Looking for the most fun you can have with a monster truck? Look no further than the CEN MT-Spec 3.0! This monster truck is a 1/10 scale model of the real deal and has all the bells and whistles to conquer the obstacle course!
The CEN-MT-Spec also has a fully gas powered engine, comes RTR (Ready to Run) right out of the box and is a fully 4-wheel-drive off-road monster truck. The one piece low CG chassis, the .18 power plant and the great looking design make this one of the most popular monster trucks on the RC market today.
It's not only powerful, it's reliable too. The efficient shaft driven 4WD system combined with 2 speed transmission give you over 45mph out of the box. The 125cc fuel tank is equipped to give you over 10 minutes of R/C excitement and that's more than a lot of nitro trucks will give with this much power. Drivetrain system is equipped with metal shafts supported by full precision ball bearing for years of durability and smooth running on the race track or obstacle course.
If you're in the market for a new monster truck or you're shopping around for your first monster truck - look no further than the CEN MT-Spec!
There are two main types of RC vehicles, either electric that run on battery power or the more power nitro cars that run on fuel. Even if you're new to the sport of RC car racing, you've probably already heard several different schools of thought as to what kind of oil is needed for car fuel and the quantities that should be used for the ultimate in performance of your RC vehicle.
First of all, throw any advice you got comparing nitro car fuel to airplane fuel. They are totally different and you're really comparing apples and oranges to try to use one like the other. Your RC car engine works in a different manner than an airplane engine and whereas an airplane will require around 20% of the fuel mix to be oil, an RC car needs far less - around half that amount at 10%.
Another myth you've probably heard is that if you use fuel with a higher concentration of oil that it will lengthen the life of your engine. Not true. Too much oil can actually degrade the performance of your vehicle and damage your engine. Getting the mix right is key to having an optimum running RC vehicle.
If you have a Traxxas engine in your RC car, this company makes a top of the line fuel to go with their engines to ensure you get peak performance out of your RC car with every run you make.
Also, whether you use Traxxas or another brand, make sure that you keep your fuel tightly sealed and away from any place moisture gathers as exposure to water will weaken and eventually ruin your fuel. Always put the freshest and best fuel in your RC car, having an RC vehicle that runs flawlessly for years to come is worth it.
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy time together and exercise as often as possible is a great idea. It helps kids stay physically fit and spending time together helps strengthen bonds and it's also a great time to talk to your kids about what's going on in their lives, at school and get their opinions. The amount of knowledge your child has about current world events and their opinions about them may surprise you.
RC's are great exercise and racing RC vehicles is lot more than just standing in place and holding a controller while you drive. Most RC enthusiasts get quite a work out running up and down the track while they are racing.
Monster trucks too, many RC monster truck drivers find they are walking and running their RC's over the obstacles and it never hurts to be close to the action so you can get up close and personal with the obstacles yourself. Knowing exactly what your monster truck can do will help you push it to the limits.
RC's are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get your kids away from the computer and video game screens and iPods out of their ears and teach them to enjoy life, interact with others and learn a new hobby. Racing RC's is a fun sport that more and more people are getting into every year - find out why!
One of the biggest complaints/concerns most parents have with their own kids is that the kids don't get enough socialization time with their own age group.
When they get home from school, a huge number of kids jump on the computers to surf the internet, play World of Warcraft or other role playing games, chat on instant messenger about what went on with school that day or text message back and forth on their cell phones. Even though other kids are involved in all of these activities, none of them create social skills that can only be learned in face to face interactions.
Group play,something that is invaluable to younger children for learning the basics of person to person interaction as well as just plain getting along with others is equally as important for an older child. If they can't interact with others in a positive way, they will have difficulties in college and later, in the work force if they can't communicate and again, get along.
If your child is a real wall flower is isn't showing any interest in doing any type of activity that includes others or is basically located outside of their room, try the fun of racing RC vehicles. There are track ruling race cars, monster trucks that will conquer obstacles and for the best of both worlds, Truggies.
Get a pair of cars and practice driving, turns and jumps with your child then either find a group in your area or create one of your own. Check out local parks, many local RC enthusiasts meet on weekends for races and in some communities there are actual RC tracks and obstacle courses. The internet is a rich source of information too - the idea is to just jump in and get involved.
The HPI Wheelie King 4x4 Monster Truck is a super fun RC vehicle, adding a whole new dimension to fun. Not just any fun, but all-out, car-crushing, wheels-in-the-air fun! The realistically designed monster truck now features extra traction and grip. This monster is not just for kids. Unless of course you are considering kids of all ages.
This true to scale monster truck features full-time 4WD allowing the traction needed to go anywhere. With its tuned weight distribution the Wheelie King makes it easy to pop a wheelie on demand. Just pull the trigger and go. Watch the front wheels rise into the air as the weight of the truck goes onto the rear wheels. Watch it drive long stretches with its wheels in the air.
Ready for a different type of action? Make a few adjustments and the Wheelie King becomes a monster hill climber. With its tough universal shaft drive to the front differential powers the front wheels over anything making it a snap to conquer everything in site. Charge the battery with the included wall charger or use any standard remote control battery charger.
The Wheelie King is the ultimate combination of true-to-scale monster truck looks and fun high-flying monster truck action. Imagine the smile that follows starting the Wheelie King for the first time; it’s a smile that never fades. Easy to drive and a joy to watch, the Wheelie King will be the most fun vehicle in your RC garage.
As with any hobby or sport, accessories can be a big part of the overall picture. Make sure you are aware of all the accessories that are available to you and have fun checking them out.
Local racers were quick to snap up the Racers Edge 1/8 Scale Hauler Bags, but there are plenty in stock now. With the capability of holding a 1/8 scale with wing and tires as well as more storage room with several drawers this is one item that disappears quickly.
Most racers prefer a Starter Box for their starting needs. By eliminating the pull start you actually make your engine run a bit faster. The OFNA 1/8th Scale Starter Box with Power Panel with adjustable starter motor where both the travel and position can be adjusted to accommodate the engine position in the vehicle is a very popular and reliable choice.
If you need something to transport your Traxxas or HPI Savage vehicles you should check out the HPI Carrying Bag. This deluxe carrying bag can handle all of your needs. Another great must-have is the Team Orion Advantage Charger with a new carbon case and LiPo charging. It has customizable Linear, Flex and Step charging, battery cycling, five charging memories, both input and output short circuit protection, 11 to 15 volts D/C input, built in clock, easy to navigate 4 push button settings and a choice of 3 different alarm tones or a silent function.
Accessories can and do make a difference. If RC vehicles are a new passion or you're just reviving an old favorite hobby, rev up your racing fun by adding fun accessories to your vehicles.
If you or your kids have wanted to get into the RC action but you either don't want to race with others or because of where you live it's not a possibility to get to the local RC track on a regular basis, look up - there's an answer for you.
An RC helicopter is a great way to have a blast with your kids (or just on your own) experiencing the fun of an RC. A great RC chopper to start with is the Venom Ocean Rescue. This unit comes Ready to Fly and is ideal for beginning RC pilots. It can take a little practice to get your flying technique right and very soon you'll be buzzing your 'copter around the yard, hovering and doing other fun stunts with your RC helicopter.
The Venom is a micro helicopter and features counter-rotating blades for greater stability and ease of flying. This unit comes with a 4-channel radio, 2 cell 7.4 volt 800mah LiPO battery and charger. If you have a special on your gift giving list that is hard to buy for consider the fun of an RC helicopter. The control is so easy to master, both kids and adults catch on very quickly on how to maneuver the chopper around with ease.
For even more fun, get a pair of these choppers and have races around your yard or your favorite place to go fly high. Many people create helicopter obstacle courses that include poles to circle, large circular obstacles to carefully fly through and even target landings. Your imagine is your only limit to the fun you can with an RC helicopter!
The CEN Magnum NX is one of the most fun RC vehicles to hit the scene in a long time. It is 1/10th scale and gas powered. It is ideal for beginning RC drivers as it arrives ready to run right out of the box and the 4-wheel-drive makes it an off-road dream.
There's a one piece low low CG Chassis, recoil started NX 3.0 .18ci high power nitro engine, long travel oil filled shocks, full ball bearings, the MT-Spec 3.0 is loaded with features that allows it to dominate its competition with ease! Some of the best features of this monster include the shaft driven 4-wheel-drive system that combines with a 2-speed transmission and will let you cruise over 45mph. The brakes in this bad boy are also top of the line, if you need to stop and you need to stop NOW, you can do it with ease. The 125cc fuel tank to provide over 10 minutes of R/C fun and give you a longer running time than many of your competitors.
If you want to up the fun in your next RC get-together - you can't go wrong with a Truggy. Half truck and half buggy - you get the best of both worlds in one dynamite package!
Is your child dying to learn to run an RC? If so, we have some excellent tips for anyone just starting out. First of all, choose a beginner vehicle for a beginning driver. There's no point in dropping a bunch of money on a top of the line nitro RC and then having it driven smack into a wall at 40mph because your child hasn't quite gotten around their learning curve for steering. Start slow and learn how to control and RC and then a whole world of vehicle choices will open up.
Make sure that your child knows the basic safety precautions and there aren't many and they are pretty simple to learn and follow and every RC run will be a good one. Also, many RC models have a training mode where the speed will only be about 50% of the total power of the vehicle and it's a great way to learn to control your RC. A great RC to start with is the Kyosho Half 8 Mini Inferno. It's not expensive and it's a great car to learn with.
If your child is ready to race RC's - let them and you may want to get one for yourself because two racers is more fun than one and driving RC's is contagious fun!
You know RC cars are fun, but did you know that they are also great confidence boosters? As you know, all kids are different and in one family alone you can have a total extrovert and a painfully shy child that are siblings. Often times, the shyness isn't really shyness at all, but a lack of self confidence and it's just a matter of giving that child something to excel in to really let them shine.
If it's your first excursion into the world of RC racing, start off with an electric-powered car as they have a lot lower learning curve for care as well as driving and sometimes unsure children can also have really low tolerances for frustration. Make this fun, easy and enjoyable and you'll soon have an RC racing expert on your hands.
There are four main types of RC vehicles, race cars, monster trucks, truggies (combo truck and buggy) and the ever-popular helicopter RC's. If you're not sure if your shy one wants to race or not, consider the fun of just getting him a monster truck and building some fun obstacles to climb and let him get to know what his truck can really do in the backyard, then you can find a local group to join (when he's ready) or even better make up a group of your own with his friends. It's a great way to promote outdoor activities as well as group activities - something shy children need a boost in getting more often than not.
Learning to be a great RC driver isn't difficult and it will lend a huge amount of self confidence to your shy child and help them begin to blossom into confident young adults!
Answer : The GST 7.7 by CEN Racing features the largest engine ever used in an RC Monster Truck. The NX 7.7 engine used in this monster truck is 30% larger than the previous king of the engines, the Revo 3.3. The Savage USED to rule the track and now the GST is the king of the obstacle course and of course, the dirt!
The torque in this engine is on the brutal scale with pulling ability like no other. Many of the RC Monster truck rallies include pulling competitions and your RC will win hands down with it's ability to pull thanks to the 3-speed tranny.
Addtionally, competitions that require wheelies, freestyling or climbing steep obstacles are no problem either as your engine is ready to go and the tires have superior gripe. What else can this engine do? How about propelling your monster truck can go 40mph in either forward or reverse gear.
The tires alone are 7.5-inch with chrome wheels and not only grip the ground they look sharp too!
If you're just getting your feet wet in the world of RC racing and you want an electric RC vehicle that doesn't really look like an electric RC; you can't go wrong with a Traxxas Spirit Street Truck.
This RC has the speed and mobility of a nitro RC with the ease of maintenance of an electricity. The Spirit is 1:10 scale model of an actual street racer and has 2-wheel drive capability.
This stadium truck will arrive RTR (ready to run) right out of the box and will make the perfect starter truck for anyone learning to race RC's.
Additionally, the ease of use for this little speed demon will please
The only downside to RC racing is in the more northern regions of the country, you can't do it outside all year round due to the cold/ice/snow. However indoor tracks are growing in numbers by leaps and bounds and the judging by the sheer number of people at the tracks on the weekends - the popularity of RC racing is growing at warp speed too!
Some great RC vehicles for beginners are found in the electric RC's. Those are usually the best to start with . They require very little set up or maintenance and you can concentrate on being a good driver instead of where to add the fuel or if you need to change out an air filter - all of those things are necessary to know but you can learn them as you get deeper into the action of driving your RC car.
If you want to hit the tracks , consider an RC race car or racing sedan. Those are a blast to whiz around the race tracks. If you love more of an obstacle course and would rather climb and challenge yourself to get over obstacles, than an RC truck will be more your style.
Can't decide? No problem. The new generation of "truggies" half truck and half buggy are great both on the track as well as off it and they love to race and love to conquer obstacles.
No matter which way you go - the fun of racing and driving RC vehicles can't be denied. Get into the action this weekend and you'll learn first hand why once you get started racing - it's tough to stop until next week!
Looking to take your RC fun up a notch - check out the Ofna Jammin .5 Truggy. The truggy is a relatively new creation in the RC world. It's half truck and half buggy and will fully give you the best of both worlds with the amount of fun it has in store.
This truggy has a two piece tuned exhaust pipe and a full 75cc tank. Meaning you're gonna keep ruling the track while everyone else is off to the side refueling.
The ball bearings are sealed throughout this designing giving you one sturdy vehicle. The throttle and brake linkage is full adjustable so you can tweak this RC to fully respond to your own individual driving style.
Great attention has been paid to the detail in this design. If you want a truggy that is a climber as well as fast, you'll meet both wishes with this one. The shocks and suspension in this truggy have been designed for climbing and overcoming obstacles however the engine and overall design also makes it a genuine contender on the race track too. Good stability is another part of this design and you won't find yourself rolling on turns as other truggies that are rather top heavy have experienced in the past.
If you love to climb and you love to race - now you have the all-in-one- vehicle to do it with!
RTR or Ready to Run RC vehicle is a bit of a misnomer. RTR cars and trucks are necessary ready to hit the pavement right out of the box, granted they need a very minimum of set up but there are still a few things that you should do to make sure that your RC is running safe. At the most your set up of your RTR will take around 45 minutes, however the average time is around 15 minutes.
For starers, read the manual or watch the video that came with your RC car. There will be information that will be manufacturer specific to your RC and no matter how long you've been racing or how much you know about RC's - just give it the once over - you may pick up some new knowledge you didn't know!
Next, do an overall inspection of your RC. Make sure that everything is there and there are no broken pieces. It's rare because RC's are usually packed really well for shipping but the occasional "oops" in shipping happens.
Tires are the next thing you should glance over. Make sure your tires are glued evenly all around the wheel and if they aren't, take a moment and glue them yourself - once you're on the track or dirt, you'll be glad you took that extra step.
Shock check! The oil that fills the shocks in RC cars and trucks gives them stability over rough terrain. When oil is lacking in the shocks, the bumps in the road or on the course won't be absorbed.
Last things to do: Check over the screws and make sure they are all tightly in place and then check out your batteries (if necessary) and get your battery packs charged. Give your RC the once-over and see if there are any assembly tasks that need completing (attaching an antenna, adding fuel, or securing a body).
Sometimes, having a great project to sink your teeth into can really get your gears turning. For some people, this could mean woodworking or even refinishing their bathroom. However, for those of us who like a little bit more power and adventure in our lives, there is the smart choice of an RC kit to get our juices flowing.
If you are a lover of RC racing, then there is really nothing sweeter than being able to compete on a track using one of the cars that you actually put together yourself. When you want to show off your building skills, then you might want to get your hands on the Team Associated RC8 1:8 Scale Offroad Buggy Kit. Not only is this a fun way to show off your building skills, but it can also make for a nice little project that you can be proud of once it is all said and done.
Certainly, strength and durability will never be an issue when it comes to smart RC car kits such as this. You are sure to see that once you finish this car and it hits the track that you are going to be able to easily smoke all of the competition surrounding you. As a matter of fact, you may even start to see that you will be getting requests from other drivers asking you to build cars for them as well! Perhaps you can make a little money on the side building various kits in your spare time.
The Traxxas Stampede XL-5 Electric Monster Truck was voted the "Best Electric Monster Truck" in 2006 by Xtreme RC Cars in January 2007 and it hasn't lost any of its bells and whistles in 2008. If you're looking for a powerful and fun RC vehicle but you don't want to run a nitro (fuel) vehicle just yet - check out this power house of a monster truck.
This monster truck was redesigned and updated for 2006 and the improvements in design left nothing out. This vehicle is built for conquering those steep climbs and starting and stopping on a dime. Best of all, since this is an electric vehicle, you just charge this vehicle up and you're off and running. The wheels are set a little wider and the body is elevated just a little bit higher in this design. The result? You get more speed, more clearance and better climbing ability than with any other electric monster truck you'll find available today.
If you want to do more than go fast and conquer the obstacle course, jump some ramps and catch some air and while you're at it - pop a few wheelies! You can do it all with this monster truck. For the specs, this monster truck is a 1/10th scale model of the real deal and it's an electric off-road model. However it will run easily on a track and you will soon love to take on the obstacle courses and ramps with this truck.
Go ahead - give this monster truck a try and you'll agree - this much fun shouldn't be legal!
Do you love to drive fast! Really, really fast? The HPI Baja is the buggy for you!
This off-road powerhouse is 1/5 scale model of the real deal and is shipped to you RTR. Meaning you order it, you pay for it, we ship it and you run it right out of the box when it's delivered!
This is a larger scale model than a lot of buggies. It's about 32" long and has a classic Baja Buggy long suspension. The larger size allows this pony to get to where smaller buggies don't dare to trend.
The Baja is powered by regular gasoline and everything you need comes in the package. From the pre-assembled chassis to the pre-painted body shell. There is an FM radio gear with a built in fail safe and the 6-colt receiver pack and charger will ensure that you're ready to rock whenever there's some offroad action to be found. Just add gas and oil and you're ready to go!
If you want something hardcore out of the ordinary as far as off-road buggies go and you want a tough RC to boot - you'll get the best of both worlds in the Baja!
The CEN GST 7.7 is over 30% larger than a Revo 3.3. Did a Savage rule your RC obstacle course? Those days are over. When you park the GST by a Savage - the better RC will shine and the Savage just doesn't seem like that tough of a competitor anymore.
The engine in his workhorse will offer up some severe torque that can pull the super wheelies, climb the most imposing steep hills you can design and handle nearly any obstacle with ease. If you have an obstacle on your course that you've needed sheer power to overcome - you have the power wtih the GST.
One crazy feature that many people find cool about this design is the fact it can go 40Mph in both forward AND reverse! If you're ready to rule the course, add this RTR monster truck to your vehicles!
Getting your RC to the track safely can turn into a challenge after you really get into the sport of RC racing. In the beginning you had little more than your RC and maybe a little extra fuel on hand.
As you got more and more into the sport of racing, you found you started adding extra wheels, extra fuel, extra air filters and more. Many racers like to give their RC racers the once over at the track before they go home and so they bring along their cleaning supplies and this can turn into quite a bit of stuff. Being organized helps too; it's frustrating to buy a new air filter and find out you already had a 5-pack, you just didn't see it initially.
A great solution is to invest in a bag to carry your racer and keep all your racing equipment in one place that way you can see at a glance what you have and what you need.
The 1/8 Scale Hauler Bag is the perfect answer to this dilemma. There are two boxes in this handy tote. The top box is 19.5" x 12.5" x 4.5" and fits a 1/8 scale buggy with wing and tires. The middle drawer is also 19.5" x 12.5" x 4.5" and there are two drawers on the bottom measuring 9.5" and 8.5" respectively for storing a ton of your items.
The overall dimensions of the Racers Edge Hauler bag are 21.5" x 14.25" x 23.75". If you need a super gift for the RC enthusiast on your list - this is it!
One thing every parent worries about at one time or another is whether or not their child will make a bad decision when exposed to friends that are experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol.
A survey released by the Teen Drug Council of America stated that the number one way teens said they would be more likely to avoid drugs and alcohol is through more interaction with their parents.
True, it can be hard to find time to spend together with your kids when you add in factors such as work, extra-curricular activities, sports, necessary errands and all those last minute things that pop up between yourself and your kids; but endeavor to make at least one special time each week when the cell phones and computers are off and spend some time together.
Enjoying a hobby together builds common ground that many parents find they have lost with their teens somewhere between that little kid in braces to the budding young adult of the present.
RC racing is a fun sport with a lot of diversity and there is always somewhere to race - whether it's your own driveway - a local parking lot that is friendly to RC racers or a professional RC track. Your teen can enjoy the fun, learn good sportsmanship along with responsibility of taking car of their own RC vehicle.
This is a great way to rebuild connections and pave the way for keeping the lines of communication open with your teen - explore the world of RC racing -together.
Today was Groundhog Day and even though Phil the Groundhog predicted there would be six more weeks of winter weather to deal with, that doesn't mean you can't start planning ahead for spring racing!
If you don't already have an outdoor racetrack to visit, consider making one of your own and you'll find you don't need a ton of space to do it. If you want to make a track indoors - you can build a basic one with a turn on each end and then a straightaway leading to those turns (Think Indie 500); or you can make a more complex track with numerous turns and winding curves. How challenging you want your track to be is solely up to you.
If you have a covered area such as a patio or an indoor area with room such as your garage, you may be able to conceive and build a racetrack that you'll be running all year round. This is a great way to start a racing group of your own. Many of the larger RC racing groups started very small and humble as a couple of friends that met on a regular basis to run their RC's and then another person joined and then another and another until a large group with a common interest was formed.
Don't run RC race cars? Another fun project you can undertake is to build an obstacle course for your monster truck. Think obstacles to roll over, think things to climb and objects to conquer for your monster truck and you'll be on your way to building a true course that all your RC monster truck lovin' buddies will want to come run.
It's up to you, but if the cold weather is keeping you from running your RC, build a place where you can run your RC's and as the line from the movie goes, "If you build it, they will come" applies to RC racing enthusiasts as well!
You know what makes a good RC racer into a truly great racer? Practice and lots of it. No one is born naturally knowing how to make those sharp turns, when to let up on the gas and other nuances of great car control. You have to practice your skills and the more you do it- the more unstoppable you'll be on the race track.
Take a pad with you to the track, make a note of what your car's limits are. How fast can you take a turn? When does your car spin out? Does it pass better on the straightaway or just before a turn? What is the fastest your car can go? How much room does your car need to stop?
You can find out the answers to all of these questions and get to know exactly what your RC car can do by practicing. You don't have to go to the track for a lot of those questions to be answered, but remember that your RC will give you different results depending on the type of surface that you're running it on.
The fun of "driving" RC cars can't be beat and the number of participants in this hobby is growing by leaps and bounds every year. If you have a young person that would love to get in on the action of driving their own RC vehicle but they are still a little to self conscious to go to the local track or join an RC racing group or club; give them a street racer that they can drive on their own street or driveway and hone their skills and build confidence in their abilities.
The Traxxas Spirt 2-wheel-drive street truck is idea for this purpose and along with being built to hug the concrete streets, this RC vehicle is responsive and easy to control for even new RC drivers. This is a 1"10 scale model of an actual racing truck and this particular design is electric meaning no fuel additions are necessary. It runs on battery power and it's a good idea to get a charger and while you're running your RC, have a set of batteries charging so you can just swap them out and not have to stop your day or racing because your batteries are giving out.
When purchased, this truck needs no assembly and comes ready to hit the streets right out of the box. If you're looking for the perfect RC for your child to enjoy RC racing with or you're curious about the hobby yourself, get in on the fun with the Traxxas Street Truck - this is one fun machine!
If you've wanted to get in on the action of RC cars but after looking at the prices you weren't so sure, start off with a very affordable and fast RC car that will really launch you into the fun of remote control racing!
The Kyosho Mini-Z NASCAR sedan is the car for you. This is the first hobby grade, licensed NASCAR RC car that is on the market today. The attention to detail that went into the creation of this car is exceptional and it's a perfect scale model of the real sized race car.
Additionally. the Mini-Z i-Series chassis is made with quality construction and has an independent front suspension just like the full sized model race car this little powerhouse is designed to emulate. The electronics for this car have a full digital proportional control, instead of the analog resistor-type controllers so common in cheaper mini-size cars. This means you have fully proportional control of forward, reverse, and steering with digital precision just like the more expensive models without paying the big price tag.
If you're ready to jump into the fun of RC racing, check out the Mini-Z as your first car - you'll be glad you did!
Did you know a recent study conducted by the organization Drug Free showed that a whopping 75% of teens that used alcohol, marijuana and other drugs and activities such as "huffing" (breathing substances such as glue out of a bag) did so because they stated they were bored?
It's been proven time and again that positive interaction from parents and giving your child a hobby will keep them from being bored and steer them away from using drugs and alcohol. Additionally, having a frank talk with your child on a regular basis is a great way to steer them away from using. If you aren't sure how to start, tell them about the parties kids your age threw when you were a teen and how there were instances of drinking and ask if parties are still the same. It may cause your teen to tell you what they hear at school at the parties and then you can talk from there. It doesn't have to be anything serious and in depth, mostly just listen for tell-tale signs of where your own kid stands about drinking and drugs. Ask them what they think the penalties should be for drinking and driving and ask their opinions on numerous issues - it will show you respect his or her thoughts and will enable them to open up to you even more. Don't be judgmental or lose your composure, it will slam the door on your conversation - the important thing is to listen.
Another thing you can do is give your child a hobby they can grow with. Plus they can join a local group of RC racers or create their own group and make a good circle of friends. Racing RC cars requires that they be on their toes to control their vehicles, responsibility for keeping their cars clean and primed for another race or day on the obstacle course. You can start off with an electric vehicle and then upgrade to nitro and then graduate to also running helicopters - there are no limits with RC - new products and improvements come out every year so this is an evolving hobby to be involved in!
Looking for the ultimate in fun for your kids? Invest in theVenom Night Ranger 3D XL. This is a fun remote control helicopter that will gives your kids fun for hours upon hours.
This is a full aerobatic helicopter and comes Ready-To-Fly [RTF] right out of the box. It's made with quality and durability in mind and has an alloy main frame and tail boom for strength and is made to last. Other bells and whistles on this model include a strong belt driven motor, the venom is powered by a 20L brushless motor and has 6 channel FM radio for control with 4 micro servos. The main battery is a LiPO battery along with a battery charger. The remote control takes eight size AA batteries.
There are two flight modes that can be chosen : normal and aerobatic.
It's best to use the "normal" mode while learning how to do the basic controls for your helicopter. Take off, landing, turns, decreasing altitude and flying under and over objects as well as hovering. Take a little time to learn these basic skills - the the real fun can start!
Rev up the action for the Venom Night Ranger and take that baby into Aeroatic mode. Now knowing how to handle your chopper and do turns, side rolls, spins and more.
If you're ready to let your kids explore the skies around your home or even in your living room - get them the Venom Night Ranger! Approximate runtime 8-10 minutes.
No matter if you're an old pro with RC vehicles or you are new to the fun and want something simple yet versatile to use - take your fun to a higher level and explore the possibilities of an RC helicopter.
The Venom Micro Rescue is a wonderful choice for anyone that wants to get their feet wet flying one of the most versatile and fun helicopters on the market today. The Venom Micro is easy to control and has a price tag everyone can afford.
The downside to many of these types of RC helicopters is that they went through batteries like water. The Venom Micro is the exception to that rule. The battery it uses to fly is rechargeable, so you won't be running out every few days to buy another dozen batteries.
It's extremely easy to learn to fly and maneuver and both new RC enthusiasts as well as old hats enjoy flying the Venom Micro. The radio doubles as a battery charger and your helicopter will last about 5-6 minutes of flying time for every 20-30 minute charge.
If the race track isn't thrilling you like it used to and you just aren't able to find any more obstacles to create for your monster truck - take your RC fun skyward and start finding out exactly how fun an RC helicopter can be!
Upgrading your nitro RC hobby from all electric vehicles to fuel powered nitro vehicles can be challenging. If you're curious about the differences, there are really only a few. The main issues is starting your vehicle. It no longer takes just a flip of a switch to get your car's motor running. You will need to know the proper way to start your nitro vehicle and here it is:
Before starting, your vehicle should always be clean. If you've ran the nitro vehicle before, make it a point to clean your before storing it, even for short periods of time. Dirt, grime and debris can build up and ruin your engine.
Next check your glow starter and make sure it has enough power to get your engine going. This is the time to replace any batteries if necessary. Now is the time to add fuel to your RC car. Most nitro cars require that your prime the engine prior to starting because your car can not start without fuel obviously. Then stick your glow starter into the engine and start your car using the pull start or however it starts manually.
If it's a cold day, many RC racers use hand held hair dryers to get their engines warm prior to starting. It doesn't matter how you do it- just get your engine safely warm before you start it or in all likelihood your RC car won't run.
And that's the basics for starting your nitro car - if you're ready to take your racing game up a notch - get into the speed demon fun of nitro rc vehicles!
Yes, the holiday season is over but instead of breathing a sigh of relief for surviving the rush of this year, think ahead to next year and make your holiday season (almost) completely stress free. How? It's easy!
First of all, while everyone is fresh in your mind, ,make a list of everyone you know or associate with. Next to their names, write "gift" or "card". Go ahead and write the addresses down off the holiday cards you've received and keep it handy throughout the year so if someone's address changes, you'll have it right on your sheet.
Then next to anyone that you wrote "gift" for, jot down a few ideas for each person. You'll remember more clearly what they got you and you got them and you're not likely to double up on a present or buy them something they don't need. And here's another reason, make a few suggestions for each person and as you see bargains and other good deals during the year, snatch up the item and cross that gift off your list. You'll find by next December, you will need to do very little except enjoy the holiday.
Need some good gifts for under $25? If you have an RC vehicle fan, we have some great suggestions for stocking stuffers. A gift certificate is a great gift that lets the receiver pick out whatever they would like the most. A glow starter would also come in very handy. A pit towel or even some fun new tires for their monster truck will all make outstanding gifts the RC enthusiast can appreciate!
One thing about running RC vehicles that you'll learn quickly is that they run through tires quick and often (depending on the kind of running you do). Asphalt tracks that heat up quickly will cause your tires to degrade more quickly, if you don't already - keep a spare set on hand and that way when you're in the middle of ruling the race track, your day won't be cut short by a tire that has given out.
Another consideration for tires is the type of terrain that you're running your RC on as well the type. Truggies and monster trucks will use different types of tires than a race car because they will need traction and grip in different ways. Use the correct tire for your scale model vehicle just like you choose the correct tires for your personal vehicle.
The vehicles with the most fun tires are definitely the Monster Trucks. The Panther MT Meat Grinder tires come with the foams and the tires are ready to grab and grind the terrain. It's a good idea to keep at least a pair on hand and if you run into any trouble when you're out running your monster truck you can quickly change out your tires and switch them into Meat Grinders and really rule the course!
Make sure you have the right tires on your RC for the type of running you do - you'll see yourself at the top of your game if you do!
No matter what kind of an RC enthusiast you may be, there is nothing better than getting a chance to shop for new cars, trucks or even some accessories to go along with what you may already own. Even the beginner can get quite a thrill from finding all sorts of goodies that they just have to have. The ultimate in RC shopping is definitely your online store, especially because you have so many wonderful options to choose from.
Instead of having to deal with parts or accessories being out of stock at your local store or hobby shop that happens to carry RCs, by shopping online you have a plethora of items all at your fingertips. With a little bit of browsing and the simple click of your mouse, you can have all of your RC gear shipped directly to your door. No hassles, no worries, just simple shopping that is also fun!
Perhaps you have a friend or family member who is an RC lover that lives far away and you would like to send them a gift. Shopping for RC kits to build or built cars online could be just the ticket. All you need to do is shop and then send with a note letting them know that you were thinking of them. With something this simple and a selection that is incomparable, it is amazing that anyone would choose to shop anywhere but online for all of their RC vehicles and accessories.
After you've been racing RC cars for a period of time, you'll want to add some cool moves to your racing style. One move that has gained popularity over the last few years is "drifting". It was inspired by the movie - "Fast and Furious - Tokyo Drift".
The only requirement for doing a drift is that you use a fast car. Use a racecar style or sedan, monster trucks will be shut out of doing the drift. If you haven't already glued your tires in place, do so before drifting as it causes real wear on your tires if you do it often. Otherwise, it's just plain fun to do in a race!
Every car handles a little differently, so you'll have to experiment with the best way to get your car to drive but here are the basics for learning to do it. Drive straight ahead and then slowly begin to weave your car to the right and left and get a feel for exactly where and how your RC grips the road. Then, repeat this move and do it a little faster every time. Soon your car will begin to catch a little air under the tires between gripping and it will actually begin to "drift".
Steer the direction the car is moving and you'll be doing a total drift on a turn. Practice this move and you'll learn to quickly take your car right out of a spin and into a drift. Drop a few jaws as your next racing get together and show off your new drift style.
If you want to get a gift for someone that wants to get into the fun of racing RC cars, but hasn't had a lot of experience driving one - the Talon NX Buggy is a great choice that will be easy to drive, even for beginners.
This fun machine has a one piece low CG Chassis, recoil started NX 3It .0 .18ci high power nitro engine, long travel oil filled shocks and full ball bearings giving it a smooth driving action.
It also features a efficient shaft driven 4WD system that you can count on combined with a 2 speed automatic transmission. The Talon can go over 45 mph right out of the box. The braking system also stops on a dime and will come in handy when learning to control this RC and you may have to suddenly abort a turn.
The Talon is a scale model of a design and is based upon the same platform that took Andrew Smolnik to the winner’s circle in the 2003 NORCCA Nationals Monster Truck Race.
If you need a great gift that will bring enjoyment all year round and for years to come - you can't go wrong with a Talon!
The official start of Winter is still in the near future and your kids may already be bored with the cold, ice and snow. If your kids are bored with their video games, tired of talking with their friends via Myspace and really want something to do, have an RC kit handy and your kids will have the fun of not only making their own toy - but also using it!
An RC car kit is a great activity to keep your kids busy during the days when it's too cold to go outside and they are bored with their indoor activities. An RC kit will come with everything your kids need to build their own racing or off road vehicle.
However, most kits do not come with radio control systems - that is something you will usually need to purchases outside of the car kit. You will find that one radio system generally isn't superior to another but you will find that certain radio systems are better suited for different driving styles. Experiment a little and you will find a perfect fit for your RC hobby.
Consider making your kids and indoor track in the garage or even a utility room. You don't need a lot of room to race and you can let your kids learn how to control their RC vehicle along with good sportsmanship and taking turns. Toys that stimulate imaginations and encourage group play are always great learning toys - no matter how fun they are!
Have the memories of the quality of RC cars when you were a kid kept you from letting your kids enjoy the fun? You may remember them as wobbly, fragile "toys" that made a high-pitched sound. Let those memories go- the RC vehicles that are available today are a whole lot more than toys - they are 100% fun machines.
When you decide to jump back into the fun of RC racing, you'll have two main choices in vehicles. Either electrically powered by a rechargeable battery or gas/oil mixture creating "Nitro" fuel. There are also choices for two or four wheel drive and last but not least will you want to take the RC vehicle on the race track or conquer off road?
A fun RC car that will let you go offroad as well as zoom on the racetracks are the new breed of Truggies. Half truck and half buggy - they are great for almost any kind of RC driving. Sedans are also growing in popularity as race cars that can also be taken offroad, although they can't conquer the truly large obstacles the way a scale Monster Truck can.
The CEN-CT is a fun, RTR (ready to run) sedan that will make a great car for a beginning racer and will most definitely please a pro with its ease of handling.
Want to rev up the action in your offroad racing? Add the Mitsubishi Pajero to your stable of RC vehicles! It's not just monster trucks that get to have all the fun conquering the trails offroad, your Mitsubishi Pajero can keep up with the big boys and even pass them!
The Mitsubishi Pajero is 1/10th scale and is gas powered so it will have more get up and go than the electric powered RC's. It's also a sedan style and comes RTR (ready to run); which is unusual for many fuel powered RC's, many times they need assembly.
This Mitsubishi Pajero is an all terrain vehicle and is simply dialed. Best of all you get the best of both worlds with this vehicle. You can run it on the track and then take it offroad and have hours of fun shredding the monster trucks and leaving them in your dust. The Pajero is designed to give you the best of both worlds, track racing or offroad competition .
The Pejero has a very durable shaft driven 4-wheel drive system combined with a fast 2-speed transmission that you can count on. The Pajero will give you over 45MPH speeds right out of the box.
Need a holiday gift that will thrill? Consider the gift of an RC car.
The Kyosho Mini-Z NASCAR Carl Edwards Office Depot Number 99 Ford Taurus is famous in racing circles and it's now available in a perfectly produced 1/24th scale model RC car. This speed demon is sure to thrill and if it's someone's first RC vehicle, the ease of use will be delightful too.
It is electric so there's no fuel mixing to learn and it arrives ready to run (RTR) out of the box. This car was made with extreme attention to detail and to ensure it was exact, the Kyosho company went straight to the development department of some of the top NASCAR teams to make sure they had the body of this car exactly right. This is the first hobby-grade licensed NASCAR RC car available for personal racing use.
This car is part of Kyosho's Mini-Z series of cars and the chassis features an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle so it's made just like the full size race cars. The full digital proportional control takes the place of an analog resistor-type controller that is common in more cheaply made cars. The proportional control means you have full control of forward, reverse and steering with absolute digital precision.
Get someone a truly awesome holiday gift - make theirs a Kyosho Mini-Z NASCAR this year!
Want to talk about RC vehicles like a pro? If you're just learning about RC cars and trucks, here is a brief overview to give you some knowledge about your new hobby.
Types of RC Vehicles The type of RC vehicle you choose to use can vary from person to person. Here is a listing of the most common types found on the racetracks and offroad courses today:
Sizes can also vary for your monster trucks. There are four main sizes and those are measured in scale. A 1/8 scale for example is one-eighth the size of the actual car that it is modeled after. Other popular sizes include: 1/8 Scale 1/10 Scale 1/18 Scale 1/35 Scale (also known as micro vehicles)
Terrain Types Also, your RC vehicles are made to conquer different types of terrain. Offroad is one type of vehicle terrain. This means the RC vehicle is made to roll over obstacles and climb rocks. These types of vehicles are usually built to sit a little higher off the ground and generally have larger, more textured tires for better "grip".
Onroad vehicles are usually sedans and race cars in body design and are made to run on asphalt rather than off-road. Truggies often can conquer both types of terrain.
Types of Engines RTR is a term you'll see a lot when talking about RC vehicles. RTR means "ready to run" and means that your vehicle is ready to race right out of the box. These types of cars are fantastic for beginning racers as they need very little set up to run. Kits are for the more experienced RC enthusiast and they arrive completely disassembled and have to be put together in order to run.
How your RC car is powered is another distinguishing factor. Electric RC's run on a battery charge while Nitro cars run on fuel and have an actual engine.
Those are just a few terms and definitions so you can jump into the world of RC racing and know exactly what everyone else is talking about!
The holiday season is fast approaching and if you want to get your kiddos a gift that will get them out from in front of the video games and offline, get them outside playing with an RC car.
If your kids will be racing RC's for the first time, go with an electric car that is ready to run right out of the box as a first RC vehicle. Nitro RC cars are great but they require a little experience. Let your kids learn the ropes of driving RC cars with an electric car first, the fun won't be diminished one bit.
Team Associated’s B4 is a great vehicle to start with. This design is the latest generation of the 5-time IFMAR World Championship-winning heritage of RC10 buggies. This buggy has unique front suspensions and can be used on the track as well as off-road so when your kids get tired of racing each other, they can build small obstacles to conquer.
This buggy is adjustable and tunable so your kids can set their RC to run however they like it best. If you want to get your kids a toy that will encourage good sportsmanship, innovation and creative thinking as well as socialization skills for group play through racing, consider the great gift of an RC Racer!
Holiday season is fast approaching and you may already be searching for a perfect gift for your grandkids. Although they will appreciate a new sweater this holiday season, consider being a little less practical and surprise them with an ultra-fun gift in the form of an RC car.
If your grandchildren are younger, an electric RC car or truck will give them hours upon hours of fun racing, driving and enjoying the speed their vehicle can get up to. Make sure younger children always operate an RC with adult supervision. Your older grandchildren will revel in the sheer power and speed of an RC Nitro vehicle. The HPI Firestorm is a great vehicle for the older kids. It's got a lot of power, a sharp look and is built to last. If your grandkids love things that fly more than things that drive, consider an RC helicopter that they can control, maneuver and learn to do aerial tricks with.
Make this holiday season one that your grandkids will never forget and get them into a new hobby. RC vehicles promote good sportsmanship, group activities and will get them out of the house, away from the video games and into fun of racing.
Now that you've gotten into the fun of RC racing, you've decided to build your own track. As far as what type of track to build, well that is really up to you. For your first track, it's advisable to build something for home racing where you and you buddies can meet and race to your hearts' content. First of all decide where your track will be located. Indoors is the ideal place to build your track unless you live in an area you can depend on the weather to be good all year round. Otherwise a basement or garage would be ideal.
Then, make sure your chosen locale has a durable, flat floor. If it is not already flat, you'll need to make it that way by adding flooring, plywood or even concrete (whichever of these choices is optimum for your personal situation). A thin layer of carpeting, low friction is best - is a great topper that will give your RC racers good traction.
Next measure out your area that you will be potentially building your track on. If your racing area is 17 feet y 17 feet - get some graph paper and map it out accurately. It would be easy to assign each graph square as 1 foot and count out 17 each way to get an idea of what you are working with. A standard RC race track width is usually 20-inches for the mini racers to 33 inches for standard 1/8 scale models to give you an idea of what to work with.
Then get your materials and lay it out! It will go even faster if you enlist the help of a friend and then you can get down to business racing on your new track!
Get in on the fun of racing mini-RC's. These 1/18 scale electric RTR (ready to run) make up for their small size with a huge amount of speed and fun.
Racers new to RC's will be able to jump right into the fun as electric RC's have a very small learning curve. There's no nitro engine to learn and you basically just unpack it and you're rady to go. A Micro RS4 Sport Ready to Run On-Road Sedan with Murcielago body is a blast to race with .
The small size makes it easy to maneuver around the corners and take turns with ease. Plus the small size will let you go around other racers with a lot less passing space needed. .
This RC comes already assembled and has a motor installed. The speed control, 4 cell battery with charger, AM radio system with one servo and an easy to understand illustrated manual. Additionally, you will need eight AA batteries for the radio.
If you're already an enthusiast, add mini RC's to holiday "must get" list and you're researching RC's to get your very first one, you can't go wrong with a mini RTR!
Ever have trouble deciding between a monster truck and a fun buggy? Now they've been combined to create a totally new and fun RC vehicle called a "Truggy".
If you're ready to add a truggy to your RC vehicle stable, take a look at the OFNA Hyperr ST Truggy. This fun machine has a lot of bells and whistles. It is a 1/8 scale model of the off road gas powered truggy and has full pro performance.
The Mac-Star 28 Pull Start Engine will never fail you and it has a lot of other advances that come standard on this model. The steering servo is a metal gear design, the engine is a powerful .28 nitro. The long travel suspension will help your truggy execute successful jumps and landings with ease. The low profile oval air filter will keep your engine running cooler as well as cut down on choking up due to filter clogging. As well as having a micro fuel filter.
The tires are high traction and designed to give your RC get up and go. The design is eye catching and the adjustable upper and lower body shocks so you can run this truggy on any type of track you like. The center diff chassis brace will give the body of this vehicle strength that will shock your racing buddies with its ease of handling both the track as well as obstacles.
This truggy is constructed to last through many, many hours of fun and will continue to deliver for years to come.
It happened to you, you finally go to try out driving your best friend's RC race car or monster truck and now you're hooked and you want one of your own. You already know the basics for handling one of these machines, but you aren't sure where to start to choose one of your own.
Here are a few tips for getting exactly the RC that you want. First of all, for your first vehicle, first of all decide if you want an electric vehicle (rechargeable) or a nitro fuel vehicle. Both are excellent RC vehicles and are controlled in much the same way.
Choosing a RTR (Ready to Run) vehicle is also a great choice for your first RC. As you learn more and more about these fun machines, you can learn to replace parts if necessary, add accessories and more. That's when you know it's time for a build your own kit. In the meantime, stick with an RTR and you won't have any frustration level for putting your vehicle together - it will be ready to go right out of the box!
Next you will need to decide if you want to race your vehicle. In that case you'll want a scale model racing car type of RC. If you would rather take your vehicle offroad and build challenges to climb and roll over, a monster truck would be the best choice for your driving needs. Also, no matter type you go with, invest in a good carrying case. It's worth it to be able to transport your RC to your meeting place to roll with the other RC enthusiasts.
Is there anything harder to buy for than a teenager? Whether it's a niece, nephew, grandchild, stepchild or your own son or daughter; it can be difficult to get them a gift they will truly enjoy.
Yes, you can get them another video game, another item of clothing or a certificate to download Mp3s for their iPod or player of choice; or you can go another route completely and get them something fun to do that may even become a new hobby and it has nothing to do with sitting in front of a computer or video game screen.
Consider giving that picky teen on your list an RC car. Start off with an electric model for younger teens and for older teens, you can go straight to nitro (fuel) vehicles. Go for a fun race car or a scale model monster truck. If your teen is into things that fly, a helicopter they can control will give endless hours of fun.
Additionally, they can add and modify most vehicles to customize them and give them a look all their own. If your teen is inclined, there are also RC racing groups and they can be found easily by asking at your local hobby shop or do a Google search in your area. If you don't find one, start one in your neighborhood.
Open up a whole new world for your favorite teen and introduce them to the world of RC vehicles!
Do you ever feel like you're losing touch with your kids? You see each other every single day but with school schedules, work schedules and other time killers - it's easy to fall into a habit of having breakfast together, seeing each other briefly over dinner and then maybe chatting a little before bed.
Instead of plopping in front of the television after dinner, create something that will pull your kids off the Internet and away from the video games. Build an RC vehicle together! It's easy and fun to do and it will enable you to reconnect with your kids and also take up a sport that you can all enjoy and have fun with.
It doesn't take a lot of room to run an RC and if you don't have any flat cement areas in the local vicinity to run a racecar - get an ATV or Monster Truck and create your own obstacle courses to climb and conquer. Building a helicopter is another option that your kids can have a blast with.
After the first night together with your RC's, you may find your kids wanting to cut dinner short and skip dessert to get right to the RC fun. Just remember, homework first!
Want to do something a little different this Halloween? Throw a party and invite your RC lovin' buddies to bring their vehicles with them.
Having an RC party is easy and fun. First of all make a list of everyone that you want to invite from your local racing group. Either hand print or get fancy and make invitations on your computer or go for the high tech option and create and E-vite and let people be invited as well as respond online. Include your email address along with your phone number on any invitations you give out whether real or virtual, so you can get all the RSVP's.
Three days to a week before the party, make sure you know who is coming and then make a list of easy party munchies to have around. If you don't cook, opt for the easy like chips, dips, heat and serve pizza and other yummies. Whiz in the kitchen as well as the RC racetrack? Make some hors d'oeuvres you can pop out of the oven as well as cold plate foods. Have several selections of beverages for your guests and lots of ice and cups on hand. A large trash can in the back of the room will allow you to keep mess to a minimum and guests to toss their cups and plates once they've used them.
Set up a well lit area outside or clear a large area inside your home for your racing buddies to run their RC cars. Another fun idea is to have a car costume contest - give a prize for the best dressed RC vehicle. You'll be amazed what your friends come up with.
Make a twist on the same old Halloween party and add in your favorite hobby to one of the most fun nights of the year!
There is something to be said about the incredible amount of fun that you can have when you get outside and begin to play around with RC racers. Some actually find these goodies to be so much fun that they will play with them long after they are grown and on up when they have children of their own. If you happen to be one of these parents who has a child who is normally shy when playing around others, you might just be amazed at what a couple of RCs can do to help them interact with others.
Once you sit back and think about it, the excitement of running an RC in itself can be an incredible way to break the ice around other children. If your child's friends are not familiar with RC racing, your child can feel special by being able to tell them all about it. Talking about how their favorite RC works or how they like to put together a track with you in your spare time can make for great conversation. Before you know it, they will be off playing and enjoying themselves together with RC racing to thank. Well, you can pat yourself on the back too of course!
To get your children started with RC racing, you may want to give them a couple of options in racers to choose from. This way they can feel as though they were an important part of the selection process and they will take great pride in the racer that they choose.
You step outside to get a breath of the crisp, clean fresh air of the season. There is nothing like it in the world, especially when there is the sound of your Ready-To-Run racer whizzing along!
Although you may say that anytime is a great time to get outside to run your racer ragged on the terrain in your backyard, there is still something special about the fall season. It may be due to the scenery that you have in the background as your RC hits bumps and corners, but it could also be the fact that the leaves can add to the excitement as your racer tackles them! Either way, this is the perfect time of year to get outside and experience all that nature has to offer you and some of your favorite toys.
When you are in the thick of things this fall, you can take out your CEN Nemesis 7.7 RTR w/MX3 Radio. This is a high performance racer that really means business. Loaded up with some of the hottest features that you could ever ask for, there is basically no collection of fall debris that will stand in its way. Crunching through the leaves and fallen pine needles in your backyard will be one of the greatest experiences of your life, guaranteed.
Complete with a stunning painted and decorated body, this baby even has a 220cc fuel tank! Sniper race tires, the incredible MTM metal brake system and eight shocks are just a few of the sweet additions that round off the list of reasons why you need to take this monster truck out for some action before the snow flies!
Just like any other sport, there are basic rules you need to observe when you race RC vehicles to ensure that you as well as the people racing with you are safe. If everyone follows the safety basics, everyone should have a good, safe time!
Learn to Start and Stop It sounds a little moronic but we're not talking about braking and accelerating here. When you take your car out to race, it's imperative that you always turn on your controller first and then your car. The reason is that your car could pick up the frequency of another controller and take off, causing damage. Also, when you're ready to end your day of racing, turn off your car and then your controller.
Choose the Best Vehicle for Your Skills Yes a Traxxas Revo is a great vehicle, but if it goes too fast and you haven't learned how to navigate your RC car around corners during races, there's no point in causing an accident that may damage not only your car, but also your the cars of your racing buddies. New drivers and children are best started off with electric RC cars until they learn to properly control the vehicles, then the move up to Nitro RC vehicles is easy.
Make Your Race Place Safe Any wide open space that has very little foot or vehicle traffic will make an ideal RC racing spot or 4-wheeler challenge ground - depending on what type of RC vehicles you like to race. Always look over any potential racing area and determine if the potential for anyone (racer or not) to get hurt or get their vehicles damaged is likely - if it is - move on and find a better spot, it's not worth it.
Moving Vehicles Can Hurt You Never pick up a moving vehicles. Spinning tires can be dangerous and the price to pay to fix your RC vehicle is small compared to the charge of making an emergency room visit to remove something from your eye that was launched by an RC tire or other issue. Always make sure your vehicle is stopped in the off position before you pick it up.
And those are just the basics, keep your racing as fun as possible and race safe!
Parents you're facing a dilemma. More and more children and teenagers are staying in playing video games. It seems that at least two or three major games come out a month!
The problem is that kids need to be outside having fun too. They need the sunlight and the social aspect of playing in the streets or on the dirt with other kids. Sitting on the couch playing the latest version of "Halo" isn't going to get that done is it?
Then what should you do? Action figures and basketballs can't summon the excitement that violent video games with flashbang graphics can. Maybe there is something that can be just as exciting though; RC vehicles.
You may be curious at this point because they don't offer flashbang graphics or large imposing explosions. But like videogames they offer a controller which will be very familiar to your little gaming guru. They also offer speed and versatility.
For example, say little Joe Gamer really loves flight simulation games. Then buy him a starter RC helicopter or airplane and let him take the simulation to the next level. He'll be outside all the time practicing his landings and take offs, not to mention learning tricks to dazzle his friends with.
This is also going to get other children outside too. RC's are really great at captivating the imagination of people, especially kids. So, if you really want to get that couch potato gamer outside try giving him or her something that feels familiar but has to be played with in the great outdoors.
It happens to us all, that terrifying moment. Everything seems to stop for the briefest amount of time, and then. Crash! It's all over; you've wrecked your RC. It takes a few minutes to set in. The initial shock has to fade. But then you realize that your wonderful hobby has just broken into a thousand pieces.
What do you? Well you could give up the entire radio control vehicle hobby. Call it a fun experience and move on with your life, but that just doesn't seem kosher now does it? These RC cars, trucks, and helicopters are just too fun to walk away from. It's in your blood now. You can't quit.
So you do the logical thing. You take stock of your vehicle. What parts are broken? Are there any parts that can be salvaged? After looking over the broken mess that is your crashed RC vehicle you have two options. You can buy a new one, which will be the more expensive route and you'll have to learn the intricacies of a brand new vehicle.
Or you could just repair the vehicle you have. Replacements parts are relatively inexpensive and just as good as the originals. They usually come with all the parts necessary to repair your RC vehicle and you can find vehicle specific parts.
It sure beats starting from scratch with a new RC or leaving the hobby altogether. RC replacement parts have saved many a broken RC in the past.
You really did it this time. You got caught in the heat of the moment racing your friends. It was such a close call, you almost lost, but right and the end you pulled it out! In your excitement you began throwing your arms high in the air and jumping with the euphoria of victory. You didn't even feel it slip, but you sure heard the crash. Now it's gone, all lost, you're RC controller is a jumbled, broken heap on the asphalt.
The sweet taste of victory is now replaced with the bile of broken dreams. You were the king of the street corner. Your RC vehicle was unbeatable. Now it's nothing more than an expensive door stop.
As you and your friends stand there in a mixture of disbelief and shock you let slip those horrible words. "It's broken." Reality is settling in. "What am I gonna do, man?" You ask as your mind begins to function again. "Can't you get a replacement controller?" Your best friend asks hopefully.
Hope springs once more in your heart as you kneel down and pick your broken piece of joy. You rise up with a half hearted smile and race for your house.
To your surprise you find an assortment of different types of radio controllers. Selecting the one that matches your cars frequency you click purchase and in no time you're king of the RC track again.
There are a couple of things to consider when you select your second RC. What kind do you want? There's so many to choose from; helicopter, airplane, sleek racing machine, or off road warrior.
But before you choose you need to take stock of your situation. Maybe you live in a rural area with a lot of streets. Well in that case you would want your next RC vehicle to be a sleek street racer that can outrun those on coming cars and trucks. Maybe you live on a farm with a lot of nice little hills to climb. Then your perfect RC would be one of the many off road vehicles that climb almost anything like the Traxxas T-Maxx.
You could choose to go the route of air based RC's. Airplanes and helicopters are incredibly fun and easy to control. They're comparably priced when measured against the other RC vehicles, and with the helicopters you don't need a lot of space to fly it. The airplanes typical require a little more expertise because of the delicacy of landing them.
The most important thing to consider though is what you are comfortable with. If you're first RC vehicle was a street blazer and you can drive it like a mad man then opt for a bigger and better model. You'd don't always have to make radical purchasing decisions to keep the fun alive. Each RC vehicle controls differently and learning to master new ones is at least half the fun of the hobby itself.
It seems obvious that you could make a list of a hundred reasons that RC's are so fun. They're cool; some of them go really fast; the choppers can hover high above your house; other people will think you're cool for having RC's; you name it and it could be a reason. But there's one big reason that wasn't mentioned. RC vehicles can help you connect with family members.
There's a story you should know. It's about two brothers, the older of them in his mid-thirties and the younger his mid-twenties. Neither of them had spoken to or seen the other for a few years now and there was a definite and noticeable rift between them. By happenstance they are thrust back into each others lives.
Neither is terrible pleased with the circumstances that brought forth this completely unexpected event, but being brothers they try to muddle through. The problem is that over the years they have become different men and in many senses outgrown one another, the younger specifically. Still they get into a routine of doing things together on the weekend and it brings them somewhat together.
In their typical weekend routine they go to the local shopping centers. One weekend they are walking passed the toy isles when the older of them mentions that they should check out the RC Vehicles. They walk over and look around a bit before settling on buying an inexpensive beginners helicopter.
So they take it home, unpackage it, charge the batteries, read the instructions, and wait anxiously to fly it. Once they each have a turn with it they both realize how intensely spectacular these wonderful toys are. They quickly buy another, more expensive, radio controlled chopper and plot the purchase of an even bigger and better one. Racing RC cars becomes a passion they share.
The most amazing thing though, was that through all of this they form a bond akin to the one the shared when they were children. Each remarks upon this in his own fashion and chalks it up to the purchase of an RC Vehicle.
RC's are fun, we all know that. However, sometimes they can be a headache. Like in this case, let's say you've had your RC Vehicle a while now and something goes wrong. You crash it in a major way for the first time. You check it out and nothing seems broken so you set up for another run. You press on the accelerator but nothing happens.
You stand there ever so briefly in a state of shock and then you remember that your manual has a troubleshooting guide in the back. Like a crazed and hungry leopard you dart off for the box your RC Vehicle came in, but when you dig through your closet, take out the box, and finally pull out all of the material and sift through it you discover your manual is gone.
Frantically you search all the usual spots, desk drawers, under the bed, anywhere papers are piled. You find nothing but a lot of dust and an overwhelming sense of doom. You may not get your RC working again, but there's one last option you haven't considered. You can check online. Many radio controlled vehicle sites offer the manuals online as adobe reader files or pdf' files.
They include everything that came with the manual from troubleshooting guides to operating instructions. It's usually a pretty scary thing when your RC Vehicle doesn't work right and you lost the manual, but you're in luck, we have a good number of manuals online and you can read or download whatever you need.
Being an uncle has many of the same benefits as being a grandparent. You get to spoil your the spoil the children of your brother and sister truly rotten and then send them home. It's fun to be the "cool relative" and one that the kids always look forward to spending time with. No one has to know that time when your sister left her kids with you that you skipped the nutritious lunches she thoughtfully packed and ate the chocolate cake she left for dessert instead. Hey, you at least drank a glass of milk with it right?
If you are looking for a fun gift that your nieces and nephews can enjoy even when you're not around, consider gifting your favorite little ones an electric RC vehicle. They can even bring it along when they visit and if you happen to have one of your own, you can race!
A great electric RC for the kiddos to start with is the Team Associated RC18T. This fun machine comes Ready-to-Run and was designed from the ground up by Team Associated’s award-winning team of engineers for competition-level performance and rugged durability far beyond the competition. It's made to last and will give the kids hours of fun play both as a speed demon and it will tackle off-road obstacles as well.
Get one of these bad boys and pack it away until next time the kiddos visit for an afternoon and then as your sister's car leaves the driveway - take out the RC18T and watch their eyes get big. Best of all, when it's time to go home, you can thrill the kids by letting them take the vehicle home with instructions to bring it back so you can have another afternoon of racing fun!
It happens to us all, that terrifying moment. Everything seems to stop for the briefest amount of time, and then. Crash! It's all over; you've wrecked your RC. It takes a few minutes to set in. The initial shock has to fade. But then you realize that your wonderful hobby has just broken into pieces.
What do you? Well you could give up the entire radio control vehicle hobby. Call it a fun experience and move on with your life, but that just doesn't seem kosher now does it? These RC cars, trucks, and helicopters are just too fun to walk away from. It's in your blood now. You can't quit.
So you do the logical thing. You take stock of your vehicle. What parts are broken? Are there any parts that can be salvaged? After looking over the broken mess that is your crashed RC vehicle you have two options. You can buy a new one, which will be the more expensive route and you'll have to learn the intricacies of a brand new vehicle. Or you could just repair the vehicle you have. Replacements parts are relatively inexpensive and just as good as the originals. They usually come with all the parts necessary to repair your RC vehicle and you can find vehicle specific parts. Best of all, it's easy to find the parts you need as they listed by vehicle.
It sure beats starting from scratch with a new RC or leaving the hobby altogether. Many RC enthusiasts can tell you with pride about the parts they've replaced themselves to keep their favorite RC cars running. A crash doesn't mean it's all over - learn how to fix your RC vehicle yourself and stay in the fast lane!
There are two main types of RC vehicle drivers, those that love to race and those that love the off-road experience. You can spot the racers on the tracks or their favorite parking lots on the weekends and the off-road RC lovers are a little bit harder to spot as they tend to meet in places that challenge their driving and navigation skills with their RC vehicles.
One of the main competitions for off-road drivers is to create obstacle courses for their vehicles to conquer. Usually it entails rocks to climb, obstacles such as "logs" (which are actually large sticks) and boulders (usually large-sized stones). You will need a monster truck to accomplish these challenges and if you're only been thinking of getting into obstacle course competition - a great vehicle to jump into the game with is the Wheelie King.
This scale model monster truck has the power to climb obstacles, roll over barriers and the wheelie ability makes it able to get up and over taller road blocks that will stop other RC vehicles in their tracks. The powerful engine combined with the smart design make this a fun experience for anyone from the newbie to the RC vehicle sport to the seasoned driver. This vehicle is so balanced it can even drive for long stretches of track with the front wheels in the air.
If you're getting ready for obstacle course competitions, practice your climbing skills by starting with a low angle and gradually increasing it until you learn the maximum that you can push it without tumbling your vehicle down the obstacle. Then, after honing your driving and control skills this way, the next competition you enter - you will rule the day!
Once you start racing RC vehicles, you'll want to up the ante and fulfill your need for speed. One of the first things you will want to learn to do is learn how to increase your speed without crashing your car. There's a trick to taking turns without diminishing speed and once you learn to do it, you'll find that you're making better time in all your racing both on-road and off-road. Once of the main things you will need to learn is to keep your speed consistent lap after lap. This means don't speed up as fast as you can on the straightaway parts of the track and then slow for turns as you're actually costing yourself time.
Instead concentrate on learning what the maximum speed is that you can take a turn and then hold that speed on the straightaways, this way you'll never have to slow down at all and you won't be in danger of crashing your car on the turns either.
Practice with your favorite driving buddy or group to learn how to take the corners in a racing environment so you can learn how to maneuver your RC vehicle in a pack of vehicles to learn to maintain your speed and take corners in a racing situation. It's different when you not only have to contend with taking the corners without crashing but also watch out for other racers.
Once you get going with this method,you'll find that you can gain a lot of time in your racing as well cross the finish line first!
Why are you just sitting there reading this computer screen with your mouse in your hand when you can be out blazing trails in the great outdoors with the Monster GT 4.0 SE. Even if you have never had the chance to get drive an RC vehicle before, you'll find that this little fun machine is so easy to handle on and off the track that you'll probably find an RC vehicle addiction growing fast!
From the very minute you take this RC truck out of the box you'll see why it is one of the most popular models among RC enthusiasts today. You will never have to worry about the chassis becoming easily damage because it is constructed of durable extruded aluminum. Another cool feature is that you will have a whopping four inches or more of clearance underneath so you will not end up getting hung up on rocks, tree roots or other debris. You will rule the rock and obstacle competitions!
If you're looking for the ultimate fun RC machine, look no further than the Monster GT, this ready to run truck will give you hours of climbing, rolling, racing fun!
Now that you've discovered the fun in racing RC cars and trucks, you're probably looking forward to hooking up with other people interested in this sport. Let's face it, if racing is fun, racing with other people can be a blast.
The first step is finding a group in your area, check out your local hobby shop for some local groups; if your hobby shop doesn't have any recommendations, it's time to hit the internet. A quick search on the Internet will probably turn up a racing group near you.
If you still can't locate a group near yourself, you may need to make one on your own. All you need to do is scout out a location to race or do off road and then establish a time to meet on a regular basis. Look for a place with pavement and perhaps a slightly overgrown, wooded area nearby. If you find a spot you like and you don't own it - ask the owners of the property for permission to use their parking lot, or a small area of their parking lot on the weekends and then get it in writing just to keep things level. This will avoid any misunderstandings in the future should some civic minded soul decide to call the police on your group for trespassing.
Then either print your own business cards with your group's name and meeting place with times or simply write out an index card - the idea is to just get the information out there and give it to your local hobby shop. Next, put up a simple website so anyone searching for where to race their RC cars can find YOU.
And those are the basics, if you want to network with more people to race with - consider starting your own racing group and take your RC fun to a whole new level.
When you get into driving RC vehicles, you'll find the lovers of this hobby will be fairly split into different groups. One group will love pavement racing with their RC cars, others will love to build obstacle courses to run their scale monster trucks and ATVs over. The last group will encompass all of these RC vehicles and they will be fans of off road racing.
If you're ready to get into the fun of off-road racing, check out the 1/8 scale gas powered RTR Ofna Ultra LX-One Off-Road Racing Buggy. This fun buggy comes assembled and ready to run. It has a lot of special features that will make it easy for even a novice RC racer to jump right in and start having fun.
It comes with a lot of bells and whistles including a 2-channel grip radio, 2 servos, a 51 tooth main gear, 14T clutch bell, Force 26 pull start engine and a glow plug. There is also an easy to clean foam air filter, fuel bottle for fast fill ups during the race. The body of this buggy is painted and ready to attach. with foam inserts. The 12 spoke plastic wheels will keep the car light and let you hit top speeds. All you need to add is twelve AA batteries, a D-battery for the glow starter, fuel and after-run oil.
Don't let the other off-roaders have all the fun, jump in on the action yourself. Whether you're new to the sport or an old hat, you'll love the way the Ultra LX handles!
Hard to buy for people are well, hard to buy for and it never ends just when you've cleverly figured out what to buy for these people for the holidays; along comes a birthday, graduation or other special occasion that calls for a gift.
You know you can always opt out and give them a card with a gift certificate or even good old cash; but you want to get them something special and pick it out yourself. If your hard to buy for person is into RC vehicles, you're in luck.
There's a fun item that they will definitely use on a more than once in a while basis that will also make a stellar gift. The Racer 1/8 Scale Hauler Bag is great for safely transporting a scale model racer to and from the track.
These have been a hot item since their debut on the market. We actually got in a shipment previously but before we could get them on the website, the local RC racers snapped them up. So we're back with more to offer to our customers that don't live locally to our store.
This bag is perfect for carrying your 1/8 scale buggy to the race track. The dimensions are just roomy enough to make it easy to put the RC car in and out. The top box is 19.5" x 12.5" x 4.5" and fit a 1/8 scale buggy with wing and tires with ease. The middle drawer is also 19.5" x 12.5" x 4.5" and there are two drawers on the bottom measuring 9.5" and 8.5" respectively.
Controller and extra accessories can easily be stashed in the outside pockets and its compact design makes it easy to transport to and from favorite racing areas.
It happens pretty simply, you start running RC cars as a hobby and your first purchase is usually an electric vehicle. You learn to control it, maintain it and the nuances of running the electric powered RC cars. Then you find you want a little more so you go nitro.
Nitro cars will raise your RC racing fun to a whole new level whether you have a need for speed and love racing around the track or taking on contenders or you love to conquers the "hills" and obstacles in your monster truck. Once you master controlling your nitro vehicle - you'll soon want to raise the bar again and build your own.
RC enthusiasts will agree there's very little more satisfying than racing a car that you have built. If you have been a little apprehensive about building your own RC vehicle - start with a race car and then you can go a little more complex once you have your confidence built up.
You don't have to do any special wiring or anything extreme to put together an RC car from a kit, however one of the best things is that you will be able to completely customize the look of your vehicle to one that is uniquely "you".
The Kyosho Inferno is a great kit car to start with. The Inferno is a scale replica of the real world model and this car has some of the best performance and speed along with being an extremely durable design. There is improved engine response with a 48T spur gear replacing the previously used 46T. You will need to choose the engine, servos and pipe for your vehicle and add them However the clear unpainted body that comes with this kit will make it a fun car to make truly your own.
If you're ready to enter the realm of the true RC car pro - jump into the fun of a kit car!
Among RC vehicle drivers, there are two main types - those that love the Ready to Run vehicles meaning they arrive ready to pop out of the box and use and then there are people that enjoy the RC vehicles that must be made ready to run with a little building out of the box. Attaching a part here and there, priming the engine and getting it ready to run. One way isn't better than the other - it's just a matter of preference.
If you're new to the sport of RC vehicles, a ready to run car or truck will definitely raise the fun factor while your learning how to care for and run your RC car or truck; and if you feel your control skills aren't honed enough for racing, you can make a fun obstacle course in your backyard or favorite place to run your RC vehicle.
The HPI Savage 4.6 Monster Truck is a fun RC machine to perfect your RC control skills with. Your monster truck is a small scale replica of the big bad machine and will perform just like a monster truck. Take some cues from the monster truck rallies and make some hills that mimic the tall mounds of dirt the trucks take on in the ring and even include some obstacles in the from of rock hills to climb and "logs" (thick sticks).
You'll learn quickly how to "walk" and zig-zag your monster truck to quickly conquer every obstacle in your path and it's a great way to practice control for when you're ready to take on contenders whether for racing or obstacle courses!
If you're new to the sport of remote control vehicles or you are purchasing an RC vehicle for a younger person, you can't go wrong starting off with an electric RC.
There are two basic types of RC vehicles, electric which run on a battery and nitro which have an actual fuel tank and use a fuel/oil mixture to run. The nitro RC cars are more powerful than the electric cars and generally are more expensive. If you're looking for a vehicle to get your feet wet with, an electric RC car will be just the ticket.
Even though many RC vehicles arrive "ready to run", your skills for controlling the vehicle may not be up to speed just yet and only practice will teach you exactly how to do the turns, straightaways and other maneuvers that are common in RC racing.
A great car to start with is the HPI Sprint 2. This fun machine is HPI's most popular electric club racer and will be a super choice for the novice RC driver to learn with. Along with being easy to control, it has a nearly indestructible chassis to get you over that somewhat painful "learning curve" that can leave you with damages to fix on other vehicles. It's very easy to slam into walls and barriers when you're learning to control your RC vehicle and if that's going to happen, you want a car that is built to take an impact and keep rolling.
The "out of the box" settings will give you great handling from the moment you begin driving and that control extends to almost every surface and with the fully adjustable suspension, you have control over all important settings including camber, toe in, ride height, Ackerman, springs and more.
Get into the fun of RC cars and do it wisely. Start off with an easy to drive model and as your skills grow you can upgrade to more complex models and enjoy the fun of RC car racing!
If you or your kids have been wanting to get into the fun of RC vehicles but cars and trucks just aren't your think- there's still an RC toy on the market that will answer your remote control fun seeking needs: an RC helicopter.
A great RC helicopter to start with is the Venom Ocean Rescue. This unit comes Ready to Fly and is ideal for beginning RC pilots. It can take a little practice to get your flying technique right and very soon you'll be buzzing your 'copter around the yard, hovering and doing other fun stunts with your RC helicopter.
The Venom is a micro helicopter and features counter-rotating blades for greater stability and ease of flying. This unit comes with a 4-channel radio, 2 cell 7.4 volt 800mah LiPO battery and charger. If you have a special on your gift giving list that is hard to buy for consider the fun of an RC helicopter. The control is so easy to master, both kids and adults catch on very quickly on how to maneuver the chopper around with ease.
For even more fun, get a pair of these choppers and have races around your yard or your favorite place to go fly high. Many people create helicopter obstacle courses that include poles to circle, large circular obstacles to carefully fly through and even target landings. Your imagine is your only limit to the fun you can with an RC helicopter!
The Traxxas Nitro Rustler 2007 is one of the most popular newcomers on the scene. Taking its rightful place as the first name in high performance among the 2WD nitro stadium trucks. It received the RC Car Action Magazine Readers Choice Award for "Best Nitro Engine".
Nitro Rustler is powered by the proven performance of the TRX 2.5 Racing Engine, which is the most advanced engine in its class and comes loaded with all the hot performance hardware, making it nothing short of amazing. The two-needle composite slide carburetor, trick porting and free flowing rear exhaust deliver class-leading horsepower allowing it to completely out-muscles any of the competition with speeds beyond 50mph. The TRX 2.5 pumps out the torque for absolutely relentless acceleration.
Only Traxxas has the true push-button starting convenience and safety of the EZ-Start Electric Starting System. Traxxas makes nitro easy so that anyone can experience the hard-charging action and intense driving excitement Nitro Rustler delivers. Hammer the throttle anywhere in the power band and Nitro Rustler responds with searing acceleration and the sound of pure, high-revving nitro power.
The Nitro Rustler is not only built to perform with its adjustable slipper clutch, disc brake and race-inspired suspension, it's also built Traxxas Tough for all day driving fun. Its robust design keeps breakage to a minimum for non-stop action. The rugged aluminum chassis forms a solid backbone that draws heat away from the engine. The hardened steel gear diff requires no time-consuming adjustments and is virtually maintenance free. The Nitro Rustler is about experiencing total performance and satisfaction.
There is more to RC's than just the vehicle. That's not to say that the vehicle isn't important, because in this case, looks do count. Everyone wants a cool RC but after the looks, you have to consider the performance.
Performance can mean many things, how fast it is, the turning radius and if it can stop on a dime. As you know, the type of radio you have is also important. Radio systems generally come with a transmitter, a receiver and servos. Servos go inside the vehicle to control steering and a mechanical speed control and are connected to the receiver. Some include just the transmitter and receiver allowing you to complete the system with whatever fits your needs.
The receiver is your vehicles "brain". It receives the transmitter's radio signal codes and sends commands to the servo or speed control. Servos come in all sizes, strengths and speeds. Choosing the right one depends on what you demand from your vehicle. To get the most response from your off-road truck you will want "monster" torque. For a 1/10th scale on-road speed is the most important. Some find that a slower servo helps them corner with smoother control.
When looking for a radio system consider the Airtronics MX-3. Airtronics has manufactured affordable top performance radio systems for many years and has shown clear dominance on the racing scene. The MX-3 comes with 5-model memory and its many adjustable features are all you will need for a winning competition performance.
There are two main types of RC vehicles, either electric that run on battery power or the more powerful nitro cars that run on fuel. Even if you're new to the sport of RC car racing, you've probably already heard several different schools of thought as to what kind of oil is needed for car fuel and the quantities that should be used for the ultimate in performance of your RC vehicle.
First of all, throw out any advice you got comparing nitro car fuel to airplane fuel. They are totally different and you're really comparing apples and oranges to try to use one like the other. Your RC car engine works in a different manner than an airplane engine and whereas an airplace will require around 20% of the fuel mix to be oil, an RC car needs far less - around half that amount at 10%.
Another myth you've probably heard is that if you use fuel with a higher concentration of oil that it will lengthen the life of your engine. Not true. Too much oil can actually degrade the performance of your vehicle and damage your engine. Getting the mix right is key to having an optimum running RC vehicle.
If you have a Traxxas engine in your RC car, this company makes a top of the line fuel to go with their engines to ensure you get peak performance out of your RC car with every run you make.
Also, whether you use Traxxas or another brand, make sure that you keep your fuel tightly sealed and away from any place moisture gathers as exposure to water will weaken and eventually ruin your fuel. Always put the freshest and best fuel in your RC car, having an RC vehicle that runs flawlessly for years to come is worth it.
HPI nitro cars are fast becoming a new hobby for individuals around the world. These vehicles are a blast as they can top out at speeds of up to 55MPH and the more you drive, the better your control of your vehicle will be. Learn a few of the tips and tricks and get the most out of your next RC car adventure - either solo or with your racing buddies.
Make sure that the motor on your HPI nitro car was broken in correctly. This means running your car through at least three and around five full takes of fuel and driving your car using various speeds to get the motor good and broken in. Don't top out the speed on your car when you're breaking it in, the idea is to get the motor warm and all components fired up before you actually take your car out for its first run on a track or driving area.
Another tip that will save you some grief is to be sure that your car is fully assembled. RTR (Ready to Run) doesn't always mean exactly that and it can be frustrating to tkae your car out for your initial run and pieces fall off. Just do a quick check and make sure that your wheels are aligned and many RC car enthusiasts glue their wheels on before they do any racing. Also, check your air filters to ensure they are installed correctly or you will have an overheated car quicker than quick.
Jumping RC cars is another fun part of driving them. The easiest way to execute a successful jump is to approach the ramp as squarely in the middle as you can and then if you notice after your car leaves the ramp the nose is pointing downward, a simple application of throttle in mid-air will usually correct the vehicle enough to make a level landing. If the rear of your car starts to drop too much in mid-air just apply the brakes and you'll see the nose of your car pull forward enabling you to correct your car in mid-air and have an even landing.
Another common problem in jumps is the RC car rolling in mid-air. This is usually caused by approaching the ramp and coming off too much on one side or the other. A simple fix is to turn your steering wheel towards the direction of the roll. Your car will level out and you can still land with ease. Cars often bounce after a jump, let your RC car become stable (no more bouncing) before you attempt to steer or you can wind up rolling your car.
Use these tips for driving your HPI nitro vehicles and push your fun to the limit!
The HPI Wheely King 4x4 Monster Truck is a new-comer to Nitro Toyz and is already a hit, adding a whole new dimension to fun. Not just any fun, but all-out, car-crushing, wheels-in-the-air fun! The realistically designed monster truck now features extra traction and grip. This monster is not just for kids. Unless of course you are considering kids of all ages.
This true to scale monster truck features full-time 4WD allowing the traction needed to go anywhere. With its tuned weight distribution the Wheely King makes it easy to pop a wheelie on demand. Just pull the trigger and go. Watch the front wheels rise into the air as the weight of the truck goes onto the rear wheels. Watch it drive long stretches with its wheels in the air.
Ready for a different type of action? Make a few adjustments and the Wheely King becomes a monster hill climber. With its tough universal shaft drive to the front differential powers the front wheels over anything making it a snap to conquer everything in site. Charge the battery with the included wall charger or use any standard remote control battery charger.
The Wheely King is the ultimate combination of true-to-scale monster truck looks and fun high-flying monster truck action. Imagine the smile that follows starting the Wheely King for the first time; it’s a smile that never fades. Easy to drive and a joy to watch, the Wheely King will be the most fun vehicle in your RC garage.
As with any hobby or sport, accessories can be a big part of the overall picture. Make sure you are aware of all the accessories that are available to you and have fun checking them out.
Local racers were quick to snap up the Racers Edge 1/8 Scale Hauler Bags, but there are plenty in stock now. With the capability of holding a 1/8 scale with wing and tires as well as more storage room with several drawers this is one item that disappears quickly.
Most racers prefer a Starter Box for their starting needs. By eliminating the pull start you actually make your engine run a bit faster. The OFNA 1/8th Scale Starter Box with Power Panel with adjustable starter motor where both the travel and position can be adjusted to accommodate the engine position in the vehicle is a very popular and reliable choice.
If you need something to transport your Traxxas or HPI Savage vehicles you should check out the HPI Carrying Bag. This deluxe carrying bag can handle all of your needs. Another great must-have is the Team Orion Advantage Charger with a new carbon case and LiPo charging. It has customizable Linear, Flex and Step charging, battery cycling, five charging memories, both input and output short circuit protection, 11 to 15 volts D/C input, built in clock, easy to navigate 4 push button settings and a choice of 3 different alarm tones or a silent function.
Accessories can and do make a difference. If RC vehicles are a new passion or you're just reviving an old favorite hobby, rev up your racing fun by adding accessories to your vehicles.
