On-Road Cars

These cars are designed for high speeds and scale looks. Speeds of up to 50-70 miles per hour are not uncommon for these cars to achieve. On-road cars are designed to have a low center of gravity, with minimal-travel shocks to suit flat, paved surfaces. Some are equipped with 2-speed transmissions for even better top speed and acceleration. These cars are only made for running on flat, paved surfaces; things such as dirt, rocks, crashes, and abuse can quickly disable them.

There are several types of on-road cars. Four basic types (correct me if I am wrong) are mini, 1/10 scale electric, 1/10 scale nitro, and 1/8 scale nitro. These are the basic size and power plant classes for racing.

Mini cars are basically cars with a short wheelbase and a wide stance (width), which obviously are modelled after mini cars such as the VW bug, Honda Civic hatch-back, etc.

1/10 scale electric is obviously for electric powered 1/10 scale cars. Cells are usually limited to 6 cells for all racing with this type of car. These cars typically have a plastic, fiberglass or carbon fiber chassis.

1/10 scale nitro is 1/10 scale cars, powered by a gas (nitro) engine. The engine is usually .12 size, but there are several cars with .15 size powerplants. The chassis is usually a double-deck type, with a T-6 aluminum chassis. This hardened almunimun chassis is needed because it is the most rigid, heavy duty material, which is needed when you have a nitro car. Most of these cars are 190mm wide because many races require the chassis is 190mm wide or less, but some cars are made at an also-popular 200mm width.

1/8 scale nitro is 1/8 (bigger), nitro powered cars. These cars typicially have a 3.5cc, (.21) engine. Again, the chassis is T-6 aluminum, usually double-deck type. There are not very many 1/8 scale on road cars on the market, at least not like the 1/8 scale buggy market.

There are other cars on the market different sizes, etc. Examples are the cars from Lucas Racing, which are huge 1/5 scale cars with gasoline engines powering them. There are also extremely small cars made by BRP, which are barely larger than a dollar bill.

This type of car, like all others, is a great choice for a first timer. I would personally recommend a 1/10 scale or maybe a mini electric car for a first timer. These cars are basically easier on the beginner than their nitro counterparts, which are high performance, high maintenance cars.