| Radio controlled cars first appeared some sixty years | | | | RC10 off-road electric car).The 1980s saw a major |
| ago in the 1940s but the technology at the time was | | | | shift away from what many described as "toy" cars |
| crude and, although cars could be run at speeds of | | | | towards truly precision crafted models of the very |
| up to 70 mph, it was only possible to run them round | | | | highest standards. Traditional manufacturing materials |
| and round in a circle on a tether.By the late 1960s | | | | were dispensed with as were many of the |
| however technology had advanced considerably and | | | | established production methods. Chassis were now |
| miniature solid state radio control systems became | | | | made from high-grade anodized aluminium alloy, which |
| available. This meant that cars could be controlled | | | | was also used in the manufacture of oil-filled, |
| from a control transmitter unit with remotely | | | | machined and tunable shock absorbers. Many |
| controlled servo-assisted steering, throttle and | | | | components normally pressed from plastic were also |
| brakes. Radio controlled models could now be run on | | | | replaced with high-impact nylon, including such things |
| a race track rather than simply in a circle and the | | | | as suspension control arms and wheels.Today's |
| precision of control available meant that they could | | | | interest in off-road 4 wheel drive vehicles was also |
| be run in much the same way as a real | | | | sparked during the 1980s with the introduction by |
| vehicle.Despite the advances in technology during the | | | | Schumacher of the Competition All Terrain (CAT) |
| 1960s, it was not until 1976 that the first | | | | vehicle which won the off-road world championship in |
| commercially available cars were seen. Produced by | | | | 5 out of the 10 years following its |
| Tamiya (a Japanese company with a reputation for | | | | introduction.Competition is of course the driving force |
| supplying detailed plastic model kits), these early cars | | | | behind any market today, including the market for |
| were very crude in mechanical terms and somewhat | | | | radio controlled cars, and for several years a strong |
| expensive but, nevertheless, they sold well.Over the | | | | rivalry between Associated Electrics and Team Losi |
| coming years Tamiya concentrated its attention on | | | | (founded by Gil Losi Jr., a racetrack owner from |
| the mechanics of these early models and, by the mid | | | | California) led to a rapid development of high quality |
| 1980s, they were producing some extremely popular | | | | models, both technically and in terms of the range of |
| models such as the Grasshopper, Hornet, Blackfoot | | | | cars available.Today Associate Electric and Team Losi |
| and Clodbuster with more powerful engines, working | | | | are still major players in the market and have been |
| suspension systems and textured tyres.This was | | | | joined by others such as the US-based Traxxas |
| really the start of the hobby radio controlled car as | | | | company and the Japanese-based company of |
| we know it today and quickly brought other | | | | Kyosho. As these major players continue to compete |
| producers into the market. These included | | | | against each other, and others join the market, so |
| Schumacher Racing (a British company which replaced | | | | the market for radio controlled cars will go from |
| the then standard solid axle with a ball differential, | | | | strength to strength in the years ahead.For more |
| allowing cars to be finely tuned for different track | | | | information about radio controlled cars and to pick up |
| conditions) and Associated Electrics (a California | | | | a free copy of our beginner's guide to buying and |
| based company which introduced the model that | | | | racing rc cars please visit today. |
| quickly dominated the off-road racing market - the | | | | |