Don't Blink: The Different Types of RC Race Cars

RC cars are made to have fun. However, there are some people who take their "fun" very seriously. These are the people who build serious RC race cars and actually pit their skills against each other. This is actually not a new trend. People have started racing model cars even in the early 1940's. However, the technology during that time was insufficient to properly control the models. These cars were control using a tether and thus, could only run around in circles. True RC race cars were introduced in the late 1960's. These RC race cars could be controlled from a separate unit and be raced around a track.

There are different classifications of RC race cars according to fuel use and terrain. This is because of the fact that different types of RC race cars may be called superior in different conditions. Here are some classifications:

According to power source:
1) Electric- Electric RC race cars are generally lighter than gas-powered models. They also have the advantage of having more torque. Another advantage to electric RC race cars is the fact that these models are generally more responsive to the controls. This means that a person using an electric RC car will be able to react faster to different conditions on the track. There is also the fact that electric RC cars are generally cleaner in terms of fuel and in terms of the accumulated dirt during races. This means that electric RC race cars are easier to maintain than gas-powered models.

One disadvantage to electric RC race cars is the fact that it can take a long time for people to recharge the batteries. There is also the issue of speed: although electric RC race cars accelerate faster, they generally reach lower top speeds than gas-powered models.

2) Nitro- Nitro RC race cars are powered with a miniature engine that uses a mixture of Nitromethane and lubricant as fuel. Nitro RC race cars are known to reach record-breaking top speeds -much faster than what electric models are capable of. They can also run for longer times and are easier to refuel, which means that they can be enjoyed longer.

The disadvantages to this type of RC car are rooted in the fact that combustion is the process that makes it work. Combustion produces smoke and a lot of noise, which means it can't be used indoors. It also produces a lot of dirt, which means that Nitro RC race cars generally require more effort to clean. A nitro RC race car also requires regular tuning and maintenance in order to remain in top form.

According to terrain:

1) On-road- Some types of RC race cars are used to compete in paved race tracks. These RC race cars are specially designed to achieve tops speeds and maintain them during races. The wheels of these RC race cars are often designed for maximum speed and minimum friction.
2) Off-road- These RC race cars are made to accelerate and maintain control even when the race track is not paved. These RC race cars are specially designed to grip the ground and maintain top speed. The key to off-road racing is high bottom end torque. This allows off-road RC race cars to dominate the competition when encountering tricky obstacles such as mounds.

How to Choose RC Car Parts

First of all, you should be informed that there are no available toy-grade RC car parts available today. The reason for this is the fact that toy-grade RC cars are pre-assembled and made to be enjoyed while they last. Although they are excellent for teaching the basics of vehicle control, they are not made to be tinkered with. Hobby-grade RC cars, however, may be tinkered with a lot. A lot of RC car parts are available in order to enable people to fully customize their driving experience.

Many people are confused as to the standards of choosing RC car parts. This is because of the fact that manufacturers today always claim that they have the best parts or the cheapest parts around. So how should a person choose RC car parts to use?

1) Compatibility- Some RC car brands or models can only be used with specific RC car parts. This may be because the company who made the RC cars is trying to corner their market, or maybe companies are just ensuring the high performance of their cars. Before you buy any brand of RC car parts, you should see if those parts are compatible with your RC kit. If you are just beginning in the hobby, you should strictly follow this rule in order to avoid damaging your car.

Advanced hobbyists sometimes disobey this rule and try to custom fit different RC car parts to make improvements on their vehicles. However, you should be careful when doing this and you should always make sure that you have the skills necessary to pull this off.

2) Price- Of course, you should realize by now that this hobby will cost you some cash. This means that you should definitely budget your money when you are selecting RC car parts to buy. One tip you can follow is to stick to a certain price range. You can then select the best RC car part that comes within the price range that you have in mind.

If you really want to buy something top-of-the-line, you should try and save your cash. Do not be impulsive when buying RC car parts. Remember that something better will always come along and that costs go down all the time.

However, if you really love RC car racing, then maybe you can sacrifice a bit in order to buy the RC car part you want.

3) Quality- As said before, many advanced users try to mix and match different RC car parts in order to improve the performance of their vehicles. This is because of the fact that different manufacturers have different specializations. Some companies may excel in making engines while others may have high quality chassis… etc. If you can, try to get RC car parts that will improve the performance of your car.

In this case, try not to be too restricted by your budget. Remember that if you buy cheap but low quality RC car parts, you might as well be throwing your money away. By buying high quality RC car parts, you will be able to make sure that you enjoy your investment for a long time.

These are just some of the tips you should follow when buying RC car parts. Remember that the final decision will always be yours. It is your money and your enjoyment on the line, so carefully choose the RC car part to buy.

Stuffs to Think About: Two Types of RC Cars

Do you feel the need for speed? Do you find underground racing a bit too dangerous for your taste? Do you think that playing the latest racing game on your PC is just too boring for you? If this is the case, then you need to get into RC car racing. RC car racing is one of the fastest growing hobbies today. This is because it appeals to the kid within people while challenging them to hone their skills. If you think that RC car is just about getting the most expensive model out there, you are on the wrong track. Here are the basics of RC cars:

THE TWO CLASSIFICATIONS

There are two general classifications of RC cars according to the power source:

1) Electric- This RC car type is the most common type in the market today. This might be because of the fact that most toy companies make this type of RC car for children or beginner RC car enthusiasts. Some advantages of the electric RC car are:

• Noiseless- This means that an electric-powered RC car can be used without causing a lot of disturbance (excluding, of course, the number of people who will unwittingly trip over your machine).This also mean that you can use it stealthily. Countless movies have featured the use of electric RC cars in recording conversations or taking hidden videos. Make your spy dreams come true!
• Smokeless- Since this type of RC car makes use of electricity to power it, there is no smoke output when the engine is running. This is because no combustion happens within the engine of the RC car.
  

Disadvantages:

1. Limited running time- An electric RC car runs on batteries. Because of this, the power it can use to run is limited to the capacity of the battery. A user who goes for this type of RC car has to cope with the delay of charging batteries or replacing them every time that they run out of power.
2. Limited power- The power of electric RC cars is limited not only in terms of time, but also in terms of intensity. Put plainly, electric-powered RC cars just don't run as fast as gas powered models. If you are looking for speed, this is not the RC car for you.
   

2) Gas powered- There's one thing that needs to be said about gas powered RC cars: you cannot put gasoline in it. Gas powered RC cars make use of a special mixture of fuel in order to run.

Advantages:

• Speed- Many people are opting for gas powered RC cars mainly because of the fact that they are much faster than electric RC cars.
• Longevity- Gas powered RC cars can run for long times before they need to be refueled. This means that you get to use your RC car for a longer time. Thus, you get to have more fun.
  

Disadvantages:

• Smoke- Since gas powered RC cars run because of combustion; it is natural that there would be smoke coming out of the car. This means that you won't be able to use your RC car indoors.
• Noise- Gas powered RC cars make a lot of noise. This can either be a positive or a negative, depending on your attitude. For some people, the noise that this type of RC car can help them get attention from other people (Hey, some people do buy RC cars to get noticed).