In the world of R/C Cars and Trucks, there are no speed limits and no red lights! You can go as fast and furious as your machine allows—whether it's a futuristic concept car, an entry-level buggy or even a huge, nitro-powered car crusher. The choice is yours.
How do I get started?
Consider your budget and consider your skills. A simpler, slower vehicle may not be your dream, but it IS the best way to get started. And remember: You can add hop-ups (performance parts) later to boost its speed and power.
Knowing what you're getting into helps, too. Many Books are available to help you understand and master your car, hop-up options, tuning tricks, custom painting, racing techniques, etc. Also, get a copy of our
SpeedMart sale flyer or check it out online. It lists thousands of cars and parts, many with full descriptions and prices. Check out our selection of GREAT Starter Cars & Trucks. And perhaps one of the best sources of info is your own racing buds. Ask your friends!
Racing Basic — Speed
How fast does an R/C car go? The most accurate answer is: It depends. Does your model have a nitro (glow) engine or an electric motor? Is it engineered for sport use (fun) or for racing? Is it stock or modified for higher speeds? What was it meant to do? A monster truck designed for hill-climbing moves at about "walking speed." But some R/C drivers have pushed their race cars to speeds in excess of 80 mph! Fast cars are fun. Unless you're an experienced driver, however, choosing a car for its speed alone is not a good idea. For a very rough estimate of the speeds you can expect from different models, see the chart below. But remember: Your actual miles-per-hour will vary!
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Vehicle Type
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Average
Top Speed
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Off-Road - Electric
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15-30 mph
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Off-Road - Nitro
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20-60 mph
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On-Road - Electric
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20-40 mph
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On-Road - Nitro
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20-60 mph
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Monster Truck -Electric
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10-25 mph
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Monster Truck - Nitro
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20-40 mph
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RTRs vs. Kits
Picking out your first vehicle is perhaps the most exciting part of R/C racing. Many of today’s most popular choices arrive Ready-to-Run. Also known as "RTRs," these vehicles usually come complete with a 2-or 3-Channel radio, motor or engine, ESC, batteries and more. These vehicles are usually targeted at new modelers and "backyard" drivers, rather than racers bent on winning organized competitions.
But that doesn't necessarily mean you're settling for less performance. As your skills grow, you can improve your model's speed and operation with upgrades— for example, by replacing bushings with ball bearings, or adding a hotter motor or engine. And since Tower Hobbies has put together convenient Ultimate Combos for many RTR cars and trucks, ordering your essential accessory items is made simple, too. In short, RTRs are perfect if you're brand new to the hobby.
Some cars and trucks come in Kit form. You get all the parts necessary to assemble the machine, plus instructions. Often, such "primary accessories" as engine, body, or motor and electronic speed control may be required as additional purchases (follow the Accessories Required links for the model you choose to see a list of the items needed).
R/C model car bodies are usually made of clear Lexan plastic. Some trimming may be necessary to remove excess material. Use specially formulated polycarbonate paints to give them whatever color scheme you desire.
The chassis goes together with ordinary tools such as screwdrivers, nut drivers, pliers and the like. Although building a kit rather than buying an RTR does require extra time, there are advantages. You'll gain an expert understanding of how your machine works, which comes in handy when performing maintenance and tuning.
Two-Wheel Drive Vs. Four-Wheel Drive
In four-wheeled vehicles, there are two main drive types: two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). If you're new to R/C, you may want to consider 2WD. They generally require less overall assembly and maintenance. The tradeoff is that 4WD vehicles offer easier driving and a definite handling edge.
Scale
"Scale" is a term with two meanings. In one sense, it can refer to the size relationship between a model and an actual vehicle—for instance, the most popular scales of R/C vehicles are 1:8, 1:10, 1:12 and 1:18. The 1:10 scale category definitely provides the most choices for a first-time hobbyist. However, "scale" can also refer to a model's trueness to a real car's appearance and/or features. Many popular street and racing vehicles have been recreated "to scale" for R/C enthusiasts to enjoy.
On-Road, Off-Road and More
There are six basic types of R/C vehicles to choose from. Models suitable for first-time hobbyists are available in every one!
Off-Road Buggies
Whether you prefer the “charge up a battery and go” simplicity of electric buggies or the roaring realism of nitro-powered R/C off-roaders, one thing is shared by both: the ability to tackle virtually any terrain with ease. In your backyard, on a dirt track, or at the park, they're a great way to kick back and cut loose — in some friendly competition or running just for fun!
On-Road Cars
On-road cars offer minimal suspensions, sleek, sophisticated looks and foot-to-the-floorboard speed. An on-road car can easily be run on a smooth street, parking lot or any other (relatively) flat, paved surface. And whether you decide to go nitro or electric, 1/10, 1/12, 1/18 or even 1/8 scale, there’s impressive variety and authenticity in store.
Monster Trucks
The undisputed kings of R/C vehicles, Monster Trucks offer the earthshaking excitement of large tires, big power plants, and chassis engineered more for unstoppable torque than all-out speed. Using sheer, brute power, they rumble their way up hills, down slopes — and over unsuspecting cars.
Truggies
Are they buggies on steroids? Monster trucks made lean and mean? The definition of “truggy” is still evolving, but this much is clear: if you want a machine that combines speed with the toughness to tackle wild stunts and wicked tracks, and R/C truggy is a good way to go.
Stadium Trucks
Run for backyard fun or head-to-head racing, R/C stadium trucks are the fast masters of "bump and jump" excitement. With their heavy-duty suspensions, oversized shocks and large tires, they're built to take punishment and can survive soaring jumps and crushing touchdowns that would disable most vehicles.
Minis
Measuring well under a foot in length, “Mini” R/C vehicles like the Vendetta ST shown still have a lot in common with their larger radio-control counterparts. In fact, the chassis components can be just as sophisticated and deliver the same durability, high speeds and smooth handling — just in a smaller size that makes them right for racing almost anywhere, including indoors!
Electric or Nitro?
Quick, quiet and easy to afford, build and drive, Electric Vehicles are a popular choice in R/C power for first-time modelers. Equipped with a rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack, a vehicle with a stock motor will provide about 8-10 minutes of run time. With multiple packs and a quick charger, an electric vehicle is ready for hours of use.
Interest in Nitro (Glow-Engine) Vehicles has grown enormously. Vast improvements in glow engine technology have simplified tuning and maintenance, enabling many more modelers to enjoy the realistic sound and smell that goes along with Nitro power's acceleration and speed.
What else do I need?
There's more to running an R/C car or truck than the vehicle itself. Electric vehicles require a 2-or 3-Channel radio, motor(s), speed control and battery. Nitro vehicles require a radio, engine, fuel and muffler. Some or all of these items may be included with the vehicle, so read the product description carefully for details.
Your model may also require items such as pinion, tires, wheels and body. Again, follow the Accessories Required links for the model you choose to see a list of the items needed. If you order by phone, our friendly Sales and Service reps can also tell you exactly what you'll need for each specific car or truck.
Radio
Most R/C vehicles use
2-Channel or
3-Channel radio systems. They will usually not include batteries, so you'll need to buy alkaline cells or rechargeable NiCds to power the transmitter and the receiver. If you drive an electric model and have a BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuitry) equipped radio system, you can power the receiver from your motor's battery pack.
Replacement Parts
Another consideration when choosing an R/C car or truck is making sure that you'll be able to get replacement parts quickly and easily—that way, if anything breaks, you won't be stuck in neutral for very long.
Tower Hobbies carries just about every individual part you might need for any vehicle that we offer. And along with direct replacement parts, we also have many "aftermarket" parts—such as wheels, tires, bodies, suspension and steering components, decals, and so on—that you can use to improve your model's performance and customize its looks.
To get replacement parts quickly, take advantage of the
R/C Parts Superstore section of our website. There, you'll find convenient, comprehensive parts listings for many of our most popular cars and truck...plus, you'll enjoy LOWER THAN RETAIL prices and reduced rates on postage and handling with items that qualify for
Parts Express!
What If I Want to Compete?
The main organization in R/C racing is ROAR(Radio Operated Auto Racing). Visit their website for information on racing classes, as well as upcoming regional and national racing events.
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