The first RC buggy racing was done in the 1960′s when the radio control system had is debut. The only difference between a normal car and a RC vehicle is its size. The mechanisms used to run the buggy is the same with cars. RC buggies can run high-speed and is very accurate. The technology used in the radio control system and the structure of the RC buggy made them more durable, faster and simpler to manipulate.
In the 1940’s, the first small nitro methane engines were made available in the market. The first RC model was released in the mid 60’s by Elettronica Giocattoli, a French company. It was released in the market by December, the same year that the first model was made known. In the 70’s, K&B Veco McCoy was the most popular engine model being used. As time passed, researchers experimented with different kinds of engines, larger fuel tanks, heat sinks and suspensions.
US companies started manufacturing RC models in the 70’s. They used 1/8 nitro powered kits with bodies built of polycarbonate. In 1974, Jerobee, a US company, created the first 1/12 nitro Cox engine car. Many companies manufactured parts for the car. Eventually, Jerobee changed its name to Jomac and began producing electric models of the car.
1976 was the golden age in the history RC models when Tamiya, a well known company in Japan, started manufacturing RC cars. Tamiya was known for producing highly detailed kit models but with mechanically simple electric on-road car designs. Despite the expensiveness of the RC models they sold, their kits were best-selling. Eventually, Tamiya started producing the first off-road buggies, utilizing real suspension systems. They made a new discovery, that RC models can’t only be driven on smooth floors but on rough terrains as well. The first off-road buggies they produced were the Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider, both inspired by real buggy designs. Today, their models are highly expensive collector’s items.
A UK company, Schumacher Racing, was the first to build the adjustable ball differential technology in the 80’s. This opened infinite tuning possibilities for model owners now that they can adjust the tuning depending on the terrain they’ll race at. After wards, on-road cars had a solid axle. Schumacher Racing’s contribution to the RC technology made transferring to an off-road buggy from an neat on-road easier. In’86, The Competition All Terrain (CAT) vehicle by Schumacher Racing was released and became champion in the international RC racing the following year. The CAT vehicle was believed to be the best off-road buggy at that point in time.
The RC buggies’ first all-natural rubber tires were invented by Team Losi. They were also responsible for the invention of the 1/18 scale mini-T off-road electrics technology. They became famous because of their creation of the first American four-wheel-drive buggy. That time, the companies Traxxas(US) and Kyosho(Japan) were famous for their two-wheel drive buggies. Schumacher models were the most dominant in Europe.
