The HPI Savage RTR is an example of a new, all inclusive Ready-To-Run RC Truck

Getting Started in RCcompetitionx.com /getting-started-in-rc/

When I first started out in RC, I found there wasan overwhelming amount of information to learn;tuning, gearing, motor tweaking, tire compoundsand inserts, etc. The experimental process tookquite some time and involved alot of money. WhileI was ok with this (I did see results and actuallygot quite good), I knew that if there wassomeplace I could read up on all of this it wouldhave cut the time and cost in half (at least). Sure,there were some Pro RC Drivers at the track, butthey all seemed so unapproachable…I always feltlike I was bothering them.

Jump forward to 2001. CompetitionX started as asite that RC Drivers (from beginners toprofessionals) could go to and read up on any RCinformation they needed. Are you ready to to get started? Let’s go!

Radio Controlled cars have been around for many years. They come in many forms, from the toy store‘super-cool-really-fast-big-winged-monster-machines’ to the potent track performers that companies likeHot Bodies, HPI, Team XRay, Team Associated or Tamiya offer (to name a few).

The biggest difference between the two is that the ‘remote controlled toy’ style cars are just that…toys. Ifyou break a part, you basically throw the car away. Parts are not (normally) sold individually for those cars.

The ‘radio controlled’ cars are the ones offered by specialty companies such as Hot Bodies, HPI, TeamLosi, Kyosho, Traxxas and OFNA. They come in kit form and RTR (Ready To Run). If you break any parts,most hobby shops carry a wide variety of original and aftermarket replacements, and most are inexpensivecompared to buying another toy car. The body shells are (in most cases) interchangeable, and range fromthe Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini to the Dodge Stratus, Mazda 6, Honda Accord and FordMustang. Each shell can be painted to match an original car or with some wild design of your choice! Tiresare also available in different compounds for different applications. Motors and batteries (for electric rccars) can be purchased to make your car extremely fast! Nitro powered rc cars can be tuned much like areal car – better exhaust, manifold, fuel, plugs, etc. The list of upgrades on most RC vehicles is endless!

There are a few things you should consider, however, as detailed below for each individual category…

Style: Onroad or Offroad

Most radio controlled onroad kits resemble full-size touring cars, similiar to theones you see on tv (BTCC, etc). Radio controlled onroad cars are typicallyfour-weel drive (4WD), have real working independent suspension systems,realistic slick or treaded tires (of different compounds), carbon fiber, aluminumand titanium components, and can be (or upgraded to be) extremely fast! Onthe down side, jumping off curbs, running over speed bumps or driving throughgrass and dirt are usually bad for onroad cars. The suspensions are just notset up to handle this. But, if you have a large street, a vacant (paved) lot oreven a good sized driveway, onroad cars can be the way to go.

Offroad kits come with larger, spiked tires, beefier shocks and longersuspension components. They also come in either 2WD or 4WD. Offroad carscan go just about anywhere, including grass, dirt, off curbs, over speedbumps, up driveways and over big jumps! They can also run in the street but,because of their overall bulkiness, just don’t have the same appeal as theonroad kits, nor do they handle as well. The final choice might be something alittle more for fun….RALLY! There are a few companies that make rally cars(or conversions) that are basically onroad kits with offroad suspensions, longershocks and knobby tires. They are typically 4WD and can handle the abuse ofoffroad better than a dedicated onroad kit.

Power: Electric or Nitro

As this opinion might be disputed by quite a few people, themajority will tell you that, while run times suffer slightly, ElectricRC cars are by far easier to maintain. They are quiet andrequire a few simple plugs and switches to run. Electric RCcars can also be run indoors, while Nitro RC cars cannot. Asmentioned earlier, run times can be around 6-12 minutesdepending on the motor/battery combo, and take about 25minutes to charge (newer, LiPo powered cars have beenknown to run for as long as 40 minutes on ONE charge!)Speeds in excess of 30-40 mph are not uncommon for mostElectric RC cars. Fastest recorded Electric car has hit over140mph!

Nitro (or Gas powered) RC cars have the added benefit of being able to run ALL DAY. Tuned correctly, NitroRC cars can hit speeds of over 60mph. Nitro RC cars also have realism….the smoke, the fumes, thesound of the exhaust…all added reasons why Nitro RC cars are so cool. Nitro RC cars must use a specific‘Nitro’ fuel…normal pump gas will not work (except in 1/4, 1/5 and 1/6 scale kits).

Form: Kit or RTR

RC Car Kits are simply that…a box of bagged parts! Kits arefor the person that enjoys building, wants the satisfaction of acompleted kit after building, or the knowledge of how thevehicle REALLY works. Kits do not come with radio gear ormotors. The instructions include very detailed diagrams alongwith some helpful text, and most companies have online (orphone) support should you become confused. Typical buildtime is around 4-6 hours depending on how thorough you arein the building process. Take your time and you’ll be rewardedwith an incredible racing machine!

As mentioned earlier, RTR stands for Ready-To-Run. All Ready-To-Run RC cars come completelyassembled from the factory, including radio gear. For Electric RTR’s, all you need to do is charge andinstall the battery and GO! For Nitro RTR’s, install AA’s into the transmitter and vehicle (for the onboardradio gear), fuel it up and GO! Nitro vehicles do require a short engine break-in period (instructions areusually included in the box). RTR’s are good for the person who wants to jump into Radio Control withoutthe downtime of building. They are also great for younger kids that may not have the skills (yet) to build avehicle.

What’s Next: Buying Your First Vehicle

Simple … any hobby shop in your area should carry a prettygood selection of Radio Controlled vehicles. Or, stop by anewstand (or book store) and pick up a copy of any of theRadio Controlled Car magazines (visit the Links page for a listof the magazines web sites). They will have all themanufacturers listed, as well as some of the local RC tracks inyour area. A RC Track might be a good place to find aconsignment vehicle, also (check out our Online TrackDirectory for a track near you). You can sometimes get apretty good deal on a set up for a pretty reasonable price. Keep in mind, however, that this will be USEDequipment! This could mean having to do a little cleanup/repair work before actually driving your new car.

Another avenue would be online. Ebay is a great place to look for used equipment. You can also check outAmazon.com. They have quite a few entry level and high-end cars from some of the biggest names in theindustry! Remember, though, that if you plan on racing, it might be a good idea to support your local track.The more business he gets, the longer he can keep his track open, and the longer you will have a place torace!!!

The Final Step: Racing!

If you just want to drive your vehicle around by yourself or withsome friends, Onroad RC cars can be run anywhere that thereis a relatively flat, paved surface. Offroad RC cars can be runanywhere, including a vacant lot, construction site or mostparks (check with your local area to make sure it’s ok to doso). Once you’ve honed your driving skills, most drivers start tofeel the itch…the need for speed! They’ll run in the front yardwith some friends and start to get more and more competitive.Welcome to the REAL world of Radio Control…..RACING!Once you’ve put your car on the track and felt the adrenalinerush of racing other people, you’ll never be the same again!Racing can be one of the most fun and exciting aspects of the Radio Control hobby. There are hundreds oftracks all across the US (and other nations as well) that have weekly or monthly racing schedules.

Racing has other advantages, too. It promotes competitiveness, sociality, sportsmanship and (in somecases) teamwork. You will make a whole new group of friends and also learn some basic building andproblem-solving skills!