How do you react when people ask to drive your r/c?

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I mean people that don't own one and have probably never driven a hobby grade car. I personally let, and encourage people to. I think it's hilarious and nerve-racking at the same time. I always explain the brake to them before handing them the controller, but what's the first thing they always do? Punch it and freak out about how fast it's getting away from them. That's the funny part. The nerve-racking part is watching to see what ends up happening. In my experience an in-animate object usually ends the run pretty quick. I just hope they don't break anything too bad. If I'm running a particularly hot brushless set-up or something like that I use a little tighter judgement. The one time I didn't I had to replace the entire front end of my GT and put a vice to the chassis(when it was still nitro). Anyway, I was just curious to see how everyone handles it or if they had any funny stories.

[Prince Steve]

I basically ask them if they have a couple of hundred dollars in their pockets because if they break something they are going to have to pay on the spot. ( That usually stops them right there with there jaws dropped. )
If it's not one of the pricey ones then I instruct them and let them have some fun. ( In a wide open space of course )

[Halgar]

I usually let them, though I run big ol' clods that are tough to break. I don't usually worry too much about others running my rigs. Like you, I explain the controls, then stand nearby to grab them if necessary. I've only turned a couple people down who wanted to run because I could tell that they wouldn't have respected the equipment.

I let a 5 and 6 year old have the controls once in a very large, wide open driveway, and what do they make a bee line for? A horse trailer, of which they ran the truck underneath and popped a hole in the windshield of my truck.

The worst experience was when I was playing with two fellow Clodders. We were at the beach with my T-Maxx and BOTH of these guys kept heading for the one and only chunk of concrete. Mind you, both of these guys were experienced drivers.

[markt311]

I just let a 7 year old drive my rc10 on the track yesterday, he crashed less than I did.

If I'm going to let someone unexperienced drive my car, I just turn down the endpoint on the throttle to about 20%. Works pretty well.

[JPAE07]

Here is my reaction every time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k

[rraeford]

I only allowed someone I didn't know to drive one of my race cars once. I regretted it.
It was my Yoke 870C/YZ10.

The guy wasn't completely unknown to me as he had hung around the track where I was running.
He said he'd run all sorts of gas cars but had never tried an electric. I was sponsored by a hobby shop
at that time and saw the potential to promote good will for my sponsor so I let him drive my car in a heat.

He drove a a couple of warm-up laps before the heat started and, though all over the track a bit, it was
clear he had driven before. When the flag dropped however, it was a disaster. What a hack! He drove like a
wild man bouncing off of everything he got near (including my friend and pit-mate). He beat my Yoke to pieces.
Two laps in the car was broken badly. He walked off the driver stand and handed the Tx to me and
said with a smirk,"Yeah thanks...I think I'll stick to gas. The cars don't brake whenever you hit something."

He didn't even bother to go and collect my car for me. Cost me about $75 in parts to set it right again.

I saw the guy again some years later at a gas race and watched him destroy his 1/8th scale Serpent car.
It's the only time I've seen anyone spend as much time in the air as on the asphalt.

Now that I run only antiquated equipment around in my neighborhood, I politely decline when asked.

rraeford

[budhatrain]

I just gave a friend that works with children's ministry 4 losi mint-t's. I put bigger bodies (McAllister) on the trucks that go over the wheels like a 1/10 late model. I fablicated the radio to only go partial trottle. Since then I have done two children's events with him where around 75+ children (each event) from 1-6 grade drove the rc in a plastic gutter 8'x8' square.

It was like demolition derby- but the trucks are hanging tuff. No damage so far- I forsee changing out motors and servos etc...

For many children this was their first time even looking at a hobby grade RC- much less drive one. I brought my Lunchbox and Clod around- I hope the kiddos someday get into the hobby- maybe encourage a dad to spend time with his kid.

I have been trying to get two friends into the hobby- so we have been hanging out and just bashing- I noticed they drive my stuff with more caution than I do. Explain and let them at it- fixing your rig is part of the game:)

[reign79]

My reaction is always yeaaahhh ummmm NO!

[Prince Steve]

Here is my reaction every time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k

YOU HIT IT ON THE NOSE WITH THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[klavy69]

I usually try to get others involved also and almost always hand my savage over to someone new at the track...its hard to break. But something that I can't walk into the shop and pick up parts for I talk into driving my savage ...currently needs to have slipper pads replaced
Todd

[Charlie don't surf]

I have the disadvantage of always offering this. However it has worked out just fine except 1) 2005 Feb Freeze, my handmade chassis/car runs 12ft ( no kidding here) up a concrete wall when the guys 12t shorts out while running full wood. Wasn't his fault, but the car was a pile after 2) 2005 WDRA summernats, my longtime buddy is having trouble getting his car set up and asks for help-I'm running 3 classes and want to, but don't have time, so I give him my backup car to run for the weekend. He gets plastered and is running Mod--we are all running 10x3's he decides to run a 7 single--and he's drunk. BUT I had a lot of people come up to me at the end of the weekend and say they wanted me to build them a car, because if my car could stand up to that without being in a pile--they wanted one.

But 98% of the time it's cool to watch

[aconsola]

At the track I will hand over the controls to anyone I know who asks to give it a spin, and even some I don't know if they seem like they know what they're doing. I am usually in need of setup help, so getting another opinion is useful.

I have on occasion let some kids run my converted GT on the oval. You know the racers who bring thier 10ish year olds to the track, but don't have a car for them to run. After dad tells them that they can't run one of the expensive/fast gas trucks, I tell them to keep it slow on the throttle and stick to the middle of the track and let them run mine. I've got enough spares to repair most damage, and most kids are appreciative enough for the opportunity that they keep it controlled. I enjoy sharing the hobby with just about anyone who is receptive.

Bashing at home with my own kids I will let their friends drive the electrics if they ask, but tend to be very guarded with the baja as that can do a whole lot of damage in a hurry.

[civilguy]

I have found that the people with little-to-no experience are actually less apt to break my stuff. I think they listen more and take it easy, and like Anthony said tend to be appreciative of the chance to try a real r/c.
I've let a couple 'racers' have a go and I think they just figure they know it all and end up crashing your stuff-- especially 1/8 drivers who don't understand the 'floor-it-and-full-lock-turn" mentality doesn't translate to all other classes.

[vintage racer]

I like to let newbies and freinds drive my cars.Last night I let my nephew and freind drive my grafite rc10s and I ran my JRX2.We raced in the back yard till the morning hours with beer and had a ball untill my nephew broke a front arm.I prefere to let people drive cars I have parts for.The main thing I notice about new drivers is they usually have no throtle control and its either on or off.Today I put together 2 drift cars and gave one to my step dad,so it was more RC today aswell.Atleast it gives me people to drive with,even if their using my gear.

[MOmo]

It really depends on the car. Typically, I'll let the faster racers at my track drive. Newbies, not as likely but it depends on what i have at the track. Typically my older stuff I would. The newer B44 never.



MOmo