radio controlled cars

A radio-controlled car is a powered model car driven from a distance using a radio control system. Inputs from joysticks on a transmitter are sent to the car's onboard receiver. Radio-controlled cars can range from simple "stop and go" toys to competitive racing models, which feature all the complexity and adjustability of their full size counterparts. Building, driving, and modifying radio-controlled car kits is a popular hobby.

Types of cars

Radio controlled (or R/C) cars can be categorized in two ways, electric powered and nitro powered. Electric cars use small but powerful electric motors and rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or lithium polymer cells to power them. Kyosho Inferno 1/8-scale buggy. Some radio controlled cars use small internal combustion engines fuelled by a special mixture of nitromethane, methanol, and oil (either castor oil or synthetic oil), which are referred to as "nitro" cars. Recently, exceptionally large models have been introduced that are powered by small gasoline engines. Electric cars are generally considered easier for the novice to work with than fuel-driven models, but can be equally as complex at the higher budget and skill levels.

In both of these categories, both on-road and off-road vehicles are available. Off-road models, which are built with fully-functional off-road suspensions, can be used on various types of terrain.