With any hobby, you start out with the basics, spark a love for it, and as you get into more advanced versions of it, you start looking for more. Something new within that hobby that can grab your attention.
RC cars are no different. When you’re a kid just starting out, you’re more than happy with a $30 RC car from your local big box store, but as you age, you start buying better cars, and you might even start building your own from scratch or customizing kits.
That’s not the end of the road, though. Even when you get to the point where you’re buying top-end cars, there’s a whole new world to check out. Competitive racing.
Here’s what to know.
How Do You Compete?
When you want to start taking your hobby to the competitive level, you have to put a little bit of legwork in. The competitive scene is large, but it’s not quite as easy to get into as signing up for a local soccer league.
IFMAR is the cream of the crop. It’s an international competition with cash prizes, and it’s the most intense RC competition you can get into. However, we wouldn’t recommend trying to compete at this level immediately.
Instead, it’s best to test the waters a bit. Many local RC car shops will host local events, and if they aren’t hosting events themselves, they will know of events in your area. Take the dive and sign up.
What Type of Races Are There?
Competitive RC races cover all categories. You can get into off-road and on-road categories, and there are even different tiers for different types of RC cars all the way up to Nitro leagues.
Unless you have a well-rounded collection of competition-worthy cars, you’ll probably have to find competitions that match your best car.
What Do You Need to Race Competitively?
Obviously, the main thing you need is the highest quality RC car you can get. A Traxxas is a great option, and most Traxxas models are priced competitively. So, they’re great options for beginners or veterans alike.
However, taking a stock car to a competition, no matter how nice it is, usually isn’t the best idea. Instead, you’ll want to invest in some performance upgrades that will help give you a competitive edge.
Of course, you’ll also need to be able to make your car last as long as possible. Competitive racing is a little harder on an RC car than just driving it around on the street casually. That includes knowing your car and how it works inside and out, and you’ll need the tools to work on it before and after races.
The body of your car is likely going to get damaged a lot faster than its mechanical parts. So, keep a body repair kit on hand, as well. This will keep you from having to buy a new body every time another racer gets a little aggressive or your off-road race ends with you crashing into an obstacle.
That’s all you really need other than the funds required if there are sign-up fees. The most important part is to know how to drive your car fast and in a controlled fashion. It might take a few races, but you’ll quickly learn how to navigate a track, preserve your car, and hopefully, bring home some prizes.
Once you get to this point, you’ll find there’s a whole new aspect to RC car collecting that adds excitement and competitive spirit to your favorite hobby.
