It’s the gift giving season, which implies scale model cars will soon be finding their way into people’s hands everywhere in the world. Whether it’s a 1:64 die-cast or something larger and more detailed, everyone knows the enjoyment that four-wheeled collectibles can bring to young and old.
We’ve covered a big selection of hobby stories on Speedhunters over time, but one particularly stands out. It’s timely to revisit this have a look at Japanese RC drifting too, because it was published 10 years ago and ranked as our most-read event story of 2013.
A fast Google search tells us that the model shop at the middle of the story – Hobby Garage in Saitama, Japan – sadly now not exists, but we’re interested to know if a alternative of sorts exists for the local RC drift automotive community. Let’s see what we will uncover in 2024… When you’ve finished with this Throwback Thursday post, you may want to envision out Dino’s follow-up story from 2014 here.
2013 Feature
“Wanna take a look at a cool RC drift event?” Johnny from Weld asked me. I said ‘sure’, because it had been way too long since I spent a while shooting cool little RC drifters sliding around. I assumed it could make a cool post, especially because it was held at a track I had never been to before. So I packed up my gear – including my recent RC drift automotive (I assumed I’ll have the ability to squeeze a little bit of driving in between the shooting!) – and headed north to Kuki in Saitama.
My destination was Hobby Garage, an enormous hobby shop in an equally gigantic mall. If this place is anything to go by, my assumption that the whole lot to do with this ‘scaled’ world has been steadily growing over the previous couple of years, seems to make a number of sense. Perhaps the recession has pushed people to spend money on other things, and for those who are into cars no less than, then build up a cool RC machine is much cheaper than modifying an actual automotive.
This might be the most important hobby shop I’ve been to with something for everybody, taking off with a few Tamiya Mini 4WD tracks as soon as you enter.
Before heading to the big RC drift track I had a fast wander across the important shop area, where you’ll be able to really find all varieties of cool things taking off with a pleasant number of Tomica diecasts…
…to more Japanese things like these cool Shinkansen train model and track combos.
Should you fancy something different and anime characters or robots aren’t your thing, how a couple of dekotora dump truck?
As you’ll be able to see, even kids take their slot automotive racing extremely seriously. Take a look at the carbon bumpers on these Mini 4WDs.
Within the model automotive section I spotted some true JDM gems, a part of the Gurachan collection. Which one would you construct for those who had to decide on only one? Tough isn’t it?!
The number of RC bodies was just as vast.
Of course, after you decide up your shell you have got to take into consideration your wheel selection, and again are totally spoilt for selection.
I even spotted these Team Yayoi Sakura wheels which I almost desired to buy just so I could paint them in silver and pink. But whatever I saw within the shop section really couldn’t even begin to organize me for the event I had come to see.
I assumed an ‘RC drift meet’ would entail, well… drifting. But this was actually more to do with customization. Hobby Garage organizes this ‘RC Custom Body Show’ yearly and plainly similar to in another car-related scene, things proceed to be pushed further and further.
This was the number of cars entered. Each participant was a part of the judging process but before all of it began, the Hobby Garage staff presented each automotive.
This was done in total Japanese otaku way, with a macro video camera showing all the main points of the cars on two big LCD screen on either side of the ‘show venue’.
Up until this point I used to be standing on the sidelines, so I didn’t really realize just how detailed a few of these bodies were.
I soon grabbed my camera, took my shoes off and jumped in. It was at this point that my mind was blown. I do know a number of hobbyists take their art very seriously but this was just ridiculous. Every image that showed up on my camera screen looked almost like I used to be taking pictures at an actual event.
I proceeded to spend the subsequent couple of hours on my belly, getting up close and private with all of those cars. While some stuck to more easy accessories to decorate up the outside, while others went well beyond that and achieved the just about inconceivable.
I mean how on earth do you recreate rust so rattling well?! It was even realistic to the touch.
It was quite funny to see how the USDM influence the JDM scene is undergoing immediately is reflected perfectly on a few of these RC drifters.
Stance may be very essential to be able to obtain that realistic feel, so a number of time goes into body-height adjustments in addition to suspension arm positive tuning to get camber and flushness excellent. Props to the owner of this E30 M3 for adding a number of scaled Speedhunters stickers.
Remember the Hakotora from Tokyo Auto Salon 2013 and the Nostalgic 2 Days? Yep, it is a scaled recreation of it, complete with racing bucket seats and a driver.
There have been some non-drift additions too like this fully functioning MAN truck and trailer combo. The realistic touches included a curtain to shade the cabin for when the dimensions driver must catch a few hours sleep, to a speaker emitting diesel idle-chatter, and something under the cabin to make the entire thing vibrate.
This older style truck was much more impressive because it’s a fully-functional drift machine with custom rear axles sporting a complete of six drift tires.
I used to be aware that these RC trolleys were on sale, but to see one modified on little drift wheels and running onikyan on the rear, well it really made me laugh. The oishii mikan box was an incredible touch. I suppose the concept is to drift it without dropping the box stuffed with tasty fruit.
Take a look at this slammed Subaru Impreza STI 22B. It kind of jogged my memory of among the N-Style cars we now have seen at Hellaflush Japan events previously.
With so many alternative variety of bodies on the market, you’ll be able to really let your imagination run wild.
Numerous drift shops are getting their very own custom RC automotive bodies made too, similar to GP Sports and this perfect recreation of their famous aero kit. What really makes it pop nonetheless is the eye to detail within the painting and careful wheel fitment for that perfect look.
Rust appears to be a really fashionable finish to recreate on the earth of miniature drifting.
More stance, this time with a more Euro feel.
Did you notice the roll cage inside?
This R31 Skyline wagon body is from R31 House and was sitting on a set of RAYS Volk Racing TE37SLs. Wagon RC drifting? I’m liking this lots!
When it comes detail, this AE86 Levin was as wild because it gets, and I’m not only talking in regards to the exterior.
Just have a have a look at how the engine bay has been beautifully integrated and made to suit across the underlying chassis components. My favorite touches included the exposed cam wheels and belt in addition to the heat-wrapped headers.
Here’s one other shot of the wild GX71. Incredible!
If you want kaido racer creations, this 330 Cedric should hit the spot reasonably well.
Squint a bit of and it looks like the actual deal!
After all how are you going to not finish all of it off with tilted taillights and bozo exhausts!
After all for those who prefer the more modern look there have been a ton of S-chassis entries to envision out.
Some took their cars out on the track and let their hand-built toy sliders do their thing. I hope you might be having fun with seeing a side of RC drift culture that we now have never really touched on before.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
