Billed by HPI as "one of the most unique RC vehicles ever made," the Mini-Trophy gets a new addition to its lineup. Getting that honor is the HPI Ivan Stewart Edition Desert Trophy, a Mini-Trophy with an officially-authorized body of the legendary driver's 4WD pickup truck.

Sporting a scale replica of a vintage Toyota racer, the vehicle ships fully painted and decaled, complete with iconic color slashes that marked "Ironman" Stewart’s racing team to all his fans. You'll need to put together the four-piece body, add a brushless motor and batteries; once that's done, though, just set it down on the tracks for some rugged racing.

Details of the HPI Ivan Stewart Desert Trophy include a high-strength nylon tub chassis, 4-wheel independent suspension, desert truck suspension arms, a complete interior roll cage, adjustable slipper clutch, threaded shock bodies and steel dogbones on all four corners. It uses officially licensed Yokohama Geolandar tires, along with a pair of faux-spare wheels and tires in the truck bed.

If you're in the market for an old-school pickup racer, the HPI Ivan Stewart Edition Desert Trophy packs the looks and the hardware to get the job done. We've seen this priced as low as $269.99, so you might want to shop around if you're looking to get one.

[HPI Racing]

SPECIFICATIONS:
WIDTH: 233mm
OVERALL LENGTH 533mm
HEIGHT: 162mm
WHEELBASE: 312mm

You’ve been racing motorized short-course cars a good part of the last year. As awesome as your electric Blitzes and Ultimas can run, you've been looking forward to really hitting the tracks at the craziest speeds this 1/10-scale truck class allows. It's time to upgrade to a nitro-powered racer and the Team Associated SC10GT looks fit for the job.

Available as a ready to run piece, the vehicle comes pre-painted and decaled, with all parts in place. Just throw in a few batteries, fill up the fuel tank and you're ready to blow the local tracks apart.

Under the body of the SC10GT sits the Team Associated 18X pull-start nitro engine, with its exhaust system specially-tuned to balance out power and driving efficiency. With low center of gravity transmission (4.09:1 ratio), it produces high torque that's transferred to the ground through an externally-adjustable V2 slipper clutch. Rigged for durability and handling consistency, it both an anodized aluminum chassis and anodized aluminum V2 coil-over shocks. Other vehicle details include a heavy-duty ball differential, four-wheel independent suspension, Jconcept racing tires, and a modular radio tray. You can also opt to outfit it with a higher-capacity 150cc fuel tank if you'd like to race for longer before checking in for maintenance. It ships with a 2.4GHz radio system.

If you want brutal power with an excess of smoke and noise to go along with your short-course class racing fun, the Team Associated SC10GT should offer an attractive option. Expect it at your favorite stores this coming May.

[Team Associated]

SPECIFICATIONS:

Power Source: Nitro
Terrain: Off-Road
Body Style: Truck
Scale Size: 1:10 Scale
Assembly Level: Ready-To-Run*
Length: 550mm (21.65in)
Width: 293mm (11.54in)
Wheelbase: 327mm (12.87in)
Weight: 2300g (5.07 lbs)

I've always found NHRA drag racing to be a rare treat, with cars that run both mind-blowingly fast and ridiculously odd at the same time. If you feel the same way, you can now bring the same unique entertainment to the local tracks with these Traxxas NHRA Funny Car RC replicas.

Rigged to do wheelies and accelerate at furious paces, the 1/8-scale racers will burn through tracks the exact same way as the full-throttle hot rods they've been modeled after. Four licensed tilt-up bodies (yes, they flip upwards) are available -- Courtney Force, Mike Neff, Robert Hight and John Force -- each one cut and decaled to mimic the actual ride.

The Traxxas 1/8 NHRA Funny Car features a realistic "tube-style" chassis, complete with a dummy fuel tank and a driver's roll cage to accurately recreate the original versions. It comes with a wheelie bar built-in, allowing it to transfer weight straight to the rear wheels right out of the starting line.

While it won't get anywhere near real funny cars' ridiculous 8,000-hp engines, the vehicle does pack an ET-3s brushless power system that can push the ride at speeds of over 70 mph. To make the funny car experience even more realistic, Traxxas is also selling a separate DTS-1 Drag Timing System, which lets you set up a realistic drag strip complete with dual-beam staging, speed traps and high-intensity LED lighting displays.

No exact release date is available, but the Traxxas 1/8-Scale NHRA Funny Cars will be priced at $499 when they do hit stores.

[Traxxas]

Looking for a rock crawler that's affordable, easy to control and capable enough to get you on the road (well, off-road) to learning your way around this sport? The just-announced Axial AX10 Ridgecrest should make for a good fit.

The AX10 line has long been Axial's "Swiss Army Knife" of sorts, bringing a little of every aspect of crawling to the table, so this new release is no different. Billed as "one of the most versatile trucks Axial has ever engineered," the vehicle claims to strike a mix of off-road running speed and crawling prowess, making it ideal for novice players getting their head around the game. The body comes pre-printed, with the entire vehicle built right in the factory, so all you have to do is unbox and start playing.

The 1/10 scale 4WD Axial AX10 Ridgecrest features a tube-style chassis design for rugged performance and high-performance shocks to handle all the troubles of the off-road. Power is provided by a 20T motor, which pairs with the vertically-mounted (to help shield it from water and debris) AE-2 ESC (which comes with drag brake for all those difficult crawling situations). Other details of the off-road performer include WB8 Wild Boar splined drive shafts, adjustable battery tray, AR60 OCP axles, four-link suspension,2.2 Ripsaw tires (5.5 inches tall, 2.1 inches wide), and 2.2 Raceline Renegade wheels. It comes with an AX-3 2.4GHz radio system, with the receiver tucked safe inside a waterproof box.

Slated for release by mid-April, the Axial AX10 Ridgecrest will retail for $575.

[AxialRacing]

Specifications:
Length: 18.4 in (467 mm)
Width: 11.6 in (295 mm)
Height: 9.4 in (238 mm)
Wheelbase: 12.1 in (307 mm)
Ground Clearance: 3 in (76.2 mm)
Weight (without battery): 4.2 lb (1.9 k)

Those 1/10-scale monster trucks a little too big for your backyard bashing needs? Not a problem, as they recently released a 1/16-scale version of the Traxxas Grave Digger, complete with a novelty packaging that makes it quite the fun gift to your weekend bashing young'uns.

What makes the packaging so different? Mostly, it's the fact that the truck doesn't come in a box. Instead, it ships crammed inside a matching Grave Digger backpack that just makes you want to take out the car, so you can use the backpack to go to school. Oh wait, school was, like, years ago. But it's that fun.

Just like its 1/10-scale cousin, the 1/16-scale 2WD Traxxas Grave Digger is an officially-licensed Monster Jam reproduction, complete with detailed and colorful graphics. It's got them authentic Monster Jam wheels and tires (with detailed tread design), too, so everything feels like the real gargantuan machine it borrows from.

Packing muscle inside and out, it uses a modified Titan 12T 550 motor, paired with an XL-2.5 ESC, which boasts high current handling, three drive profiles, thermal shutdown connection and very low resistance. Design is built on the track-proven Revo and E-Revo models, borrowing its rocker-actuated inboard suspension technology, which works with the smaller scale without compromising performance, and rear wheel monster truck setup. Other details include waterproof electronics, sealed differential, torque-control slipper clutch and metric hex hardware. It's also fully upgradeable to a 4WD drivetrain, if you so wish.

The Traxxas 1/16-Scale Grave Digger is available now, both online and in stores. Amazon price is $199.99.

[Traxxas]

With the HPI Savage turning 10 this year, it's just fitting for a new special edition to come around. And that's exactly what HPI is doing with their Savage X 4.6 RTR SE.

We guess "special edition" isn't just a clever marketing term here, since they're really doing numbered vehicles (markings on the TVP chassis plates) with only 1,000 examples rolling out. The "special edition" extends to the vehicle, of course, which comes loaded with options and upgrades that will make your friendly neighborhood monster truck fiend blush.

The HPI Savage X 4.6 SE ships fully assembled in its unmistakable 1/8-scale monster truck frame. Sporting a Dodge Charger R/T body, it boasts orange anodized chassis parts, original Savage monster truck tires on black Warlock wheels, a polished aluminum tune pipe, dual fiber disc brakes, a full set of aluminum Big Bore shocks, and a selection of bulletproof drivetrain options. You get a Nitro Star F4.6 big block nitro engine inside, paired with an SB-5 steering servo, an SF-20W throttle/brake servo and a 2.4GHz radio system.

Whether for backyard bashing, performing big-air stunts, or just showing off to friends, this Special Edition HPI Savage X 4.6 should get the job done. It's available now, priced at $699.99.

[HPIRacing]

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 21" (534mm)
Width: 16.8" (427mm)
Height: 10" (254mm)
Wheelbase: 13.24" (336.5mm)
Suspension Travel: 5.9" (152mm)

I have to admit -- I prefer my RCs big, rather than small.  There's just something more exciting about controlling a 1/6-scale nitro-boosted monster hurling down the tracks, compared to smaller racers.  Still, there's something fun about driving a smaller vehicle, especially when it involves jumps, short drifts and a bit of fancy riding.  And those are exactly what the HPI Coyote Desert Buggy aims to deliver.

Measuring a minuscule 1/12th in scale dimensions, the vehicle features a narrow 314mm wheelbase.  Don't let the size fool you, though, as HPI claims this bad boy packs huge performance potential.

The HPI Coyote DB borrows its looks from Baja 1000 racers, making for a realistic desert buggy design that's both rugged and sporty.  Because of the size, it ditches performance aero parts like wings and spoilers, allowing you to drive the thing sideways with a good amount of power.  With its Shaft 4WD system, double-wishbone front suspension, trailing arm and angled upper wishbone suspension, threaded shocks, and Yokohama Geolandar tires, HPI claims it can drive through bumpy terrain at top speeds.

For more realistic appearance, the buggy comes with a pair of scale drivers in the cabin, matte chrome beadlock-style wheels and replica spare tires mounted on the back.  There's no motor included, but the aluminum mount is ready to take a brushless machine as soon as you're up to hitting the ground.

No pricing or release details yet.

[HPI]

Kyosho recently announced a race spec upgrade to one of their most exciting on-road cars.  The new Kyosho Inferno GT2 Race Spec boasts a laundry list of improvements that should make it an attractive option for 1/8-scale racing fans.

Sporting a hardened main chassis coupled with a detailed slick body (choice of either a Corvette 2007 C6-R or an Audi R8 LMS), it makes for a strong and stylish racer that performs as beautifully as it looks.  Also new to this version are composite chassis stiffeners, a better big block engine with polished tuned pipe and header, Metal Gear KS-200 servos, and a 3-piece racing clutch.

The Kyosho Inferno GT2 Race Spec uses the high-power K25, which delivers more torque and higher maximum speeds than the engine on previous GT2 vehicles.  Out of the box, it can do 55 mph; with optional components, it can be tuned to hit maximum speeds of 70+ mph.  For smoother gear changes and minimal shift shock, the car comes fitted with the previously optional shoe-type two-speed transmission.  Kyosho’s latest KT-201 computerized 2.4GHz radio system, which features a blue LCD for quick access to control settings, is included.

Other details of the vehicle include a failsafe function (stops the car safely in the event of radio signal trouble), double-disc ABS braking, a 150cc fuel tank and a shaft drive system.  The entire chassis is boxed pre-assembled, with the bodies fully painted and decaled.  Just add batteries and fuel to start racing.

Slated for availability in March, the Kyosho Inferno GT2 Race Spec will retail for $949.99.

[Kyosho]

SPECS:

• Scale: 1/8th
• Length: 515mm
• Width: 310mm
• Height: 135mm
• Wheelbase: 360mm
• Gear Ration: 1st 10.14:1 2nd 7.90:1
• Weight: 3,650
• Engine: KE25 SG
• Radio: KT-201 2.4GHz

Looking for an off-road truck with aggressive styling and equally capable performance?  You might want to throw some looks over at the RC4WD Trail Finder 2, a truck kit designed for kicking mud on your favorite off-road trails.

Described as "part scale truck, part adventurer," the 1/10 scale 4WD can take on sand, dirt, snow, mud and rocks, allowing you to rugged it up whether in the backyard or at a local trail.  Sporting a billet aluminum ladder-frame chassis, 1.55 stamped steel beadlock wheels, super grip Mud Thrasher tires, rock rails, wide gears, skid plate and tube rock guard bumpers, RC4WD claims the vehicle should deliver a smooth and reliable performance over rugged terrain.

The Trail Finder 2 comes with a Mojave body set, complete with accurate proportions and precise details.  An industry first, it features a dropped bed molded directly into the body, allowing you to remove the bolt-on cab for equipping the vehicle truggy-style.  Windshield wipers, mirrors, marker light details, and door handles are also thrown in as add-on parts.

Sold as a kit, you'll need to use your own motor, radio and electronics, with building time estimated at approximately 3 hours.  The RC4WD Trail Finder 2 will be available mid-February, priced at $399.99.

[RC4WD]

Ford has been a staple of the World Rally Championships since the early 70s, bringing the legendary Escort and two-time winner Focus to the epic adventure race.   The new HPI WR8 3.0 borrows from the team's 2011 Ford Fiesta rally racer, boasting gorgeous scale realism and high-output nitro power.

As you can see from the picture, it's a highly-detailed 1/8-scale replica of the road car used by the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.  All elements of the body, from the shape to the decals, are built on point, making for one true-to-form recreation.

Based on the Bullet 3.0, the HPI WR8 3.0 uses an extended version of the truck's 3mm aluminum chassis, complete with a modified suspension and wheelbase.  It retains the nitro truck's full-time 4WD shaft drivetrain, tough bevel gear differentials and twin disk brakes.  The newly-upgraded Nitro Star G3.0 HO engine delivers the road-burning power.

Designed to perform like a real rally car, the vehicle features adjustable ground clearance, so you can tune regardless of what types of road conditions you're racing on.  Other features include Gravel Spec rally tires similar to those used in WRC competition, extra-durable SF-10W servos, a raised skid plate on the front jumper, a 75cc fuel tank, front and rear sway bars, and rear shock mud guards.

The HPI WR8 3.0 Ford Fiesta Abu Dhabi Castrol WRC Nitro Rally Car is sold ready to run, packaged with a 2.4GHz radio control.  No pricing yet, but it probably shouldn't go too much higher than the Bullet (under $500).

SPECIFICATIONS

• Length: 485mm
• Width: 227mm
• Height: 172mm
• Wheelbase: 300mm
• Drive System: full-time shaft 4WD

[HPI]