Radio Controlled Car Manufacturers: Who's Who in the Industry

Genuine basketball enthusiasts are aware of theWorld Championships.
significant role played by Wilt Chamberlain in the sport.Associated Electrics Powers Out
If you wish to be able to have more fun with yourIn 1984, this company, based in Costa Mesa, California,
radio controlled cars, knowing the history of RC carsmanufactured the RC10 off-road electric racer. It was
will enable you to better appreciate what you havethe first RC car that Associated Electrics produced
now.which did not use nitromethane-powered engines and
Tamiya Goes Firstwas not for on-road use. An RC car that's built to last
This Japanese toy company was better known forand endure, the RC10 had a sleeker design, was made
producing plastic or die cast toys. In 1976, however,from non-corrosive, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, and
Tamiya was the first to produce toy cars that werewith powerful shock absorbers and differential
defined as "suitable" for remote control. Thefeaturing. Its design and features quickly made it the
prototypes of RC cars were crudely built, but they stillelectric king of off-road competition.
sold rapidly.Go, Team Losi, Go!
Afterwards, Tamiya was able to improve andGil Losi Jr. was born to a racing family which owned
innovate by focusing less on scaling and more on thethe famous Ranch Pit Shop R/C racetrack in
toys' radio control feature. The new RC carsCalifornia. Upon establishing Team Losi, Gil created the
produced by the Japanese toy giant were betterJRX-2, a buggy that was immediately set in
looking, tougher, customizable, easy to repair, and withcompetition against the RC car of Associated
more powerful engines. These RC cars sparkedElectrics. Team Losi's also credited for being the first
worldwide interest in the hobby. Classic products fromto use all-natural rubber tires and creating a whole new
the Tamiya RC car product line include the BlackfootRC car category: the 1/18 scale Mini-T electric vehicles
and the Hornet.for off-road use.
Schumacher Makes a DifferenceOther important RC car manufacturers are the U.S.
The UK firm Schumacher made a splash in 1980 bybased Traxxas and the Japanese firm Kyosho.
introducing the use of ball differentials in RC cars. ThisThese fine old companies continue to dominate the
improvement allowed RC car hobbyists to enjoyracing scene up to the present. Racing any of their
quicker and smoother maneuvering on and off thecars will instantly make you part of the great history of
track. In 1986, it produced the all-powerful Competitionthe RC car industry.
All Terrain (CAT) vehicle, a recipient of numerous