Electric or Nitro – That is The Question
Racing radio controlled cars is a fantastically exciting hobby. One of the first questions to answer if you are an RC car newbie is should you choose electric or nitro powered.
As a general rule nitro RC cars are really best for someone who has gained a little experience. And an electric RC car is the best way to gain that vital experience.
Electric RC cars are simpler. They are much quieter and don’t require the routine maintenance that nitro powered cars demand. But the downside is that they don’t have the realism, speed and power of the nitro powered models.
Nevertheless, electrically powered RC cars are a whole lot of fun and there are some fantastic models to choose from. I recommend that you buy at least two and maybe three battery packs if you have the funds. Some battery packs can last as little as only 5 minutes so you would do well to buy several of these to make sure you have to power to enjoy your car.
My personal favourite models are off-road dune buggys that I like to race around the sand dunes on some nearby beaches. I always take along a whole bunch of fully charged battery packs just so that I can make the most of my time in the sand dunes.
A big advantage of electric over nitro powered RC cars is the ease of maintenance. Like real cars nitro powered rc cars use real engines and these need the same sort of maintenance as the full size models. Electric RC cars are much simpler and therefore much more suitable for beginners and youngsters.
You can get both electric and nitro RC cars in kit form and this adds another aspect to the hobby. Building your own RC car is a great learning experience and can be immensely satisfying. But, again, I recommend starting with an electric model and then moving on to a nitro powered car if you find you enjoy the hobby.
Greatest RC Touring Car Race Ever! – IFMAR 1/10th World championships A final leg 3 – From RC Racing