Do your interests in model remote control cars lie in high speed, rapid acceleration and beauty of form? If this is precisely what you are searching for in a model vehicle, then a model sports car is almost certainly what you are looking for. Real sized sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units being sold each year.
Sports cars and their model counterparts are manufactured as high performance machines, which means that they can be driven in ways that normal assembly line cars can not. For example, in the case of a real sports car, it frequently takes no more than five seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph. Likewise, in a model high performance gas replica, it often takes no more than two seconds to reach 60 mph from a dead start.
Because it is more difficult to manouevre a speeding vehicle, sports cars and model sports cars are especially designed to handle best at high speeds. In deed, the word "sporty" was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes power. It was later personified to refer to the person behind the wheel or in the modelling world, the person at the remote controls.
The following is a basic glossary of sports car terminology and a basic list of sports car manufacturers (many of which have their counterpart vehicles in the world of model gas remote control cars).
- FF - front engine, front wheel drive. The FF layout has a moderate capability for high speed handling and is seen in some models such as the Fiat Coup?, and the Lotus Elan M100.
- FR - front engine, rear wheel drive Considered the ?classic? sports car layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this design for its models.
- RR - rear engine, rear wheel drive With the engine at the back powering the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR design provides outstanding traction for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes difficult. These days, the only maker who keeps the RR layout for its cars is Porche.
AWD ? all wheel drive An AWD design offers the easiest handling, making it ideal for those who are just starting to race sports cars. Audi began the extensive use of this technique with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi used this layout to enhance handling, making it an excellent rally car.
Because of more stringent regulations in the United States, sports car manufacturers are more widespread in Europe than in America. Nevertheless, American makes are in equal competition with their European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized manufacturers and models are:
Alfa Romeo; Alpine; Aston Martin; Austin-Healey; BMW; Bugatti; Caterham; Davrian; De Lorean; Ferrari; Fisker; Jaguar; Koenigsegg; Lamborghini; Lotus; McLaren; Maserati; MG; Morgan; Panoz; Porsche; Triumph; TVR; Vector.
If this article has whetted your appetite for a sports car, go out and buy one now, if you are wealthy. If not, why not do the next best thing and buy yourself a 1:8 or even a 1:5 petrol-powered, remote-controlled sports car?
More Information:
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the
petrol remote control car. If you have an interest in model or toy rc vehicles, please go over to our website now at
1/5 Scale RC Cars 
Categories
