Learning to fly on VRC Pro: The essential basics to get started

Are you a beginner on VRC Pro or in real life? Here are the fundamentals to learn to fly effectively and have fun quickly, without getting discouraged.

It is very important to use an RC radio if you want to progress; if you do not yet have a game adapter to connect your radio, I invite you to acquire one as soon as possible by visiting this link " Connecting your radio ".

Choose a suitable car to make progress

Start with a 1/8 Buggy Spec Brushless car (unmodified car with a low power electric motor).

✔️ It is stable, simple to control, perfect for learning the basics of flying.

Join an easy-to-understand trail

To get started, choose wide and not too technical circuits.
Here are three ideal options :

  • MHS 1, MHS 2, MHS 3

🔁 Repeating the same turns over and over will help you progress faster.

1. The ideal trajectory

Mastering the trajectory is the key to piloting . A good trajectory allows you to go faster without forcing it .

  • Wide entry , cuts the turn close to the apex , then gradually exits towards the outside.
  • Your trajectory should be smooth and circular .
  • Maintain a steady pace, avoid sudden bursts of acceleration or braking.
  • 💡 The more fluid you are, the faster you will be.

2. The different phases of a turn

Each turn is broken down into 4 stages:

➤ Phase 1: Braking point

Observation: Before entering the bend, observe the shape and length of the bend.

  • Position yourself wide
  • Braking: Release the accelerator and brake if necessary before entering the turn. (The goal is to have the correct entry speed: too fast and you risk going straight (understeering) or spinning out, and too slow and you lose speed and will have to accelerate during the turn, which is not recommended except to maintain speed.)
  • Braking should be done mainly before entering the turn to avoid destabilizing the RC car.

➤ Phase 2: Turning Point

  • Release the brake, then start turning your radio steering wheel gently to steer the car towards the inside of the turn in the direction of the apex.

➤ Phase 3: Chord point (the apex)

  • You begin here by straightening the steering wheel while gradually accelerating. It's very important to accelerate while straightening the wheels to avoid oversteering (donuts).
  • Allow the RC car to drift to the outside of the corner on exit to maximize straight-line speed. Let the car exit naturally.
  • Make corrections as needed to stay on trajectory.

➤ Phase 4: Exiting the turn

  • The wheels are straight, you can accelerate strongly.

📌 Working on each phase separately will help you progress much faster.

Weight Transfer: Although less pronounced than in a real car, weight transfer is still significant. Try to maintain a smooth driving style to avoid sudden weight transfers! Many people accelerate or brake abruptly, unbalancing their car and making it more difficult to drive.

Start tuning your car

Now that you understand how to approach a turn, I'm going to explain an important concept that many drivers neglect.

When you're driving, your goal is also to identify your car's strengths and weaknesses. One important thing to remember: when you enter a corner (between points 2 and 3) you are decelerating or maintaining speed , when you exit the corner (between points 3 and 4) you are accelerating .

As you've probably gathered, it's quite simple: on entry we decelerate, on exit we accelerate .

What I'm going to explain to you now is a car setup, more specifically the differentials.

The reason I'm giving this importance right after this chapter on trajectory is simply that they influence the behavior of your car when you decelerate or accelerate.

Reminder: A differential is a component of the transmission system that allows the wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, especially when cornering. This is necessary because the outer wheels have to travel a greater distance than the inner wheels, which, without a differential, would result in a loss of traction and premature tire wear. The differential therefore allows the engine's power to be transmitted to the wheels while balancing their rotational speeds, thus improving the vehicle's handling and stability. To adjust the viscosity of your differentials, you must take into account: the track's grip and the stages of a turn (see racing line).

Let's get down to brass tacks and look at how the viscosity of your differential oil affects the different phases of a turn (entry=deceleration, exit=acceleration):

Front Differential

Fluid viscosity:

  • More steering during deceleration (entry)
  • Less steering during acceleration (exit)
  • Less stability during acceleration (exit and straightaway)

Thick viscosity:

  • No more steering during acceleration (exit)
  • Greater stability during acceleration (straight line)
  • Less steering during deceleration (entry)

Central differential

Fluid viscosity:

  • More steering during deceleration (entry)
  • More rear traction during acceleration
  • Less steering during acceleration (exit)
  • Less acceleration

Thick viscosity:

  • No more steering during acceleration (exit)
  • More acceleration
  • Less steering during deceleration
  • Less rear traction during acceleration

Rear differential

Fluid viscosity

  • More traction when exiting corners
  • Less traction in corners
  • No more steering during deceleration
  • Less steering during acceleration

Thick viscosity:

  • More traction in corners
  • More steering during acceleration
  • Less steering during deceleration
  • Less traction when exiting a corner

Here is a very interesting link on understanding differentials: https://www.fiches-auto.fr/articles-auto/fonctionnement-d-une-auto/s-1082-le-differentiel-principe.php

Difference between motor skills and traction:

Motor skills:

  • A vehicle's ability to transmit power to the drive wheels while maintaining good traction.
  • It depends on the type of transmission (FWD, RWD, AWD), the tires, the differential settings, and the weight distribution. Good traction helps prevent wheelspin and optimizes acceleration.

Traction:

  • Refers to the grip between the drive wheels and the road surface.
  • Good traction allows tires to grip the track well and prevent loss of control. It is influenced by the condition of the surface, tire temperature, and the loads applied to the drive wheels.

🔥 "Do you really want to progress in RC? Download the French translation of the basic settings now. It's THE starting point to improve your car and your performance.