Are you looking for the best drag RC cars to add to your collection? RC drag racing is the fastest and most exhilarating type of RC car racing. RC car drag racing is competitive, and drag RC cars are tuned for maximum speed and stability. But how do you pick the right drag car? And how do you know if your car is set up to drag race? This post examines the best RC cars for drag racing and explores which vehicles are the fastest out of the box. Let’s dive in!
Best Drag RC Cars For Beginners
Drag racing RC cars are different from all other types of RC cars. They aren’t designed to jump, drive off-road, or drift. They are designed to drive in a straight line as fast as possible. These RC vehicles have large rear “drag radial” tires and skinny front tires, just like a real drag car. They also have special transmissions that produce a lot of torque. Vehicles like the Traxxas Drag Slash even have unique launch controls to help get off the starting line as quickly as possible.
in regards to the launch technology, Traxxas has this to say about their proprietary trans brake switch: “Think you’re quick on the trigger? This is quicker. Hold the TQi transmitter’s Trans Brake Switch and set the throttle at the starting line – when the flag drops, release the switch for the quickest launch every time.”
https://traxxas.com/products/landing/drag-slash/
The Traxxas Drag Slash is our first vehicle on our list, and we think it’s the best drag RC car if you are new to drag racing. You get a fantastic low center-of-gravity chassis designed by Traxxas, one of the best RC car manufacturers on the market.
The Traxxas Drag Slash comes ready to roll with the licensed Chevrolet C10 body and radio transmitter. All You need to get the truck racing is a battery and charger.
Traxxas Drag Slash Pros
This RC drag car comes with the:
- Low center of gravity chassis
- Waterproof VXL-3s Speed controller
- Velineon 3500kV Brushless Motor
- Brand new magnum 272R transmission
- Traxxas TQI 2.4GHz Radio Transmitter with Traxxas Stability Management (TSM)
Traxxas Drag Slash Cons
- Battery and Charger are Sold Separately
- The truck sits low to the ground and needs a flat surface to drive on
Lost has an amazing 1/10 scale no prep drag truck that is an excellent first rig if you want to start drag racing. This vehicle comes ready to roll and has a powerful brushless motor. All you need to buy to get rolling is a battery and charger.
It is also a two-wheel drive vehicle, which means it will be eligible to compete in all no-prep drag race competitions. Most competitions are for two-wheel drive vehicles only, and this truck will comply with the outlaw stadium two-wheel drive rules.
Losi 1/10 Scale 1968 Ford F100 No Prep Drag Truck Pros
- Spektrum Firma 100 amp ESC
- Spektrum Firma 6500kv Brushless Motor
- Stylish 1968 Ford F100 Body
- Metal Gear High-Performance Transmission
- Highly Adjustable Wheelie Bar
Losi 1/10 Scale 1968 Ford F100 No Prep Drag Truck Cons
- Does not comes with a Battery or Charger
- Drag body is expensive to replace
- 1/10 scale is heavy and requires a large LiPo
The Team Associated 1/10 DR10 Drag Car is an excellent car for beginners. It has a stylish body that sits atop a short-course race truck chassis. I think this car would make a great first-time drag RC car. It isn’t too expensive but has many excellent components. I always suggest drivers buy brushless motors if they can afford it, and this car comes with a 3300kV brushless motor capable of producing plenty of power to the rear wheels. The car has a low center of gravity chassis that helps with stability during high torque starts.
Team Associated 1/10 DR10 Pros
- 2.4GHz transmitter included
- Dynamic Vehicle Control gyro receiver for straight launches
- Adjustable wheelie bar with three height settings and optional larger wheels
- Reedy high-torque servo with metal gears and a spring-style servo saver
- Brushless 3300kV Reedy motor for high speeds
- Low center-of-gravity molded composite chassis with hook-and-loop battery straps that accommodate both NiMH and 2/3S LiPo battery packs
Team Associated 1/10 DR10 Cons
- A battery charger is not concluded in the package
- The battery is also not included in the box
- Optional gearing required for higher top speeds
RC Drag Racing Start Light
When you want to drag race one of your friends, you have to start the race somehow. You can count down from five, have another person signal with a flashlight, or have a rolling start and go when you hit the start line.
Our recommendation for starting the race is the Traxxas start light. This simple device will signal the race to start at random times. The timing is random (somewhere in-between one and six seconds), so no driver can anticipate the start light and have an unfair advantage.
The Traxxas start light is an affordable piece of RC drag racing equipment that will help make races fair and fun. You could find this start light on Amazon for under 50 dollars when this article was written. However, prices could vary.
Best Drag RC Car FAQs
How do RC drag racing cars work?
The best RC drag cars are powered by brushless electric motors and run on LiPo batteries. They are built with a lightweight, low center of gravity chassis and are designed after short course race trucks. The cars are controlled using a handheld transmitter, which allows the driver to accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle. Many RC drag cars also have a launch control button to help power the vehicle off the starting line as fast as possible.
Do RC Drag Cars Need Wheelie Bars?
Yes, RC drag cars need wheelie bars to keep the front steering wheels on the pavement. These vehicles have large rear drag radials that provide excellent traction. Powerful motors and pavement-gripping tires will cause the front end of the vehicle to rise up. The wheelie bar will keep the car from flipping over when coming off the starting line.
Are Four-wheel drive or Two-wheel drive RC drag cars better?
Most no prep drag leagues run two-wheel drive models. However, there are race classes that allow four-wheel drive drag RC cars. There are even race classes that allow any vehicle to race. If you are looking to buy your first drag RC car, I would look at a two-wheel drive model because they are the most popular type of car in the sport.
Best RC Cars For Drag Racing Conclusion
Whether you have been driving RC cars for years or just starting out, RC drag racing should be on your radar. It is a fun way to drive your RC cars, and you can form new friendships in your community. Many clubs and events in the United States cater to RC drag racing. I suggest grabbing one of the vehicles on our list, finding your local RC drag racing group, and racing a few runs on the drag strip. Happy racing!
