INTRODUCTION
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE RC HOBBY? NITRO, PETROL OR ELECTRIC?
If you ever wanted to assemble working machines, race a full-size car, but found it too expensive, This could be a tough decision - you can’t really go wrong with any of these choices! All three types are
teach your child more about real cars and how they work, release your competitive spirit, or meet easy to start up and keep going. Nitro and petrol kits are fantastically loud, adding to their fun factor,
like-minded people in a friendly, open setting, then RC could be for you! The grin of satisfaction and whereas electric cars and trucks are relatively silent. Electric vehicles can also be run indoors, whilst
happiness from “building something from nothing” is one that almost can’t be explained. anything running on fuel cannot. Electric cars are slower than their nitro and petrol cousins in a wide-open
area, however on a confined track they are often faster because they are lighter and can accelerate faster.
The first thing most people do when they run their car or truck is race it up and down their street or
Nitro and petrol vehicles are able to simply refuel and keep going for as long as the receiver battery lasts
local car park. Running an RC car will always attract a crowd! Explaining everything about your car or
(about 45 minutes or more), but electric vehicles must have their batteries changed every 5-8 minutes,
truck is a great way to meet new people, make friends and impress your neighbours!
and unless you have spare batteries you can wait 30-45 minutes to recharge. Because there is oil in the
Racing an RC car is definitely a unique way to have fun. Spending a day at the track is cheaper than fuel of nitro cars and trucks, they tend to be a bit messier, but with regular maintenance this is nothing to
a night at the movies, with race fees costing about £3 to £7 at most tracks. You will quickly find a worry about.
friendly person there who can give you advice, tips and other help.
While many HPI cars and trucks never see a race track, we encourage this activity as a way to meet
new people, learn more about your car and get more involved with the hobby! Our HPI events
are just one way to have fun racing, plus you may have a track near you! See your local phone
directory for hobby shops and if you don’t have a location nearby, you can always ask permission
to use an empty car park or dirt field. Many parent/child “teams” can be seen at RC tracks or events,
working together on one or more cars. Building RC cars, learning how various RC systems work,
adjusting car and radio settings, making friends and working together are just a few of the things a
child can learn as they assemble, adjust and play with their RC car. It’s a truly good time that both child
and parent will enjoy and cherish as they work together to make the car work the way they want.
WHERE CAN I RUN OR RACE?
Part of the process of deciding what type of RC car or truck you should get should involve the environment
you have around you. On-road cars generally need a smooth and clean paved surface to run on such
as open car parks. With trucks, the type of surface doesn’t matter too much because they can drive on
pavement, dirt, gravel, etc. Tall grass is not ideal, but for short periods of time it is okay. Open fields, vacant
car parks and construction yards are perfect places to run or race an HPI truck. Always make sure to ask
permission when driving on private property!
Most of HPI’s customers enjoy running their car or truck by themselves. Running the car up and down the
street or through a field or car park can be lots of fun, but it’s much more fun to drive around with another
car or truck! However, some of our customers find that just driving on their street isn’t enough... they want
to actually COMPETE with other RC drivers. These people need to RACE on a racetrack!
GETTING STARTED IN RC? If you want to try competitive racing, you will find yourself involved in one of the most exciting and fun
activities you can participate in!
It’s much easier than you think to get involved in the radio control car hobby! The following section All HPI cars and trucks can be raced, it’s just a matter of finding enough racers to form your own race class
is a guide that will help answer some of the common questions you may have. at a local track. Racing is an activity that can be enjoyed every few months, or you can dive in and surround
Radio control cars come in two basic forms: “toys” that are advertised during cartoon shows on yourself with the terminology, routines and competition on a daily basis. It’s entirely up to you. For some
television and sold at electronics and toy stores; and high performance “RC” cars and trucks that are hobbyists there’s nothing that compares to competing in racing events.
sold at specialist hobby shops. RC cars and trucks cost a little more at first, but they are much faster At the highest level the drivers travel around the world and are sometimes even sponsored by
than toy cars... and you can repair them if needed, which is usually impossible to do with toy cars. manufacturers, just like real racing! To find a track near you, see the links section of our website.
You can also upgrade an RC car or truck to make it faster, more durable, and more adjustable, so
your car is constantly evolving to fit your needs. But the question is, what do you want to choose The staff at HPI Europe hope this section has helped you decide what type of RC car interests you the most.
for your first RC kit? No matter which HPI car or truck you choose, remember the “Golden Rule of RC”: HAVE FUN!
ON-ROAD OR OFF-ROAD?
On-road cars have quick and precise handling, can hit high speeds, and have scale realism so they
look like the cars you see on racetracks and streets around the world. With four-wheel drive (4WD),
they are stable and easy to drive. HPI offers on-road cars in both electric and nitro versions, so it’s
easy to find something that fits your needs. However, driving off the kerb or on dirt is not what they
are designed to do.
Off-road vehicles feature big tyres, long shock absorbers and the ability to drive just about
anywhere. They can handle jumps, dirt and other obstacles in your backyard or an empty car park.
While some RC off-road cars and trucks are meant only for race tracks, HPI’s line of off-road kits can
be used both on the track and for recreational driving.