RC drift cars are specialized radio-controlled vehicles designed for performing controlled drifts, where the car intentionally slides through turns while maintaining control. Several of these cars are based on popular drift car designs from actual racing, and they replicate the performance of full-scale competition cars.
RC drift cars are available in 4WD for beginners or RWD for more advanced drivers for a more challenging, realistic drift experience. They can be found in Ready-to-Run (RTR) form, fully assembled, or as kits also.
Key Features for Drift RC Cars
- Drift-Specific Tires: Rubber tires are sometimes utilized; however hard plastic tires are typically used to reduce traction.
- Chassis Types: Shaft-drive is appropriate for outdoor surfaces and mixed terrain, while belt-drive is suited for indoor drift tracks.
- 4WD vs. RWD: 4WD used for stability and RWD for realistic and challenging drifts.
- Brushed Motors: Cheaper but less powerful and less durable.
- Brushless Motor: Powerful and efficient for high-performance drifting.
- Adjustable Suspension: For precise control, stiffer springs and shocks are used, which helps the car maintain balance when drifting.
- Gyroscope System: Provides smoother control by stabilizing the steering during drifts.
- Low Center of Gravity: Ensures stability and enhanced handling.
- Adjustable Weight: Optimizes car handling and stability.
- Tuning & Upgrades: RC drift cars allow tuning & upgrades to enhance its speed and performance
Top 10 RC drift cars Brands & Models
1. Yokomo YD-2 SXIII
- Type: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Drift Car
- Overview: A professional-grade, high-performance drift car. Its lightweight yet powerful design is achieved by the combination of aluminum components and a carbon fiber chassis.
2. MST RMX 2.5 RTR
- Type: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Drift Car
- Overview: A popular RTR (Ready-to-Run) drift car with an RWD layout designed for a realistic drifting experience.
3. HPI Racing E10 Drift
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Drift Car
- Overview: An cost-effective, beginner-friendly RTR drift car. It is simple to drive and drift because to its 4WD system.
4. Sakura D4 AWD/RWD
- Type: Available in both All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Overview: Available in both AWD and RWD versions, this drift car kit is adaptable and adjustable. For individuals who enjoy building and fine-tuning their drift vehicles from scratch, the Sakura D4 is a popular option.
5. Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Car
- Overview: Although the Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 is intended mainly for on-road racing, drifting can be achieved with minor modifications to the suspension and tires.
6. Tamiya TT-02D Drift Spec
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Drift Car
- Overview: The TT-02D is a low-cost 4WD chassis with limited drifting ability, however it has excellent parts support and is simple to customize.
7. Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Drift
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Drift Car
- Overview: An affordable RTR drift car known for its simplicity, providing decent performance for casual drifting.
8. Kyosho Fazer VE-X
- Type: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Drift Car
- Overview: A durable, smooth-handling drift car that’s RTR and designed for a variety of surfaces.
9. Exceed RC MadSpeed Drift King
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Drift Car
- Overview: For those looking for an easy-to-use drift car, it is ideal for beginners. It gives adequate performance for casual drifting sessions right out of the box.
10. Team Associated Apex Drift
- Type: Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Drift Car
- Overview: The Apex Drift is well-known for its performance and quality. It comes with tunable features like adjustable suspension, allowing for some level of customization.
These remote-controlled drift vehicles range from RTR versions that are ideal for beginners to advanced kits that can be adjusted to fit various skill levels and preferences.
Here is a table comparing the key aspects of the RC drift car models. This table can help you decide based on your skill level, budget, and specific needs.
| RC Drift Car Model | Drive Type | Ready-to- Run (RTR) or Kit | Skill Level | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokomo YD-2 SXIII | RWD | Kit | Advanced | Carbon fiber chassis, highly tunable, precision handling | High ($300+) |
| MST RMX 2.5 RTR | RWD | RTR | Intermediate | Gyro-assisted, easy to handle, highly customizable | Mid-High ($250-$300) |
| HPI Racing E10 Drift | 4WD | RTR | Beginner | Affordable and durable | Low-Mid ($150-$200) |
| Sakura D4 AWD/RWD | AWD/RW D | Kit | Intermediate- Advanced | Versatile, highly customizable | Low-Mid ($150-$200) |
| Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 | 4WD (Tunable for Drift) | RTR | Intermediate | Fast, durable, multi- purpose, can be tuned for drifting | Mid-High ($250-$300) |
| Tamiya TT-02D Drift Spec | 4WD | Kit | Beginner | Entry-level, affordable, widely supported for parts and upgrades | Low-Mid ($150-$200) |
| Redcat Racing Lightning EPX | 4WD | RTR | Beginner | Budget-friendly, simple setup, good for casual | Low ($100- $150) |
| Kyosho Fazer VE-X | AWD | RTR | Intermediate | Smooth handling, durable, suitable for various surfaces | Mid-High ($250-$300) |
| Exceed RC MadSpeed Drift King | 4WD | RTR | Beginner | Affordable, good entry- level choice, limited customization | Low ($100- $150) |
| Team Associated Apex Drift | 4WD | RTR | Beginner- Intermediate | Reliable, durable, with some tunable features | Low-Mid ($150-$200) |
Frequency Ask Questions About RC Drift Cars
Q1. What is the difference between a regular RC car and an RC drift car?
Regular RC cars rely on grip and speed for normal driving, but RC drift cars are made for controlled sliding with hard tires and customized tuning.
Q 2. Which is better for drifting: AWD (All-Wheel Drive) or RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)?
RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) offers a more realistic and challenging drifting experience, while AWD (All-Wheel Drive) provides easier control and stability, making it better for beginners.
Q 3. Which one is the best beginner RC drift car?
The HPI Racing E10 Drift is one of the best beginner RC drift cars.
Q 4. Can I convert a regular RC car into a drift car?
It is possible to convert a regular remote-control car into a drift car by adding hard plastic tires and modifying the suspension and motor to improve handling.
Q 5. How fast can RC drift cars go?
RC drift cars typically reach speeds of 15 to 30 mph.
Q 6. Are brushless motors better for RC drift cars?
Yes, brushless motors are better for RC drift cars due to their superior power, efficiency, and longer lifespan compared to brushed motors.
Q 7. What kind of surface is best for RC drifting?
The ideal surfaces for RC drifting are smooth ones like gym floors, polished concrete, and pavement.
