Cheap stadium trucks may not offer the best performance (nor availability of parts), but find the right one and it can make for plenty of weekend fun. While we doubt the Electrix RC Circuit will be the "right one" for most people, the sales page does offer enough enticements to probably make some folks take a closer look.
A ready-to-run off-road stadium truck, it comes painted and decaled right out of the box, leaving you with nothing to do but to get on a track and drive it. It uses standard components and mounts too, allowing for a decent range of hop-up possibilities, in case the default rig (hey, it's cheap) doesn't sit well enough for your standards.
The Electrix RC Circuit is a 1/10th-scale, 2WD vehicle that boasts "hard to abuse" qualities, being built from durable nylon composite material and, hopefully, halfway decent parts. It comes with a Dynamite 20-turn motor and a novice-friendly snap-lock battery system (clipless) for even simpler set-up.
Let's be honest. If you're anywhere past a beginner, you're probably better off looking past this. With those seeking out a stadium truck starter or an upgradeable machine to play with, however, this could actually work out well. Provided you cross your fingers and pray the "durable" part is at least a minute over half-baked, of course.
You can get the Electrix RC Circuit in either red or gray colors for $119.99 starting in August.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 16.9 in (430mm)
Width: 12.9 in (328mm)
Wheelbase: 11.6 in (295mm)
Weight: 3.44 lb (1560 g)
Chassis: Molded composite
Suspension: 4-wheel independent long-travel
Drivetrain: 2WD with gear differential and slipper clutch
Tire Type: Front: Directional Rib Rear: Spike
Motor or Engine: Dynamite 20T
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by sunny on March 18, 2010
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.
by sunny on February 22, 2010
Loved the price-to-performance ratio of the Phoenix ST? Meet its new iteration, which claims to raise "the benchmark of truck performance to a new level," the Thunder Tiger Phoenix ST II. Kinda hard to believe the "benchmark" part, knowing the company's penchant for pricing at the bargain basement level, though.
Available with a pre-mounted and pre-printed body, it comes in six different color schemes, so you'll have a good number of shells to choose from. Body appears to be glaringly plastic up close, so durability might be suspect. Regardless, it's a good-looking 1/10th scale stadium truck - from a safe distance.
The Phoenix ST II uses a molded composite chassis that the company bills as "high-tech." From what I've seen of the old ST, it did manage to demonstrate ample rigidity and strength, so you should expect the same here. It's supposed to weigh lighter than the chassis of most average race-level trucks of this size too. Battery placement is adjustable, allowing for a better center of gravity during drives.
Power is funneled by a factory-installed Super Sports 17T motor, which should deliver both a nice push and acceleration. It comes with an optimized front geometry for improved steering and better rigidity. Adjustable parts include the camber, squat, wheelbase, shock position, slipper clutch and servo saver assembly. Basically, a whole slew of tuning is allowed, despite the fact that it comes as a ready-to-run package. Other features include a 2.4:1 transmission ratio, quadra-symmetric suspension and an included ACE R/C Jaguar 2CH radio system.
If you're familiar with the ST, you know its selling point: capable performance at a dirt cheap price. Same should go for the Thunder Tiger Phoenix ST II, which is available (from some retailers) for as low as $99.95.
Specifications:
- Wheelbase(mm / in.): 10.98" (279 mm)
- Weight(g/ lbs.): 3.00 Lbs. (1361 g)
- Length(mm / in.) : 15.63" (397 mm)
- Width(mm / in.) : 12.32" (313 mm)
- Height(mm / in.): 6.10" (155 mm)
- Ground Clearance(mm / in.): 1.89" (48 mm)
by sunny on February 1, 2010
No-maintenance brushless motors have revolutionized the hobby of RC racing in some ways. HPI's popular stadium trucks first caught on to this brushless trend with the release of the E-Firestorm 10T Flux, a 1/10th scale 2WD that's fully geared for fast-paced, competitive action.
Aggressively styled, the vehicle sports a pre-cut lightweight DSX-2 body shell that comes painted and decked in custom graphics. Meant to hang with the fastest stadium racers, all parts are factory-assembled with the authentic-looking ground assault tires glued to the wheels.
The E-Firestorm Flux promises high-quality performance, boasting a vehicle built on top of a durable framework that's meant to absorb heavy wear and tear. Take off the shell and you'll find a tough composite chassis with components strategically placed to provide balanced weight distribution.
Sporting a Flux Warp 5700kv motor and Flux Motiv ESC, the vehicle's brushless system is tuned to deliver both speed and power in heaps. Many races over the past year have proven its mettle, showing off blistering bursts that sees it reach top speeds of up to 60mph in quick fashion.
On the downside, the E-Firestorm has been known to suffer from occasional cogging (very rare, though) of the sensorless ESC during acceleration, which sees the truck's responsiveness take a temporary hit. The smooth start does allow you to go from 0 to max rather quickly, which completely makes up for the hitch. Braking is also handled fairly well, allowing for great transitions between runs and stops. With a soft suspension, cohesive drive train and excellent electronics, it delivers where it matters - action-packed performance.
The HPI E-Firestorm 10T Flux is a great balance of speed and handling, making it a perfect stadium truck to dive in the thick of the action with right out of the box.
by sunny on January 20, 2010
Brutal. That's the word many people use to describe the Traxxas Jato 3.3. Combining the power of the Traxxas Jato stadium truck with a TRX 3.3 Racing Engine, it delivers neckbreaking speeds both on the tracks and off the beaten paths.
Clad in a pre-cut, lightweight body shell, complete with engaging graphics, the car looks as sleek as any high-performance full-scale racer. And it doesn't disappoint. With the help of the souped-up, pre-installed engine and the patented Traxxas EZ-Start system (which will also diagnose issues that arise with your starting functions), the Jato 3.3 can go from 0 to 60 in just 4.2 seconds. Yep, just like your favorite supercars. Speed, however, tops out at 65 mph (read: absolutely not a supercar - just a really fast scale model).
With zero-bump steer-suspension suspension, two-speed torque, GTR shocks and threaded Anaconda performance tires (which should prove extra sticky), this stadium truck boasts an enviable ability to perform under any road conditions. Forget the racetrack roots - it's an all-roader for speed freaks.
It comes with an integrated wheelie bar (coupled with the dependable handling), so you can go wild showing off tricks and stunts to your heart's content. It's built on a strength-tested, extra-durable chassis, so you're guaranteed a stable ride, no matter how challenging.
The Traxxas Jato 3.3 comes with a TQ radio system, ensuring full control and interference-free operation of your machine. It's mostly low-maintenance, but will require 20% Nitro fuel, eight double A batteries and a 7.2v battery for the EZ Start system. Do note that it's recommended primarily for experienced racers.
Specifications:
Length: 16.53 Inches (420mm)
Front Track: 12.87 Inches (327mm)
Rear Track : 13.00 Inches (330mm)
Weight (no fuel) : 83.03oz (5.19lb) (w/4AA in rear + wheelie bar)
Height (overall) : 5.70 Inches (145mm)
Wheelbase: 11.22" Long (285mm) 11.14" Short (283mm)
Wheel Diameter : 2.85 Inches (72.4mm)
Tire Diameter : 4.13 Inches (105mm)
Steering: Bellcrank w/ Integrated Servo Saver
Transmission : Auto Two-Speed
Differential Type: Hardened-Steel Bevel Gear, Sealed
Drive System : Shaft-Driven 2WD
