RC Club Buying Guide – Outdoor Classes
Welcome to our RC Club Buying Guide! This is designed to help newcomers and returning racers get started in our outdoor classes. Each section covers radio gear, chassis, motors, ESC, servo, tyres, bodyshells, wings, additives, spares, and batteries.
✅ Tip for newcomers: Start simple. You don’t need the newest or most expensive parts to have fun or be competitive. Focus on reliable parts, safe batteries, and learning the track.
RADIO GEAR
Before anything else, your radio gear is the most important part of your setup. A reliable transmitter, receiver, and antenna setup keeps your car predictable and safe on track.
- Transmitter type – There are stick-style and wheel-style transmitters.
- Stick transmitters are common for Formula, Touring, and many indoor classes.
- Wheel transmitters are often used for Touring and 1/10th scale RC cars.
- Tip: Try both styles with someone else’s gear before buying to see which feels natural in your hands.
- Receiver – Make sure it’s compatible with your transmitter. Binding and fail-safe features are key.
- Servo compatibility – Ensure your transmitter can handle the servo type you choose.
- Battery for radio – Keep a fresh, fully charged pack in your transmitter.
✅ Tip: Radio problems are the quickest way to ruin a day, so invest in something reliable rather than just cheap.
Pit table bits and bobs
Aside from the car and the radio gear – You’ll also need to use a suitable LIPO/Nimh charger. These can be bought from £15.00 upwards, and the best ones will feature a whole host of discharge, cycle and other addons. You will need charge leads, and you should always use balance charging on Lipos. An absolute must is a Fireproof LIPO sack!
Tools – Depending on which class you are running! Most Tamiya cars are very user friendly with Posi-drive screwdrivers being the norm. Other classes will feature Allen key bolts, ranging from 1.5mm to 3mm. Again, you can pick up toolsets very cheaply on Amazon and the like.
Pit Area – You’ll need to bring your own for the outside track. An umbrella or Gazebo is also useful to keep the weather off.
2WD Buggy
2WD Buggies are quick, responsive, and ideal for our outdoor astro turf track. They reward smooth driving and throttle control but are easy to maintain and great fun for all abilities.
Chassis
Any 1/10 scale 2WD off-road buggy. Popular models include Schumacher LD3, Team Associated B7, TLR 22 5.0, and Xray XB2.
Motors
Motors are open, though most racers use 10.5T brushless for a good balance of power and control on our layout.
ESC
Open rules — boost and turbo are allowed, so feel free to fine-tune your ESC for throttle response and drive feel.
Batteries
2S hardcase LiPos are standard. Shorty packs are often preferred for balance and flexibility in weight placement.
Tyres
Astro turf demands specific tyres. Schumacher Cut Stagger (front) and Cactus Fusion 2 / Cactus Yellow (rear) are the go-to choices for outdoor conditions.
Bodyshells
Any 2WD buggy shell suitable for your chassis. Many drivers favour low-profile designs to keep the centre of gravity low.
Spares
Front wishbones, rear hubs, driveshafts, and front axles are the most common breakages, so it’s worth carrying a few of each.
4WD Buggy
4WD Buggies add extra grip and stability, making them ideal for the bumpier outdoor astro turf. They’re faster and more technical than 2WD, but very rewarding once dialled in.
Chassis
Any 1/10 scale 4WD off-road buggy. Schumacher K2, Xray XB4, Associated B74.2 and TLR 22X-4 are all popular options.
Motors
Open choice — most racers use a 10.5T brushless motor, which provides the ideal mix of speed and control.
ESC
Open — boost and turbo modes are allowed. Take time to fine-tune throttle feel to suit grip levels and corner exits.
Batteries
2S shorty LiPo packs are standard for 4WD. Many use low-profile versions to improve balance and reduce roll.
Tyres
On astro turf, Schumacher Cactus (Yellow) rear and Cactus Fusion 2 / Cut Stagger front are the most common pairing. They offer a great mix of grip and wear resistance.
Bodyshells
Any 4WD buggy body that fits your chassis. Low-profile options help with stability and rotation.
Spares
Front wishbones, centre driveshafts, and diff outdrives are the main wear or damage items. Keep spares handy.
Stadium Truck
Stadium Trucks bring a little extra width, fun and bounce to outdoor racing — great for those who enjoy a forgiving, lively drive with bigger tyres and suspension travel.
Chassis
Any 1/10 Stadium Truck chassis. TLR 22T 5.0, Team Associated T6.4, and Schumacher ST2 are all popular choices.
Motors
Motors are open, with 10.5T brushless being the most popular choice for our outdoor track.
ESC
Open — boost and turbo modes allowed. Smooth throttle mapping makes a big difference to overall grip.
Batteries
2S hardcase LiPo, usually shorty style for better weight distribution.
Tyres
Schumacher Cactus Truck (Yellow) are the standard outdoor astro tyre for both front and rear. Great grip and predictable wear.
Bodyshells
Any stadium truck shell that fits your chassis. Keep it trimmed for suspension clearance and airflow.
Spares
Front arms, driveshafts, and hubs take the biggest hits — worth carrying extras.
Vintage RC
Vintage RC brings back the charm of earlier racing eras — a mix of nostalgia and good-spirited competition. Expect variety in speed and handling, and plenty of character!
Chassis
Any 1/10 vintage or re-release chassis. Popular ones include the Tamiya Frog, Hotshot, RC10, and Schumacher Cougar Classic.
Motors
Open, but most racers choose mild 10.5T to 17.5T brushless motors, or period-correct brushed units for authenticity.
ESC
Open, though many run brushed ESCs for a more traditional feel. Modern ESCs are fine if set up smoothly to match the car’s era.
Batteries
2S LiPo or NiMH, depending on car and safety. Use appropriate connectors and make sure older wiring is safe.
Tyres
On outdoor astro turf, Schumacher Mini Spike (Yellow) or Cactus tyres work best for both front and rear. They provide great grip while maintaining that vintage look.
Bodyshells
Original or re-release shells to match your car. A bit of old-school paintwork always goes down well!
Spares
Vintage cars can be fragile; keep wishbones, suspension mounts and gearbox parts on hand if you can find them.
Rally Cars
Rally Cars bring a whole new level of fun and realism to RC racing. These cars are tough, versatile, and look fantastic sliding around our outdoor astro track. They’re ideal for drivers who love a bit of scale realism with genuine on-track action.
Chassis
Any 1/10 scale rally chassis can be used. Popular choices include the Xpress Rally, Carten M210R, LC Racing PTG-2, and Tamiya XV-01 or TT-02 Rally variants. Most use a touring-style chassis modified for extra ground clearance and protection.
Motors
Motors are open, but most drivers choose brushed 20T units for simplicity and torque, or 17.5T brushless motors for a bit more punch and efficiency. Either option offers a great balance for mixed-surface running.
ESC
Any brushed or brushless ESC is suitable. Brushed setups often use Hobbywing 1060s for reliability, while brushless racers favour Hobbywing XR10 for smooth throttle control.
Batteries
2S LiPos (hardcase) or 6-cell NiMH packs are both suitable. LiPos will give more consistent voltage and runtime, while NiMHs offer an easy plug-and-play option for beginners.
Tyres
For outdoor astro and light gravel, Schumacher Rally Blocks or Mini Pins work well. Some drivers experiment with softer compound rally tyres for more realism on damp surfaces. Tyre choice can transform handling, so it’s worth testing a few.
Bodyshells
Scale rally shells make this class shine – Subaru Imprezas, Ford Escorts, Toyota Yaris WRCs, and more. Brands like Tamiya, Killerbody and Bittydesign produce great-looking shells. Paint schemes inspired by real rally teams always get attention on track!
Spares
Rally cars take a few more knocks than touring cars, so it’s smart to carry spare suspension arms, driveshafts, and steering parts. Keep a spare set of tyres and a bumper too – they take the brunt of off-track adventures.