Get Into The Game! Race Your RC Car

The cheering crowds, the adrenaline rush and the mounting excitement say it all. Welcome to the world of RC car racing! RC cars are a fascinating hobby of many race car fans and many adults and children enjoy both on –road and off –road races. However, a lot of preparation goes into getting a RC car ready for the race.

First of all, select the tires for the RC racing car very wisely. Choose a tire that is suited to the road surface of the car race. You need to also select the best motor, size and maintenance suited to the race. Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis are popular choices for on-road races, and they are capable of great speeds. These are specific racing cars and need to be run on a smooth track for the best performance. Trucks and buggies may not perform well in terms of speed but they can be used on any kind of racing track including the roughest terrain.

The most popular RC cars are on-road vehicles that are commonly used for car racing. These will run on paved roads, smooth surfaces and even on the streets. Off-road vehicles can be run on any terrain as they are truck-like vehicles that are very sturdy. The can easily handle all kinds of uneven terrain and ramp jumps. Off -road vehicles are available in two wheel or four wheel drive with electric or nitro engines.

The RC car comes in two sizes, namely, 1/8 and 1/10 scale. The 1/10 scale is ideal for race cars and is the standard size for on-road RC cars. The 1/8th scale is popular with monster trucks and buggies and meant for off –road use. The best engine for a race car is a nitro powered one as it can reach the maximum speed of 70 mph. The high speed and acceleration is what makes these car engines ideal for racing.

Two wheel drive vehicles are less expensive and easier to maintain. But, good traction and handling is possible with a four wheel drive that makes it an ideal choice for races. Maintenance is an important factor of any RC car. Ensure that the car parts like the air filter, header, clutch, differential and pull start cord are properly maintained so that they last long.

Once you have made your selection of the RC car that you will be using in the race, you are ready to face the challenge of car racing. Joining in the race will gain you experience and a lot of friends in the  car racing world. Be sure to take the advice of the expert car racers you will meet, to get the best performance from your car. Participating in the races will give you the opportunity to see the latest models of RC race cars in action, and also provide you with the thrills of the game.

Different Types Of RC Car Bodies

When we say 'RC Car Body', it means the outer shell or covering of the RC car that defines its appearance. There are two general classifications for RC car bodies depending on their availability, and these are:

• Pre-built: This type of car body will come with a pre-assembled car and look like other similar models manufactured by the company. Most of the pre-built RC Car bodies are designed on real car models. Hobbyists purchase these models for displaying their craftsmanship. With the pre-built car bodies, one can possess their dream car, albeit as a remote control car!

• Customized: Pre-build car bodies have a uniform appearance. However, serious car enthusiasts prefer to add their own personalized touches to the car bodies. Long time enthusiasts of RC cars try to achieve one of the two objectives, namely aesthetical advancement or performance enhancement. Car enthusiasts, who want their cars to stand out in the crowd or look better than the others, customize the car bodies for aesthetical enhancement. Many customization ventures are also undertaken to enhance the performance of the RC car by improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle to attain maximum speeds.

The most common type and easily recognizable car bodies may be of three kinds:

1. Realistic Car body: These are based on the normal cars running on the road. Basically, they are miniature models of real cars. They may often be modeled on the latest winner of the world car rallies like a Ferrari or on the more 'cool' model like the Hummer. The realistic RC car body is highly regarded for its craftsmanship and faithfulness to the original car model. These cars will be used for on-road races as there is less chance of damage to the vehicle.

2. Monster Truck: These car bodies are meant to take a lot of bashing and are built to be sturdy vehicles. The owners subject the vehicles to various maneuvers like leaping off ramps and participating in off-road or hurdle races. Most often, the vehicles survive the difficult terrain because they are built to be durable and sturdy. These are meant to be fun vehicles, giving their owner the thrill of actual rally car races.

3. Racing Buggy: These RC cars are made for the races. The vehicles are built for speed and can take on any terrain. It is aerodynamically designed in the typical triangular shape to be used in any kind of racing conditions, to emerge the winner.

Radio Controlled Devices – Hobby Grade Toys

Radio controlled or remote controlled (RC) devices can be hobby grade or toy grade. Toy grade RC devices are usually available at retail toy stores and may be purchased by people for their children to play with. These are mostly toys produced in bulk quantities and comprise of nonserviceable parts. The RC toys cannot be used outside as they are not rugged enough to take the strain of the terrain outdoors. Most of the radio controlled toy grade devices are not durable as they are made from soft materials that are easily breakable. These items are ready to use and thus require no assembling of parts. Since they run on battery cells, all you need to do is place the batteries in the case and your toy is ready to play.

Hobby grade radio controlled devices are meant for the serious enthusiast. These devices are simple in their design and can be remodeled, serviced and reused. The material is durable and the items are usually custom made. More often these devices need to be assembled, but the stores may deliver the assembled piece, if you so wish. A serious hobbyist will always prefer to buy the kit and do the assembling himself. This is in itself a creative art that the hobbyists indulge in, apart from participating in various competitions. There are sporting events held for the RC enthusiasts that have their own rules for the game.

The various types of radio controlled toys available presently are described below:

1. Airplanes:

The RC airplane is available in various shapes and sizes, from gas turbine driven models to the smaller flyers. They can be tied to a pole with the help of a rope or they can be free flying. They can be fuel driven or electrically propelled and the latest models can even reach speeds of 250mph. Since the RC airplanes are complex toys they require some amount of control and knowledge of flying. Therefore, adult supervision is required during flying and they are not suitable for very young children. The airborne RC models are among the most expensive and a crash may result in damages that may prove to be very costly.

2. RC Cars:

Cars are the most common and the most popular among the RC toys. The cars are either fuel driven or electrically powered. These can be operated even by children and are much safer compared to airborne devices. The RC cars may be used in on-road or off-road RC car races. The RC car models come in various sizes and shapes.

3. RC Helicopters:

This is another airborne device. However, its design and flying pattern is different from that of an airplane. Some enthusiasts prefer it to the airplane as they claim it to be much more interesting for flying. The same factors of airplanes apply to helicopters too.

4. RC Boat:

The first radio controlled toy to be created was a boat as demonstrated by Tesla. He showed the public, a boat that obeyed people's command. In reality, he was remotely controlling the boat.

5. Robotics:

Robotics is popular in Japan, but the western world is also fast catching up. There are competitions held for the best robot created in terms of design and creativity. Robotics is moving to the latest technology of artificial intelligence and voice control models. Radio control models are being used as toys and for remote handling of bombs and other activities involving danger.

The History Of Radio Controlled Devices

Radio controlled devices have gained popularity as hobby items apart from being used for various other purposes. Building, modifying and driving radio controlled vehicles is a favorite pastime of radio control enthusiasts. The sport involves displaying the skills of the person in handling the device, efficiently.

Remote or radio controlled devices are controlled from a remote distance. Jagdish Chandra Bose was perhaps the first to demonstrate remote controlled activity when he set alight gun powder to strike a gong using electromagnetic radiation, from a distance. Tesla was the first to show the use of a transmitter and receiver to remotely control a ship. He showed how mechanical gadgets could be controlled using the wireless principle in the year 1898. He also began the construction of a wireless tower that remained incomplete due to lack of finance. Tesla can be said to have created the basis for the design of radio controlled devices which are in use today. The American inventor Armstrong said, "The world will long have to wait for a mind equal to Tesla's, a mind of such creative possibilities and such wealth of imagination."

Remote controlled devices are also known commonly as RC devices- RC meaning radio controlled. Dr. William and Walter Good, two twin brothers created and flew the first radio controlled airplane in 1937. Dr. William was a radio specialist whereas his brother Walter built aero models. They combined both their skills to create a radio controlled airplane. The principle of radio control has also been used in the World War II. From the 1960s, transistors were available, and this revolutionized the circuits to make them compact and light.

Sometime during the mid or late 1960s, the British company Mardave, began producing the first commercially feasible remote controlled cars. The first gas powered or nitro cars were sold in the early 1970s in Leicester, where the company was based. Radio controlled devices need a control transmitter, a throttle trigger and wheels for turning, while the receiver is located in the body of the toy. These models run on either electricity or fuel. Electrical speed control is used in electrical models, whereas radio control mechanisms are used in fuel control systems to regulate the fuel input.

Toy grade devices are usually assembled models available at retail shops and are much cheaper than hobby grade models. The toy grade models use electric power and run on batteries. Hobby grade radio controlled devices are more serviceable and durable, but are very expensive. They run on fuel like gasoline or nitro and unlike toy models which are ready made, these require assembling of the various components.

RC devices come in the form of cars, airplanes, boats and helicopters. Remote controlled cars are used for racing and this is a very popular sport among car enthusiasts. Small cars and toys are used for indoor games. Radio control technology is combined with robotics to create various devices used in international robotics contests held in Japan.

There are numerous uses for radio control technology and vehicles are only one aspect of it. Radio controlled hobbies can be enjoyed in many ways and combined with robotics, they open up wider possibilities for the hobbyists.

The Euphoria Of Remote Control Race Cars- Experience The Thrills!

The cheering crowds, the adrenaline rush and the mounting excitement say it all. Welcome to the world of RC car racing! RC cars or remote controlled or radio control cars are a fascinating hobby of many race car fans. RC car racing is gaining the spotlight as remote control car racing is become the most popular hobby that is attracting the young and old alike. The exhilaration and thrill of racing a remote control car is like no other.

If you are not as yet hooked by this new phenomenon, you will, once you discover the pleasures of this hobby. As a hobby, RC car racing becomes pretty addictive at times. It is a common sight to see men and women, young and old indulging in car racing. RC car racing has reached higher levels of perfection and has become much more than just an ordinary hobby with the high level of professionalism involved in the races.

A person interested in RC cars may be hard put for a choice. That is because the radio control cars are now available in a wide array of colors, styles and features. They can be purchased as unassembled kits, or in a complete, ready to run condition. You should ensure to check around for the best deal suitable to your needs and budget. One can choose from the many options of gas powered or electric cars, on- road or off-road models, truck or car models and assembled kits.

How does one select the best between the gas powered and the electric Remote control car? The source of power used for the car is the deciding factor, although there are pros and cons in selecting either of the car models. Given below, is a description of the various types of RC cars available today.

The Nitro powered RC Car as the name implies, runs on nitro gasoline. This is the fastest RC car segment and the most popular one in the RC Car racing world. It can reach amazing speeds in just a few seconds and boasts of great power. A nitro RC car can jump on hurdles at a high speed and land smoothly on the road. These cars run quite fast and can achieve speeds of up to 70 mph or more. If you are a fan of high speed driving, then you can select the nitro RC car. However, these cars are not meant for beginners due to the complexities of running them.

Contrary to the belief, gas powered RC cars do not run on gasoline, but on a type of specially formulated fuel. Most of the gas powered cars use a pull start engine that is similar to a lawnmower. There is a disadvantage in using these cars because it is quite complicated to run. The instructions need to be followed very carefully so that it functions well.

Electric RC cars run on batteries and are very easy to operate. These cars are much cheaper compared to Nitro RC cars and are affordable to those having financial constraints. The batteries are rechargeable, thus saving you additional cost on fuel. Since electric RC cars are simple to operate and affordable too, they are most beginners' first choice. These cars are generally used by beginners to practice their racing skills without huge expenses. However, the electric RC car is slower in comparison with the nitro powered car.

Mini Remote Control Helicopters – A Great Gifting Idea!

While looking for a gifting idea for kids, I happened to chance upon an advertisement for mini remote control helicopters. The ad set me thinking; why not gift these mini remote control helicopters to the kids? Incidentally, they were my aunt's triplets and their first birthday was fast approaching. I thought it would be a novel idea to gift each of these little ones one mini helicopter each and introduce them to the wonderful hobby of remote helicopter flying. But then, these were babies, so would the mini helicopters really be an ideal gift at this time? After all the mini helicopters are very delicate items.

Anyway, I started doing research on the subject, so that I would be an informed customer whenever I needed to buy them. The mini remote control helicopter prices were the almost the same as compared to the standard size helicopters. I was surprised by this bit of information. The salesman however explained to me that the mini helicopters require a great amount of painstaking effort and patience to assemble the tiny parts to precision.

Assembling the mini remote control helicopters was an intensive process, according to the shop assistant. Apparently, it requires even greater attention to detail as compared to assembling a regular sized remote control helicopter. The parts and components are fragile and therefore need a nimble- fingered person to assemble them without breakages.

All this information made me change my mind about the gifting idea, mini remote control helicopters were not meant for babies. I could gift them when they were ten or eleven years old. For now, the best gift option would be stuffed soft toys that are safe for babies, or some other suitable and cheap item that they cannot swallow or break. This was an experience for me, because, I am not very good at selecting gifts. You see, most of the times, I am not very sure that people will like the gift I give them. It takes a great amount of time and lengthy discussions with the sales assistant about the particular gift item, before one makes a decision about its suitability to the person you intend to gift it to.

Here again, the internet comes to your aid. It is a good idea to read the online testimonials and reviews about the product you intend to purchase, in this case, mini remote control helicopters. This is the easiest method and the cheapest way to find out more about the item you wish to purchase. With a little research, you can find the best model of a mini remote control helicopter that can be purchased for yourself or to gift away to somebody else. However, make sure that they are old enough to appreciate the beauty of the mini remote control helicopter.

5 Tips And Tricks To Build An Amazing Rc Car

If you are a remote control car fan then you should experiment with the assembling of a RC car of your own. Remote or radio controlled cars are great fun for on –road car racing or even off – road car games. However, this takes much effort on your part to assemble an amazing car that you can proudly display.

Assembling your own car can be quite a complex task, but in case of maintenance and repairs, you have an advantage because you know the vehicle in and out. Building your own car will also help to bring out your creativity and to reduce your expenses, you can select what parts will be used and personalize the RC car to suit your specifications. By shopping and researching for the components, you can select the best products at the cheapest rate. However, fuel and battery costs remain much the same whether you assemble a new car or use a car kit.

Building your very own RC car will take a lot of effort and it will also take a long time. It all depends on your experience, the car components and the make. You must make sure to read the instruction manuals thoroughly before you begin to assemble the parts. Although you may not be able to complete the project fast, it is advisable to take breaks occasionally because it breaks the monotony and allows you to concentrate better on the job at hand.

Here are some tips to consider while creating a new RC car model.

1) The Instruction manual: The first step is to read the instruction manual completely before starting on the project. Understand the guidelines to avoid complications in future and avoid wastage of time. From time to time, check with the manual to see if you are proceeding on the right track.

2) Have a pencil and pad handy: Besides jotting down notes, you may need to note down the screw settings and their positions. It is advisable to note down the positions of the front and rear portions and the sides.

3) Organize your building space: Have a clean and dry towel to keep the car parts from rolling away and it will also help to absorb any fluid spills. Ensure that you cover up the car when you leave it for the day. Also, have your work area where you will not be disturbed. You also need ample lighting to be comfortable while working at the job.

4) Use of containers: It is a good idea to store all the small parts in hardware trays. You can use empty containers, tins or boxes to keep all the smaller parts separated and sorted out.

5) Have a good set of Tools: If you are a serious car builder, you have to procure a set of basic tools such as Phillips head screwdrivers, jewelers' screwdrivers and a 1 ¼th inch flat blade screwdriver. One set of slip –joint and needle nose pliers can be procured. If you have a nitro model car, you may also require control lock pliers to grasp flywheels. For lines and parts that need to be close cut, you need a flush cutter.

Beginners of this hobby must have patience as remote controlled cars are a new challenge for them. However, there is a great thrill in building your own radio control car from scratch, and it can be a fun activity.