Frequently Asked Questions - Car types
Model RC cars fall into a number of 'broad' categories - based on price and 'driveability'.
Category 1 - 'Toy'. Cost: anything from £10 to £100
Category 2 - 'Novice'. Cost: less than £100 (car only).
Category 3 - 'Entry Level'. Cost: approx. £120 (car only).
Category 4 - 'Competition 1'. Cost: £150 - £200 (car only).
Category 5 - 'Team' Cars. Cost: £200 - £350 (car only).
"Click" on the references below for more detail.
Typically available from 'High Street' stores, as a 'complete' package - including motor and radio gear, charger - and sometimes batteries. Can literally be used 'straight from the box'. Generally very manoeuvrable at low speed - and good fun - effective use is limited to the back garden or a small area of tarmac. Battery life is short , and re-charging time very long.
Beware! The radio frequency is normally fixed and sealed - and could easily interfere with other RC cars.
For that reason, these cars would not be welcome around a RC Car race track unless the frequency can be identified!
Cars costing £10 will use AA type batteries and not require a charger. Cars costing nearer £100 will have a replaceable battery 'pack' which is only available from the manufacturer.
Available from model shops and good toy shops as a 'rolling chassis' with a body shell and 'mechanical' speed controller. Normally of a recognisable 'brand' (like Tamiya), these cars may require construction and cost less than £100, but batteries, charger, and radio gear - and sometimes the motor are extra.
Typical additional costs: -
are significant, but the result is a more versatile car.
Sub-category 2a - 'off-road' cars (buggies).
Not race competitive but fun. The radio, batteries etc can be used in any other car.
sub category 2b - 'saloon cars' with fixed suspension and steering settings.
Suitable for use on a race track, but only competitive against similar cars. 'Up-grades' limited to a better motor and metal 'ball-race' bearings for the wheels. Chassis components become 'sloppy' with use and 'wear'.
sub category 2c - 'budget' versions of competition-grade cars
Example, Schumacher SST Sport. Replaced at competition level, but retaining many of the original characteristics. Can be 'up-graded' to original race spec with the addition of ball-race bearings, steering and suspension adjusters, and oil-filled shock absorbers.
Available from model shops and specialist mail order suppliers, price approximately £120 for a 'rolling chassis'. Normally supplied with a bodyshell, sometimes already constructed, the chassis will be designed for good road-holding, but will have limited adjustment. Ball-race bearings, oil-filled shock absorbers will be included.
Suitable for competitive racing in 'standard' class with few 'up-grades' required (or available). Can be used with 'basic' radio gear etc. but will benefit from improved signal and power available from the higher priced components.
Available from larger model shops or by special order, with a typical 'rolling chassis' price £150 - £200. Not supplied pre-constructed, the chassis will feature a wide range of adjustments to steering and suspension in order to suit different driving conditions - expert knowledge recommended!
Upgrades include weight adjustment (reduction) and chassis 'stiffening'. Suitable for top class racing with 'standard' or 'modified' motor.
Body Shell and electronics considered to be driver choice (not supplied). Can be used with 'basic' radio gear etc. but 'driveability' and performance will be improved with the use of better motors and batteries and better control from more expensive radio gear.
Examples: HPI Pro 3; Associated TC3; Schumacher Mission
The commercial equivalent of the cars used by the Manufacturers' 'team' drivers - including some models from category 4. Available from larger model shops or by special order, with a typical 'rolling chassis' price of £200 - £250 (including carbon-fibre components). Not supplied pre-constructed, the chassis will feature a very wide range of adjustments to steering and suspension in order to suit different driving conditions - expert knowledge essential!
The road-holding/handling equivalent of a Mercedes/Lotus/Porsche, best results achieved with the addition of expensive radio gear and battery charging/motor preparation. Most frequently used in 'modified' class racing (higher speeds).