Whether young or old, this is a hobby that can be enjoyed and shared with other RC car enthusiasts. Building and driving nitro radio controlled cars is quickly growing in popularity. There are full fledged nitro RC car communities all over the world that organize events, get-togethers, and races. These are great opportunities for all those that share their passion for nitro to exchange information, compete, and have an all around good time.

For those just starting out with nitro, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a car.

Nitro RC cars are one of the two main types of RC cars, the other being electric RC cars. They are named for the special fuel that they use, which is a blend of nitromethane, methyl alcohol, and oil.

Nitro RC cars can be purchased in kits or pre-assembled. Those looking to get into the action right away can buy a ready to run or RTR model. These require little to no assembly and can be run straight out of the box.

However, those with a mechanical flair might opt to go with a kit. Kits include precise, step-by-step instructions, so even those with little mechanical experience are encouraged to try it out. Putting together an RC car can give valuable insight into the different parts that make up the car. This knowledge will come in handy later, when doing necessary maintenance and making repairs.

That are many advantages nitro RC cars have over their electric counter parts. The most notable being their speed.

Nitro RC cars are often faster than electrics, averaging speeds of 40 to 70 MPH out of the box, and can be upgraded to go even faster.

Nitro RC cars are generally built sturdier than electrics and can take more damage from high speed collisions.

They are also more realistic, emitting louder noises, emulating the roar of a real car.

The downside is that nitro RC cars can be harder to clean and maintain. They contain miniature internal combustion engines which can be just as messy and fickle as real engines. They require constant care and careful tuning, as well as more cleaning than electronic models.

Nitro RC cars are generally more expensive than electronics. A beginner level car will cost around $150, while some racing cars can cost thousands. A person can invest as much as they want.

Whether building, racing or just playing around; nitro radio controlled cars are a great hobby and source of satisfaction.