Where to Race RC Cars

RC cars generally need a paved surface to run on, so open parking lots of schools, churches, and office areas provide plenty of space to play on. If you're racing or practicing on someone else's property, it is extremely important to ask their permission first. And, if there are younger children out running their cars or watching, make sure there is proper supervision.

With RC trucks, the type of surface doesn't matter as much, since they can be driven on pavement, dirt, gravel and all types of ground. Even long grass can be tackled- though only for short periods of time. Open fields, vacant lots, and construction yards are perfect places to run or race, as long as it's safe and you have permission.

Though many people enjoy simply running their car by themselves up the street, this can be made infinitely more fun by practicing and racing with others. Setting up pylons easily turns an empty parking lot into a racetrack, while a vacant lot can be host to a tug-of-war.

If you prefer off-roading or a more rugged challenge for your vehicle, you can construct your own jumps in a field, yard or lot. Scraps of wood or cardboard can be used to make ramps and jumps or challenging obstacle courses. Off-road RC vehicles have a lot of power, but don’t overestimate their torque when you construct your track. Make sure that if there are younger children playing you have proper supervision.

But if you prefer official races, they're held often enough that you can be racing every few months. For some hobbyists there's nothing else that compares to RC car racing. Most race areas are on-road (paved) tracks, usually in unused parking lots. Other locations are off-road, featuring all-dirt surfaces with lanes separated by boards or plastic pipe. Most metropolitan areas have a race track nearby. To find the racetrack nearest you, start with the internet and the yellow pages or your local hobby shop.

Next: RC Car Rules for Racing

top