Tamiya Sand Scorcher vs Super Champ

[@tempest411]

I had a Super Champ back in '82. I remember the anticipation of getting it...It was the coolest thing ever! But the reality of owning it was a different thing entirely. Those cast aluminum arms break easily. Fortunately there were aftermarket nylon ones available, though I remember having to modify the rear as they were actually intended for the Sand Scorcher/Rough Rider cars. And that cast aluminum rear bumper broke on me as well. It also serves as a bracket for the suspension arm shaft that links up to the mono-shock. I remember hacking replacement parts out of aluminum for the rear bumper and the mono-shock in my 7th grade metal shop...I wasn't a student in that class, but the teacher was cool enough to allow me to go in after school and make them. Also...the rear control arms would always want to wrap under the chassis, or try to, any time you'd go around a corner. I see yours were fitted with Ty-Raps, as mine were too! Lastly, those things weighed a ton! It's no surprise they were no match for the Cox Scorpion, which dominated until the first Associated RC10 was released.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

That's a great story and all true! I'll just say I was VERY worried about snapping that rear cast bumper. Was cringing when watching the slow motion. Appreciate the views and story brother...what makes this channel worth doing! Long live the memories!

[@aspectcarl]

The sand scorcher seems the most elegant of the two around your track.Hats off to the camera operator as usual 👍❤️

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Was very easy to drive. Big time fun and thanks!

[@MontySeeMontyDo]

My first car was a super champ. I remember it like it was yesterday. Christmas of 86. I was 8 and I spent the rest of the day outside in the snow. Outside of 30 minute breaks waiting for the my pack to charge. I also remember the first time I charged the back by myself and over charged it and burned out the speed controller. Boy I got in trouble. Loved that car. Was slow but a tank.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

@MontySeeMontyDo That's a great story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us brother. The idea for the channel was to get folks thinking about the best days of RC.

[@mtbalot]

These videos are so well done, everything I want to see, that is missing from other RC channels. Well done.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! We are really getting a kick out of folks enjoying them. Working on new content for winter until the track is drivable again.

[@Splitscreen83]

Fantastic video of two classics. The Sand Scorcher with the original setup looks much more stable. Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate and enjoy your cars 😎👍

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

It was! I was so very surprised with how well it handled. Need to get it out on the new track next year. Appreciate the view and nice comment bud.

[@Joqg2tf-2843]

Awesome video. Brings back so many good memories from the 80s. Also big kudos to your understanding wife.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks brother. I appreciate it!

[@cjbainbridge]

This is a great video, really good syncing up of the different camera angles and the timing for the laps and some lovely close up slow motion shots and good info on the buggies.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! New jump cam was fun to do..and my kid has everything synced into our new phone somehow for recording... Makes post production a bit easier now.

[@cjbainbridge]

@@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC It work's well, great job!

[@johnd8552]

Another superb upload from you both. Classic Tamiya RC at its best! Good, interesting commentary and lovely slow motion footage, nicely done and I look forward to the next video.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! Love the slow motion stuff (my favorite part about making these). Appreciate the kind words.

[@yamatha1474]

Another great video! Thanks again for sharing. Your getting me interested in the cars I saw as a kid. Thanks again and happy new year! 🎆🎊

[@juniorwest5706]

So enjoyable to see the old ones out ripping it up , 😎👍

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much bud. Appreciate it!

[@tomsisson660]

When I was growing up, I was 8 years old in 1980, I wasn’t even ware that these tamiya kits existed. I wasn’t aware of RC cars and Tamiya until 1990.

[@mikesrcgarage]

Very cool to see you do laps with two of in my opinion the most classic and Iconic RC's made. You put them around the track very well! I had the original Sand Scorcher in 1979 as a kid. My first hobby grade RC and is why I got so into RC'ing. By the blessings of the RC Elf and his ever loving kindness I now have the re release and am so happy I do for I missed it dearly. Great video! Happy RC'ing!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

The Elf Rocks! Appreciate the kind words and cool story my friend. Was really surprised with how well the Scorcher handled the track. I should pick up one of those rere kits someday and do a side by side.

[@craigsrc6205]

OMG I can't believe I came across an old sand scorcher. My dad had that when I was just a little kid I grew up watching my dad race this thing around the backyard to the time when he gave it to me when I was 13 years old. I wish I could find one again I had so much fun with it

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

It's an amazing car for sure. So much fun to drive! Thanks for the comment.

[@tjan1022]

Just bought a Boomerang and Monster Beetle, had them as a kid cant wait. Great content thank you

[@camdflage]

This was one of my first vids I watched prior to getting back into this hobby, and boy, did it drive my hunger/obsession. Yes, I DO want a scorcher, and I’m about to get the fighting buggy, almost entirely due to that oil damper rear end. Cheers mate

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Love it bud! Any inspiration we can provide is always appreciated! I am so happy for you...enjoy that/those kits.

[@Mikey1962]

The super-champ and frogger were the first two RC cars I built back in the early 80’s, I wish I still had them now.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Both are unique cars. I am blessed enough to own them and got to say they are both equally as fun to drive in their own way. The re release Frog is very close to original if you ever get the itch to build one.

[@tonyjohansson2967]

And of course 😊 the camera operator is brilliant 😀👍

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

She says thanks!

[@JMLUSA1]

I'm looking at building a backyard track as well, and these old Tamiya kits are SO fun I must Get Back into it!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Best thing ever is a backyard track!

[@tking3]

Good video. It would be nice to get a recap of lap times of all the cars you’ve run on the track at the end (re Top Gear). Keep ‘em coming.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Great idea! Will need to keep a similar layout though.Sounds like the plan for when the warmer weather comes back.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Just went that way with the new video!

[@catxls1835]

The Beetle handles a lot better than I was led to believe. Not too bouncy and well poised on the track, way better than the Super Champ. Also taking the Super Champ from the shelf was a brave move but at least your pleased as well as your audience including myself. Excellent video, showing some superb vintage RC cars at their best. Thumbs up!!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Yep...I was shocked as well. Thanks for the positive comments! We will pick up with some more shootout videos in the spring. Have lot's of cars to fix for now.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

While the hornet is my all time favorite buggy, these are undeniably the best of the tamiya buggies. The sand scorcher is so cool.

[@RCRetro]

What an awesome video! It was done wonderfully. I just came across your channel, Subscribed and am looking forward to some more great content. Keep up the great work.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Wow...thanks so much! Honored to have you guys subscribed. We are HUGE fans of your channel!

[@jw33]

Great Bufford T. Justice reference and your slow motion clips are great. Love the look of the Super Champ, it was my first RC in the early 80's. I run my re-re in my backyard track and it is pretty hilarious watching it bounce everywhere. I can't make it through a battery before a grub screw comes loose and the axle falls out though.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Haha..Thanks! Was unsure if anyone would get it.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Running blue loctite on mine btw.

[@roybrown7795]

Man, My best friends with Tamiyas and a track track in the back yard.... What great days!!!!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

The best days!

[@jamesclarke3899]

Awesomeness great video guys soooo cool, love it!!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the nice comment and view.

[@kendesign3622]

That brought back memories of 4th grade all over again 👍 i can still remember the puddle of oil on the shelf where my super champ sat.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Haha...still leaks!

[@ziegenarty6188]

Zip ties on the back help a lot lol...sad but true

[@rc-dom-uk]

That was real cool to see this pair face off👍 very enjoyable.

[@titusgreen5679]

The sharp cornering of both impressive considering neither had a diff. gearbox!

[@EbolaxMonkey]

The Super Champ was my firs REAL R/C car. Bought used in around 1983, I'll always remember it.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Such a feat of engineering. One of my favorite cars to display. Took a few years off it's life (and mine) beating it up like this...but it was worth!

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Awesome track. Which I had room for one.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

@@BigDuke6ixx Thanks so much!

[@GyuHobbyRC]

Nice vehicle, nice video Awesome Let's get along with friends with the same hobbies.~~ 잘 지내봐요.~~ 😁😁😁😁😁

[@B2Humla]

I had the Super Champ but did not like that oil bottle. And it also had a balloon to protect some electronics, did not work good as the balloon ripped to often. And it was back heavy. I liked more the Sand Scorcher, the electronics looked more well protected in that plastic box. Two friends of mine had the Sand Scorcher so we raced in the streets with these cars. But the best was the Tamiya catalog. Could read and look at the images all day long 😍😄 Excellent video 👍

[@richardgere9365]

It seems that you are running the Superchamp with the original MSC (?) That's awesome. Nothing beats the sound of that orginal speed controller acceleration!

[@superchargerone]

Thanks for answering a question that I always had about the effectiveness of the super champ rear suspension setup vs the earlier Rough Rider buggy which i had (same buggy body but same platform as the sand scorcher). I am resurrecting the old SRB buggy now.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Would like to have one of them as well (great buggy). The single shock looks cool...but not as good for sure. Good luck with the resto!

[@ohsweetnothing]

Awesome video and great concept. So many great vintage rcs!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks for watching!

[@RickBuilds]

A big part of the rear suspension in the bug aswell, torsion bars suspension, has the second least amount of recoil oscillations of any common 1:1 suspension method. The method with the least is air bag suspension.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

I think the upgraded rear shocks I had on the scorcher also helped a little. Good to know on the torsion bar "science"...was not aware of that. Might do a run switching out the bars for coil overs and see how she drives.

[@Leesion73]

Man LOVE your track! I started on a Bolink Digger, then a Wild Willy, Super Champ was my 3rd, fun to build but stiff turning radius was an issue, but VERY fun and powerful on the beach, something no other electric rc car could do at the time

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

I have had my Scorcher on the beach. Beyond fun! Wild Willy was a fantastic R/C wish I had one now...would be fun to try and get it around the track. Hope you like the new spot we have. Not as rustic but has some unique features and will only get better. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@Leesion73]

@@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC TY! I'd send you my vintage Wild Willy if I could:) Im afraid to run him cause hes irreplaceable, a Japan company manufactured EXACT repro tires which Im thrilled to have. I may buy a newer Willy, but its just not the same! Perhaps I'll get a set of the repros for it too and see how close it is:) keep up the great vids!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

@@Leesion73 Haha..no worries bud. I would never take away anybody's vintage love. It's one of those iconic cars that is dear to the hearts of many Tamiya enthusiasts. I'm sure I will stumble upon one at some point.

[@istudiowebmstr]

Super Champ bounces a lot in the rear, on jumps it bottoms out while Scorcher stops oscillations after 1st rebound.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

I tried a few things with shock oil and rear spring on the Champ...nothing worked..lol. Needs two shocks.

[@skatetown100]

Baller comparison video! 🙂

[@c.k.hobbyshop3351]

Nice video I. Love the srb line I've got them all

[@PeteWylieRC]

Really good interesting video. Love the Sand Scorcher. You are brave jumping these. I always wondered if that Super Champ rear suspension was any good and now I know! Top stuff! A sub from me :-)

[@GTFour]

Awesome content. These cars are wasted only sitting on shelves, they were designed to be used as fun things 👌

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Could not agree more!

[@hendrahendra]

I like the looks rough rider way better than the super champ, but I love to have that rear damper oil on the RR.

[@velikon]

Id love to see if the times a better on the Sand Scorcher with the spike tyres on the rear. I never really wanted a scorcher but lately ive been building my collection with Re-Re's and im thinking the Scorcher needs to be my next purchase.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

It's a must have imo.Would like to get a rere at some point to bash around the track.

[@longthanly7061]

Good video 👍

[@bastafari73]

Great vid! great soundtrack

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! Takes a bit longer to make the music but it's all part of the fun.

[@BullmanBuiltRC]

I have to wonder if the rear tires had more to do with the lap times than the rear suspension.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

The knobby tires actually work better on the track. Might be a fun thing to try for sure.

[@rogerspacebucks450]

Zero roll resistance with that mono shock.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Agree!

[@homeworkpictureshq]

I love sand Scorcher

[@jorgezuni2818]

This champ had . Suspension that it has patent #. .. now I know why it was very successful. Rc

[@alexr129]

just found this i have both to build

[@twosistersstudio]

That Super Champ takes jumps like it's got a brick strapped to its ass!

[@aspectcarl]

Yay! Another video 🙂

[@RCOffRoad76]

Awesome vid!

[@mymodel6]

I don't get it? The Super champ was faster on average, and had a faster fastest lap, but you seem to suggest otherwise...? Plus, they really should have been run with the same tyres front and rear for a true comparison, and, those skinny front slicks were pushing in the corners, slicks on loose dirt don't work... Other than that, great video :)

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

All good. The Champ was not that much faster and was a handful to drive. I guess what the point was...with all that re engineering. it's not that much better (and was WAY harder to drive). The spike tires are better...Sand Scorcher was actually a little faster with them. Was trying to keep things fairly close to kit.

[@jerrymoney1479]

I was jamming on my guitar with the track. Cool music 😹

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Haha...that's great! My favorite part about doing these!

[@jerrymoney1479]

@@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC 🤣🤣🙌🙌

[@Cinnerman87]

Oddly enough I have a 1982 PB bullit nitro buggy

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Oh that's a vintage piece for sure. Had to Google it...looks rad.

[@Cinnerman87]

@@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC unfortunately it needs a heck of alot of work to the engine

[@csj9619]

Heck yeah! I really like old-school stuff like this. The Sand Scorcher is still in production too

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! The ReRe scorcher is very close to the old school original one. Would like to pick one up at some point for an old vs new shootout. Glad you enjoyed the video. Once spring hits we will be back in full swing with a boat load of new cars and ideas.

[@ktsfilmsrc]

very well.

[@redpilled838]

I have the tamiya fighting buggy (super champ re release). Steering radius is terrible. Any easy way to improve the radius?

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Hmmm...I am not really sure to be honest. These old cars just don't seem to have crazy amounts of steering. That being said my Champ seems to have a fairly good amount compared to my Hornet. Not sure if the RE-RE has less over the o.g. Champ.

[@Santor-]

Balldiff.

[@vrooom666]

good video and you earned a sub from me

[@evansmith7489]

SEND ME A SAND SCORCHER

[@sqwidink1]

Ball differential

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Need one for sure.

[@DerhamPaul-vo8fr]

Grownup men with kids toys lol 😂

[@powderriver2424]

That was awesome, again I’ll mention the old Tamiya promo videos of the late 70’s early 80’s your videos bring back that original feeling of RC fun. As with with many kids of the era affording one of these buggy’s was difficult, especially if your parents didn’t think spending that kind of money on a toy was sane. I do remember seeing all these buggy’s at this huge hobby emporium you’ll never forget that childhood experience especially in the early 80’s when all this was new.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! Love those old videos too.

[@solwaysandsRC]

Hell ya, same memories for me Super Champ was £133 w/o radio gear in 82/83. It was a stretch then!

[@jorgezuni2818]

I had parts of this rc .. didn’t even know what car it belong to . But now I do know a bit more .. I had many Rc iconic rc . 1/10 scale &1/12 … I have only two left I gave the rest away .. I have nitro rc Traxxas ../ revo 3.3 & nitro 4tec 3.3

[@makeityourself1]

My grandpa passed away in the early 80's and my dad thought it best for me to stay in school instead of go to the funeral. (13 hours away) He felt differently later and regretted the decision. To make up for it he came home with the Subaru Brat!! (I think it was the predecessor to the FROG?) I did the truck in stages. I built the truck, dad eventually sprung for a 6 cell battery. (Charged it off a car battery with two clamps and wire leads and an egg timer...lol) Finally my grandma bought a Futaba dual stick radio for it. I put a MILLION miles on that thing. I saved up my money and bought the 540 BLACK motor (like an LS motor in a Miata) I thought I had the winning ticket. Went to my first race and saw a thing called an RC10.... what's THAT?? Never heard of one of those. Dude had a 7 cell pack and a TRINITY motor....he could have drug a cinder block and still been faster than me!!! Did this for years then got into other things. Your video sure brings back some memories!!!!! My son JUST informed me he bought a GRASSHOPPER II..... that's gonna be a trip down memory lane. Now I feel like throwing in some Judas Priest and cranking it up!!! Maybe I'll get a play list going so I'll be ready when my son gets his GRASSHOPPER!!!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Great story! I am actually a bit of metal head. It just does not work for the filler music on our videos...lol.

[@Santor-]

Grasshoppers are great. I consider it a lighweight plastic version of the superchamp. Bodyshape is similar, both have whacked handling. One cost 1/3 of the other. Both are great fun!

[@ungurdani8346]

Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe 👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🚗🚗

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thank you so much!

[@duydinhnguyen6225]

I still have a gear box alloy if you ever want it please let me know thanks

[@rexrcs]

What a great video, why didnt i see this before 👌👍

[@Sleepy.Time.]

personally lve always preferred the Rough Rider to both

[@simonescalici5302]

yes, yes we did enjoy. race on that old stuuuf! rad fun so far!

[@kelpat3571]

I loved the 80s man.i had an rc10 as my first rc and my buddies had the falcon. Javelin and the frog . I wasted them every time we raced. Good times.

[@frankymal8640]

Great video, bought back a lot of memories (hornet, frog, scorcher, wild willy). Subscribed.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

All great cars! Old school Tamiya rules!

[@jmcg7906]

Thanks for making these videos. I just found your channel this morning. Subbed and binge watching now. Thanks again!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Awesome! Appreciate the sub. Hope you enjoy our content.

[@farvacarramrod3672]

You have inspired me to build a track in my backyard. I'll have to tear it up with my brat. And frog. Until I can get my hands on a sand scorcher.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Nice! The world can always use another RC track!

[@baheh1801]

Wow the same scorcher couldn't have done that on tarmac it would have rolled. When i had mine as a youngster the shell got so bashed up it must have had around seven or eight coats of paint as it kept needing scratches repaired

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

It performed MUCH better than I expected! Good thing about ABS is you can fill and paint for sure...lol. Appreciate the support.

[@manoman0]

Love the Slomos.

[@jadeddragon4254]

I have a super champ kit that I will build soon and I bought it mainly because of that cool ass bottle, among other things😂 he’s right

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

All about that bottle! Have fun with the build.

[@Perssa87]

Great video! 👍

[@19Marc79]

4:42 => OUCH

[@bradkalman2353]

Don't forget the sand scorcher has a posi rear end has no diff action so it gets good traction in the straight line for sure.

[@bubot17]

Awesome buggies

[@traxxasfans]

You have a great channel I have just subscribed

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thank you so much!

[@JMLUSA1]

Oh MAN!!! Such GREAT Memories! I'm brand new to the channel but I'M LOVING your content already!!!!!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thank you SO much! Winter here makes it impossible to do the track videos...but we have major plans for 2022 warm season.

[@jspeedrc]

👍🏻 👍🏻

[@davidwright9612]

Great Video

[@rcaficionado]

Great video! Love the Super Champ! 👍🏻

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Took a few years off my life...but it was amazing. The old Tamiya cars are in my heart for sure.

[@juliusdream2683]

Great video love that yellow sand scorcher..

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much!

[@leeball4]

I love the way the Sand Scorcher flies through the air, it maintains that sweet launch angle and doesn't nose over like so many other cars and it looks so rad in slow-mo!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Agree...it looks amazing in the air!

[@erikarolf2504]

Wow great video i like the slowmotion AND 3 rounds! What if You did Not count the slowest? THANK YOU!

[@tjohanne]

These videos are great. I like to see various cars racing against each other like here.

[@jtveg]

Thanks so much for sharing. 😎👌🏼

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the view.

[@rexrcs]

Sand scorcher seems to have the aid of more weight over the front end

[@rudydwyer3458]

Had one with a 2 stick futaba.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

My 1st Hornet had a 2 stick. Think it was a Futaba Attack.

[@markdjsonicfxalsop]

YES THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WITH A ROUGH RYDER & SAND SCOCHER IS THE BODY. LOL BRINGS BACK MEMORIES, THANKS. 🙂👍

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Appreciate it brother.

[@catxls1835]

The pleasure was mine my friend. Looking forward to the spring!! Take care buddy!

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Thanks so much! We have a lot of ideas for sure. Jrx2 in the works! Kyosho Ultima...Losi XXX and a BUNCH of Tamiya stuff. As long as time and budget allows we will do our best to document the fun we are having with these old cars. Hopefully a nice track update can happen as well.

[@ap14rcf70]

You mentioned people used to mod the Super Champ rear suspension in the day - do you have a video on that?

[@juniorflores687]

Nice videos and history of some iconic RC cars.