HPI Savage flying at the skateboard field

HPI Savage flying at the skateboard field

A Guide to Gas Powered RC Cars

A Guide to Gas Powered RC Cars
By Greg Root

If you’re a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, but find standard RC to be lacking in power and running time, you might want to consider looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that is often referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro", offer a level of realism and performance that you just won’t find on battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars are also often highly customizable, allowing hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and design types… there are even different types of transmitters available depending upon how you would prefer your car to work. Below are some of the options available for gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of the level of customization that you can achieve.

Engines

Obviously, one of the more important aspects of gas powered RC cars is the engine. A variety of different engine models are available for you to choose from, but in general most cars of this type will have what are commonly referred to as "glow" engines. A "glow" engine is a 2-cycle internal combustion engine, creating the power that gas powered RC cars are known for and adding a bit of realism to the car with the exhaust that is produced. Instead of the spark plugs that a full-size automotive engine would have, these engines use a "glow plug" that is heated by what is known as a "glow starter" This heat is then held by the plug and is used to fire the engine strokes for the remainder of the running time.

Fuel

As mentioned above, the "gas" used by gas powered RC cars isn’t actually gasoline… it’s a special fuel that is nitromethane-based and formulated for the cars’ engines. Special lubricants are added to the fuel mixture to protect the engine from excessive heat and wear; the lubricants work in much the same way as gas-oil mixtures in some chainsaws and other small-engine equipment. Other fuel accessories may be needed to go with your car. A pump or special bottle may be used to get the fuel into the RC car’s fuel tank, and filters in the fuel line may need to be replaced from time to time.

Radio

The radio that you use to control your gas powered RC cars can be the same type that is used to control an electric model of RC car. A 2-channel radio system. It’s important to keep in mind that just because the car’s engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn’t mean that you have no need of batteries. In addition to the battery that powers the radio controller, you might find yourself in need of batteries to supply power to the radio receiver in the car itself. Of course, with some receivers it may be possible to have the power supplied by the motor of the car itself. The type of receiver that you use and the power supply that it needs are one consideration to keep in mind when comparing different parts or different cars.

Sport vs. Competition

A variety of different options and body styles exist for gas powered RC cars. You can choose from trucks, sedans, buggies, popular car models, and even stock cars. Once you’ve decided upon the body style and layout that’s right for you, however, you may find yourself facing one additional choice. Many of the car models available commercially come in two distinct types; a sport version, and a competition version. Sport cars tend to cost less, and offer basic options that are popular with beginners and casual hobbyists. For those who want to race their cars against other dedicated hobbyists, though, there are the competition cars which tend to have more power and higher speeds and offer advanced options such as oil shocks and ball bearings. Competition models may not be a complete car, however, since they are designed to allow for more customization… many of these kits require you to get the engine that you want to go with it separately, as well as the car body in many cases (since the kit only provides the main chassis.)

Kits vs. RTR

If you’ve decided that you want to buy gas powered RC cars, you often have to make a choice between buying a kit, so that you can build the car yourself, or buying a ready-to-race car (also known as RTR) that is ready to be fueled and go right out of the box. RTR cars are good for beginners or casual hobbyists, but aren’t highly customized. Kits, on the other hand, may require additional work but allow the builder to decide exactly how they want their car put together. Should you use a kit, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to make sure that you have the engine that you want, paint and basic tools on hand for assembly and decoration, and additional tools and parts depending upon the kit that you purchase.

Regardless of the type of car that you buy, though, you’re certain to find yourself amazed at the power and performance of these cars loved by hobbyists and racers around the world.

Greg Root owns and maintains http://www.rccarssite.com A website that provides basic tips on how to buy, build and race electric and gas powered RC cars.

If You Want A Fun Hobby Consider RC Cars, Planes, And Helicopters

If You Want A Fun Hobby Consider RC Cars, Planes, And Helicopters
By Gregg Hall

There are many different types of activities or hobbies out there, but which one do you like to do the most? Do you like to collect sports cards or scrapbook your pictures? One hobby that can be fun for all ages is flying a radio controlled helicopter or anything that is radio controlled.

Whether you are a child or a child at heart, this activity is directed to anyone that wants to have fun. Maybe you have just bought a radio controlled car for your child, or maybe you still have one packed away that is just itching to come out and be used, this hobby is just for fun.

There are many different types of radio controlled items out there. One of the big items that are out there is a radio controlled vehicle. There are many types of vehicles out there, from a dune buggy to a helicopter. This hobby is very safe, but you do have to be careful when operating these items. Some of these radio controlled items can travel at a safe speed, but there are also other ones out there that can travel as fast as 60 miles per hour! Using it can be fun, but you will need to be careful on controlling it especially in the streets.

With all of the radio controlled items out there, have you ever thought about joining or starting a club in your area where you can have races with your vehicles? Better yet, maybe you can exchange them with individuals in your own neighborhood. It just depends on what type of neighborhood you live in and how active you want to be in finding or joining a radio controlled club.

The club may not be something that you are interested in, but you want to find a radio controlled vehicle that will suit your needs. There are many places to find them, such as a toy store like Toys R Us, a thrift store, or even the internet. What type are you looking for and what do you want your radio controlled vehicle to do? Do you want it to go on just cement, on dirt and grass, or do you want it to fly? Do you want it for yourself or for someone else? These are a few questions that you may want to ask yourself before buying this item.

After getting your answers to your questions, it is time to find the radio controlled vehicle that will best suit your answers. You might even want to buy more than one so you can give one to someone else and have races with them. It makes for a fun time by all and before you know it, you have had a great day just having fun and that is what it is all about.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Latest, Cool Gadgets at http://www.gadgetdiscounters.com

Electric RC Cars - Super Mario Karting!

Electric RC Cars - Super Mario Karting!
By Ryan Kramer

Being of a younger generation, I have many fond memories of the video game system "Nintendo". As Nintendo progressed, going from NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), to Super NES, I kept right up with it, always having the latest and greatest system. Now, having the newest system was a must as with the release of the newest system came new games. When the Super NES came out, Nintendo released it's mega-hit called "Super Mario Kart". This game put multi-player on the map, in my opinion, and many of my fondest memories are of battling my friends on the various maps.

Super Mario Kart is a game that features characters such as Mario, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, Princess Toadstool, and the rest of the classic Nintendo names. In this game, Mario and his friends are put onto Go Karts and the object is racing, simple as that. There are several different racing difficulties, and of course, there is multi-player battles. Most of the different "modes" have the capability of up to 4 players, which was the most anticipated feature of the Super NES. Super Mario Kart continued on with the next two Nintendo systems, Nintendo 64, and Nintendo Gamecube. There are also versions featured on the "portable" GameBoy systems, and the Nintendo Wii version should be released this year. As you can see, this is a very popular and fun filled game, which brings about the main subject of this article.

The company NKOK has recently come out with RC versions of our favorite Super Mario Kart characters, and yes, they are on Go Karts. Now, coming from the "Super Mario Kart background", these Remote Controlled vehicles are guaranteed to be a smash hit with the younger generations. There are a couple of different models for different ages. The less expensive "Karts" are great for younger children, ages 5-8 (or around that). These "Karts" feature forward, reverse, and left movements and have a relatively slow top speed. They are in the 1:32 Scale size.

For the slightly older age group, there's the 1:12 scale "Karts". I personally find these to be rather cool, as the included remote is a Nintendo GameCube remote. They feature right, left, forward, reverse and even have a "Turbo" mode. On top of that, they also feature "digitized sounds" from the game as you race them around. I can visualize it now... 2-3 Mario RC Karts flying around the house, racing in real life just like we did on the game... ah, memories.

Follow this link for information on Nintendo

We now have these Karts available at FullFingerThrottle. Just click on the RC Nintendo Toys category and enjoy! I hope that these bring back as many fond memories for you as they have for me!

Ryan Kramer is a Co-Owner and the CMO of Full Finger Throttle, L.L.C., a new website designed to inform and engage people in the wonderful world and hobby of Remote Controlled vehicles, Gas or Electric. Come visit us at Full Finger Throttle today!

RC Cars History

RC Cars History
By Keith Londrie

The dawn of RC car racing began in the 1960’s when the first radio control system was available. The difference between a normal vehicle as we know it and a model RC vehicle is its size. These small “road runners” can be very fast and very precise. The innovations in the radio control system and in the model’s architecture, made them stronger, faster and easier to control.

Small nitro methane engines were available from the 40’s. In the mid ’66 El-Gi, (Elettronica Giocattoli) from Italy, released the first fully RC model. The car was available in shops in UK by December, the same year.

By the beginning of the 70’s a British company, called Mardave, began manufacturing RC models. They sold commercial models all over the UK.

In the early 70’s several US companies began producing models. Their products were at first 1/8 nitro powered kits. Their body was made of polycarbonate

The most popular model engine of those times was the K&B Veco McCoy. With the passage of time, producers took time to experiment with different types of heat sinks, engines, suspension types and larger fuel tanks.

US company Jerobee created in ’74 the 1/12 nitro Cox engine car. Several other companies created parts for it. Afterwards, Jerobee became Jomac and started manufacturing electric models.

1976 is a great year for the RC models’ history. Tamiya, a renowned company from Japan, entered the world of radio-controlled cars. Until ’76, Tamiya was notorious for their highly detailed miniature car models. Although they entered the market with very high prices, their kits were sold in no time. In ’79, the same company released their first real off-road buggies, the Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider. This was the beginning of a great company. Their early models are today collector’s items, reaching the value of $3000.

Because of this popularity, Tamiya re-released some of the early models in 2005. As expected, the products sold fast.

It would be a shame not to mention another great company. In 1980, Schumacher Racing UK was the first company to release the ball differential technology. This allowed model owners to adapt their racers to various terrain conditions very easily. Until then, on-roads had a solid axle. Thanks to the technology introduced by Schumacher Racing, switching from an elegant on-road to a rough off-road has never been easier. This very same company was the one to release CAT (Competition All Terrain) in 1986. In 1987 the model won the international RC championship, being considered one of the best off-road buggies of that time.

Keith Londrie II is a successful Webmaster and the owner and publisher of http://rc-mini-nitro-gas-electric-cars.info/ A website that specializes in providing tips on Radio Control Cars that you can research on the internet. Visit http://rc-mini-nitro-gas-electric-cars.info/ today!

RC Hobby Nitro Cars and Trucks - Tips for Beginner RC Hobbyists

RC Hobby Nitro Cars and Trucks - Tips for Beginner RC Hobbyists
By Julia Ramyalg

Imagine driving an RC Gas vehicle 50+ MPH down the street, jumping over the curb or an obstacle course you created (because you have a lot of time on your hand), or even jump over your roof top (YouTube Bazooka Buggy and you'll see what I mean). You'll be the envy of many people.

Yes, we all want to relive or live our youth, and RC Nitro Fuel Gas Car can help us feel like a kid again. Nitro Cars is a safe and exciting hobby to get into, and with the influx of newcomers into the industry, RC's are becoming extremely affordable in ready-to-run kits.


If you are an expert and have been in the hobby for many years, you may be investing $500+ in a U.S-branded gas car like Traxxas, HPI, etc. and paying a good penny for parts (you will need parts unless you drive 5 MPH).

For the rest of us who don't have that deep of a pocket, but still want a car to have lots of fun with on the weekend, a beginner RC Car will suffice. Many Chinese-branded manufacturers such as HI-Speed, Himoto, Smartech, ACME-Tech are all great cars for beginners. For the most part, they can be purchased for under $200, and parts are readily available. If you have a good supplier, you are sure to enjoy your car and have spare parts available in case you "accidentally" crash.


How do you choose what is best? It depends on the type of terrain that the car will be driven on.


On-Road Gas Cars - These are perfect if you are looking to operate mostly in smooth surfaces; use the car around the block/parking lot, a park (smooth surface), or run laps on race tracks. Good Gas Cars include the Himoto Rapida Pro.


Off-Road Gas Buggy - Great if you are looking to perform jumps, and operate in rocky terrains, grassy area, or even smooth surfaces. The off-road gas buggies are versatile and can operate in all types of terrains. ACME-Tech provides RTR buggy kits that are fast and great for beginners.


Off-Road Truck - Similar to the off road buggy. More durable than the buggy, but generally a bit slower. Usually a bit more resistant to crashes, and easy to operate. 1/8 and 1/10 scales are the common scale, although 1/16 scales are becoming quite popular. The main difference is the ground clearance and size. RC Nitro Trucks are extremely popular and tend to be best selling.



What is needed? All RTR kits come with almost everything you would need to get your vehicle running. All you would need is a glow plug Igniter and 20% glow fuel. These are usually 20% mixture of nitro methane and can be purchased at your local hobby shop. Your nearest HobbytownUSA is also a great resource.


It is important to adjust the carburetor settings once you receive your car. You would need to adjust the High/Low/Idle needle settings to prime your car. Please refer to your instruction manual or you can email us for settings and troubleshoot guides. In your initial stage of starting the car, make sure fuel
is able to travel to the engine, and the glow plug is fully charged. Once started with the loud rev of the engine, you're good to go and ready to have lots of fun!

RCToyHouse.com is a reliable supplier of Nitro gas powered RC cars and RC nitro trucks. Visit online store for Ready-to-Run RC kits - affordable and durable Nitro RC cars and trucks

Petrol RC Cars

Petrol RC Cars
By Rob David Stone

When you think of remote control cars, the first type of car which people think of are the toy electric cars which as we mentioned above, are usually found at Christmas or Birthday time and mainly for boys but there are a increasing number of girls who enjoy these types of toys. It does not just stop at cars, you can also get helicopters, planes, tanks and obscure varieties such as robots. Most of these are electric but you do get another line of cars which run on nitro fuel and have very strong similarities to petrol RC cars but also many differences which we will point out.

Nitro Cars run on nitro fuel, which is found In most model shops with the cars mainly purchased by long term hobbyists as the cars need looking after both maintenance and repair wise with a running in procedure to give optimum performance and making sure the car is not pushed to its limit before it is ready. These nitro cars have a very fast acceleration and most are designed for performance either for speed, power or both depending on if the car is a buggy, truck or a bespoke design such as the Bug Crusher or the Lightening strike which are very similar to ACME-TECH cars but with their own features and spec's.

On the other side are the petrol driven cars which use the same unleaded petrol you fill your normal family car up with at the local garage, combined with 2 stroke oil which you find inside the garage shop. Make sure if you do buy a petrol car that you read the instructions, most do but just to make you aware either way. Whereas nitro cars are at scale size of 1/8th, 1/10th a petrol RC car usually comes in the scale of 1/5th therefore around a meter in length so much bigger than you may expect. These are defiantly not entry level cars, and defiantly for people who have experience of the full range of RC cars but wish to take their hobby to the next level.

Many websites and companies which sell these cars have videos of the cars in action such as the very popular XRC Buggy or the ShengQi monster truck, both of which are impressive and show what they are capable of even on rough terrain. What may surprise you is that these cars do not cost the earth as they used to a few years ago where they were over £700, but now can be purchased for under half that price. This is due to the manufactures being able to design, produce and collate the parts in the same factories whereas before they used to be made in several different places. Another main reason is the actual demand, and the research which has gone into the cars themselves.

All in all this leaves a fantastic range of these petrol rc cars which experienced fans can enjoy, knowing they have a high quality car which will give the same performance than with more expensive cars.

You can find more information on many rc cars at http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk/

ACME RC Cars

ACME RC Cars
By Rob David Stone

The ACME Nitro Buggy is a entry level buggy for people who have not had a nitro buggy before and the best and easiest way to start your rc car hobby. This buggy comes with a basic gearbox, easy to tune engine and easy layout design so a good car to negotiate your way round the different parts. With these aspects, there is no reason to take it out the box and be racing as soon as it has charged. Your experience will soon increase as the ACME condor is designed for performance and does not hold back, comes with a 4WD chassis, strong alloy chassis, sealed radio compartments and can take any off road track you throw at it. For a higher spec condor, you can get the ACME Condor Pro which comes with the high quality design Team Infinity engine from Japan and much easier to start than many other RC cars.

The Condor Pro is the higher up buggy and a high speed off road car which comes with a automatic gearbox, shock absorbers and much bigger engine. Inside you will find it incorporates with racing ball bearings whereas most rc cars come with standard metal bearings.

FEATURES:

1/10 Scale nitro powered car

4WD Shaft drive system

Fully ball raced system

Infinity 18 size pull start engine

Aluminium oil-filled shocks

Two speed automatic gear box

Front and rear bevel differentials

75CC Fuel tank

Metal disc brake system

Pre-painted and cut body shell

Sealed box for protecting receiver system

Anti-roll bars pre-fitted

High quality 27MHZ CE approved Radio system with changeable crystals.

The ACME Cyclone

This is another entry level car which is designed for on road racing, rather than off road as with the above buggy. This car comes in a choice of different body shells which you can choose when buying. One of the most popular in the UK is the Subaru shell. They are now made with GO engines which are from the newest engine factory in Taiwan and have been winning competition racers round the world, the highest quality engine available.

Both of the above cars come fully built. When you gain experience and have moved onto your next car you may find the option to build your own car using RC Car Kits which come with everything needed to build and tune your own Petrol RC cars. Whichever you decide to do, RC Cars are one hobby where you can expand and never grow out of.

http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk/

Electric and Nitro RC Car Kits

Electric and Nitro RC Car Kits
By Rob David Stone

Petrol RC Car Kits

Do I Buy an Electric Or Nitro RC Car Kits?

Electric RC Cars are usually more popular with beginners as they come ready to be charged up with their ni-cad battery and off the go. Overtime only minor repairs is usually the case with most electric RC Cars running up to 20 mins depending how long they are charged but some can run longer.

Nitro RC Cars are more likely need assembling and also to be serviced and repaired down the line, which is actually very enjoyable so an exciting part of this hobby. The engine will need a run in after being setup with mixtures altered to give optimum performance and temperature kept to a minimum. Nitro fuel is usually purchased from model shops with a tank full giving a minimum of 5 minutes run time but takes seconds to refill unlike an electric car which can take much longer to charge. After several tanks of nitro, cooling down for a few minutes maybe required with regular maintenance to keep these Petrol RC Cars in prime condition.

How Fast Do These Cars Go?

The best acceleration usually comes from an electric rc car even the ones built with rc car kits, and their top speed from 15 to 40mph, the 40 mph being competition cars built, configured and optimized by dedicated petrol RC cars long term hobbyists. Nitro RC Cars have a slower acceleration due to a centrifugal clutch but their top speed beats most electric cars with their own top speeds anything from 20-80mph.

On Road or Off Road Cars?

You may see people out and about playing with their Remote Control Petrol Cars. These are classed as on road or off road cars. On Road cars are designed for flat surfaces with low chassis and body shells with minimal suspension. As with the F1 racing cars, this means very good speed, handling and control. There are many types of tyres available for the different terrains. Off road RC Cars are designed more for grassy surfaces, dirt tracks, bumps and gravel. Not suited to on road surfaces because of their suspension, movement and tyres. A Rally car which you can find more and more now are a compromise between both so you do not need to look for a specific surface orientated car.

Overall if you have not seen what speed Nitro Cars and Petrol RC Cars can produce speed and powerwise then you will be pleasantly surprised. As well as these RC Car Kits you can also get many other models such as Remote Control Tanks, Remote control helicopters and planes as well as boats.

You can find more information on RC Car Kits at http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk/

Remote Control Cars - A Toy Or A Real Hobby

Remote Control Cars - A Toy Or A Real Hobby
By Keith Jones

Many people look at Radio Control Cars as just toys and sometimes they are near the truth.
The main reason for that is that Radio Controlled Toys have in the past couple of years got

a LOT better in quality and even in performance.

This is not to say that Hobby grade Model "RC" ( radio control) Cars have lagged behind as they are certainly much more like driving a real car or truck than they were even 2 years ago.

There is not such a fine line any more between Radio Control Toys and Hobby Grade cars.
Both are available as either 4 wheel drive or all terrain vehicles or as racetrack style cars for use on flatter surfaces or even paving stones perhaps even indoors.

The main differences now are on the engines and for toys these are usually electric and
are powered mainly by AA or rechargeable batteries.

One thing to watch for is the difference between

Radio Control and Remote control remote control is usually a wire going from the car to the controlling handset whereas a Radio Control Car is not connected physically but commands are given by a wireless connection from free wireless transmitter handset to a receiver inside the car or truck.

Toy Cars are sometimes looked down on by some people in the Hobby communities but if people derive pleasure from toy grade cars then I am in favour of that.

Recently Toy cars come with much more durable bodies as makers know that some users like to stage collisions ! (But like their cars to work afterwards)

Hobby Grade Radio Control cars are pretty much always Radio Controlled.
Older models may be remote control.

These are sometimes very collectible.

One of the big differences is that Hobby Grade Cars are repairable in case of damage while many toy grade cars will just have to be patched us as best as the owner can manage. Spares are very rarely available for Toy Grade cars.

This is because Hobby grade cars now are mainly capable of being upgraded and spare parts are generally easily available.

The reason for this is that hobby grade cars often need tuning or the owners want to add
flashy new exhaust pipes,steering units or other great addons .

This is one of the ways that Hobby Car makers use to make extra income.
They supply a demand but sometimes supplies coming from the Far East take a while to arrive.

Electric cars are some of the cheapest and have minimal servicing needs like minor cleaning and replacing worn parts.

They are probably the best starter cars for a novice driver and are generally quite durable.
Electric cars are now supplied mainly with "brushless" engines and some earlier ones can be upgraded.

Nitro Cars have real small combustion engines - a miniaturized version of car engines although they run on special fuel based on Nitromethane,Methanol and oil - supplied usually by hobby stores.
These engines are known as Glow Plug engines and the cars powered by them can reach quite high speeds.

The engines can be replace often with larger capacity ones that supplied by the maker . These do however need a bit more maintenance as the fuel does spray around a little and they also need tuning.

It is much easier for the novice to buy a pre-tuned car in this category
These are known as Ready To Run cars.

Generally the Nitro cars are about 20 percent bigger than Electric Cars due to the
glow plug engines and they are much faster. (There are actually many different cars available and the crossover between electric and Nitro Cars in output is sometimes similar).

The next grade up is Hobby grade cars with real engines - these are known as "Gassers" or "Fuelies" and have much bigger engines similar in size to brush cutter engines and with a corresponding increase in power.
These are for the real enthusiast and cost much more than Nitro or Electric models.

Cars for Racing have very specific requirements for engine size and other needs.
You will always receive a transmitter handset with your radio control car and a manual.
Keep the manual safe - you WILL need it.

Second user cars are popular as many users upgrade.
Always make sure you get the manual and an assurance that the car will not be "DOA" (dead on arrival!).

If the car is not functioning properly then get your money back.
It is a good idea if buying at auction to always use Paypal which covers you for up to $500 in this case or in the case of nondelivery.

Keith Jones

For more Radio Control Information visit http://www.easyradiocontrol.com

Slide into Success with an RC Drift Car

Slide into Success with an RC Drift Car
By Greg Root

RC Drift Car Essentials

Have you ever seen a car chase in a movie where one car slides sideways while taking a high-speed turn? Or, have you ever driven on a slick road, and panicked when your wheels lost traction and your vehicle started sliding sideways? In today's RC Car world, these scenarios describe drifting, which is the art of making the entire car go sideways without losing control. This new, challenging driving skill has made the RC Drift Car one of the most popular cars in the RC world.

In preparing for this hobby-gone-competition, it's good to know that you can buy RC cars which are already set up for drifting, such as the Sprint 2 Drift car from HPI, or you can customize any 4 wheel drive (4WD) on-road, touring type car. Below are the basic RC drift car set-ups, plus some additional options you can try.

Why Modify?

A 4WD RC car is a necessity in order to get the front and rear ends to drift (go sideways), and to prevent looping (360 degree turn). Electric RC cars are preferable because of their lighter weight and motor durability whereas Nitro RC cars are more likely to suffer damage due to over-revving the motor when the wheels start spinning.

Tires

RC drift cars sold today use special hard-rubber tires that lose traction easier than normal tires. However, because these tires are a bit expensive, many have looked to a popular and cheaper alternative to tires by using PVC pipe around the wheels to achieve the same drifting. To do this, cut 4 pieces of pipe of to the width of the wheels. Using a vise around two boards, press the pipe onto the outside of the wheel. In addition to less cost, PVC also outlasts the hard drift-car tires.

Note: whether you choose to purchase hard tires or use customized PVC tires, you must alter all 4 wheels in order to achieve drifting.

Suspension (optional for most cars)

Most RC cars come out of the box with adequate suspension characteristics to make the car drift. However, a car will lose traction easier with a stiffer suspension. So, if you want to experiment with obtaining a firmer suspension, you can purchase stiffer springs and/or replace the oil in the shock absorbers with a "heavier" grade oil.

Motor

RC cars with stock motors don't have what it takes for drifting. If this is the case with your car, you'll need to upgrade the engine. In doing so, look for a balance between speed and torque (acceleration power). When choosing what to buy, remember the lower the number of engine turns, the higher the rate of speed. For example, a modified, high-performance 17-turn motor will deliver the right amount of speed and torque to get those tires spinnin' and keep 'em spinnin'! At about $40, it's a good, cheap upgrade to make your regular car into a drift car.

Drive Train (optional)

Because the limited -slip action on cars attempts to cancel one of the tires from spinning,

another option to achieve drifting is to lock up the front and rear differential gears. To keep the gears from slipping (all 4 wheels spinning), take a small piece of paper towel, wad it up and stuff it in the front and rear differentials. This little trick has the effect of making a 4WD into an AWD (all wheel drive), which gives longer lasting drift performance.

How to Drift

Now that you have either purchased an RC drift car, or modified an existing 4WD, you're ready to roll! Test your drifting skills by taking a turn at high speed. As the rear tires lose traction, steer the car into the skid and the front tires will pull the front end in the same direction. Remember, the primary goal is to keep from looping the car. When you master the technique, the next challenge is to keep the car in a drift for as many feet as possible. Some of the best drivers have recorded 30 foot drifts! So, get your motor runnin'...now it's your turn!

Greg Root owns and maintains http://www.rccarssite.com A website that provides basic tips on how to buy, build and race electric and nitro RC cars.

Electric and Nitro RC Car Kits

Electric and Nitro RC Car Kits
By Rob David Stone

Petrol RC Car Kits

Do I Buy an Electric Or Nitro RC Car Kits?

Electric RC Cars are usually more popular with beginners as they come ready to be charged up with their ni-cad battery and off the go. Overtime only minor repairs is usually the case with most electric RC Cars running up to 20 mins depending how long they are charged but some can run longer.

Nitro RC Cars are more likely need assembling and also to be serviced and repaired down the line, which is actually very enjoyable so an exciting part of this hobby. The engine will need a run in after being setup with mixtures altered to give optimum performance and temperature kept to a minimum. Nitro fuel is usually purchased from model shops with a tank full giving a minimum of 5 minutes run time but takes seconds to refill unlike an electric car which can take much longer to charge. After several tanks of nitro, cooling down for a few minutes maybe required with regular maintenance to keep these Petrol RC Cars in prime condition.

How Fast Do These Cars Go?

The best acceleration usually comes from an electric rc car even the ones built with rc car kits, and their top speed from 15 to 40mph, the 40 mph being competition cars built, configured and optimized by dedicated petrol RC cars long term hobbyists. Nitro RC Cars have a slower acceleration due to a centrifugal clutch but their top speed beats most electric cars with their own top speeds anything from 20-80mph.

On Road or Off Road Cars?

You may see people out and about playing with their Remote Control Petrol Cars. These are classed as on road or off road cars. On Road cars are designed for flat surfaces with low chassis and body shells with minimal suspension. As with the F1 racing cars, this means very good speed, handling and control. There are many types of tyres available for the different terrains. Off road RC Cars are designed more for grassy surfaces, dirt tracks, bumps and gravel. Not suited to on road surfaces because of their suspension, movement and tyres. A Rally car which you can find more and more now are a compromise between both so you do not need to look for a specific surface orientated car.

Overall if you have not seen what speed Nitro Cars and Petrol RC Cars can produce speed and powerwise then you will be pleasantly surprised. As well as these RC Car Kits you can also get many other models such as Remote Control Tanks, Remote control helicopters and planes as well as boats.

You can find more information on RC Car Kits at http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk/

Gas RC Cars

Gas RC Cars
By Bob Janeway

Gas powered rc cars are among the most powerful, exciting and quickest of all the radio controlled cars. Gas rc cars are intended to run on gas mixture that is referred to as "nitro" or "glow fuel" which brings a degree of style and operation that the bulk of rc cars and trucks cannot "hold a candle to."

It is essential to shop carefully as there are two different types rc cars - kits and rtr or "ready to run". Purchasing rtr rc cars will most likely allow the car or truck to be taken out of the box and on the track in no time. Loads of gas powered rc car enthusiasts get pleasure from building their own which provides a great sense of accomplishment. It may be a beneficial plan to acquire some skill and experience by using rtr gas rc cars first, then after gathering a basic knowledge of the different components build one yourself.

The engine is an essential element in determining the speed and performance of the vehicle. There are a variety of gas engines offered but most of the time they will come loaded with whats called "glow engines". The glow engine is essentially a two cycle internal combustion engine able to offer the control and speed that makes the difference in winning or losing in the world of rc car racing.

The kind of fuel used is a fundamental component in the performance of the vehicle. It is imperative to use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. The manufacturer's individually designed fuel mixtures are engineered for providing the power and speed necessary and at the same time shielding critical engine workings from breakdown.

Another essential element is the radio as rc cars use the identical two channel radio system used by all rc cars. If purchasing a rtr or "ready to run" kit, the radio should be included but buying a "build it yourself" kit the radio usually is needed to be supplied seperately. Whichever approach you choose keeping extra batteries and an AC charger on hand is essential. Additional battery packs charged and ready will enable the runinng of the gas rc cars for longer periods of time for uninterrupted fun.

Gas RC Cars website is a great place to explore the fun and excitement of the world of radio controled cars.Learn about nitro rc cars as well as electric rc cars and the fun that can be had by the entire family.