Small cars, big future

Radio Control Car Action, Jan 2003 by Vieira, Peter

STARTING LINE RC as we know it was born in the '60s, boomed in the '80s, flourished in the '90s and is bigger than ever in the here and now. But hold on tight because it's set to make a quantum leap in mainstream popularity and pop-culture visibility. And the impetus for this impending explosion of RC interest may surprise you!

Recent trends in RC have spurred much growth already: Kyosho's Mini-Z and HPI's Micro RS4 have launched a new

small-scale RC scene; the Traxxas Maxx series continues to invigorate the monster truck universe; and the trend toward ready-to-run vehicles of all types (but especially nitro) is drawing to our ranks vast numbers of first-time drivers who may have never otherwise given RC a shot because they had no time to build, felt insecure about their mechanical aptitude, or simply wanted to drive now rather than later. As important as these trends are, they all require RC newcomers to have some interest in this hobby/sport we know. If you didn't already have enough interest in RC to pick up a copy of RC Car Action, or visit a hobby shop, you would probably never know that the Mini-Z, T-Maxxes and ready-to-run cars are out there. RC has grown tremendously from within; now it is poised to grow from without.

As you read this, tiny, inexpensive RC cars are fast becoming the most popular playthings overseas. Hobbico has caught the wave early with its MicroSizers line (one of our "Lust List" favorites; see page 84), and retail giant RadioShack has staked much of its financial future on its similar ZipZaps cars (see for yourself in "Inside Scoop," and check out the new issue of RC Minis & Micros for a guide to the new breed of inexpensive ultra-micro cars). Obviously, there have been toy-type RC cars for years, but what makes models like MicroSizers different is that they can easily be upgraded (hotter motors, optional bodies and faster gears simply snap into place), they resemble real-car reproductions (not the fantasy vehicles that transform into robots, etc.), and they have extremely low price tags-about $20 to $30-and there's no need for an additional charger, radio gear, batteries, etc. These tiny cars have the potential to sell in the millions as a hot fad toy, and that's where we in the "hardcore" RC community stand to benefit; with that many people trying out RC, even in this simple form, our brand of RC is sure to grow to new highs. Even if only a small percentage move up from MicroSizers to increasingly complex RC "hobby" vehicles, that number could represent a huge boom for RC. And if they just stick with the MicroSizers, well, that's OK, too! More RC is more RC. Whether you're a dedicated racer and into the latest high-end gear, or your biggest goal in RC is to collect all the color combinations and body styles in the MicroSizers line, you're an RC guy (or gal), and that's good enough for me!

Peter Vieira

Executive Editor