Nitro RC Drag Cars

In India, there is a catch phrase in Hindi for funny vehicles or to express astonishment about a vehicle's ability. It is "Chalti ka Naam Gaadi"; there is even a hugely hit movie by that name. It roughly translates to "That which moves is a Vehicle!"

I got this phrase to my mind when I first saw the RC stunt cars and Nitro RC Drag car. Drag cars take part in what are called RC drag races. There are many kinds of cars in drag races but there is a particular Nitro RC drag car.

It looks like a missile on wheels. A long, near circular or prismoidal shaft-like body with engine and many other parts mounted in the rear. The rear wheels are large soft rubber tires, front wheels are thinner. It looks like an over stretched poor Formula one type race car.

Whatever is the type of car, a car in the RC drag race is a Drag RC car, it may also be a Nitro drag RC car. Yes, they mix all types: from touring cars and mini racers to buggies and off-road monster trucks and also mix up the electrical and Nitro / Gas driven RC cars.

Ordinary Nitro RC cars are converted into Nitro RC cars by making it fit well for a fast forward sprint. No reverses and turning! The reverse servos, extra gears, heavy bodies, 4 wheel drive, large front rubber tire are all removed to make it as light and as possible.

Drag races are held in parking lots, tarmacs in private properties or even on deserted roads. Official races have custom built tracks called drag strips. Wherever it is held, the essence is to test the dragging power of car.

Drag strips are straight and level stretches of very smooth asphalt paved track equipped with timers, speed measuring gadgets and other racing paraphernalia. It tests the speed and acceleration of cars. The time taken for a few hundred yards of sprint is measured to decide winners.

With Nitro RC cars of these days clocking 120 kmph easily nowadays, reports are being seen in media about deaths and injuries related to or due to drag car races. There is even an official regulating body called IMDRA (International Model Drag Racing Association) for Nitro Rc Dragster Racers and Races.