HUNCOTE VIPERS MODEL CAR CLUB CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF RACING

On 27th March 2025 Huncote Vipers Model Car Club will be celebrating 35 years of racing.

The club was formed by David Quemby along with Charles and Paul Dunkley, Rob Norwell and Colin Watts.

The first meeting was held in the school hall of Huncote Primary School in Leicestershireon Tuesday 27th March 1990.

The main aim of the club was to promote the sport of radio control model car racing, providing a safe environment for youngsters to use their cars and a place for them to learn how to tune and maintain them.  The club still maintains this aim & has club cars that can be used by anyone wanting to try the sport.

The original track was laid out on a carpet base with old esculator handrail being used to mark out the track.

Lap timing at that time was done using a manual pushbutton counting system.

In the early days there were up to 40 members & most of the cars were 1:10th scale buggies.

The club is affiliated to the British Radio Car Association which is the governing body of the sport in this country.

Over the years the types of cars being raced have gone through a number of phases from four wheel drive 1:10th scale saloon cars, 1:12th scale GT12 & LMP’s to the latest phase which is the Battcave mini’s.

The electronics have also changed over the years with motors changing from brushed to brushless, batteries changing from NiCad’s to NiMH’s then to LiPo’s.

The radio transmitters also changed from predominatley sticks to wheel type & the frequencies used from 27MHz to 40MHz & now 2.4GHz.

The clubs system for lap timing also changed from the original mechanical system to using handout transponders & computer software to the now dedicated personnal transponders with results being displayed live on a website.

Club membership has changed quite a bit from the early 40 members dropping down to mid teens around 2010. Numbers picked up to low 20’s in 2013 before dropping down to around 10 members just before covid stopped play.

The club took a while to recover once we were allowed to start racing again & this year we have around 17 members so far.

The club still meets on a Tuesday night during term time (6:30pm to 10pm) & once the adjacent Community Centre hall became available the club hired that as well as a pit area.

Racing is still done on a carpet based track with the track marking been done using drainpipe tubing. The circuit is changed once a month to allow drivers time to test different car set-ups.

One of the clubs founder members, Rob Norwell, left the club in the 90’s & rejoined the club over 10 years ago & is now a regular member again.

The club can be found online at our website www.vipersrc.co.uk  or our Facebook page under Huncote Vipers Model Car Club.

Race results are published on the rc-results.com under Huncote Vipers MCC.

John Richardson

Here's some exciting news about a British manufacturer producing innovative tools tailored to our hobby. We've had the chance to check them out in person and are thoroughly impressed and happy to recommend them to all of you!

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Tried, tested, and BRCA recommended!

Recently, we shared a post to our Facebook asking you for your best tips and advice for beginners.

We had almost 100 responses which was great! Here’s a few of our favourites… 

“When you start, go steady and get laps in. Speed comes with confidence and that is built with time on track.” - Eric Enion

“ Enjoy it and don't let it become too serious. If you’re not going home happy, you’re doing it wrong. Don't try to go as fast as the guys winning, you'll learn faster by being sensible and add speed as you develop.” - Chris Long

“Don't be scared to ask questions. Don't take it too seriously. Try to be consistent rather than fast, the less you crash, the better the times.
Enjoy.” - Colin Kershaw

“Don’t run before you can walk, decide if you want on or off road, it’s likely you would have some idea of the cars etc. Find a good local model shop, they would be able to advise on tools, etc. Find a local club, go a few times, get to know the people, ask questions. Join the BRCA and use their resources and knowledge. Practice is worth more that shiny nut or pro paint job, you will need help so don’t be afraid to ask. Enjoy yourself.” -Chris Deakin

“This hobby helped define my career, so have fun, speak to lots of people, don't worry about having all the best "stuff" and enjoy yourself.
One for the parents, be present as it makes such a big difference, having a common understanding will mean a lot in later life. I still talk to my parents about races that were 25 years ago together.” - Danny McGee

“If you’re not sure of anything, ask someone for help and advice. Drive the middle of the track until you get better. Then watch the top guys to see the lines they take, where they brake and put the throttle on. Watch YouTube videos about car set up and understand how it works. Enjoy and have fun with the sport/hobby. It takes time have patience.
Practice as much as you can.” - Miklos Szabados

“Buy used kit from the local fast drivers and don't be afraid to hand them your car and ask them what they advise you do (I still do this)....  Always ask questions, helping you out is why the sponsored guys/girls are sponsored!  
Race the best people you can find in your area as you'll always learn more watching and talking to the quick people!” - Nick Goodall

“Set realistic goals, solve one problem at a time, remember that there are usually several ways of solving a problem, go with the one that works for you.” - Alistair Munro

“Always visit your local club before buying anything at all. They're the best place for advice.” - Mark Raddenbury

“There are no stupid questions, we all had to start somewhere. Do not be afraid to ask an experienced racer for help. Regardless of ability, they will help.
I've asked a world champion for help, they will find time to help, regardless of brand.” - Andy Travis


Keep you eyes peeled for more of our interactive posts - coming soon!