WELCOME TO THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD RACEWAY
INFORMATION & ACTIVITY PAGE FOR KRC EVENTS
COURTESY OF KRC PRODUCTS OF CROOKSTON, MN
SITE ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION-REFRESH WEB BROWSER OFTEN
FEATURES ON THIS PAGE...
# HOW TO ENTER YOURSELF AS A DRIVER IN THE SEPTEMBER 27TH RACE EVENT.
# ARE YOU NEW TO THE R/C HOBBY AND HAVE A BUGGY, TRUCK OR CAR? PLEASE READ THIS.
# HOW TO FILL OUT A STANDARD RACE ENTRY FORM.
# HOW TO USE THE AMBrc TRANSPONDERS (SUPPLIED) IN YOUR MODELS.
# HOW RACES ARE RUN BY KRC PRODUCTS.
# REGULAR SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES AT THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD RACEWAY.
# ABOUT THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD RACEWAY SITE.
# DIRECTIONS TO THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD RACEWAY SITE.
# RULES FOR USE OF THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD RACEWAY SITE.
NEXT EVENT SCHEDULED AT THE MANVEL SITE
KRC PRODUCTS WILL BE SERVING UP SOME GREAT FOOD AT THE RACES THIS SEASON INSIDE OF THE JASON STADSTAD ARENA BUILDING INCLUDING OUR FATHER'S HOME MADE POTATO SALAD. REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR STOMACH'S!
This event can be entered on site or using RCSIGNUP. Please enter before 9:30AM to ensure entry into the 1st round of Qualifying Heats. Entries later than 9:30AM will not get in until Round #2. Three Qualifiers are planned for this event, so missing round #1 is no biggie. The Manvel, ND R/C Raceway is registered with http://rcsignup.com which is a free site put up as a service to allow organizers to put up notices of race events, Racers to see those race event dates and sign up for them if they wish online anytime. Please visit that site and check it out by clicking the link below. Should you decide to pre-register yourself and your models with RCSIGNUP, you may enter this event and/or any of the others shown there. You may pay immediately using PayPal or decide to pay at the track on race day. No pre-registries not paid for yet will be entered into the races. Please pay entry fees and verify your racer information at the Race Director station right away when you arrive at the site regardless before 9:30AM. Thank you.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ASK QUESTIONS
The Drivers first must enter their model/models in appropriate classes. The race event generally states what classes are offered and other specific information. It is up to the Driver entering to know if the model they intend to run is fully legal for the class they are entering it in. At KRC Products run race events, I display Fliers and show on my web site what classes will be offered and what rules will be followed. Generally, we run by ROAR Rules unless exception are stated.
To make it easier for the drivers to enter, I produce an entry form for the races with all classes showing that are offered. Here is an example of those from a past event KRC Products supplied management services for:
I am sorry if it is a bit blurry. The resize to fit does that sometimes. This basic form gives me the information I need to enter Drivers in the Races. One form is filled out by each driver for all classes he/she will enter. We must know the frequency used and any alternates you may have. It is good to have alternates to resolve any frequency conflicts when setting up the races. Those that have Synthesized radio systems, please put in a "1st Frequency Choice" and then write "Synth" for Alternate #1. Those that are equipped with 2.4GHz Spektrum Radios, Please Write "Spek" for your "1st Frequency Choice".
WOULD YOU LIKE AN ENTRY FORM FOR THE FALL SHOOT-OUT RACE?
CLICK HERE to download a PDF file for a page with two entry forms on it. To print this properly, please be sure to select "Shrink to Printable Area" to prevent edge cropping of the form. This will save time if you bring the form filled out for the races on Saturday morning. Please remember, you must enter the races before 9:30AM to get in Round #1 of Qualifying. See you at the races!
ARE YOU NEW TO THE IDEA OF R/C MODEL RACING?
IF SO, PLEASE READ THIS SECTION
Driving R/C Models is great fun. To those just entering the hobby, it does not matter when or where you do it, it is a blast. After a while, you start getting the hang of it more and crash a lot less. Then you start making it more interesting by running a certain pattern and seeing how fast you can do it or setting up jumps and other obstacles to maneuver over. This is only natural to progress along in the hobby this way to keep it fun. If you have been running by yourself up to this point, you may realize that if you had a friend doing this with you, it would be even more fun. Then you would be racing around together trying to outdrive each other. It is that added competition feature that makes the hobby even more fun, and actually, somewhat of a competitive sport. When someone puts together a group of people that decide to run with each other on a site with a racetrack designed for R/C models with specific rules and computer lap counting, then we have the hobby/sport of R/C Racing. This is the highest level of fun you can have with an R/C Truck or Buggy.
I know there is a huge number of people that own R/C Models capable of competing in our organized races, but many of them never enter any races. Why is that? Some are are just content to drive around jumping homemade jumps and just kicking up the dust in general. We racers often refer to that group as "the Bashers". The Bashers don't seem to have any interest in racing; just want to see if they can climb that big hill or just how high they can jump them until they break. Sure this is fun, but the Racers know that generally these Bashers would like the sport of Racing too if they would just give it a try. Often what it is, is that these drivers feel that they are not good enough at it to join in without being embarrassed. They feel that they would just lose anyway, so why race. Well, if racing R/C Models was just about winning, it would not exist because everyone knows that in each class of it, there can only be one winner. If I had to win the races I enter or it would not be fun for me, I would have been done before I started.
Racing R/C Models is about playing together as a group to make the hobby more fun. It isn't NASCAR with huge money involved. You do not have to win or lose and nobody expects anything serious out of you. It is just for fun. The way it is set up is you have two or three qualifying rounds where you are not racing against each other; you are racing against the clock for a set number of minutes (usually 5 minutes) to see what are the most laps you can do. The race computer tracks everyone's trial runs, selects the best run of the driver and ranks him/her on that lap time. Then the best drivers get grouped in the "A Main", the next the "B Main", then the "C Main" and etc. The point is that when you are placed in the "Mains" where you will actually be racing against each other, you will be put in a group closer to your skill level. And if you don't win your main, so what. It is not about winning or losing anyway. It is about being with other people doing something that is fun together.
So what am I saying here people? Please do come on over to the races with your R/C Models and have some fun. Do not let yourself be antimidated by that big, bad, scary word "Racing". Just give it a try. If you need some help learning how to do it or with setting your equipment better, these are good people just trying to have some clean fun and they will gladly help you. If you have any questions, CLICK HERE to send me a message and I will help you ASAP. Another good way to learn more about Racing R/C Models is from the many web sites and public forums. We at KRC Products run a forum that you can get info from and ask questions. CLICK HERE to check it out. I hope to see you at one of our races soon. If nothing else, please come by to watch. Thanks for visiting our site!
Best regards,
Kevin Altepeter
KRC Products & Services
Race Promoter/Director
The AMB System KRC Products uses to run races with utilizes a rechargeable Transponder that mounts directly in the model and constantly emits a coded signal. There is a loop just under the surface of the track at the finish line that connects a special Decoder to the Race Management Computer. When the model passes over the loop it is sensed and the data is sent with accuracy within a fraction of a second. This is how the race program knows exactly how you are doing on the track. The Rechargeable Transponders sit in a special charging rack track-side and are generally owned by the organization that is running the race event. You can buy your own Transponders that run off the model's radio system. These are called "Personal Transponders" and most of those that regularly race R/C Models have them because they are very convenient, but also expensive unfortunately. You must have a hole properly placed in the body of your model to install the clip pin through for mounting a Rechargeable Transponder so that the system can lap count you during all races. The "Color" and "Number" of the transponder you need to install is listed for you on the Setup Sheets generated by the Race Management System Computer. You must install the transponder before your race starts and cross the loop buried in the track once to "Check In" before your race starts. You need to be sure to do this because the races will start without you if you do not and you will not get another try. All drivers are responsible for the proper use of the transponders in their models. If the Racer has a Personal Transponder installed, enter the 7 digit ID number on the bottom line for the class entered on the sign up sheet. Again, be sure you enter your correct ID# or have the correct KRC Supplied Rechargeable Transponder installed. The "Car Number" shown for you IS the transponder number you must use for your race. The "Color" is listed also next to the class title. If you have any questions on this, please ask.
The way R/C Model Races are normally run is to first have Qualifying Heats and then follow them by the Mains. Generally, there are two or more of theses Qualifiers run to basically sort out the Drivers in each class and determine their current skill level. The Race Management Program selects the best Qualifying Run you have and uses it to rank your performance and place you in the Mains accordingly. This works great because it allows for the possibility of having a bad run due to a mechanical problem and still a chance to get in a higher spot in the Mains. During Qualifying, Drivers are racing against the clock to put in their best lap time. It is proper to allow faster drivers to pass to prevent their lap time from being cut back being you are not racing against each other yet.
After all Qualifiers are run, the Race Management Program will sort out the Mains. In the Mains you will be placed in levels that consist of those that are closer to your skill level. Let's say that the max racers is set to 10 for the Mains of Electric Open Truck with 2 Bump-Ups and there are 24 entries. There will be an A, B and C Main set up. The C Main runs first and would likely be set up with 8 Racers. The two winners of the C-Main will be inserted (Bumped-Up) to run in the B-Main now having 10 Racers. The two winners of the B-Main will be inserted (Bumped-Up) to run in the A-Main now having 10 Racers. To make this possible while keeping the action rolling constantly, the program staggers the classes running all of the lower mains first progressing along leaving the fasted A-Main Races all last. This makes for a very exciting finish of the day! Please do not think you have to know all of this before you can enter any R/C Race event. Everybody will help you through the day and we will go over this at the Drivers Meeting before races are started.
Corner Marshal Duties are not optional:
All Drivers are required to immediately assume their assigned Corner Marshal (CM) Position around the track after their Race. A Driver is required to shut down their model after their race, set their equipment on the impound table and take their CM position. Drivers from the last Race of any round of Heats or the Mains are responsible for CM Duties for the first Race of Heats or the Mains. The positions on the track for CM's will be marked with a number. The spot assigned to CM's will be that of the Car Number they were assigned by the Race Management Program for their previous race. The Race Director will know who failed to do their CM Duty by looking at the CM spot number not being tended. By far the biggest problem I have had in staying on schedule in running races is waiting for Drivers to CM after their race. If races are delayed due to delinquent Drivers not assuming their CM duties, we will inform them we are docking laps from their races. If that does not fix them and they do it again we will be forced to remove them from the race entirely. There are no valid excuses for failing to CM. Even if you are running in back-to-back races, you must find someone to CM for you or request the help of the Race Director well before the race starts.
There is no organized practice gatherings scheduled at this time but that does not mean you can't go there anyway. Please check back again soon or visit our forum for current information. http://krcproducts.com/forum There is a section in there dedicated to the Manvel Raceway called "MANVEL, ND OFF-ROAD R/C TRACK". In that forum, we discuss plans for activities. If you register to the forum, you will receive race notices courtesy of KRC Products whether you join in the discussions or not. Hope to see you at the Races! Thanks.
ABOUT THE MANVEL OFF-ROAD R/C RACEWAY SITE
Welcome to the KRC Products information page for the Manvel Off-Road Raceway. The site was put up on Manvel City Park property through an agreement with the Park Board to provide a public place where anyone with an Off-Road Remote Control Buggy or Truck could run on a decent track. Being the site is on public park land, it is completely open to the public. Please do check it out and feel free to use it. Take care of it by keeping it clean. If we abuse the site by doing damage to the property or leaving a mess of garbage laying around we will lose it, guaranteed.
Features on site currently include KRC Products 10 Person Drivers Stand and several huge wooden wire spools along the east side to use as pit tables. All around the rest of the track it is fenced in. The layout is suitable for models either electric or nitro up to 1/8 scale. There is a permanent public bathroom next to the track that has power for equipment, but you need to bring over 50' of extension cord to make it to the round tables. There is only water available for wetting down the track during organized gatherings when we are there to run hoses, but the layout is pretty hard and still fun to run dry. Book mark this page for info on times we schedule for organized activities and racing action.
DIRECTIONS TO THE MANVEL R/C RACEWAY
From Grand Forks, ND, go north on I-29. From where HWY 2 crosses I-29, it is about 10 miles to the Manvel exit #152. At Exit #152, go west and then turn left (south) immediately after crossing the rail road tracks. You are now on Oldham Avenue going south, which is the main drag in Manvel. Go through town past the school until you see a ball field on your right, turn west into there. This is the Ray Ronan Park. On the west end of this section of this section of land is a large new building called JASON STADSTAD ARENA. Between and connected to the arena is the warming house/bathroom next to the Racetrack. If any questions, please click here to contact me.
RULES FOR USE OF THE MANVEL R/C RACEWAY
GENERAL USE RULES:
-The site must be maintained. Pick up after yourself. We will try to ensure there are always garbage cans there to use.
-Treat the place with respect. Take care not to do any damage to the site in any way. If something becomes accidentally broken or damaged, fix it if you can or please click here to contact me to let me know what is the situation. If you see someone doing vandalism to the site, call the police immediately.
-Behave yourselves in general. This is a public park with a line of residential homes next to it. The same laws apply to those that use this site that apply to people using any other public property. The good people that live in Manvel do not want to see a bunch of people causing a problem in their town. There is no loud or abusive language, getting intoxicated, fighting, or any other misconduct allowed at the site. Realize you are being watched by the local residents and they are recommended to not hesitate to call the police if they see any problems.
-CHECK FOR ANYONE ELSE USING YOUR FREQUENCY BEFORE TURNING ON YOUR EQUIPMENT. This is not just a courtesy for safety reasons in the Remote Control hobby/sport, it is the law. The FCC has very specific rules that apply to the remote control model hobby/sport and violators can actually be arrested. We must all work together on this issue. When you go to a public location to run any R/C Model and there are any others there with R/C Models, you must announce what frequency you are running and that you are going to turn on your transmitter. During open practice, it is up to all of the drivers to prevent frequency conflicts to avoid any accidents that could cause personal injury or property damage. During scheduled race events, no one besides those running in the current heat or main is allowed to turn on their transmitter for any reason without first checking with the race director. This is true even if they have Spread Spectrum Radios.
-PLAY SAFE AND USE COMMON SENSE. This is a broad category, one could write a book on it as it relates here, but I will just go for one example to make the point.
SCENARIO: A few Drivers show up for some open practice time. They are running 1/8 Nitro Buggies and Monster Trucks. Some young kids see the action and instead of just watching outside of the fence, enter the track area. None of the drivers ask the kids to stay off the track, maybe thinking that they are not their kids and are not responsible for them. One of the drivers sporting a Nitro Monster Truck takes big-air over one of the jumps and hits one of the kids causing a serious injury.
QUESTION: Who is responsible for the injury to this child?
ANSWER: The one that was driving the R/C Truck that hit him is 100% at fault. This is for two reasons. First reason is for not stopping running and going out to talk to the kids and getting them to play/watch outside of the fence where it is safe. Second reason is for not having complete control of his/her model and driving with safety in mind. If any questions on this, please do send them to me by clicking here .
Racing Rules Introduction:
-For a baseline, we will use ROAR rules for our races. Unless we specifically state an exception, use the ROAR Rule Book to determine if your model or components used are legal for the Class you want to enter. A copy of the current ROAR Rule Book can be downloaded from this page: http://www.roarracing.com/rules.php Eventually, we plan to lay out our own complete rule book like other clubs and organizations did. Basically, we need rules to make our racing organized and fair while keeping it as safe to do as possible. Whether any rule is for organizational purpose, our general safety concerns or limiting the way are models are designed and set up to keep races fair, everyone is expected to follow the rules set up if they want to be involved. To ensure that those participating do follow the rules, we will delegate punishment for non-compliance starting with a warning for less serious issues. Anyone that gets way out of line will find themselves removed from the races and there will be no refund of their entry fees. Lets hope we don't have to do this, but there have been many times I have seen that people should have had their race terminated. If someone is found blatantly cheating like if they run a Modified motor in Stock Class for example, there will be no warning. Cheaters will be disqualified and removed from the race.