Now you are getting serious.

If you want to have maximum fun this is the place to look for it. Remote controlled cars for racing are phenomenal, they can reach very high speeds and be super reactive. You need good reactions and good hand eye co-ordination to race these little devils but you will never have so much fun in your life.

 

 

A Guide To Radio Control Racing Cars

Radio controlled cars (R/C) cars can look back on a proud history as a hobby for both young and old.   Dating back almost 50 years, there are few hobbies that are as easy to get into for beginners and as fascinatingly deep for experts. R/C cars have it all – whether you are technically minded and love to tinker with engines, optimize specs, interested in practicing competitively, or just want to have some good, plain fun racing cars, this hobby will keep you occupied and entertained for hours on end.

Which Radio Control Racing Car; What Do You Need To Know?

The three considerations for any upcoming R/C car racer are:

·        Where you want to use your car,

·         Do you want a rechargeable remote control electric car or a Nitro car,

·        How techie are you? Do you want a kit to build yourself or ready to run (RTR) package.

Let’s consider these options further:

Where Will You Use Your RC Racing Car?

Where do you want to use your car? Are you racing it inside your house, somewhere on the road in your neighborhood, or are you planning to go off-road, across rough parkland, the beach or bush terrain? Radio control racing cars offer it all, but specific cars are suited for different areas, so it is best to decide in advance.

 

Electric or Nitro

R/C cars usually come with an electric or nitro engine. They differ significantly from each other, so it is best to get familiar with the features of each. Briefly: if you are looking for easy fun without any hassle, electric is the way to go. If you would really like to get into the mechanics, however, nitro is definitely worth a shot – although it comes with a greater time investment.

Electric Remote Control Cars

Electric remote control cars have an edge in casual neighborhood racing. They run quietly and produce no exhaust fumes, so even racing them indoors is no problem (just try to stay clear of the furniture). They are the Kings of the cheap fast remote control cars. They provide top speed at a lower price, especially in the short-term. There are extra costs though if you really want to have fun, you might need to by additional battery packs (for uninterrupted runtime), more chargers and other accessories. One advantage is that the electric remote control car engines require little or no maintenance or tuning. One thing to pay attention to with electric RC cars is battery storage;– they should be stored safely in the right conditions.

Nitro Remote Control Cars

Nitro RC car engines provide that real engine feel in your car. This radio control racing car gives you the sweet smell of burning ethanol from a fume-spitting exhaust pipe, the roar of a blaring engine, and the screech of rubber on the road. Nitro is also the best choice for tinkers. The engines will require plenty of tuning and maintenance, and the fuel you choose will impact your car’s performance in different ways. Fine tuning is the key to great Nitro RC Racing, for instance using glow plugs instead of an electric ignition, or choosing a certain model of exhaust pipe -just like a real car- will affect the power output and influence how well your car does in different environments. Nitros usually come with 2-stroke engines, which are great for speed-focused racing, but you can opt for 4-stroke engines if you want power and torque instead of speed for unwieldy terrain on off-road racing tracks. You can also get these as 4WD remote control cars.

To summarize, electric engines are easier, but offer less flexibility and control. Pick these if you are mainly interested in the driving aspect of radio control racing cars. Nitro engines are more complex, but you also have more control over their performance, as they allow you to tweak and tinker with your engine to optimize things in your own way.

Do You Want A Kit Remote Control Car or Ready To Run (RTR) ?– Customization vs Convenience

RTR is very straightforward: You buy your RC racing car – usually an electric remote control car, take it out of the box, and start having fun racing. Sometimes you will need to bolt the wheels on or put some batteries into the car, but that’s usually it. The manufacturer has taken care of everything to make sure that you will need to spend as little time as possible between having your car and racing it, too.

On the other hand, a kit means building the radio control car yourself. The car parts, instructions, and a set of tools come inside the box and it is on you to put everything together. It may be a challenge at first, especially if you are doing it for the first time. But building a kit is about the process just as much as the result.

Which Radio Controlled Car?

After identifying your preferences (where you will use the car, the power source, and RTR or kit), now it is time to pick your car. But which one should you go for considering all those different models out there? We have compiled some options for you below, so it is easier to find the best fit depending on your need and level of experience. Don’t forget you can go for remote control drift cars, off road remote control cars, nitro racing cars and lots more. Check them out and start having fun!

Cheap Fast Remote Control Cars For Beginners.

The KELIWOW Electric High Speed RC Truck, Rock Off-Road Crawler is a good choice if you are searching for a good speed-for-money ratio. This RTR costs less than $100 and is easy to maneuver You can easily operate it anywhere you want (including your living room) and is a great way to test the waters in the R/C world.

The KELIWOW is powered by a high-performance battery (Li-ion 7.4V, 650 mah) as well as an RC380 race motor. It runs on a speed of up to 30+ MPH and an approximate playtime of 9 minutes.

It comes with a 280-feet range remote control that is full-functioning. Besides, it is perfect for both beginners and veterans who are thrilled by speed. You don’t have to be worried about it getting damaged when driven in water, as it has a waterproof electronic system to protect it.

This racing truck is made of heavy-duty PA materials. It has an excellent finishing that instantly appeals to kids of all ages. The package includes a manual, battery, charger, and 2-channel radio control.

Pros

• The tires are antiskid
• The electronic system is waterproof
• Can be driven on all terrains

Cons

• Cannot be driven on snow

Customer Rating: 5 stars

 

For the off-road curious who are not yet ready to commit to a nitro model, , the Redcat Racing Everest-10 Rock Crawler. The EVEREST-10  is ever ready for any kind of terrain. It is waterproof, almost indestructible, and is 100% RTR including battery. However, its top speed of 10 mph (16 km/h) makes it unsuitable for racing.

And during those wild driving conditions, the solid axle locks both the left and right wheels to the same rotational speed to provide maximum grip and traction.

With features such as bead-lock crawling tires, rear and front multi-link suspension, complete ball bearings, two channel 2.4GHz radio and the aluminum capped oil filled shocks it is not a surprise that we found it outstanding.

If you are a 4WD fanatic, you can easily convert it to a 4WD with the servo mounts.

Pros

• The front and back axle housings are pretty tough
• Comes with removable bead lock wheels for maximum grip
• Can climb on hard rocks

Cons

• You may need to upgrade the plastic locking mechanisms to aluminium for it to be durable

Customer rating: 4.5 stars

 

But if you want to get serious, go for the HPI Racing Trophy 3.5 Buggy RTR.

It is a greater investment, but a perfect way to get started in the world of nitro. With a top speed of 40mph (65 km/h), this buggy is certainly not a toy. It offers all the fun of a real engine without an all-too-big barrier to entry.

The HPI Trophy is perfect for off-road racing. It has a durable aluminum chassis as well as a pretty strong and very reliable F3.5 engine with 2.5HP. And it comes with shock towers and braces.

In addition, the engine has a two-stage air filter that has a splash guard installed to protect the engine during rainy days or when in wet places. Both the battery and the receiver have a waterproof box prevent them from any damage caused by water and other harsh elements.

The 2.4 GHz 3-channel system is easy and comfortable to control. Moreover, the endpoint is adjustable, the steering is dual rate and it is fail-safe. The RC comes with waterproof servos.

Pros

• Has a splash guard installed feature
• Waterproof battery, receiver and servos
• Is made of durable aluminum chassis

Cons

• The pull start is a bit hard

Cstomer rating: 4. stars

Best Remote Control Car For You; Intermediate.

If you are accustomed to the way R/C cars operate, drift cars are the way to take your racing skills to the next level.  The Drift Star 350  for example, is electric and RTR, so you can fully focus on your drifting skills.

The most outstanding feature on this RC is the high-powered KV 3000 brushless motor and high capacity batteries. These guarantees super high performance and long run times.

 

This electric four-wheel can be driven in both indoor and outdoor drifts. It can persevere over tough terrains as well. It’s feather-weight suspension arms provide a quick suspension response and reduced sprung weight as well as the overall weight of the RC. The tires are anti-skid, the wheels are pre-mounted with solid compound drift tires, and the rims have chrome-plated spoke rims. You will love that both the motor and the transmission are entirely sealed to avoid drift and grime from getting in and causing any damage.

Pros

• High capacity batteries
• Anti-skid tires
• Sealed motor and transmission

Cons

• Crashing can easily dent the car’s body

Customer Ratings: 4.8 stars

 

Should you want to go for a monster truck, try the Traxxas E-Revo VXL Brushless.

Its an amazing remote controlled vehicle which will give you endless fun
It is super versatile and tops at a speed of 70 mph (112 km/h). RTR, like most electric models, it is ideal to explore all kinds of terrains and expand your skills in a dynamic way.

E-Revo Brushless Racing Monster Truck is a powerful truck that combines raw aggression, high speed and super high level of strength. The design embodies high-end creativity, innovation and technology combined.

This 4-wheel monster truck comes with a Tqi 2.4 GHz Radio system. The radio system can be outfitted with a wireless module that provides speed in real time as well as temperature and voltage. Its GTR shocks are low and centered on making the weight distribution equal. With the E-Revo, get ready for a whole new level of strength, raw aggression, and speed. In case of any interruptions, it will only take a few seconds for it to be up with just a single push on the power button.

However, you will need to buy a charger and battery separately.

Pros

• Has an equal weight distribution
• Takes off on high speed fast even after an interruption

Cons

• Battery and charger are sold separately

Customer Ratings: 4.2 stars

 

If you are looking for a kit, check out this off-road buggy designed for speed on a dirt track. Great fun to build and one of the very fast remote control cars.

The Tamiya Dark Impact 4WD kit is built to fight in the off-road buggy racing with excellent stability. Its build is impressively fun-strong, resilient and durable, and the performance is exceptional. This electric radio drive system has an organized balanced weight distribution to ensure there is sufficient suspension stroke.

The front tires have a Hayden spike K to give the tires a good grip on the road surface. The mid-rear mounted motor and the mounted battery give it the optimum ability for jumping. You will love that you don’t have to remove the whole body casing just to insert the batteries, you can insert through the bottom of the chassis. Routine and maintenance of this 4 WD shaft drive are easy and quick, and older kids can easily do it unsupervised.

Note, it is recommended for kids 12 and up, and you will need to buy a battery charger, receiver, and speed controller separately.

Pros

• Easy to insert batteries
• Easy to maintain and clean
• The tires have a good grip on the road

Cons

• Battery and charger are sold separately

Customer Ratings: 4.9 stars

Meanwhile, this 4WD Nitro Losi Buggy kit is a great start for a beginner looking competitive buggy racing. It has a pull start and yields a lot of speed and durability for your dollar. It’s one of the best, fastest and most enjoyable RC racing cars you could get.

The 8IGHT buggy uses the Gen III radio tray which is able to prolong the steering and throttle servo life.In addition, you get a pre-set suspension that geometrically equal to what team drivers use on their buggies.

This kit is customizable, so you can adjust with the many available 8IGHT option parts to suit your skill level and experience.

The kit comes completely assembled and includes 4 batteries, bind plug, well-detailed manual, DX2E Transmitter, 8IGHT 4WD Nitro Buggy RTR, 4-Way Cross Wrench and Dynamite 1600Mah 6V NiMH receiver pack.

Pros

• Comes pre-assembled and ready to drive
• You can upgrade the body parts
• Powerful and durable

 

Cons

Does not come with a charger so you will have to buy one

Customer ratings: 4.4 stars

Alternatively, you can try your hand at R/C drag racing with this speed monster which comes as a kit

– or have fun off-road with the tough Hobao Hyper 7.

High Quality Remote Control Cars

This is where you find the fastest R/C cars. With an acceleration from 0-100mph (160km/h) in under 5 seconds, the Traxxas XO-1

is hailed as the world’s fastest radio control racing car. Try it out if you have previous experience handling high-powered R/C cars! On the tough end of the spectrum, the massive Traxxas X-Maxx

is 19.1lbs (8.66kg) of pure, raw power. Note that these radio control racing cars are not necessarily better than other cars – they are simply among the most extreme in speed, weight and power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, if you are looking for the ultimate kit challenge, the Tamiya Avante

and Tamiya Super Shot are notoriously difficult to assemble.

These are collector kits you will not find easily on Amazon, and really are for the fun of assembly only – they will not satisfy any need for peak on- or off-road performance.

Finally, the Exceed RC Forza RC is definitely the highest performing 2-wheel drive in our list, especially when it comes to on-road performance among the nitro racing cars. It comes completely pre-assembled, ready to roll out of the box. On purchase, you get a complete kit inclusive of a high-quality full-range radio transmitter. Its 0.18 engine makes it super reliable on-road and has consistent power as far as high performance. Maintenance is easy, and you can easily access both the front and rear differential by just removing the screws. This Forza RC is made of a lightweight (2.5 mm) aluminum alloy chassis so its sturdiness and durability is a guarantee.

Pros

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Durable and sturdy
• Can be driven on both off-road and on-road

Cons

Not heavy enough for experienced racers

Customer rating: 3 stars

Radio Control Car Racing

Now for the fun part! The joy of having an R/C car increases with racing. You can find cheap fast remote control cars to start with and as you get more experienced and know which radio controlled car you will branch out into the high quality remote control cars. Radio control sports are great fun. Divisions exist for different types of radio control car and your preferred way of driving. Nitro and electric, off- and on-road and off-road, all sizes and scales up to 1:5, it’s all possible.

The Best Off-Road Remote Control Car;

At one end of the spectrum you will find Rock Crawling, which is like the best off road remote control car. The challenge for these radio controlled cars comes in maneuvering your off road radio control car through unwieldy terrain without any defined track. It places a strong focus on knowing your rig inside and out and knowing how much stress it can take rather than how fast it can go.

 

Very Fast Remote Control Cars;

At the other end of the RC racing car world there is Drag Racing. If you enter this world you are talking high quality remote control cars. Of course knowing how to race RC cars takes experience. When you know how thought, the rush comes from driving a radio control car designed purely for top speed and acceleration. In between the rock crawlers and drag racers, and very fast remote control cars in the Formula 1 and NASCAR-type racers, remote control rally cars, remote control drift cars and more. If you have a need for speed, there is no shortage in opportunities to satisfy you.

Best Remote Control Car For You;

Beginners usually race in the rookie division, where you can get away with cheap fast remote control cars and the requirements are a bit more flexible. You can test your skill, ability and racing car preferences with other aspiring racers when there is not much pressure. But once you know how to race RC cars and whether you want nitro RC cars or trucks and whether you want to step up to high quality remote control cars, you can proceed to some of the more specialized divisions.

These divisions are more strictly divided and defined, with minimum weights and specific requirements for types of motors, tires, bodies, chassis and sometimes even rules for which Electronic Speed Control (ESC) you can use. Usually, any of the more advanced radio control car racing divisions also come with skill recommendations from intermediate to advanced.

Conclusion

This is a brief intro into the RC car racing world. There are so many layers to this fascinating hobby from electric to nitro, remote control drift cars to fast electric RC cars that the potential for discoveries and explorations is endless. This adds to the joy of racing tenfold.

We hope that we were able to share some of our passion for RC racing cars with you. Hopefully it has encouraged you to get your first radio controlled racing car, one that matches your personality and style. Whether you start with a cheap fast remote control car or a high quality remote control car it will be fun – whether you want to do it casually or competitively. Get her out of the box and start her up!