RC micro and mini cars tiny but powerful offer as much as the big race cars feeling, the big question how much will it cost?

The most recent development in RC in the last decade or so has been the introduction of micro and mini-sized RC from Japan and throughout Asia. These tiny but powerful little RCs offer the same racing excitement as the big boys for only a fraction of the cost. Find out what a car racing day in involves

Only recently introduced to the North American market from Asia by companies like Radio Shack, micro RCs offer an extremely low price-point for out-of-the-box racing fun. Priced at $50 or less, these are a great choice for a driver not ready for a full-sized RC or a newcomer to RC racing who wants to see what all the fuss is about.

Measuring only 2 inches long, micro RCs feature the same kind of motor that makes your cell phone vibrate. Best of all, these little engines are interchangeable, so you can tweak you micro RC with a different motor for more speed. Specialty tires and hubcaps can be added to customize the look of your micro RC, as well as enhancements to the torsion and steering controls. What does RC Stand For?

Mini and micro RCs are always ready to run, right out of the box. Your little RC will come with the following:

• rubber non-stick tires

• micro scale working engine

• realistic, running chassis

• receiver and circuit board

• transmitter

• customizable body

The greatest advantage these little cars offer is their versatility. Unlike the noisy, smoky nitro cars, or the load hum of an electric race, micro RCs are clean and quiet. They can be run indoors or out, even in your garage or basement. This means you don't have to wait until the next race to run your car these are small enough you can drive them anywhere.

Mini RCs, like their standard-sized electric cousins, run on rechargeable battery packs. When your car is out of juice, it usually pops into the controller itself, which is then plugged into the wall. With your transmitter doubling as your charger, your car will be ready to race again in under a minute. If you want to race longer, the fast recharge time for these tiny RCs is a great selling point. Electric rc's

Overall, though they are not as customizable and intricate as the larger 1/10 and 1/8 scale cars and trucks, micro and mini RCs have the same acceleration, controls and feel. Their tiny size makes it possible to run them anywhere from your garage to the kitchen floor so you can race any time you like down the hall or up the street!

For about a quarter of the cost of a regular RC, you get a car with responsive controls, tunable suspension and customizable exterior But, like their larger counterparts, you can still get the kind of car you're after: mini and micro versions of all the most popular vehicles are available. They're the ideal option if you're on a limited budget, but are still eager to get to the race.

But How Much will a mini race car cost?

In comparison with some other hobbies, RC cars can get somewhat expensive, depending on your level of commitment to it. Even if you build your own RC car or truck and save the cost of the ready to run kits, additional parts and fuel and battery packs can add up, not to mention the entry fees for races if you plan to compete. But beware of the widely-available cheaper versions which claim to be good quality RC vehicles.

These break easily and cannot be repaired like hobby-quality RCs, which can be maintained to run smoothly for years and fixed properly if anything ever goes wrong. Expect to spend at least R1400.00 per vehicle initially, with a more complete beginner setup costing about R2800.