Man I really need to get out those old shells and do up some paint , just to add I have to agree with most that while rtr prob is'nt the way for 1/12 we wont know untill someone tries it. But a semi vta 1/12 class with realistic bodies has been brought up before and I think it could be alot of fun as a 17.5 or 21.5 blinky class; time will tell if it ever comes about i guess. I for one would love to run an old greenwood vet body on one.

HarryLeach you really owe desert rat an apology as Lonnie said he does have and run 1/12 and does so well. Thinking outside the box is never a bad thing.

I started with the red and yellow 1200SC's and a fiberglass 12L! Back then batteries weren't the reason I wasn't competitive though.....

I spoke the heresy of suggesting that an RTR 1/12 scale pan car could bring new blood to the class, I knew it would get some people worked up and personally I wish that RTR's would kindly go away. Unfortunately if that happened about half of the people in RC today would probably stick with their Playstation instead of coming out to race. I guess that overall a good RTR (which is an oxymoron) would be an easy way for people on the fence to get a foot in the door. Just a thought, it will never happen anyway so for good or bad the purity of 1/12 scale racing is safe from the roving horde of casual racers. Just remember that sometimes casuals turn into life-long RC racers and enthusiasts, I know because I am one of them.

Yeah for sure the batteries and motors became a deal killer at one point, at least for me. Neither one would last for long. I remember gp3300's being really good, but after that it was almost a case of "one and done".

FWIW, I checked Corally's site and they have some 12th shells for sale that have a somewhat vintage appeal. If they still stock them. I wish I could get the shells that came stock with a lot of the old Kyosho pan cars, so awesome and realistic looking.

The black and green 4600s were really good too but by that time, lipo was already starting to move in.

I stand corrected, so apologies for that.

Judging by the way I've seen off-road go, RTR may increase the quantity of racers, but has the opposite effect on quality. I love racing off-road, but find myself running on-road predominantly these days because the racing is better.

Think outside the box as much as you want, but again, locally we've had plenty of guys cross over to 1/12, most of who have bought their car/kit separate from electronics. I can't think of many who got into 1/12 specifically because they could find a ready to race assembled car.

There actually is a RTR 1/12th. It's a chinese copy of a Corally. I would not recommend it to anyone.

I'm guessing the for a RTR 12th to exist, it would have to be slapped together quickly and cheaply, as most RTR's are. You need to take some time to build these cars to get it right (the old 12l4 I had being a good example). What works for (selling) a slash may not work for a pan car. Some people wont stick with 12th due to the attention needed to precision. Pretty much weeds out the class over time and I think you get less hacking with 12th. Just my .02

Latecomer! My first car was a 12E, bought before Associated even made a diff for the thing. And Futaba brown box radio.

Our last 2 races have been a bit of a hackfest due to the different skill levels of the veterans and the newbies. It would be nice if we picked up enough new guys to run a novice class, better for them and us.

I think my LHS had a pretty good approach to on-road: There's a stock class for the RTR RC18R minis, an upgraded "super-stock" class, and 1/12th scale races on the same night. There's a pretty steady progression for many people... grab an 18R because it's cheap, progress to super-stock, all the while watching the pan cars run... only a matter of time before they're ordering a kit.

(I know, because it happened to me! heheh)

Late 80's when I got bit by the RC Bug.
Yellow wrap SCE's with a whopping 600 secs +/- of runtime @ 10@

Spec tires were Yokomo Frt & RR, because that's all there was at our track.
And a Carbon 12L of course, still have it.

Still have mine too, but it was my 6Th car.

The Japanese sites that sell F1 decals sometimes have Indy/IMSA sets as well...Like D-Drive Sports

Since some (including me) seem to really enjoy the realistic look of a body shell that's more true to scale, perhaps it would be a good thing to consider running the limited 1/12th scale class (blinky 17.5) with scale looking bodies only. And then to run the mod class (or even the superstock class when it's offered) with more of an 'anything goes' rules package. Back when I ran 1/8th onroad nitro, the primary difference between the sportsman class and the open class was the body shell. Most of the more intense guys gravitated towards running open, while the more casual participants chose to run sportsman.

About the cost of 1/12th these days.............now that the brushless speedo situation has started to settle down some, 1/12th racing has never been simpler or more affordable. Only 2 lipos are needed, and they seem to stay strong indefinitely. Worries about run time have become a thing of the past. The brushless motors are also incredibly reliable and long lasting when run on 1cell voltage. The car kits (especially the CRC) are very reasonably priced. The chassis design is stable. The cars are all super durable and easy to work on. In all these ways, 1/12th racing these days is better than ever. It shouldn't be a surprise that 1/12 has been making a comeback. It is very affordable these days. Now, if only someone could find a way to keep the low profile rubber from peeling off the wheels............that would be the last remaining cost issue to be overcome.

I had those and the red SCR's. Got one of those little Tekin Peak chargers and I thought I had the tight set-up