Petrol RC Cars

Petrol RC Cars are becoming more and more popular each year as the technology inside them becomes more available and at a cheaper price than the actual cars do not cost as much as they used to.

Until recently a petrol remote control car would set you back over £700, but due to the combination of research, demand and the manufacturing being done for all parts under the same roof, the price has dropped dramatically.

For those who are not aware of how these petrol cars differ to a rc car you may see played with in the park, these run on unleaded fuel purchased at your local petrol station. You also need 2 stroke oil, put a combination in which is given in the manual and away you go.
The use of unleaded petrol means that they are much cheaper to run compared to nitro cars, which need actual nitro fuel from model shops.

What many people are surprised with is how big these cars are. They are not the same as a commonly known remote control car, which come in 1/8th and 1/10th size, these are a big 1.5th scale so around a meter or more in length and pretty noisy.

All in all, these petrol rc cars are aimed at people who have had rc cars before and a few years experience, but definalty great fun to control or watch.

by Rob Stone

About the Author
Rob is the owner of a website which gives information on the different RC Cars available, options where to buy and other resources for

RC Cars For Racing

Owning RC cars is very much similar to owning your very own, actual car. Though it doesn't indicate exactly that you should do the same things for treating RC cars the way you treat big cars, it does cause an amount of expenses for maintenance. There are difference though, in terms of spending for and owning RC cars (planes, trucks or buggy) for toys or for hobby.

The difference lies mostly to the fact that keeping one for hobby demands different quality for a better performance. Since there are many others who keep RC cars for the purpose of racing them, it is just adequate that you do the same and even more (if possible) to bring out the best out of your RC vehicle. Notice that RC vehicles that are built for racing are usually up to the expected pressure it needs to encounter during a race. It does and will perform like it's a real car, a truck racing or a plane flying.

Having pointed these out, there are certain improvement that you will also need to do. Sometimes, it should be done regularly to make sure that your RC vehicle performs to its optimum but of course, expecting for expenses is just right since customizing it is preferred than just settling for a factory-made RC car. Your RC car for racing purposes should withstand the demands of speed. Also, common errors that happen in RC racing such as crashes (which is also common in an actual race), is expected and customizing your RC vehicle to reduce the impact is a must.

If you bought a hobby-grade RC vehicle, customizing it further for professional racing purposes later on is highly recommended. Even replacement options are entitled to the owner from the manufacturer. You also get more options in terms of its RC features and also, you can drive electronic RC cars or nitro ones both for racing. There is really no limitations, continuous upgrade is possible.

Shareen Aguilar

About the Author
Racing Radio Controlled Cars is a perfect site in the internet to learn all about RC cars, tips on racing and maintenance.

Why you should race RC cars, and not just bash

For those of you who have been racing your RC cars for years, and have a friend or two who you have been trying to get out to the RC tracks, this article is for you. Feel free to forward it to them.

For those of you who are fanatical bashers, and have avoided racing your rc cars at the local track, hear me out, because I have 5 great reasons you should take a run at it.

1) Hanging out with other RC car enthusiasts- You will absorb new ideas on how to keep your RC cars running at peak performance, just by hangin' out in the pits. Not all of them will be good, some could even do more harm than good. but if you are careful who you listen to, you can learn some terrific stuff that will make your ride handle better, run faster, and be more durable.

2)The game within the game- Its not just about racing, and being first in the heats (altho, that is a huge thrill) but its also about pushing the limits of your RC cars, and fighting agianst the track itself in a measureable way. When your bashing, you don't really get a precise way of knowing how fast your vehicle is. When you race, you will actually know to the millisecond what your vehicle, limited by your driving skills, can do.

3)By being at the tracks, you get to see the latest RC technology in action- You can go to the hobby stores and look at boxes of RC cars and buggies all you want. But if you really want to see what a Hot Bodies Lightning Pro or an XRAY T1'FK05 can do, there is no better, and cheaper, way to do it than hang out at the tracks. You get an even better idea when you race against them.

4)Making new friends- Not that you need new friends, but it's great to have a friend who knows RC cars tips and tricks. Someone you can ask questions, or bounce ideas off of. Or catch rides to the track when your full scale car is in the shop.

5) Just like when your bashing and you finally nail that jump you set up in your backyard, mastering a track is a total rush- Everyone will tell you when you first start racing rc cars, just try to do crash free laps. Isn't that essentially what you are doing in your backyard?

Why not take your Monster truck to the track, and do some racing, and see if you can handle the track's jumps and rhythm sections? I bet it will be months before you have a crash free lap. Howse that for a challenge?

If you have put off racing rc cars because it looks intimidating, your worried you will make a fool of yourself, or smash up your car or buggy, or piss off someone by smashing THIER car up... well, your right!! All of that can happen!

In fact, when I first started racing my RC cars, I made every racing mistake there is. I embarassed myself, I smashed my poor little car up, I was totally confused. Frankly, I didn't have much fun.

But, I fought through it, learned from my mistakes, got some great advice, and now I enjoy every weekend at the track. I strongly suggest you give racing a chance. I think it's the best way to enjoy your RC cars hobby.

by: J.P Turner

About The Author
J.P. Turner, is the author of "The RC Insider's Unfair Advantage Radio Controlled Car Secrets Guide", at http://www.rccarsecretsguide.com and also runs an RC blog, RC Smackdown, at http://www.rcsmackdown.com.
This article may be reproduced in its entirety only if unaltered and the resource box is included.

Nitro Powered RC Cars - Tips for Choosing Your First Gas RC Car

RC (radio controlled) cars, especially the nitro or gas powered RC cars, are becoming increasingly popular. With speeds up to 70 mph, realistic looks, and racing clubs in virtually every large city, it's easy to see why.

If you want to join this exciting hobby, there're a few things you should consider before you buy your first nitro-powered RC car. The basic considerations are: size, type, 2 or 4-stroke motor, maintenance, 2 or 4 wheel drive, and ready-to-run (rtr) or kit cars.

Sizes

The two most popular sizes to choose from are 1/8 and 1/10 scale. 1/10th scale is the industry standard for on-road racers, while 1/8th is more popular for off-road trucks and buggies. The larger 1/8th scale on road car comes standard with a 2 or 3 speed automatic transmission.

Types

The touring and racing cars are are the popular choice for on-road use. For best performance, they should be run on a smooth surface.

Trucks and buggies are the choice if off-road action is what you want. Though not as fast as the touring and racing styles, they are still very impressive and extremely rugged as well. And since a smooth surface is not required, they also have the advantage of being able to run just about anywhere.

Motors

Nitro powered RC motors come available in the popular 2-stroke or the less conventional 4- stroke versions. The primary difference is that the 2-stroke motor, much like a weed eater or chain saw, requires a fuel oil mixture. The 4-stroke motor has an oil reservoir and can run on straight fuel. The 2 stroke engine has the advantage of producing higher rpm's (revs up faster) and is more suitable for racing. The 4 stroke engine has more power and torque and is better for offroad use.

The most popular 2-stroke motor is the 23cc (cubic centimeter) displacement engine. It's popularity is due to the amazing 2.5 HP of output it produces. The resulting high speeds and acceleration are what RC racers love.

Additionally, motors come with or without a pull start. The ones without a pull start are cheaper, but you'll also need a starter box.

Maintenance for Nitro Powered RC Cars

Maintenance is a definite requirement of running a nitro powered vehicle. Most hobbyist love tweaking and tuning their vehicles. In addition, you'll need to maintain certain parts such as:

Clutch
Differential
Air Filter
Header and
Pull start cord

2 or 4 Wheel Drive

If you're new to the hobby, you'll find a 2wd car less expensive and easier to work on. The 4wd car has the advantage of better traction and handling in turns which makes it a better choice when you're ready to race.

Kits or Ready to Run (RTR) Rc Cars

Nitro powered rc cars come in kits or ready-to-run right from the box. The primary difference is the whether you want to save time with a RTR car or save money with a kit. However, because of the assembly process, kits better prepare you for required maintenance.

If you choose to build an rc car, don't expect to finish in one sitting. To avoid mistakes, familiarize yourself with the instructions first and get your work area prepared. Some of the things you'll need are:

Small No. 1 and 2 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Soap - as a dry lubricant for tight parts
Extra fuel line - to hold screws while positioning
Needle nose and regular slip joint pliers
Flush cutter
Hobby knife with no. 11 blades

When you assemble the car, make sure to work in a well-lit, uncluttered area. You should keep the parts and tools separated using tin boxes, trays, or even an old fishing tackle box.

These are a few of the basics you'll need to know before you buy your first nitro rc car or truck. You should expect to pay around $400 for a complete beginner setup. The price will vary a little depending on whether you choose a kit or RTR and how many tools you need.

Whether you race or just practice by yourself, get ready for a lot of fun!

by: Greg Root

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

Remote Control Cars - Handy Do-it-yourself Tips for RC cars

If you're not from an engineering background but pursue driving remote control cars as a hobby, it's always a good idea to learn as much as possible about remote control cars. We all want some kind of help on how to keep unwanted particles from coming into the car. A quick and simple solution to this problem would to secure your air filter. Alternatively, you could buy du-bro body clip retainers and make sure that they remain clipped at all times and do not get loose.

Sometimes your car may not work properly. Like if you turn on your car and you find that it keeps steering to one side. This may happen even if you keep the wheels straight. A good remedy in this case would be to check if your car has a “steering trim” knob, wheel or button option. If there is none then may be adjusting steering servo armature length should do the trick.

A lot of dirt gets accumulated under the chassis and it affects the screw heads. To clean the screw heads under the chassis, spray denatured alcohol on screw heads and then pick the dirt with the help of paper clip. It is recommended to use denatured alcohol as it seems to work better than the simple green or motor cleaner.

Compressed air also works better for cleaning NTC3 after a good day bashing. But an old sock always does the trick to clean your car sparkling and shining. The soft wool or cotton wipes off the dirt like magic. But one has to be sure not leave any lose socks thread going into the car. A small painter brush always cleans unreachable areas and cleans them gently. To wipe of sticky mud under the chassis or on the body of the car using a toothbrush to brush it off also helps. But make sure not to scratch you car paint with a too hard brush bristles.

Keeping spare starter batteries and giving a rain check on your tx, rx, glow starts before going out with your car also helps. This is a must when your batteries or lights etc have been in use for a while.

If you want an alternative way out to shut down the engine in comparison to du-bro exhaust plug you can use a pencil to plug the exhaust to shut down the engine fast. Everyone uses the cable tie trick to fasten the bec plug together so they do not get disconnected accidentally. But this does not seem practical because every time you have to cut the tie and use a new one to recharge the cells. To overcome this problem, a simple solution is to replace the cable ties with the twist tie that holds your rx antenna. They are reusable and do the job perfectly.

Drilling your tires on the outside edge in the middle, instead of the rim, keeps the dust and other crap out of your tires. They'll stay in balance a lot longer as crud gets thrown out as you drive. If you drill the rims, then every bit o crap will stay in your wheel.

To make your own chassis, blank circuit board or an aluminum plate does a great job. Use vise grips to clamp the original chassis to the blank material and drill all your holes by drilling straight through the existing holes on the original chassis. You'll get everything to mount up nice that way! If you bother that the circuit board might be too light. No fret! It is more or less like a fiber glass board and work well as top plate on bigger cars too.

To goose the runtime of remote control car the simple trick is to charge them multiple times. If you put your remote control car on charging and take off the plug two- three times then it might give you a good run time because the battery gets charged all over again. But doing it umpteen times might prove lethal to battery life.

by: Clive Chansa

About The Author
Clive Chansa writes for the Formula One Merchandise website at http://www.formula1-merchandise.org.uk/ and also writes articles and product reviews for http://www.marvel-comics.org.uk/ regularly.

My RC Car Does Not Move

On a RC car that has a 2 speed gear box, the larger gear wheel will have a one way bearing in the middle which assists the gearbox and spins in one direction by sitting on the gearbox but will not spin in the opposite direction.

If the air or area is cold and or dirty then you may find that the one way bearing could fail due to the great becoming cold or dirty so looses its liquidity meaning the bearing to slip. If this is the case then attempt to warm up the car and gearbox for 5 to 10 minutes by means of a small heater, hairdryer and you should find the problem goes away.

If the problem reoccurs then the first gear wheel will need to be removed and wd40 or similar applied to the bearing and shaft. Using the wd40 make sure the shaft and the centre of the one way bearing remove all grease. You can then apply fresh grease but making sure it is one way bearing grease. You will find that remove the RC cars gearbox is pretty easy but will take a little while.

To remote the gearbox, find the 4 screws underneath the chassis and remote them and then remote the screws which hold the top chassis on. The servo cable will be attached so you will not be able to remove the upper chassis but it can be moved out the way enough. You can then access the gearbox and put back in ok with enough clearway. To put the drive shafts back into the drive cups can be tedious but find some tools such as pliers to keep them out the way. Once you have cleaned the bearing, if it slips still then you may need to replace it.

Some other reasons why your rc car might not move such as -

If the brake pads are touching or to tight can cause It not to move. Also if the car has been through water and the brakes are wet they could of expanded which stops the breaks from disengaging. You will A grub screw could of come loose which is normally connected to the drive cups, this allows the drive cup to go round so stopping the drift shaft from turning and moving the car.

A part or parts inside the differentials could of snapped or not tight enough. This area means you will need to open up the differentials and give a visual inspection to see if anything looks wrong. Have a look at the cogs, maybe they are slipping or worn out. If they are worn then they should be replaced instead of trying to fix them up and move them together more. For more information on Petrol RC Cars then see or website.

http://www.petrolrccars.co.uk

By Rob D Stone

RC Car Videos Suggestions for a Winning Race

Successful racing involves more than just pure speed. You need to prepare your car, and yourself, with the conditions you will be facing in racing. A little homework beforehand usually translates to being in the winner's circle afterwards.

RC car videos suggest that you pick the right car body for your race. The body determines how your RC car handles. Do some research and see what car bodies that other successful racers use. Chances are they are using the most dynamic and agile bodies, so there is no reason why you can't do the same. You might also want to take note of how they mount their car bodies. Some RC car videos show that some bodies are mounted a little bit forward to increase steering capabilities. Although the wheel wells might be out of alignment, the extra steering might give you the edge you need to win the race. Most importantly, RC car videos suggest that you consider the body's shape and windshield design.

The bodies that have blunted front ends will generally offer better steering than those with a sloped or rounded front end. However, the sloping front ends might give a little more speed, which is better for straighter courses. It is also important to check how sloped the transition is between the hood and the windshield. If the slope is more gradual, RC car videos concur that the body's handling abilities will tend to be more neutral. Investing in a RC car video can help you learn a lot fast. Time truley is money when involved with RC car racing.

A good base setup is also critical to a winning race. As you arrive at the races, you want every confidence that your base setup is close to what you will actually use on the track. Minor adjustments are fine, but the track is not the place to make major adjustments. Don't worry about using the same base setup from race to race, particularly if the track surfaces are similar. However, if you are switching from a rubber-tire track to a foam-tire track, find out what kind of tweaks your competitors are making. Manufacturers' websites are great places to research setups. Losi, for example, publishes track conditions and the setups that their professionals are using. You can also research all things necessary for optimal RC racing on the internet. RC car racing is really a fun sport and it can be very competitive, especially when the stakes are high.

By Keith Londrie

Which RC Car is Best?

You are about to buy your first RC car. You go into the shop and you are offered two different cars. One is powered by electricity (an electric RC car) and the other – by real fuel (the nitro RC car). You begin to wonder and you really do not know which one to choose.

If you do not want to be part of this situation, learn the differences about each type radio controlled vehicle before you go to the shop. Knowing the insides will help you make a choice.

The main difference between an electric car and the fuel powered car is the motor. The electric car has batteries. They are charged with electricity that makes the car function. The nitro remote controlled car has a motor. It is powered by fuel just like a normal car. The fuel used is a special methanol based fuel for RC cars. There are other RC cars that use gasoline however they are larger models and not quite typical hobby RC cars.

If you want an electric motor car there is one thing to consider – brushed or brushless motor. The brushed motors are usually used for toy RC cars while the brushless ones are used in hobby RC cars making. Brushless motors tend to be more expensive however they have better characteristics. They do not need a lot of cleaning, they produce less heat that extends the life of the engine, and they can give more speed to your car.

Once you know what kind of engine you want, you should consider the other very important structural element of the car – the chassis. There are two types – metal and plastic. The plastic chassis are made of carbon fiber that gives strength and is very light. The metal chassis are made of aluminum. It is the most common type of chassis for nitro and gas RC cars as it can stand the heat produced by the engine. Moreover an aluminum chassis helps the engine cool.

The gears, wheels and axels of a RC car are also important. They can be made of plastic (typical for the toy grade RC cars) or metal. Metal ones are more durable and recommended for the nitro cars.

The final thing to consider is the runtime of your car. If it is powered by battery it will be able to run for about 15 minutes per battery until you need to recharge. Depending on the number of batteries you may have a whole hour before the power goes down. The nitro cars depend on fuel so the tank size is important for their runtime. On the other hand a tank is refilled for less than a minute.

By Keith Londrie

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