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History Of RC Cars: RC Racing
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Published: November 20, 2006
The history of radio controlled racing starts with humble beginnings in southern California in the late 1930s and has grown into an international level of popularity. In addition to local RC car clubs located in the many corners of the United States, four regional groups govern competitions throughout the world and IFMAR, the International Federation of Model Auto Racing, presides over the RC Racing World Championships.
What may have started as local hobbyists rivaling each other for bragging rights, has reached a level of popularity that encompasses enthusiasts on nearly every continent. Pride is no longer the only thing at stake. Corporate sponsorship contracts, fame within the RC car community and cash purses await the most skilled racer.
The predecessor of the modern RC car were miniature racecars known as tether cars . A typical tether car was a small model car, approximately 17 inches long, propelled by a gasoline-powered engine. The car would be rigged to a 35-40 foot long wire, or tether, that would then be attached to a post centered within a circular track. Each car would then be raced in turn around the track. Early tether cars could reach speeds in excess of 75-80 mph (compared to top speeds generated by RC cars upwards of 100 mph).
The history of radio controlled cars developed along side the developments of better radio and small electric technologies. With improvements in radio technology during World War II, the tether car began its inevitable evolution into the RC car. Refinements to radio technology would culminate in the 1960s and would lead to finer tuned steering, throttle and brake functions. These added features would allow RC cars to navigate more precisely around more complex tracks in comparison to their tethered counterparts.
Although RC cars and RC car racing had fans within its limited community, it wasn't until 1976, with the release of a 1/12th scale electric powered Porsche 934 Turbo by Tamiya Incorporated, that RC cars became commercially viable. Developments continued and interest generated at fervor, culminating in a boom by the mid 1980s. By 1980, companies such as Schumacher Racing, Team Associated and Associated Electronics, were developing and experimenting with modifications such as the ball differential, improvements in chassis design, advances in shocks and suspension, the use of lighter, more sturdy materials, and new methods of construction. These contributions further added to the functionality of the RC car and contributed to the history and evolution of the hobby.
By 1979, RC car racing had become so popular and so competitive that IFMAR was founded to ensure a codified body of rules and regulations. Since its inception, IFMAR has supervised over fifty RC Racing World Championships in 1/8th Scale On Road, 1/12th Electric Circuit, 1/10th Electric Off-Road World Champions, 1/8th I.C Off-Road, 1/10th Electric Circuit, 1/10th I.C. 235mm On-Road, ISTC Electric (Touring Car), and 1/5th I.C. classes. IFMAR works along side regional groups ROAR (Radio Operated Auto Racing) in the United States and Canada, EFRA (European Federation of RC Automobiles) in Europe, FEMCA (Far East Model Car Association) in Asia and Australia, and FAMAR (Fourth Association of Model Auto Racing) supervising races in South America, supervising regional events and competitions
In the United States, due to the sheer magnitude of RC car enthusiasts, competition categories exist for just about every level of skill and for just about ever style of car. ROAR sponsors events that include provisional, juniors, masters, and demonstration skill levels as well as, competitions for both on and off road models at 1/8th, 1/10th, and 1/12th scale for both electric and nitro fueled cars. Additionally, races include competitions for both four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive cars and accommodate touring cars, sedans, Formula 1, Indy cars, trucks, buggies and oval racers.
Home. 2002. Gary Barnes. 7 Aug 2006. www.tethercar.com
Home. 2006. ROAR. 7 Aug 2006. www.roarracing.com
F.A.Q. 2006. ROAR. 7 Aug 2006. www.roarracing.com
Tamiya Championship Series. 2006. Tamiya America, Inc. 7 Aug 2006. www.tamiyausa.com
TCS Racing. 2006. Tamiya America, Inc. 7 Aug 2006. www.tamiyausa.com
Company Info. 2006. Schumacher Racing Products, Ltd. 7 Aug 2006. www.racing-cars.com
Radio-Controlled Car. 2006. Wikipedia. 7 Aug 2006. www.wikipedia.org
The predecessor of the modern RC car were miniature racecars known as tether cars . A typical tether car was a small model car, approximately 17 inches long, propelled by a gasoline-powered engine. The car would be rigged to a 35-40 foot long wire, or tether, that would then be attached to a post centered within a circular track. Each car would then be raced in turn around the track. Early tether cars could reach speeds in excess of 75-80 mph (compared to top speeds generated by RC cars upwards of 100 mph).
The history of radio controlled cars developed along side the developments of better radio and small electric technologies. With improvements in radio technology during World War II, the tether car began its inevitable evolution into the RC car. Refinements to radio technology would culminate in the 1960s and would lead to finer tuned steering, throttle and brake functions. These added features would allow RC cars to navigate more precisely around more complex tracks in comparison to their tethered counterparts.
Although RC cars and RC car racing had fans within its limited community, it wasn't until 1976, with the release of a 1/12th scale electric powered Porsche 934 Turbo by Tamiya Incorporated, that RC cars became commercially viable. Developments continued and interest generated at fervor, culminating in a boom by the mid 1980s. By 1980, companies such as Schumacher Racing, Team Associated and Associated Electronics, were developing and experimenting with modifications such as the ball differential, improvements in chassis design, advances in shocks and suspension, the use of lighter, more sturdy materials, and new methods of construction. These contributions further added to the functionality of the RC car and contributed to the history and evolution of the hobby.
By 1979, RC car racing had become so popular and so competitive that IFMAR was founded to ensure a codified body of rules and regulations. Since its inception, IFMAR has supervised over fifty RC Racing World Championships in 1/8th Scale On Road, 1/12th Electric Circuit, 1/10th Electric Off-Road World Champions, 1/8th I.C Off-Road, 1/10th Electric Circuit, 1/10th I.C. 235mm On-Road, ISTC Electric (Touring Car), and 1/5th I.C. classes. IFMAR works along side regional groups ROAR (Radio Operated Auto Racing) in the United States and Canada, EFRA (European Federation of RC Automobiles) in Europe, FEMCA (Far East Model Car Association) in Asia and Australia, and FAMAR (Fourth Association of Model Auto Racing) supervising races in South America, supervising regional events and competitions
In the United States, due to the sheer magnitude of RC car enthusiasts, competition categories exist for just about every level of skill and for just about ever style of car. ROAR sponsors events that include provisional, juniors, masters, and demonstration skill levels as well as, competitions for both on and off road models at 1/8th, 1/10th, and 1/12th scale for both electric and nitro fueled cars. Additionally, races include competitions for both four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive cars and accommodate touring cars, sedans, Formula 1, Indy cars, trucks, buggies and oval racers.
Home. 2002. Gary Barnes. 7 Aug 2006. www.tethercar.com
Home. 2006. ROAR. 7 Aug 2006. www.roarracing.com
F.A.Q. 2006. ROAR. 7 Aug 2006. www.roarracing.com
Tamiya Championship Series. 2006. Tamiya America, Inc. 7 Aug 2006. www.tamiyausa.com
TCS Racing. 2006. Tamiya America, Inc. 7 Aug 2006. www.tamiyausa.com
Company Info. 2006. Schumacher Racing Products, Ltd. 7 Aug 2006. www.racing-cars.com
Radio-Controlled Car. 2006. Wikipedia. 7 Aug 2006. www.wikipedia.org
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