Everybody loves short course racers and we can't blame them. Those trucks are awesome. Guaranteed to find a spot on my current wish list is this officially-licensed Tuff Country Losi XXX-SCT.
Modeled after Aaron Daughtery's vehicle in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, it comes with a beautifully detailed body that makes it a veritable miniature clone of the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports team's Tuff Country ride. Paired with Losi's hugely successful XXX-SCT platform, this makes for one desirable racer to hit your favorite dirt tracks with.
The Losi RTR XXX-SCT Tuff Country is a 1/10-scale vehicle that, literally, comes with everything you need to drive it out of the box (even batteries are thrown in). It's powered by a Dynamite Tazer 3300Kv four-pole brushless motor (which Losi bills as being "exceedingly fast"), paired with a waterproof Dynamite Tazer 45 Amp Fuze ESC and a 313WP high-torque servo. Details include a ROAR-legal composite chassis, a three-gear rear transmission, aluminum shocks, adjustable twin disk slipper clutch, high-torque steering servo, off-road beadlock-style wheels with yellow beadlock rims, short course truck bumpers with mud flaps, and adjustable turnbuckles. It comes with a Spektrum DX2L radio system, which features extended range and a throttle-limiting switch.
MSRP for the Losi RTR XXX-SCT Tuff Country is set at $329.99.
[Horizon Hobby]
Specifications
Length: 550mm (19.69 in)
Width: 290mm (11.42 in)
Wheelbase: 336mm (13.23 in)
Height: 190mm (7.48 in)
Weight: 2.04 kg (4.7 lb)
Body: Custom licensed Tuff Country replica livery
Ball Bearings: Complete
Battery: Dynamite Speedpack Silver 3000mAh 7.4V 2S LiPo included
Charger: Dynamite 10W LiPo AC Balance Charger included
by sunny on December 20, 2012
While it's always hard to pick one vehicle as the best in a category, the Traxxas Nitro Slash 2WD SC Truck will probably figure prominently in any such discussion. And it's no surprise with the ride's mix of heavyweight horsepower, lightweight chassis and performance parts.
Topping the features list is the award-winning TRX 3.3 engine, which propels the 1/10-scale racer into a whopping 50+ mph out of the box. That's right -- zero modifications. Paired with a 1500cc fuel tank, it can make for a whole lot of fun driving. Engine features include a precision composite slide carburetor, PowerTune™ cooling head, dyno-proven IPS crankshaft, multi-port rear exhaust, and the starting convenience of the exclusive Traxxas EZ-Start®system.
Built for performance, the Traxxas Nitro Slash 2WD SC Truck comes with adjustable slipper clutch, disc brake, race-inspired suspension geometry, and S1 compound tires. It's also equipped extra tough, with a 6061-T6 aluminum chassis, full rubber-sealed ball bearings, and steel-composite planetary gear differential with hardened steel gears. Other features include a large diameter disc brake, a tuned pipe exhaust system, hex hardware, SCT chrome-center wheels and BFGoodrich MudTerrain tires.
Shipped as a complete package, it comes with a detailed setup topped with an officially licensed race replica body. Available for this release are the Mark Jenkins Edition (#25 Traxxas), the Chad Hord Edition (#9 BOSS Snowplow), the Robby Gordon Edition (#7 Speed Energy) and the Rob MacCacharen Edition (#21 MOPAR).
Want one? The Traxxas Nitro Slash 2WD SC Truck will hit stores in January, priced at $399.99.
[Traxxas]
Specifications
Length:22.24 Inches (565mm)
Front Track:11.65 Inches (296mm)
Rear Track:11.65 Inches (296mm)
Weight (no fuel):7.78lbs (3.53kg)
Height (overall):7.40 Inches (188mm)
Wheelbase:13.07 Inches (332mm)
Front Shock Length:Long Ultra Shock
Rear Shock Length:XXLong Ultra Shock
Front Tires:BFGoodrich®2.2" (Pre-Glued with Inserts)
Rear Tires:BFGoodrich® 2.2" (Pre-Glued with Inserts)
Front Wheels:2.2" Short Course Race Replica
Rear Wheels: 2.2" Short Course Race Replica
Gear Ratio:2.81
Transmission:Nitro Magnum 281
Differential Type:Steel Composite Planetary
Chassis Structure/Material:2.5mm, 6061-T6 Blue-Anodized Aluminum
Brake Type:Steel Disc with semi-metallic pads
Drive System:Shaft-Driven 2WD
Steering:Bellcrank with integrated servo saver
Radio System:TQ 2.4GHz (2-Channel)
Engine (fuel-powered):TRX® 3.3 Racing Engine with EZ-Start®
Fuel Tank Capacity:150cc
Top Speed:50+mph
by sunny on June 10, 2011
While 1/10-scale short course trucks are all the rage now, their smaller counterparts are gaining traction among fans, too. And this Helion Animus 18SC offers some of the best balance in features and value.
A 1/18-scale short course racer, the 4WD truck comes in RTR form, packing a short course-style body with light bars, stepped bead wheels and tires, and short course-style bumpers in the front and rear. It comes with crystal-less 2.4 GHz radio tech, allowing you to race side by side with your friends without any problems.
The Helion Animus 18SC houses a 370-size 4,200 rpm brushed motor (with 11T pinion gear), allowing it to hit the dirt at speeds of over 20 mph. Helping the motor are a 1,100 mAh battery pack, along with the compact ERS (which integrates the ESC, servo and receiver in one small unit). Other vehicle details include four wheel independent suspension, planetary gear differentials, dual bell crank steering, adjustable coilover shocks and composite chassis.
Designed for novice drivers, the Helion Animus 18SC should be a great starter vehicle for anyone interested in this size of short course race trucks. And that's before you even consider the dirt cheap $100 price. You can get them exclusively from HobbyTown USA.
[Helion]
by sunny on April 18, 2011
Everybody loves a good short-course racer these days. We're not sure how the Redcat Racing Calder SC 10E fares against the leaders in the class, but it sure looks like it can hold its own.
Designed for desert terrain and short course tracks, the beastly 4WD appears ready to bash in the sand with its burly frame and aggressive looks. The paint job and decals adorning the 410 x 320 x 165-mm. frame look very fitting for its rugged purpose, making for a ride you can fall in love with right out of the box.
The Redcat Racing Caldera SC 10E packs a brushless 3750KV RC-540 motor, paired with a brushless ESC (2s LIPO Ready) and a 7.2-volt 3800Mah NiMh battery pack. It's got big bore shocks and a Redcat DSM-2C 2.4GHz radio system in tow.
Redcat calls the 1/10 short course vehicle a balance of speed and power. While I'd rather wait to try one to buy into that, you can check the videos below to see it in action. Looks mighty warranted to me. We're not sure about the vehicle's exact availability, but price is $239.99.
Promo video
Closer look video
Simple bashing video
Specifications
Motor Type: Electric Brushless 3750KV RC-540
Transmission: Forward and Reverse
Drive System: 4 Wheel Drive
Length: 410mm
Width: 320mm
Height: 165mm
Wheelbase: 305mm
Ground Clearance: 25mm
by sunny on March 3, 2011
Robitronic has steered clear of short course trucks for as long as they could. The relatively new platform is apparently too hard to resist and they're finally jumping in the fray with the Robitronic Smasher.
A 1/10-scale electric vehicle, the short course racer comes ready to run right out of the package. The plastic body has a pretty straightforward design, but we do love the lines, as well as the graphics and paint job it comes with.
The Robitronic Smasher is a 2WD truck, powered by a brushed 20-turn 540-sized motor matched to the company's Speedstar 2 ESC. Chassis takes a cue from other short course racers, affording the vehicle plenty of ground clearance and heavy-duty performance during jumps, with extra long A-arms and oil-filled shocks supporting it over difficult terrains.
Other details include a sturdy gear differential (Robitronic claims it will make for plenty of maintenance-free action), sliding universal joints (for friction-free power transfer) and an adjustable slipper clutch (for easier driving). It's got a nice set of chrome wheels you can dirty up in the tracks, too, adding extra points to the vehicle's appearance.
No pricing or dates for the Robitronic Smasher are listed on the press release, but you can check out the company's website for details.
Specifications
Height: 205mm
Wheelbase: 330mm
Width: 294mm
Length: 538mm
[Robitronic]
by sunny on December 29, 2010
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)
by sunny on July 29, 2010
Venom recently introduced a new entry to the increasingly popular short course racing class of RC trucks. Called the Venom Gambler, the 2WD vehicle brings the sporty LOORRS (Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series) racing trucks into the hands of short course RC fans.
According to the company, the vehicle was devised from the ground up, incorporating all the latest innovations in truck design into its 1/10-scale frame. Most notable of the features is the MORdrive system, which lets you adjust the truck's center of gravity by changing the rear transmission's position from mid-motor to rear-motor on the fly. Yep, just like having two chassis in a single ride.
The Venom Gambler is powered by a high-performance 3300 Kv brushless motor, with a fully-programmable 80amp waterproof ESC and a VR3S 3-channel 2.4ghz radio. Chassis accommodates a variety of battery packs (6, 7, and 8 cell NiMH and 2 to 3 cell LiPO), boasts a water-resistant radio compartment and conceals all sensitive wires to keep them protected.
Aggressive body is reinforced with rugged bumpers, mud flaps and side nerf bars for short course racing durability. The Beadlox wheels and tires use a three-piece system that feature elliptical tire beads for improved performance.
Available in late September, the Venom Gambler comes in four colors (black, white, red or blue), priced at $289.99.
Specifications
Length: 21.73" (552mm)
Roof Height: 7.89" (200.5mm)
Width: 11.65" (298mm)
Wheelbase: 13.01" (330.5mm)
Ground Clearance: 1.51" (38.5mm)
Motor: V540 3300kv Brushless Motor
ESC: 80amp Waterproof Brushless ESC
Radio: VR3S 2.4Ghz 3-Channel Radio
[Venom]
by sunny on April 14, 2010
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.
