| Okay, so you want to race remote controlled cars? | | | | more on the RC initially, as well as more money on the |
| Cool! Welcome to the world of RC racing, good to | | | | fuel itself over time every time you race. Next, keep in |
| have you aboard! You'll find that this hobby can offer | | | | mind that there are ready-made RC kits out there, and |
| almost all the rush of racing professionally in real cars, | | | | do-it-yourself kits you can put together yourself. Unless |
| without the risk of major bodily dismemberment if you | | | | you're really good with your hands, getting a pre-made |
| splash on the track. Plus, it also gives you a chance to | | | | kit to start with is a safer bet. Over time though, you'll |
| twirl your hobbyist tools around if you're into making | | | | be better off with a car that you assemble yourself, |
| models, since you can build your own RCs from | | | | since you can tweak it to your specs. If you want |
| scratch (later, when you get more experience, at | | | | something done right... Also decide what type of |
| least!) and customize your devilish little engines of | | | | remote control unit you'll be most comfortable with. |
| speed with a many accessories as you can safely | | | | The two most common types of RC controls are |
| tack on without compromising performance. Or even | | | | old-fashioned twin-joystick type ones, one stick used |
| compromising it just a weeee bit, if it'll make your baby | | | | to control acceleration and braking, the other for |
| look loads better than everyone else's RCs... Okay, | | | | steering. The other type of remote control is a |
| gushing moment over, let's get into the gritty details of | | | | pistol-grip type, with a "trigger" for adjusting speed and |
| what you need to know to pick out a winner from the | | | | braking, and a wheel set on top of the pistol-grip for |
| shops. The stuff I'll be recommending here will be for | | | | steering. Choose something your hands will be |
| newbies to the sport, so you can relax and not worry | | | | comfortable with. Also make sure that the frequency |
| about info overload. Fist off, you have to know the | | | | of the antenna on your RC isn't in the same range as |
| specs of the RC you're buying. Ask the shop owner if | | | | radio stations in your neighborhood, as these can |
| it's made as a kid's toy (avoid those!), for casual racing, | | | | sometimes interfere with your control's signals. Lastly, |
| or for pro racing. I recommend getting a casual-racing | | | | do your research before making your purchase. Read |
| spec RC first, but make sure that the model you buy | | | | racing magazines, and surf the internet and check out |
| has support parts and options from it's manufacturer | | | | RC racer forums for veteran racer's opinions on what |
| that will allow you to mod up later. Next, choose the | | | | are good purchases for beginners, and ask for their |
| engine (uhm, I mean motor!) type. RCs run either with | | | | advice. Once you set your eye on a prospective |
| electric motors powered by a rechargeable battery or | | | | model to buy, don't pick it up yet. Check out the |
| on mini-engines fueled by a milder form of gasoline, | | | | manufacturer's website and make sure that you get |
| referred to as nitro racing cars. Both see active use in | | | | something from a reputable dealer, preferably one that |
| the tournament circuits, though nitro RCs have an edge | | | | specializes in post-purchase customer support and |
| over battery-operated ones in terms of power unless | | | | offers racing upgrades to the model of RC you're |
| the battery-op has enough mods on it. If getting a | | | | eyeing. |
| battery operated RC, be prepared to spend more on | | | | Jack Vallieres is the professional freelance writer. He's |
| mods later. If buying a nitro RC, be prepared to spend | | | | also the webmaster of Talkofthecar. |