| The dawn of RC car racing began in the 1960's when | | | | 1976 is a great year for the RC models' history. |
| the first radio control system was available. The | | | | Tamiya, a renowned company from Japan, entered |
| difference between a normal vehicle as we know it | | | | the world of radio-controlled cars. Until '76, Tamiya |
| and a model RC vehicle is its size. These small "road | | | | was notorious for their highly detailed miniature car |
| runners" can be very fast and very precise. The | | | | models. Although they entered the market with very |
| innovations in the radio control system and in the | | | | high prices, their kits were sold in no time. In '79, the |
| model's architecture, made them stronger, faster and | | | | same company released their first real off-road |
| easier to control. | | | | buggies, the Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider. This |
| Small nitro methane engines were available from the | | | | was the beginning of a great company. Their early |
| 40's. In the mid '66 El-Gi, (Elettronica Giocattoli) from | | | | models are today collector's items, reaching the value |
| Italy, released the first fully RC model. The car was | | | | of $3000. |
| available in shops in UK by December, the same year. | | | | Because of this popularity, Tamiya re-released some |
| By the beginning of the 70's a British company, called | | | | of the early models in 2005. As expected, the |
| Mardave, began manufacturing RC models. They sold | | | | products sold fast. |
| commercial models all over the UK. | | | | It would be a shame not to mention another great |
| In the early 70's several US companies began | | | | company. In 1980, Schumacher Racing UK was the |
| producing models. Their products were at first 1/8 | | | | first company to release the ball differential |
| nitro powered kits. Their body was made of | | | | technology. This allowed model owners to adapt their |
| polycarbonate | | | | racers to various terrain conditions very easily. Until |
| The most popular model engine of those times was | | | | then, on-roads had a solid axle. Thanks to the |
| the K&B Veco McCoy. With the passage of time, | | | | technology introduced by Schumacher Racing, |
| producers took time to experiment with different | | | | switching from an elegant on-road to a rough |
| types of heat sinks, engines, suspension types and | | | | off-road has never been easier. This very same |
| larger fuel tanks. | | | | company was the one to release CAT (Competition |
| US company Jerobee created in '74 the 1/12 nitro | | | | All Terrain) in 1986. In 1987 the model won the |
| Cox engine car. Several other companies created | | | | international RC championship, being considered one |
| parts for it. Afterwards, Jerobee became Jomac and | | | | of the best off-road buggies of that time. |
| started manufacturing electric models. | | | | |