TowerNetWeb

September 4, 2011

Racing Your Radio Controlled Car

Racing is the most exciting part of owning a radio controlled car for most RC car enthusiasts. There are millions of RC car racing enthusiasts, so it is normal that a number of different types of racing have developed, but the two main variances are on-road and off-road racing.

Whichever aspect of RC car racing interests you the most, there are several things that everyone has to do to prepare for a race. The remainder of this piece will discuss some aspects of racing your radio controlled car.

We will assume that you already have the best model car that you can afford, so the first thing to do when preparing for a race is choose the tyres to match the conditions, exactly as they would in a full-size car race.

The tyres employed for on and off road racing are different and the tyres used for a dry or a wet road are not the same too, so you will need at least two sets of tyres and you will have to practice changing them quickly at pit stops.

Most serious on-road RC car racing is done with models of real cars like Lamborghinis, Porches, Ferraris and Aston Martins leading the fashion. Others like to use Formula One style cars. Off-road scrambling is normally done with trucks, heavier models that can acquire a better grip on the terrain.

So, the faster, lighter cars are built for speed and need a smoother surface to run on. The surfaces used vary from a length of regular concrete or tarmac road that has been closed off for the day to a purpose built racing circuit of concrete or tarmac. Off-road vehicles are raced or scrambled anywhere, the rougher the better.

These conditions also have an effect on the scale to a certain extent. Racing RC cars tend to be the smaller 1/10 th scale, whereas off-road trucks tend to be built to the slightly larger 1/8 th scale, because they require the weight for increased traction.

However, contemporary developments have seen the increase in popularity of monster 1/5 th scale tucks and cars with real miniature gasoline engines in them.

Standard two-wheel drive is sufficient for racing, although some racers do prefer four-wheel disk. However, four-wheel drive is more or less indispensable for all terrain racing. It is also better in wet and icy conditions, exactly like the real thing.

Fuel is an important consideration. Most speed racing cars run on nitro. It burns very fast and produces high acceleration, but you have to stop and refill frequently in a long race. Some racers prefer petrol, especially in the larger, off-road trucks.

Petrol is not so ‘violent’ as nitro and it goes further. This means fewer pit stops. It also causes less wear and tear on the engine. Petrol engines do not break down as often as nitro engines. The parts are sturdier as well.

Maintenance is a large aspect of RC car racing, but it is more vital the smaller your car is and nitro engines need the most maintenance of all. This is not a problem for most enthusiasts, in fact, they like taking their car apart and rebuilding it, but you may not. Maintenance is a factor to keep in mind whilst choosing an RC racing car.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

August 10, 2011

RC Car Kits – Building Your Own Vehicle

Radio controlled cars or trucks are the only cars that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In most countries, people are not allowed to drive until they are 17 and in some countries, women of any age are not allowed to drive, but everyone can drive an RC car and race them and what is more, plenty of individuals can even construct their own.

RC cars appeal to individuals of all ages and although it was a hobby dominated by men and boys until ten years ago, there are now numerous women and girls becoming involved in RC cars and racing them too.

There are three basic combinations of RC cars to consider:

Ready-to-Run (RTR) RC Cars and Kits: RTR cars are really the entry point for those wishing to take up RC cars. RTR cars are already assembled. Kits on the other hand require assembly, although you get all the components in the kit.

These cars or trucks can be replicas of real vehicles or be fantasy cars. RTR are invariably powered by batteries, which puts several restrictions on them in the way of power, speed and distance to run. An annoying feature is that the power gradually wanes and occasionally you have to bring back your car yourself.

They are fairly cheap though and easy to maintain. A beginner will learn much from assembling a kit RC car or truck and they can be modified or improved on in many ways.

On Road or Off Road: on road RC cars are built for speed. These are the racing vehicles and can achieve remarkable speeds. They can use any of the power sources, but most of them use nitro.

Off road RC vehicles will be less fast but with lots of torque, they will be able to deal with rough ground and steep inclines. These are endurance vehicles that need their drivers to use different skills to racing drivers.

Electric, nitro or petrol: your choice of fuel will determine a lot about your car. Electric cars are normally RTR and nitro are usually racers, but petrol -powered cars are on the increase, although petrol powered cars are usually larger in scale. The massive 1:5 scale cars and trucks are invariably run with petrol powered engines – scale models of the engines that run full-sized cars.

Electric cars are quite quiet, but the other two types are noisy, which provides realism to a race. Once you have made your three choices, I hope that you have opted for self-assembly. If you have, the tools that you will need are quite basic: screwdrivers, spanners, Stanley knife, tin cutters, graphite powder, oil and soap (to get tight-fitting parts to go on).

My advice would be to begin by taking an RC car magazine for a few months before purchasing the kit in order to get acquainted with the jargon and some of the techniques. You should also join a club and go to a couple of race meetings. Other enthusiasts will be happy to resolve any queries you might have.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with remote controlled trucks. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

May 3, 2011

The Sport Of RC Car Racing

RC car racing stands for the radio controlled racing of model cars. The models come in several types: they can be fantasy models or scale models of real cars and trucks. After that, you can get RC cars and trucks in various sizes or scales, the most well-liked being 1:9 to 1:12, but there are also huge models of 1:5. The third variable is the engine; electric, nitro or petrol.

Whatever sort of RC car you have, the thrill of racing it is the same. Most people find the hobby of RC car racing exhilarating. Racing RC cars provides most of the thrills and spills of conventional car racing but without the risk to human life.

There are also different kinds of races varying from racing around a circuit to cross-country, all-terrain racing.

Radio controlled racing cars are controlled by a games-style console with a joystick on it. Your commands are transmitted to a receiver on board the vehicle by means of a radio. Some consoles can transmit quite complex commands while others just steer the model.

Likewise, the models can be simple ‘go or not’, steerable racing vehicles or they can be nearly exact replicas of the real thing with replica suspension systems, lights and everything else deal. These super models are normally hand-made by enthusiasts. Most individuals buy either a finished model or a kit.

Kids love the sport of RC car racing, but otherwise the sport appeals to men and women of all ages. The sport is still dominated by males, but more and more females of all ages are being drawn to the sport of RC car racing every year as well.

One of the good things about the sport of RC car racing is that it is easy to get started but there is also lots of scope to expand your interest if (or when) the bug bites. You may start with a fundamental battery-powered 1:12 scale fantasy model, but soon move onto a 1:9 nitro-powered replica racing car or even a monster 1:5 scale model with a real petrol engine. You may even begin building your own models

If you want to get involved with the exciting sport of RC car racing, it is easy enough. The best manner to start is to get some knowledge before you buy your first RC car. You can do this by purchasing an RC car magazine, joining a model car club and/or by going to a couple of model car races.

RC enthusiasts adore talking about their hobby and most of them would be prepared to answer your questions. When deciding on your preferred sort of model, bear its maintenance in mind. You can hugely prolong the life of your RC model with proper maintenance, so you ought to purchase a car that you are able to look after.

If the first car or truck that you buy is not really what you wanted, but it matches your degree of skill, do not worry, there is always a learning curve with a new sport or hobby and as your knowledge increases you will be able to purchase one of the larger, more powerful, more complicated models.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

July 26, 2010

Remote Controlled Cars – A Great Hobby

If someone likes remote controlled hobbies, they almost definitely began with a vehicle. This is because, unlike a boat or a plane, vehicles will not usually be totally smashed up if the operator makes a huge mistake or the engine fails. It is fairly easy to construct a basic remote controlled car, but as you are doing it, you will discover that there is a huge amount to be learned.

As you gain this knowledge, you can utilize advanced techniques to construct autos that are tougher, faster and more efficient than your previous efforts. You can either piece one together in a few days, or you can spend months creating an astonishing car which has superb speed and handling.

If you are just starting out with remote controlled hobbies, it is almost certainly wise to buy a pre-made, RTR (ready-to-run) radio controlled car. It is possible to purchase these in toy or modeling stores almost anywhere. They may be slow and ungainly and they may not satisfy your technological desires, but they are still a good place to begin. Play with it for a few days, and then take it apart. Look at the way the motors are connected to the wheels, and examine the overall architecture of the car.

Once you have grasped it all, you will have much better picture when you begin to build your own. You may even be able to use a couple of parts, such as the body of the vehicle or the radio control apparatus. The motors will almost certainly not be as powerful as you will desire.

Once you have gained this indispensable basic understanding of the way that radio controlled vehicles work, you can start with whatever your next undertaking is going to be. The ambition for most people is to build a model car from wood or plastic, install the electrical components, paint it, affix decals, and get it looking as good and running as well as possible. Others may want to construct an extremely fast remote controlled vehicle in order to show off to associates. But no matter what you want to do, you will only be able to achieve it, if you take it one small step at a time and become skilled at everything there is to know about remote controlled pastimes.

However, there are many different resources that can help you become an authority in radio controlled hobbies. You will almost certainly spend a great deal of time reading about all the different information that you require. You can find information and even tutorials on the Internet. For more specific problems, you could always go to community groups and forums. This is where people from all over the world meet together on the Internet to discuss their hobby, support each other, and show off about their latest accomplishments. These groups welcome newcomers, particularly if you are polite when posing your question.

Remote controlled autos can also go in for competitions. If you want to put your vehicle up against those of other aficionados, there are different races and exhibitions around the world. A quick Internet search will reveal where next event is. You could make a weekend trip out of it and it will be worth it to be around others who are as obsessive as you about what you are doing. These meetings may include races, or they may just be a get-together to share tips and tricks with other remote enthusiasts. You will be amazed at the quantity of information that you can acquire from the people who go to these dos.

It may be daunting at first to start a new hobby, since there is probably heaps of stuff that you probably know nothing about. However, the best thing to do is just get started with the basics and learn steadily.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

categories: rc,radio,kids and teens,family,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

June 2, 2010

Model RC Sports Cars

Do your interests in model remote control cars lie in high speed, rapid acceleration and magnificence of form? If this is precisely what you are searching for in a model car, then a model sports car is almost certainly what you are looking for. Authentic size sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units being sold each year.

Sports cars and their model counterparts are manufactured as high performance machines, which means that they can be driven in ways that ordinary production line cars can not. For instance, in the case of a real sports car, it frequently takes no more than five seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph. Similarly in a model high performance gas replica, it often takes no more than two seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start.

Because it is more tricky to maneuver a speeding vehicle, sports cars and model sports cars are especially designed to handle best at high speeds. In deed, the word “sporty” was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes power. It was later personified to refer to the person behind the wheel or in the modelling world, the person at the remote controls.

The following is a basic glossary of sports car terminology and a basic directory of sports car manufacturers (many of which have their counterpart vehicles in the world of model gas remote control cars).

- FF – front engine, front wheel drive. The FF layout has a moderate capability for high speed handling and is seen in some models such as the Fiat Coup?, and the Lotus Elan M100.

- FR ? front engine, rear wheel drive Considered the ?classic? sports car layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this layout for its models.

- RR ? rear engine, rear wheel drive With the engine at the back powering the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR layout provides outstanding grip for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes arduous. These days, the only manufacturer who keeps the RR design for its vehicles is Porche.

AWD – all wheel drive An AWD design provides optimum handling, making it perfect for those who are just starting to race sports cars. Audi began the widespread use of this system with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi employed this layout to enhance handling, making it an excellent rally car.

Because of more stringent regulations in the United States, sports car manufacturers are more widespread in Europe than in America. Nevertheless, American makes are in equal competition with their European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized manufacturers and models are:

Alfa Romeo; Alpine; Aston Martin; Austin-Healey; BMW; Bugatti; Caterham; Davrian; De Lorean; Ferrari; Fisker; Jaguar; Koenigsegg; Lamborghini; Lotus; McLaren; Maserati; MG; Morgan; Panoz; Porsche; Triumph; TVR; Vector.

If this piece has whetted your desire for a sports car, go out and order one now, if you are wealthy. Otherwise, why not do the next best thing and get yourself a 1:8 or even a 1:5 petrol-powered, radio-controlled sports car?

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the petrol remote control car. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

categories: cars,rc,radio,kids and teens,remote control,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

May 15, 2010

Radio Controlled Models – The Helicopter

If you like remote controlled models and have plenty of space, then you may want to consider buying one of the new large remote control helicopters that have recently been introduced by several makes. These helicopters, which can sometimes be as big as ten feet long, rival genuine helicopters in dexterity. They are expensive and can set you back three thousand dollars or more.

As with many trends, some people just have to have one of their own. So, the next time you are walking in the countryside and you see a helicopter flying in the region, look again closely. At first you will probably think that it is a real helicopter that is simply further away then you first thought. But look again and you will almost certainly see someone controlling the helicopter with a gigantic remote control unit.

If you see one of these remote controlled helicopters in flight, consider yourself very lucky. Because it is so expensive to own one of these beautiful models, they are also still pretty rare. However, because I am an ardent collector myself, I have thought about buying one of these large remote control helicopters, and I even put a bid on one in Ebay once, but in the end I did not get it and instead decided to wait until the price comes down a bit more.

Just as with any new, popular item, big remote control helicopters are the latest fad, but in a few years, I am certain there will be a greater supply and the price will fall. Then I will be ready and waiting to purchase. But until then, I have a very bighearted and wealthy friend who owns one, and I will practice flying his. I have already taken it out once – it is so much more powerful than the normal, small remote control helicopters that you are probably used to. When you first turn it on, the big remote control helicopter?s rotors spin with such ferocity, that you may worry that you are going to break something. and then, when it lifts off the ground, you will feel a huge sense of achievement, knowing that you are the one who is controlling it.

And if you are able to make a successful, smooth landing as well, then you can truly call yourself a helicopter pilot, because even those very experienced with small remote control helicopters will be impressed to see someone land a big remote control helicopter, because it really is completely different. So if you happen to be lucky, well-off, or just single-minded enough to purchase one of your own, take pleasure in your time with your giant helicopter.

I assure you that it will be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. For me, the entire process was surreal, and when it was all over, I had to phone everyone I knew and tell them how I had flown a 10 foot helicopter and landed it smoothly. I bet that?s how pilots feel the first time they fly a real aircraft.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with remote controlled trucks. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

categories: rc,radio,kids and teens,family,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

April 22, 2010

Reviews About RC Cars

I have read loads of reviews about remote control cars, because I am a subscriber to a remote control car aficionados’ magazine that carries articles about all the different sorts of remote control gas cars on the market. It also recommends the best one to buy depending on whether you are a first time owner or an RC old hand. The magazine is great, and it helps me see what other RC car owners feel about the different models and brands of RC cars and trucks.

I have to say that people’s views vary quite widely on every subject, which is why it’s probably always best to do your own studying and get what best suits you, rather than getting what other people say will suit you, when they do not even know you. Having said that, many first time buyers do not really know what they are looking for, and it is really these people that these reports are written for.

However, these reviews are not meant to be taken too literally, rather they are intended as a guideline so that prospective greenhorn buyers have to think about the aspects of buying a remote control gas car or truck. It also gives experts a run down of the salient facts. Then you need to make up your own mind whether you care, for instance, whether the car’s engine runs on gas or nitro.

All in all, I like this magazine because it considers people from all walks of life, and its writers and editor appreciate that even if you are interested in buying a gas remote control car, you may not have enough money or you might be reading just out of interest in RC cars or trucks.

We all realize that money is hard to come by these days, and purchasers are becoming more and more well-informed about the merchandise they want, which is a good thing in my eyes. After all, there are other merchants who only desire to get the most money they can for their products and mark up their RC model car prices to inflated amounts in the hope that they will get a few stupid patrons that did not do their research.

And I am sure that they probably do get a few customers like that, because they do stay in business one way or another and I regularly hear horror stories about individuals who have paid far too much for their RC gas car or truck.

When you ask them why they did not take the time to read the reports in a magazine, they typically say that they did not know about the magazines, or even worse, that they did not have enough time. Therefore it seems that they had sufficient time to work like a dog for the money, but then not sufficient time to read a short magazine review? I doubt it very much. With a bit of luck, consumers will continue becoming more and more vigilant about their purchases.

It is such a pity, so, If you happen to be a new RC car fan, or you know someone who is, please make sure you read the remote control car and truck reviews before making a purchase. It can literally save you hundreds of your hard earned dollars.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the remote control-gas-car. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

categories: reviews,rc,radio,kids and teens,remote cotrol,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

April 20, 2010

Tamiya RC Vehicles

Tamiya is a company known for producing first-rate miniatures of automobiles. They are famous today for introducing the world to the sport of mini 4WD racing. However, what many people do not know, is that Tamiya also introduced the world to RC (remote controlled or radio controlled) cars. The Tamiya RC car line-up has a lot of models that show the excellence of the company’s ability in model design.

These are some of the Tamiya RC model cars on the market today:

Nitro Crusher – This Tamiya RC car has a mighty FS-15S engine that features a large bore slide carburetor to fulfill your requirement for speed. The engine also has a precision brake system that ensures operational safety. This RC car will also satisfy your desire for power because it comes in the appearance of a monster truck.

You can drive through all kinds of terrain as easily as if you were driving on the roadway. This RC car has various points that permit it to cruise through special sorts of terrain. It has extra-large tires that are perfect for dealing with mud, sand or rocks. It also has a frontal impact control system that allows you to enjoy steady running no matter what obstacles you come across.

Mini cooper – If you do not know what a Mini Cooper is, consider Mr. Bean’s much-loved car. This radio controlled car is based on that small-but-awesome car of the 1960’s. The Mini Cooper is renowned for its small size and powerful performance. In fact, the Mini Cooper even raced tremendously well in events like the World Rally Championships.

This RC vehicle features an M-03 chassis that is especially intended to be as speedy as possible. The double wishbone suspension also guarantees the steadiness and first-rate handling of the car. This model is an electric RC car, which means that the batteries add a lot of weight. However, a hole cut into the chassis ensures that this RC model can still run very well despite its weight.

Subaru Impreza WRC Monte Carlo – This RC car is designed for the latest kind of racing. This Tamiya RC car is intended to drift. The chassis of this RC vehicle, the TT-01D, is built from lightweight materials and has been specifically constructed to have a low center of gravity. This means that this Tamiya RC car will not roll over if you attempt to “drift” it.

What are the benefits of drift racing? Well, during normal bends, there is a tendency for vehicles to lose speed. By drifting, the car can preserve the optimum speed and precision control. Nevertheless, there is always the chance of something going wrong, which is the reason for Tamiya’s excellent engineering.

XBG Nitro Force – Capable of unbelievable top speeds, this RC car is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with. Powered by a precision FR-S glow engine, this RC auto employs a recoil starter for clean starting every time. This Tamiya RC car also features a reinforced resin frame chassis with a low center of gravity, making it extra stable during fast driving.

This Tamiya RC car also features a very aerodynamic frame, making sure that the airstream will not adversely affect your desire for speed. All in all, if you want a Tamiya RC car that will satisfy your wish for speed and excitement, this is the car that you should be buying.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with 1:5 scale RC cars. If you would like to know more about these monster 1/5 scale rc cars, please click the link to our website now.

categories: rc,radio,kids and teens,family,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

April 17, 2010

The Different Types Of RC Cars And Trucks

Radio controlled cars, remote controlled cars or RC cars and trucks are devices, with which to have fun. However, many RC hobbyists take their fun very seriously indeed. They want their RC car or truck to be the most realistic or the fastest by tweaking the basic kit and by tuning up the engine. This is not a new trend at all. Hobbyists have been building and racing model cars since the 1940’s. However, these early cars were hamstrung by technology.

In the early days of the hobby, the models had to be manufactured by hand by hobbyists and radio control was ineffective and too dear for home use. Those early models were controlled remotely by wire. Consequently remote controlled model cars could only run the length of the wire, which meant in effect that the car went round and round the handler. It was not until the 1960’s that radio control was available and this meant proper races around a proper race track. The true hobby-cum-sport of model racing was born.

Once the hobby or sport had been opened up by genuine radio control, it became more exciting and it attracted more hobbyists and with them came improvement and commercial interest. This means that the technology involved in radio controlled cars and trucks has come on in leaps and bounds. One aspect worth saying here is that a big differentiation between model cars used to be whether they were remote controlled or radio controlled. Unfortunately, they are both shortened to RC and so the terms are often used arbitrarily these days.

The most popular RC cars for beginners are the electrically driven model cars and trucks. Electric RC cars have to depend on rechargeable batteries for power. This is their main drawback, but being electrically driven also means that the car is cleaner and more responsive to control. Electrically driven cars tend to be lighter and therefore faster. They are cleaner because there is no exhaust. They are easier to maintain, but also less easy to modify. They accelerate very quickly

The next step for many RC hobbyists is the Nitro car. Nitro cars are driven by miniature engines which run on a mixture of nitromethane and lubricating oil. These cars are very fast with a fast acceleration. They can reach and maintain higher speeds than electric cars, whose batteries are constantly running down meaning less power for speed.

Nitro cars and trucks are loud and smelly. They produce the loud whine that people link with model racing, but they also produce exhaust which means that they cannot be used indoors.

More and more model cars are now using petroleum powered RC cars. These replicas tend to be the larger ones. These RC cars and trucks have engines that are more familiar to the non-specialist, but they have all the characteristics of an average car. They produce fumes, noise and are slower to accelerate that the other types. However, petrol driven engines will last longer than nitro engines. Because these models are larger, they can take more fuel on board and so go longer distances.

All three of the above types can then be on-road or off-road. On-road cars will be built for racing only and the tyres will be racing tyres and the engines will be finely tuned to reach top speed quickly and maintain it for the length of the race. On the other hand, off-road RC cars are built for going up and down hill over all sorts of geological hazards, so the engine has to have more torque and the tyres need to be able to sustain a good grip. These cars are usually slower.

The last distinguishing attribute of the different RC cars is size or more precisely the scale. 1:8 was and still is very popular. That scale means that for every eight inches of the real car, the replica is one inch long. Other popular sizes are 1:10 and 1:12, but there is a new class of RC cars and trucks gaining popularity, the monster 1:5 cars and trucks, which are petrol driven.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with gas remote control cars. If you have an interest in model RC vehicles, please go over to our website now at 1/5 Scale RC Cars

categories: rc,radio,kids and teens,family,entertainment,sport,models,toys,vehicles,autos and trucks,product reviews,outdoor,other

Powered by WordPress