What is the Best RC Racing Class for Beginners?
Getting into RC racing isn’t easy. To be successful, you need both mechanical skills and good control of the car. With the rise of computer gaming, you might expect younger beginners to have an advantage. They do have good hand-eye coordination, but RC racing is still a challenge. One reason is that most video games don’t involve steering a car towards you with reversed controls.
Mechanical skills depend more on a racers patience and attention to detail than their natural ability. In RC racing, you need to rebuild your car often, which can be frustrating because of the small parts and screws. A tiny mistake in setup can have a big impact on handling, so paying attention to details is essential. If you have these skills, the next question is—where do you start?
RC racing has many different classes. In the British Radio Car Association (BRCA), national-level racing is divided into sections, and each usually has an entry-level class for beginners. These "feeder" classes often have strict rules to keep racing fair, but experienced racers sometimes enter to push the limits of the rules. While these classes aren’t for complete beginners at national level, they are a great starting point at club level.
We asked our followers what they thought was the best beginner class, and we got some interesting answers. One person even suggested 1/8th nitro buggies—which we strongly disagree with! Thankfully, most of the responses were very helpful and gave some great advice for new racers.
There was a great mix of suggestions, but one key point stood out—it’s best to check what’s popular at your local track first! Many agreed that starting in a well-supported class will make learning easier, as there will be plenty of advice, spare parts, and competition to help you improve.
A common recommendation was Tamiya’s stock classes, such as the TT-02 or Euro Truck, as they’re affordable and easy to maintain. @wheels_rc said, "Tamiya Stock class! We run it at @dudley_radio_car_club, cheap and cheerful, easy to maintain/repair."
For off-road beginners, 2WD buggy and short course truck classes were popular choices. Stock Slash 2WD was mentioned as a durable and widely available option. Exhausted_920 commented, "Off-road, I'd say a spec Slash class. It's durable, and it's one of the most owned R/Cs so lots of people have them."
Some also suggested open beginner classes, where you can race almost any car to gain experience. KingOfKorners shared, "The track I used to race at, unless you proved you could race decent, you had to enter beginner class. It was open to almost any RC cars—2WD, 4WD, buggy, whatever."
6 of the Best RC Racing Classes For Beginners
So, which classes are best if you’re thinking of trying RC racing? Here are six great options to consider:
1:10 FWD Touring Car (Frontie)
This class has made a big comeback in the last decade. It has strict rules on electrics and tyres, which actually makes it a great beginner class. The cars have less power and fewer mechanical parts that can fail. They also handle better than you might expect, especially when accelerating out of corners.
1:10 2WD MTC / M Chassis (Tamiya Mini)
Also known as Tamiya Mini Racing, this class has always been great fun and is ideal for beginners. The small size of the cars makes them more durable, as they can take more hits without breaking. They also handle well and offer just enough setup options to experiment and learn how different adjustments affect performance.
For more information about 2WD MTC Racing, visit this link: Sheffield RC Racing - 2WD MTC / M Chassis Class Rules and Information
1:12 GT12
GT12 is a controversial choice as a beginner class. It originally started as an entry-level category, but its popularity in the UK has pushed it away from its beginner-friendly roots. Over time, the class has evolved, making the cars more advanced and harder to work on. While still a great class, it may not be the easiest for complete newcomers.
1:12 Mini / Hot Hatch
This one is a bit of a wildcard. It has a lot of nostalgia and has become very popular in recent years, with some big independent championships. The cars are simple and tough, making them easy to maintain. However, their compact chassis and spooled drive can give them a narrow setup window, which may not be ideal for learning the basics of RC racing.
1:10 Iconic / Euro Truck Racing
Tamiya cars are always a solid choice for beginners. Their kits are easy to build, with clear instructions and well-designed packaging. They also have limited setup options, which keeps the competition fair and reduces the chances of making setup mistakes.
In the UK, Tamiya racing is sometimes called Iconic Racing, named after a series based on the Tamiya Eurocup from 20 years ago. Many classes have simple rules and affordable brushed motors, making them great for beginners. Another exciting option is Euro Racing Trucks, which uses the Tamiya TT01-E chassis with truck tyres and bodies. The unique setup makes for great racing, and the TT01-E is one of Tamiya’s best-handling budget chassis.
1:10 2WD Buggy
With 1/10th scale off road racing, there aren’t many class options, which can be both good and bad. On the plus side, you’ll always have a variety of racers to compete with. 2WD Buggy is the biggest 10th scale offroad class which means there will be a lot of beginners in it. However, the class is usually open spec, meaning it’s tempting to use a very fast motor, like the ones top racers use.
If you stick to a sensible setup, this can be a great class to start in. The big grids mean you’ll always find someone at your level to race against, and there are plenty of experienced racers willing to help with advice and setup tips.
Conclusion
In short, the best beginner class is the one that fits your local track and budget. Whether you prefer on-road or off-road, choosing a well-supported class will make your journey into RC racing much easier and more enjoyable.
Smaller cars can usually take harder hits, but the quality of the kit also plays a big role in durability. We recommend finding a club that runs one of the classes from our list and paying them a visit. You’ll almost always find helpful racers willing to guide you as you start out.
For more tips on getting started in RC racing, check out this article: https://www.rcclubhub.co.uk/index.php/rc-tips-guides/how-to-get-started-in-rc-car-racing-in-the-uk
Next weeks Hot Topic will be:
Which Celebrities Have Tried RC Racing?
RC racing isn’t just for us—it’s caught the attention of some famous faces too! But do you know of any celebrities who have given it a try?
And here’s a fun one: If you could challenge ANY celebrity to an RC race, who would it be and why? Would you pick a racing legend like Lewis Hamilton, a gearhead like Jay Leno, or someone completely unexpected?
We want to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rcclubhub.
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