Need something beefier for short course thrills than your 1/10th racer? Upsize to the HPI Baja 5SC, a 1/5th scale short course truck for tackling your favorite dirt arena shoulder to shoulder with other racers.

Why go bigger? Well, imagine your RC doing those jumps, taking on those straight sections and hitting those corners. Now, double the size of your vehicle and feast your eyes on that. Way more awesome, right?

The HPI Baja 5SC features even more realistic looks, coming in with a wide short course body (pre-painted in either red or black), a new skid-plate front bumper and a large rear bumper with rubber mud flaps. Running a massive 26cc Fuelie engine (uses regular unleaded pump gasoline), it can blow dirt at speeds topping 40 mph for over 45 minutes on a single full tank.

It comes ready to run under extreme off-road conditions, with a 2.4GHz radio system in tow. Notable stock features include TR-10 bead-lock truck wheels, HB Rodeoo tires, Super Heavy Duty 9mm drive shafts, updated rear hub carriers, HD front hex hubs, dual vented disk brakes, 6mm diameter shock shafts, threaded shock bodies and long-stroke VVC/HD shock absorbers.

Can't find pricing info for the HPI Baja 5SC, but expect it at around $1,200 (or higher) when the ride comes out in January.

[HPI Racing]

Specifications

Chassis Length: 900mm
Width F/R: FRONT 440mm / REAR 460mm
Height: 320mm
Track F/R: FRONT 370mm / REAR 380mm
Wheelbase: 570mm
Weight: 12.6kg / 27.9lb (without fuel)

Looking to take your RC down the tracks for the first time? No need to mince words, you'll probably lose. Just because your chances of winning are slim doesn't mean you shouldn't do your best, right? After all, giving it all is how you improve in this game.

1. Aim for consistency. Your first couple of times racing should be about trying to get consistent lap times. Forget about beating that obnoxious loud dude and his beefed-up truck. Instead, aim to run a consistent course lap to lap.

2. Let faster trucks have their way. Sure, you can be competitive and refuse to give way during tangles. Do realize it's the easiest way to slow everyone down, including yourself, apart from heightening the chances of accidents occurring. Unless you've got a good shot at winning, wrecking your truck isn't worth the ego boost. You can get them later - after putting in some practice time.

3. Make sure your car can handle the occasional nervous driving. Racing brings out everyone's nerves. That means a potentially disastrous trigger finger at the most inopportune times. As long as your vehicle can recover and keep itself from spinning out, you'll be fine.

4. Watch experienced racers run the course. If you get the chance, watch some of the more experienced drivers handle the course. What lines are they talking? Where do they go fast or slow? Which jumps are they going for and which ones are they passing on? Seeing that gives you a good idea of how you should handle the tracks come race time.

A big block desert race truck, the Redcat Racing Aftershock is a heavyset performer that can handle itself well both in the backyard and on off-road tracks. It's far from the best the category has to offer, but it delivers enough excitement and fun to make it worth anyone's while.

Burly and stocky, it's a tough-looking truck with gorgeous factory-applied paint and decals. From a short distance, the 1/8th scale nitro basher actually looks like an actual truck, especially with the realistic headlights and tires. There's a funny quality to the design that I can't pinpoint, though - almost like it's based on a cartoon design.

The Redcat Racing Aftershock 3.5 claims to do up to 50mph out of the box with its nitro-fueled 3.5 cc .21 SH big block engine. While I could not confirm that threshold, I did come close, so it's quite a lot of power. It comes with a two-shoe aluminum clutch setup and a single stage filter for the carburetor - not ideal for heavy racing, but decent enough for most drivers.

Performance is a mixed bag. It handled tight corners like a seasoned pro and jumped easy enough, but the tires barely held on tougher terrain. For the most part, you'll have to seriously drive this. If you're inexperienced, you'll likely just crash it before the first five minutes. It does have a lot of plastic parts, so racing this stock against other SCTs is probably not a good idea. Make a tough landing and you're almost likely to find something break (or stressed enough to almost get there) - a far cry from the toughness its look suggests.

Available for $300, the Redcat Racing Aftershock 3.5 RTR is very competitively-priced for a 1/8th scale nitro truck. You'll likely need a lot of modifications to turn this into something race-worthy, but it should be good enough for most casual driving.

Specifications:

Length: 19.84"
Width: 12.01"
Wheelbase: 12.80"
Engine: Nitro 3.5cc. (.21SH)
Drive Train: Front and rear sealed differentials. Two speed transmission.

You've got a new nitro engine. Learning how to break it in the right way is the shortest course to guaranteeing long-lasting performance, with the least amount of upkeep necessary. Failing to do so won't exactly get you with a messed up ride, but it leaves the doorway open for more frequent problems down the line.

What You Need

For your break-in, you need the following things:

1. Around two hours of free time
2. Three to five tanks of nitro fuel
3. A clean, flat surface to run the car in
4. Plenty of patience to do it the right way

Getting To Work

Start up the car and check to see if fuel is moving through the lines. If it doesn't reach the carburetor after five seconds, try priming the engine (i.e. place and release your finger over the tip of the exhaust for a couple of seconds). Make sure to release as soon as you see the fuel making its way accordingly. Holding on too long can cause the engine to flood and lock up.

The idea behind using five tanks of fuel is to increase the amount and duration of throttle with every run. Some advise making do with three, although we recommend running the full range and using five tanks.

On the first tank, give the engine a 1/4th throttle slowly (note on the slow throttle acceleration for all five tanks) for about two seconds, then hit the brakes. A nice trail of blue smoke should come from the exhaust. If not, try moving the air/fuel needle a quarter turn at a time to richen the fuel mixture until it starts blowing smoke. Continue the same quarter-throttle then braking until you run the tank to near-empty. Before going dry, pinch the fuel line (to turn engine off) and rest for fifteen minutes.

On the second tank, you do the same thing while going to half-throttle in three seconds. For the third, you do the same thing, then run three second counts while at half-throttle, before hitting the brakes. On the fourth, you go full throttle three seconds before braking. In your last tank, you do the same thing, except you hold the full throttle for an extra two seconds.

And with that, you've just successfully given your nitro engine a proper break-in. Go forth and be on your own merry way.

Unlike other truck categories, stadium trucks are designed primarily for one thing: winning races. Designed to run on temporary off-road tracks built on stadium field, they combine characteristics of both the buggy and monster truck categories, the former for the fast run times and the latter for the durability. Being a representative mix of speed and toughness makes them one of the most popular racing classes around.

Note: Consider this list as one opinion that you can take into account, rather than an absolute rating of the best the platform has to offer.

1. Traxxas Jato

Even without the latest 3.3 engine, the 1/10th-scale 2WD Jato is a ridiculously fast beast.  With it, it's just scary.  Posting a 0 to 60 of 4.2 seconds and a top speed upwards of 65mph, the power is so immense, it makes normal jumps look like you're scaling it with a rocket booster. Sporting two-speed torque, Revo-spec GTR shocks, and zero-bump steer-suspension, it's one of the most versatile stadium racers around, able to deliver as well on dirt and grass with a little fine-tuning (some height adjustment and, perhaps, a new set of tires for the same nasty quickness).

2. Traxxas Rustler

Geared for intermediate drivers, the Rustler is a powerful 1/10th 2WD truck, pairing impressive top speeds (upwards of 50mph for the nitro version) with excellent handling. Sporting a wide chassis and a low center of gravity, it makes for some of the most stable maneuvering in the platform. It's also highly upgradeable, allowing you to fashion it into a real beastly performer (honestly, though, all I'd do is get new wheels and, maybe, a wing because the stock is good enough).

3. Schumacher Menace 21

Too fast for its own good, we've heard too many stories of broken RC parts with the Menace 21, a 1/10th-scale 4WD with a 3-speed gearbox and a 3.5cc engine. Contributing to the unfortunate accidents is the fact that it comes with plenty of plastic stock parts, putting it near the bottom end of the scale when it comes to durability. Reaching top speeds closing in at 70mph (for real), a lot of beginning and intermediate racers are just taken aback by the kind of power it brings. My advice? Get one and upgrade it to aluminum parts (it's an easy truck to fix). Yes, it will be very costly, but well worth it.  This much power in a durable ride brings so much potential.

4. Associated RC10 GT

Don't let the cheap price fool you. The RC10 GT is a highly-competitive 1/10th-scale 2WD stadium truck, despite being one of the most affordable models in the category. Fast and dependable, it's a ride you can count on in terms of unfaltering performance and durability. Much of the truck is impressively lightweight, allowing it to run lightly on its toes, taking straightaways swiftly and landing jumps in a smooth manner.

5. HPI Nitro Rush Evo

An excellent vehicle for beginners, the Rush Evo is far from being the fastest, best-performing stadium truck on the market. In fact, it tends to lose stability once it hits jumps, although it does make up for it with excellent ground performance. It's very rugged and easy to maintain, making it an excellent vehicle to get your feet wet in the nitro scene. You should get a better truck for serious competition, but for bashing and absorbing all the beating that models receive from relatively new drivers, this fits the bill perfectly.

Are you planning to buy your first nitro-powered RC car? Here are a few things you should know before diving into the grin inducing hobby.

Nitro isn't gas. Some people refer to nitro RCs as gas-powered models. However, nitro fuel isn't the same as the gas you put in your real car. Don't confuse the two and don't make the mistake of filling it up from your crappy sedan's full tank. Nitro fuel has three main components - methanol, nitromethane and oil. This is mixed together with several additives, such as anti-corrosion agents. The fuel rating is based on the percentage of nitromethane (typically 20%).

Nitro RCs are fast. If you want speed and power, then nitro is the way to go. If too much of both overwhelm you, it might be wise to get your feet wet driving electric RC cars or trucks first.

Nitro fuel requires special handling. It's highly-flammable, not to mention poisonous, so avoid lighted cigarettes and open flames when you're around it. Make sure to wipe up any spills, especially on your car, lest have that chain-smoker at the track set it aflame when he lights one up. Oh yeah, don't mistake it for beer, either. Blech.

Nitro RCs require better driving skills. High-speed driving does have its drawbacks - the learning curve becomes much higher. There are many nitro-powered cars at all categories designed for beginners, though, so make sure you opt for those, instead of advanced models. More importantly, try to get a feel for the car's power before driving it at full speed, unless you want to risk damaging your $500 purchase on its first run.

Nitro RCs are kinda bad for indoors. While you can use them inside your house if you want, the fuel fumes, engine noise and excessive speeds make that a bad idea. Take it outdoors and go nuts.

Nitro RCs require more maintenance. Getting your car running isn't as easy as flipping a switch - you need to get fuel onto it, check the air filter, check the glow plug and more. You'll need to carry a quick-fill bottle along too.

Sure, they require more work and are more expensive. However, nitro RCs usually also mean more fun. It's a positive trade-off and one you're not likely to regret.

[Image Credit: Imageshack]

Racing and bashing RC Monster Trucks is a really fun hobby but can be a little intimidating for the beginners specially when trying to decide which model offers best value, durability, ease of use and off course the fun factor. You don't wanna spend hours and hours on tuning and fixing your truck when you should be out there racing them and having fun with your friends.

Big, bad monster trucks with their oversized wheels and high ground clearance are always a sight to behold. Everybody loves them in any form, whether as full-sized car show staples or miniature backyard models. The following remote-controlled trucks with monster bodies are five of the best the business has to offer and generally offer the best bang for your buck.

Note: When it comes to RCs, ranking the best isn't easy. So take this list as one opinion that you can take into account, rather than an absolute rating of the best the platform has to offer.

1. Traxxas T-Maxx

The best-selling RTR nitro monster truck in the world, the T-Maxx series (the latest is 3.3) is a 1/10th-scale model that everyone, from beginners to more advanced enthusiasts, can embrace. Quick, agile and exceptionally fast, it packs what is arguably the most powerful smallblock engine you can find on the platform. More importantly, it has stamped itself accessible by being both easy to tune and maintain, making it possible for absolute newbies to dive in and partake in the fun. Do note that the newer TRX 3.3 engine can be a bit over-the-top for most beginners, so we'd advise less-experienced drivers to stick to the older, but still very much relevant 2.5 version.

2. Traxxas Revo

When it comes to handling and durability, few monster trucks can hold a candle to the nitro-powered Traxxas Revo (currently 3.3), one of the most dominant 1/10th scale vehicles to appear in the production and small block racing classes. Traxxas took a leap of faith with this vehicle, approaching the category differently from the already popular T-Maxx , and came out with an even more versatile truck that packed similar beastly power. Given a choice, we'd go for the Revo over the T-Maxx for serious competition, although we put the latter at number one due to its general accessibility.

3. HPI Savage

One of the most brutish bashers ever released, the Savage delivers a powerful combination of big block power and extreme durability. This 1/8th scale model should handle most anything you throw at it, giving you a permanent grin while you put it through every imaginable grind. Do note there are several versions of the Savage platform available, with the Savage 25 possibly the most bang-for-your-buck basher of the lot and the Savage X 4.6 as the most well-rounded, in case you're looking for one that can do more than trump everything on the backyard.

4. Losi LST

Combining an easy-to-tune big block motor, huge clearance and plush suspension, the LST brings immense power while remaining very agile for its 1/8th-scale size. Very few trucks this big can pull off the same handling and feel, which successfully mimics the driving characteristics of smaller 1/10th size vehicles. Many areas of the truck do require aftermarket upgrades in case you're serious about competing (even the latest XXL version), but the terrific maneuverability, coupled with brawny looks, make for an excellent base from which to build upon.

5. Duratrax Warhead

Delivering a good balance of power and agility, the Warhead is a very worthy competitor in the big block monster truck category. It was marketed as an excellent alternative to the Savage platform early on, because of the similar size and performance, all while providing the ability to be race-tuned. While probably not as durable (we've seen parts of it wear considerably faster than the Savage), this continues to be a favorite among fans of vertical chassis plate setups.

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Looking for a nitro truggy that you can rip from the box and set on the tracks in no time?  The Ofna Jammin X2-CRT isn't only ready to run, it's completely ready to race.  Tough as nails and packing decent power, it's a guaranteed way to get beginners acclimated to the class.
Clad in a blazing red and white color scheme, the 1/8th scale vehicle does just enough in the attractiveness department.  The paint job is excellent and the decorations are busy, but tastefully applied.

The Jammin X2-CRT runs on a Force .28 engine with Electric Shaft Starter.  It's an intermediate engine - easy to tune and low-maintenance.  While good enough for an RTR racer, it's still rightly considered a basher's engine.  For an all-around truck aimed at intermediates and below, though, it fits the bill perfectly.

Ask anyone who's driven this model and they're likely to give the same impression - this is an extremely durable vehicle.  Boasting all-aluminum parts, this thing can rumble with the best of them.  During drives, the handling feels very aggressive while the long travel suspension soaks up everything smoothly.  Compared to many similarly-priced truggies out there (e.g. the Muggy), the difference in quality of experience is night and day.

Notable features include a new composite carburator, 150cc fuel tank, big bore shocks, 7075 Billet hard anodized aluminum chassis and a responsive two-channel wheel-type radio system.  Do note that you may want to replace the servos down the line for more serious racing - everything else seems for keeps.

Hands down, the Ofna Jammin X2-CRT RTR is one of the best bang-for-the-buck truggies out there.  Definitely well-worth looking into for intermediate drivers and below.

Specifications

• Length: 20.2" (513mm)
• Width:   7.1"  (180mm) ahead of rear wheels, narrowest point
• Width:   7.3"  (186mm) at rear wheels, widest point
• Height:  4.7"  (120mm)
• Chassis: CNC machined hard coated 7075 aluminum
• Drive: Four wheel shaft drive
• Radio: Ofna 2-channel 27MHz AM
• Engine: .28 cu in (4.6cc)
• Exhaust: Polished tuned pipe
• Fuel Tank: 5.1oz (150cc)
• Transmission: Single speed

OFNA Racing

An industry-first, the Schumacher Rascal 2 delivers a high-performance, nitro-powered truck in a very small micro-truck frame.  Destined to steal hearts while plying off-road tracks, it claims the ability to out-accelerate most big monster trucks you'll encounter, whether you're bashing in the backyard or racing in a meet.

The "industry first" label comes courtesy of the .18-size engine (Pull Start 3cc) and CNC muffler packed into the 1/16th scale truck body.  With excellent acceleration and top speeds of up to 40mph, it's one heck of a powerful performer that you won't see coming.

A 4mm anodized main chassis (purple) serves as the foundation for the mini's surprisingly durable qualities, beefed up by Swiss Virgin polymer, alloy and carbon composite components.  The functional chassis layout provides both balanced weight distribution and easy access to parts for tuning.

While I'm not a fan of its overall look, the Rascal 2 has a decent appearance.  The chrome multi-spoke wheels and ultra-low profile Mini Mag-Block tires both do a lot to enhance it.  Small and light, while packing enough power, it should make for fun jumps and stunts, ably aided by the oversized four wheel independent suspension, coil-over oil filled shocks, powerful disc brakes and full ball-raced 2WD transmission.  Other features include a digital pistol radio, carbon composite shock mounts, splash-proof radio box and support for Speed Secret option parts.

With its size, agility and impressive top speed, the Schumacher Rascal 2 should prove to be an interesting option for anyone in search of a fun micro-truck.   Putting monster trucks to shame sounds like a nice bonus too.

Specifications

• Power Source:  Nitro
• Model Type:  2WD, Off-Road
• Length:   300mm
• Width:    220mm
• Top Speed:   40 MPH+
• Build State:  95% or Almost RTR

Everybody loves a good monster truck.  Not everybody likes their big-wheeled, scale model car crushers to take up lots of space, though.  That niche is what the CEN Racing MG-16 should ably fill up, bringing monster truck action in a 1/16th scale frame.

Can't get excited for such a small package?  It may be small, but it wields huge fun.  Boasting massive nitro power, four-wheel drive and authentic monster truck looks, you may have to eat your words when experiencing the entertainment it has to offer.

MG-16 comes with a pre-painted, pre-decorated body shell, with attractive colors.  Granted, it comes across as more adorable than mean, but the scale is well-done, with good proportions for the 2.2-inch off-road wheels and suspension.  Overall, it's a great-looking RC automobile.

While other might belittle this truck's durability because of the size, the vehicle's chassis does a great job of absorbing bumps and crashes.  Reinforced by a high-impact composite material, you can rest assured this won't break on you at the wrong time.  Most parts of the drivetrain are sealed and protected too.

Powered by a 2.5cc pull-start nitro engine, the MG-16 manages impressively quick acceleration that can ably stand up to larger monster truck RCs.  The four coil-over, oil-filled shocks and long suspension arm works very smoothly, providing the necessary help to keep the mini-monster stable through any terrain.

One caveat: this truck can't do very good jumps.  When you use it for such stunts, make sure to let it settle upon landing before grabbing the throttle.  Otherwise, you'll have it turning over and spinning.  Badly.

Despite that, the CEN MG-16 remains a solid bundle of fun with enough durability to make it worth your while.  You won't regret getting one.

More info at CEN Racing Site.