Getting Started with a Radio Controlled Truck

RC racing and drifting barely have any rules – there is no speed limit for example and you may choose to upgrade your car however you wish. If you are new to this fascinating realm, your first question is probably related to the type of vehicle to own. It is obvious why so any people prefer a radio controlled truck. These are strong, resilient and perform well in a race.

RC is an electronic based industry and thus will have new, more advanced models always coming up. The model to acquire depends on your budget, but also on how you plan on using it.

Hobby vs. toy-grade

You decided you want a radio controlled truck, but what are you going to do with it? Big chain stores usually have toy ones. These will be fun, but won't last and won't allow for customizations and upgrades. This is where we get into the hobby area. RC fans aim to enhance their vehicles through various additions or modifications. They will also find appropriate spare parts at specialised stores.

Simple but tough

Out of the many types of steerable trucks, your first pick should be one that is fairly simple, considering your lack of experience. However, it should be also tough, especially if you are planning to use it on racing circuits or participate in drifts. Pay attention to the batteries or the fuel as well.  As for the motor, consider a brushless one, although it's the more expensive option.

Truck versatility

These trucks are an excellent choice because they can be taken to any kind of terrain. They work very well in backyards. The tires and the bumpers will be of help when going past obstacles. Trucks can bounce off easily and continue on their way. Take them to circuits with bridges and ramps and you will see all that RC trucks can do.

Here is a tip for someone who wants to taste the excitement of building their own little truck: it is possible to buy kits that contain all the parts to be assembled. The satisfaction of completing it will be great.

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How to Build Your Own RC Drift Circuit at Home

Radio controlled car tracks can usually be found in many areas and many of these are indoors, so the weather does not hinder the activity. However, if there is no track in your area, you can build your own.

The size of the RC drift circuit for your scale models is entirely up to you. Most people find their yards to provide sufficient space for a track. The cheapest setup will cost very little. Build this on concrete. Order track dots online to place where needed. These will last you for a log time.

The home depot in your neighbourhood should be the place to go for the rest of the materials. In the contractor, department, you should find smooth brown sheets, with a thickness of 1 cm. There are usually affordable. Take about 8 of these light sheets or enough to cover the surface you want to use as a track. Tape them in a suitable manner, to mask the circuit and define the track.

If you want to go to the next level, use plywood. You will need a few sheets, along with wood finish. Pay attention to the texture as well – you don't want something that is too slippery and makes the cars spin out. The track can be elevated if you wish so. Then, you will want to be able to stand in the centre of the circuit, so make a hole over there. Thus, you will have a good view.

Note that before you install the wood finish you must paint the track. This is a very important step. Take two colours of dye so you can differentiate the track from the rest. Now, you may also want to mark the corners somehow. There are sufficient options for this. Make sure that whatever you choose is colourful enough. Some pits may be added, too.

The ultimate (and more costly) addition to a home-made RC drift track is one or more bridges. Imagine how fun these would be. If you are interested in these, you may want to consider them as you make the actual plan for the circuit.

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The Perks of Joining a Radio Controlled Car Club

Anyone who is passionate of radio controlled vehicles will think at some point about joining a group of similar enthusiasts, where the fun is increased and the challenge is peaking.

Across the UK, there is a fairly good number of local car clubs to join for remote controlled vehicles like mini drift cars, trucks, truggies, buggies, crawlers and so on. These clubs usually offer special venues for members to gather and compete. There can racing, drifting or rock crawling – all under the same roof, as clubs tend to have such facilities that shelter participants from bad weather. This means you can enjoy your hobby at any given time, regardless of the weather outside.

Besides making friends, a radio controlled model car club will also help you have access to a wide range of advice, whether it is from specialists or from other RC vehicles like yourself. You could find out about certain models, about batteries and accessories, about which ones to choose to prolong the life of your vehicle. The tips obtained this way can indeed be precious.

Such car clubs are equipped with timing systems so racing will happen according to all the norms. Personal transponders may also be accepted. For a perfectly thrilling experience, race results will be shown in real time. As for drifting, there may not be too many clubs around; still, the existing ones have all that is required.  There are special drifting days designated and keep in mind that these clubs are official. Of course, the best kind of clubs is that which also encloses a space for realistic rock climbing.

Some of the existing RC clubs have been here for decades. In spite of their age, these make use of recent date race timing software and can have booth outdoor and indoor facilities. It's not all about radio control car, but also about practising and trying out new models. The staff and the car owners will be willing to talk to newcomers and share their experience and advice.

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