Tuesday 10th April 2012

Radio-controlled Funny Car's no drag...

Eighth-scale RC drag racer looks like a whole lot of fun

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What with fuel prices spiralling ever-upwards, now is perhaps the time for the petrolhead to be thinking seriously about downsizing their motoring-related kicks.

This is where America radio-controlled car company Traxxas comes in - with new 1:8 scale Funny Car replicas capable of 70mph (560mph to scale, if you will). Traxxas has form with this sort of thing, too: you may remember the Traxxas X0-1 we wrote about back in December - the world's first box-ready 100mph RC car.

We seem to be in the pretty early stages of Traxxas's dragster development, however, as there are only four Funny Car models for now, all of which are (in the very broadest sense) Ford Mustangs. But you do get a wealth of modes to play with, including different settings burnout, staging, race and launch control; see the video below.

Oh, and you can also get an eighth-scale Christmas Tree for added authenticity. All sounds almost reasonable value for $499 (£315). Though you would have to buy two, as the drag strip can be a lonely place ifyou don't have a friend to share it with.

 

 

 

[richb77]

Looks too specialised (although i like the idea of a scale funny car)

Fun for about 30 seconds then it will go in the back of the wardrobe.

[Animal101]

Just needs a little parachute to pop out at the end of the drag strip.

[Flying Toilet]

I'm off to the John Force Racing HQ in January for a tour and what not. Will be sorely tempted to pick one of these up in the Race Station.

My Dad built me a Willys Coupe based on a Tamiya as a kid and was gasser style with big meats on the rear and skinnies on the front.

This seems the next logical step...

[y2blade]

Can we have a RV3 bodied one pleeeeeease

[Stew2000]

Has anyone put a G-meter on one?
I hate RC cars with their ludicrous speeds.

[mat777]

This launch of course will have nothing to do with the fact that Traxxas is sponsoring Courtney's JFR Mustang

You may say it's too specialised, but RC drag racing is as big in America as the normal RC touring car races are over here. People scratch-build nitro-powered Top Fuel cars that do well over 100mph

[adz13091982]

Hate to be a party pooper but I wouldn't have anywhere straight / wide / smooth enough to use this. Looks good fun if you happen to own a drag strip though...

[Stew2000]

I like this part.
"The unique 4-channel transmitter allows you to select Burnout, Staging, and Race Modes."

The downside. who has 330 feet of straight road for a 1/4 mile run.

[Flying Toilet]

Im sure I can find somewhere to use it at Santa Pod when our days racing with the 1:1 scale dragster is over...

[Stew2000]

Flying Toilet said:

Im sure I can find somewhere to use it at Santa Pod when our days racing with the 1:1 scale dragster is over...

1/8 scale Santa Pod sounds like fun

[Graebob]

Flying Toilet said:

Im sure I can find somewhere to use it at Santa Pod when our days racing with the 1:1 scale dragster is over...

Just nip up to CMK half an hour before closing bud, see who can do one end of the mall to the other

[J4CKO]

Does it come with a Dust Pan and Brush so you can sweep up the bits that are left, our nitro truck always breaks something and that only does 40 odd.

[kazino]

That's one hulluva niche, looks fun but can't think of anywhere nearby to actually take it out

[tommy vercetti]

Whoa, fast little bds

[BrettMRC]

Yes please

Something to do while the ambulances are off tending to the drunks instead of being able to supervise the strip....

[jmatras]

Needs a 1/8-scale blow V-8.

[Flying Toilet]

BrettMRC said:

Yes please

Something to do while the ambulances are off tending to the drunks instead of being able to supervise the strip....

When does that happen then?

[traffman]

J4CKO said:

Does it come with a Dust Pan and Brush so you can sweep up the bits that are left, our nitro truck always breaks something and that only does 40 odd.

Stop driving it like an arse then ...snigger.

[BBS-LM]

The iPhone app for this Car is amazing, there are so many options for fine tuning, I think this little dragster would be great fun with some beers and a big car park.

[fwaggie]

-1

An hours enjoyment, then back of the dusty cupboard for the rest of its life.

Give me a proper 1/8th Nitro buggy any day.
(oh look, someone has! )