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I've been tasked with helping a relative sort an RC car for Christmas, likely I'll also help build it - I hope!

When I was a kid I remember Tamiya cars, like the midnight pumpkin and the lunchbox etc, but imagine cars have moved on a touch and want something good. I think he should have a petrol car, as I remember batteries lasting no time and taking hours to charge. (I also remember they were hilariously fast!)

So, 13 year old boy, anyone know anything and can make recommendations?

Thanks!

Actually most non-battery RC models are powered by nitro gas. Either way, this will make them outdoor only and expensive to run and maintain.

Thanks. Just had a little look around and realised it might be a bad choice for a 13 year old as well! I think battery powered is the way to go. Might just decide a lunchbox is what "he" would want.

You've reminded me that my lad is nearly old enough to commence operation "Tamiya Boomerang restoration"

- New tyres (check)
- New motor (check)
- New 3 pin ceramic resistor (to be sourced)
- New Chassis (to be sourced)

Its running now though....

Barry, I restored my old Kyosho Lazer last year and I had forgotten how expensive it got.

It is worth checking some websites for deals which include everything you need to run to make sue you don't forget anything. There are also some good ready to run cars which tend to come with an added robustness over the kit models.

Also have a look on ebay, there were quite a few people who buy, build and then sell completed kits just because they enjoy building them.

Now a subject I can get my teeth into! I used to be well into racing RC cars, used to race 1/10th on and off road electric at National level, however jacked it all in 10 years ago because it was taking too much time and costing me too much money.

Technology has moved on massively since I jacked it in, certainly on the electrics side, less so on Nitro's.

I guess you need to decide whether you want to race it or not. If you do, check out the most local club and see what they race, pop down and talk to a few people and see what the most popular car is. Do you/your relative live in or around Swindon, or further afield?

Try the model shop in Theatre Square, they are really good i got 2 the Christmas before last. They were really helpful & worked it so it was cheaper his way than what i was after, they are still going. They were battery powered.

I had a tamiya hotshot and was a member, albeit briefly, of chippenham model car club.

That is my nerdiest element of my teenage years.

I can out-nerd you, by some way, and for far far longer.......

Thanks. All I've really discovered so far is a couple of Traxxas cars that are supposedly good value and easy to drive (and fast if required). They appear to be pre-built. I'm also thinking, pre-built is more fun for a kid, I remember waiting what seemed like months for mate's Dad to build his when I was young!


I've no idea if he wants to race it, might be a good idea, as he lost his Dad a while back and perhaps needs something like that. We both live in Swindon, so I'll have a butchers.

I've discovered "brushless" is what looks to be the bollocks, seems very fast, but speed seems to take a bit to learn. I'm starting to think I'm buying it for myself, like some unfulfilled dream, hence why I think it should be fast as fuck and he won't get a go at christmas. :)


Wow, that's still open! That's perfect then, I just assumed it had closed down. I initially wanted to pop down to the upstairs of Beaties. :)

Barry, wait until I get home and online later this evening and I will post a lot more information, and possibly some names of people to go and talk to.

Part of the fun is building the thing in the first place, even for a kid. I was 11 when I got my first car, although I didn't build it (my dad did so I could have it running on Christmas Day, bless), I soon took 'ownership' of all things maintenance wise soon after. All part of the learning experience.

Im sure you can.  But I did buy the magazines every month.  Shameful.

I thought this was gonna be a taxi thread

Me too. Oh the shame. RCC monthly  :-[

Radio Race Car. Erm, a friend told me.

I fucking subscribed to that bastard magazine for near on 20 years, robbing bastards!

Anyway, from a mate of mine, who still races. I quote verbatim.

Swindon on road sadly folded about 2 years back. They still have an off setup, that from what I've is quite good these days & have a track for 1/8 & 1/10th cars. Think the best way to get info on this is to have a look at their face book page. http://www.swindonradiocontrolledmodelcarclub.co.uk/

Kemble (http://www.Cotswoldmodelcarclub.co.uk/), is good and through the summer gets quite a bit of action on a Sunday & if your a member, you can use the track almost any time.

Chippenham on a tuesday is very popular thru winter on road indoors & summer outdoors off road http://CMCC.org.uk/
They still run their big winter championship, but now in Melksham.

Hope that helps. I note from the Swindon forum/website that their next meeting is Sunday 4th November. I strongly urge you to get down there and talk to a few people. It'll help you decide whether on road or off road is better.