ride heights separately. There should
be enough ride height so that the suspension can be engaged enough to soak up whatever
bumps and dips occur on the track, but the chassis should be low enough to the ground
so there isn't too much chassis roll (related to shock settings).
Rollcenter --An
imaginary point at the front and rear of the car where the chassis rotates around.
Affected by the position of the uprights and rotation points of the suspension arm
and upper links, the rollcenter can be changed on an Rc car by adding spacers underneath
the rear bulkhead, moving the uprights up or down in relation to the arm, and other
methods.
RPM -- Rotations Per Minute. How many times an engine, motor, wheel, gear,
etc., will turn in a minute. In Rc racing this is most important for electric motors
and nitro engines.
Rod End -- Similar to a ball cup/ball end combination, except that a rod end is a
plastic eye that holds a metal or plastic pivot. A screw goes through the pivot and
is secured in a bulkhead, suspension arm or other area.
Rotating Mass-- Refers to
the weight of the rotating parts in any car. For an Rc car, this includes the diffs,
wheels, universal dogbones, belts, pulleys, flywheels, crankshafts, spur gears and
spur gear hubs. The lighter you can make these parts, the faster the car will accelerate
and brake, because less force is needed to get these parts moving. Most people agree
that reducing one unit of weight (ounce, gram) equals saving between three to four
units of weight that does not rotate.
RTR -- A term standing for Ready To Run
Runtime-- A term that means how long an Rc vehicle will run or last on one battery
pack or fuel tank.
