The world of the radio controlled car, or RC car, can be an exciting one indeed, and it seems more people than ever are enjoying the power, speed and excitement that only radio controlled cars and trucks can provide. Many of us of course may remember those radio controlled cars and trucks we played with as children, and we may have fond memories of running those vehicles through the house, perhaps chasing the family dog, or the kid sister. When it comes to hobby quality radio controlled cars, however, things are quite a bit different.

For one thing, hobby quality radio controlled cars and trucks are quite a bit faster than those toys you may remember from childhood. Many electric powered radio controlled cars can reach speeds of 40 mph or more, while some of the best nitro powered RC cars boast top speeds of 70 mph or more right out of the box.

With speeds like this it is easy to understand why RC car and truck racing has become such a wildly popular sport. For many enthusiasts, racing RC cars provides all the fun and excitement of racing full size cars, without the significant risk and expense of the more dangerous sport.

Many RC car enthusiasts also love the fact that radio control cars and trucks are nearly infinitely customizable and upgradeable. Many manufacturers feature parts which are easily swapped out between models, making it easy to upgrade the engine, the transmission, the suspension and other important parts very quickly. Radio controlled cars and trucks come in two basic varieties ? electric powered and nitro powered. The electric models are powered by an electric motor, while the faster and more powerful nitro powered models feature internal combustion engines which are designed to run on specially formulated fuel. It is these nitro powered monsters that are able to achieve those blazing fast speeds.

Most radio controlled car and truck enthusiasts recommend that those just getting started in the hobby begin by purchasing a well made ready to run car or truck. You may also see the term ARTR from time to time. When purchasing a radio controlled vehicle listed as ARTR it is important to determine what parts you need to get the vehicle on the road.

The benefits to the beginner of purchasing an RTR radio control vehicle are many, and those new to the hobby should definitely consider this option strongly. For one thing, a ready to run vehicle provides all the benefits of a hobby quality radio controlled car or truck, including the speed, maneuverability, realistic look and upgradeability, without the need to build the car or truck from the ground up.

After you have gained a bit of experience in the hobby, however, you may want to give building your own radio controlled vehicle a whirl. For many in the hobby, building their own vehicles is the best part of the hobby, and it can certainly provide a great deal of satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment. Building and racing your own radio controlled vehicle is one of the best parts of this great hobby.