Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / December 2006

Hobby or Toy Grade, I haven't really noticed the difference between the two
when it comes to the actual drifting function.  Yokomo, HPI and Tamiya are
some of the more popular brands of hobby grade drift cars on the market.
Tyco also make the Drift King that looks more like a scale toy but when it
comes down to the handling department there isn't much I can pick between
the hobby and toy grade cars other than the toy grade cars don't have the
same top speed.

Actually my brother in the US has a couple of the Tyco Drift Kings and while
visiting him in Oct we had the most fun playing with these in his basement
and his driveway.  The only problem with the Tyco Drift car is if something
breaks you virtually have to throw it in the bin.  This is not the case with
the Yokomo, HPI or Tamiya Drift cars.  Parts can be had from almost any
hobby shop or online.

The down side to having a Hobby grade car is finding a battery charger that
is child friendly.  Again while in the US I bought my nephew a Traxxas
Stampede but the battery charger was his main problem because we got him two
different types of batteries.  He's 13 too and did what I told him to do
(Read the manual TWICE, the second time I made him read it to me, just to be
sure he read it) and now does a better job of charging the batteries than
his father.

Oh and I'm the worlds greatest uncle too :-)

The HPI Micro RS4 RTR with D-Box might be one of the best choices as its a
bit smaller making it easier to transport and also has the magical D-Box
which is a stability control that can make the best drift driver out of
anyone.

http://www.hpiracing.com/products/en/636.html

http://www.yokomousa.com/kits/index.html

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=58349

http://www.tycorc.com/us/product.asp?category_type_id=18&id=11822&category_i
d=7815

About the only deciding factor with getting your nephew a RC car is price,
for me it started out with a max spending of $200 and blew out to $325 after
I bought all the accessories.  The Yokomo is the most expensive of the lot
listed here and the Tyco the cheapest.

I have driven all of them expect for the HPI.  The Tyco Drift King was so
simple and easy to get up and going.  Both my brother and I were almost
embarrassed to be having so much fun with the cheapest toys he owns and he
has a lot of toys.

The only other thing I can suggest is taking your nephew to a hobby shop
with you one day before Xmas and see what he takes a liking to the most.
This could be the difference between being the worlds greatest uncle or the
worlds cheapest.

Sorry to be so long winded but I like to be thorough.

Cheers