What Tamiya RC car shall I buy for racing

RC car racing is amazing but how do the cars from our childhood do on the track. I get to find out when I race the Tamiya Hotshot at the 2022 Iconic RC revival event .
Up against some stiff competition with the kyoshos and schumacher cars of old ruling the rostrum. Then in 2023 I wanted to be a little more competitive so it is time to upgrade and go with the Super Hotshot.
So what will we do in 2024 as we need to start planning now...
For a discount on all your Tamiya cars spares and hop ups at Rochester RC put in discount code PopalongRC at the checkout : rochesterrc.uk/link/popalongrc

[@merijn1975]

Would love to see you race the Tamiya TD2 Astute 2022 but I am afraid it won't be allowed in the Iconic Cup. The car is completely different to the classic Astute, other than the RWD & colors.

[@PopalongRC]

Yeah first thing we checked after the video. Not sure why Tamiya did that

[@joewood306]

B​@@PopalongRCwould guess they wanted something modern 2wd and sharing components with the super avante. Giving it a classic name makes it sell better...

[@darthdamo3491]

Grasshopper!!!!!! All day long. I'd be tempted to get mine off the shelf and enter myself.

[@PopalongRC]

Hahahaa do it

[@James-bristol]

Wild one ,looks stunning

[@PopalongRC]

It does look nice

[@shadyhazza]

I love the smell of RC and drum and bass in the morning. Merry christmas folks!

[@PopalongRC]

Same to you!

[@Yoyo-01]

GRASSHOPPER for our laughs!! Maybe the clubs should supply cars to keep the benders from winning??

[@PopalongRC]

Hahahahahahaha

[@lo2713]

The top force is a very capable car out the box, cougar and procat are bullet proof. Plenty of choices still, ultima, optima mid, yokomo 870c and hopefully we will have the rc10 gold pan. I’ll see you both there next year 👍

[@reldwob22]

Spend Saturday learning the track and having fun with the best looking Tamiya ever made, the Wild One, then get a little more serious on the Sunday with the Top Force, a genuine contender! Simples!

[@PopalongRC]

Sounds like a plan

[@shaunodriscoll]

I like the Wild One ! Looks like a winner to me. It’s been great watching you guys through the year. I have loved the videos and all the funny stuff. Great content. Merry Christmas guys and happy new year!

[@PopalongRC]

Merry Christmas Shaun

[@Marktravis356]

You don’t need a new vintage car , you had an rc10 b2 or b3 in the video about Mark wanting to be a bender that you were going to pull the speed controller out of . Get that back on the track where it deserves to be . Think you had two , build 2 identical and see who is actually the best driver , and if Miss Daisys’ technique is best .

[@bradkalman2353]

Run the super saber it has a different tub then the hot shots.

[@craigpoer]

I got a 1990 hornet for Christmas. So stoked. Dont want to put it together hah. Cool video

[@jameswisecarver]

I've got a dual ridge on the way should be here any day now, lookin forward to building it.

[@iowpeter]

Tamiya sand scorcher or fighting buggy are fun 2wd entries! Super astute if you want a competitive heat!

[@mariusmarais8329]

Top Force Evo....👍

[@dub_rider]

that Top Force Evo is a nice piece of kit, would look pretty sweet in popalong livery. have a great xmas guys cheers for the vids and laughs

[@PopalongRC]

Thanks, you too!

[@jaydilla85]

Big Top Force fan boy here! Would love to see you build, tune and run one! ❤

[@thudtheace]

Top Force EVO, and Wild One! For 2 days of fun and failure!!🤣 I used to run a Tamiya Rough Rider back in the day, so I know what fun-failure looks like!😛😂 Cheers!

[@PopalongRC]

You’re not wrong

[@rc10t3]

Wild One, most realistic for the looks and its era.

[@techspeedrc]

If Mark is running a Cougar and Procat the obvious choice is the Top Force Evo for 4wd so you are racing in the same category. 2wd is harder as the best choice of Tamiya to run with the Cougar would be a Dynastorm or if not a Super Astute. That's a proper Astute, not that modern buggy with the same name you have there. I'm not the one to ask though, I ran the Graupner Mercury last year, an AYK Radiant the year before, and trying to decide whether to run the Mercury again or an MRC MRX this year

[@adrianpilbeam7403]

I'd like to see you run the Wild One.

[@ridindirtyrc]

You guys are hilarious 😂 love the videos

[@PopalongRC]

Cheers buddy appreciate the suppirt

[@Mrf388]

The first one you think of when you wake up in the morning, is the one you should get.

[@PopalongRC]

Bacon butty it is then

[@douglaspuglas6888]

​@@PopalongRC Which one of you made that comment cause I'm thinking two bacon butties, you know who you're 😅

[@MortenH514]

Go Top Force Evo!🥰🤘 That 2022 Astute is not the same as the old Astute, so il bet its not allowed..

[@PopalongRC]

Yeah completely different so it’s a no no Looked to good to be true

[@grrfy]

Happy Christmas Fellows! kyosho or RC10 or Schumacher but both get the same,learn from each others setups and pace as a Team ,Like a mini version of Drive to Survive, personally rather watch that , than an old Tamiya being outpaced every race.(I love Tamiya). I also think you would both find it more satisfying as a day out!

[@PopalongRC]

You make some good points

[@Nixxtrr]

Go the wild one!

[@zoozu2067]

Top Force Evo!

[@kanenstuff]

Merry Xmas guys I would go the Top Force Evo comes with a bit of carbon fiber that's a bit of weight saved.

[@flacrackeremt78]

You gotta race that Astute22!!! Putting one together for carpet club racing myself. The original Astute was my 1st RC and would love to see it's namesake on the track.

[@PopalongRC]

Unfortunately not legal for iconic but might get one anyway

[@extec101]

Wild one i think would be the better car as its low swung rugged front suspension and not so much hard plastic body.

[@MikeColes-ct6tk]

Has to be Egress if that's allowed,only because its one of the best looking rc cars ever

[@PopalongRC]

True is is pretty

[@douglaspuglas6888]

Merry Christmas lads and a fantastic rc new year. Youre getting more and more popular dont let it go to your head and remember us tegular peasants at the track 😂❤ If you go procat which ive heard is going chesper atm ive got all the hop ups brand new amd a mini savix servo and max 10 esc all new, ill do you a cracking deal o a.d a set Schumachers tyres/inserts. This hobby is getting ££££ so if you go that route ill look after you

[@PopalongRC]

We are grass roots club racers and always will be

[@douglaspuglas6888]

@@PopalongRC glad to hear, have a great Christmas guys love to you and family

[@chuzzwade288]

Merry Christmas chaps 🎄

[@PopalongRC]

Cheers buddy

[@chowettgoes]

Wild One all day out of that Tamiya lot. Evo would need a load of mods. Schu will be proper nice, Koyosho equally nice.

[@bod3000]

Not familiar with the astute but it looks very nice. And merry Christmas

[@PopalongRC]

Happy holidays!

[@wholespeed]

Avante black special mate!

[@barrycheesemore2928]

Out of those Tamiiya kits, the Top Force Evo would be the best one I reckon, way better spec, although more expensive. The Astute 2022 probably wouldn't be allowed, it's not a re-re but a new kit just with the same name as the old one. Kyosho's are a good option, as are the Schumacher buggies. I'm sure that whatever you run you'll have a laugh anyway!!

[@johnnylu7169]

Look for an Egress black edition

[@PopalongRC]

Had one in my hands last week

[@supocarta74]

Thunder shot released 87and the falcon released 86 for the 2wd...will be my choice if I go this year 👍

[@PopalongRC]

Good choice 👍🏻

[@withcookie5583]

Top Force Evo

[@damienmctasney4679]

I think it would be great to see an Egress or Avante doing the revival.....out of the choices I would go with the Top Force Evo

[@inglisclint6225]

Top force for the win

[@PopalongRC]

You might be right

[@savie62]

Top force got to be done

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@andycrute7350]

Top force evo and I’ll help you be a bender 😉😂 and a cougar 2wd Or Mark option, full Schumacher 👍🏁

[@PopalongRC]

Sounds like a plan

[@captainchaos3053]

Top force EVO gets my vote

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@farmcat3198]

Race the Grasshopper!

[@PopalongRC]

it might happen

[@johnp99550]

Top-Force, got to be.

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@mikebinsufficientfundsraci748]

Do the top force and astute

[@PopalongRC]

Might have to get a top force

[@H20ONFIRE]

The Top force series is tamiya's best driving an handling 4wd. I'd also suggest to not run the front 1 way. But try both.

[@PopalongRC]

Cheers buddy Will look into it

[@angrymelon]

My vote would be for the Top Force Evo. You've already done a couple years of the prior era cars, time to move up?

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice I think you might be right

[@coventrykid08]

I don’t know why people are so dismissive of Tamiya. They have always been as much about building the kits and painting them. As they are about driving them. My first one was a Ford Ranger F150 XLT that I built with my Dad back in 1982. I was really missing him last year so I built a tribute car using old parts sourced from EBay. You can’t do that or make those kind of memories with a RTR straight out the box.

[@PopalongRC]

Very true indeed👍

[@SonnyBurnett85]

Got to be the Top-Force Evo.

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@goingupchuck6909]

As a kid in the 80s a raced a mardave meteor is there a class for one of them as I’d love to find another one

[@PopalongRC]

Yes indeed there is👍

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

Boss, for AWD Id rather you ditch Tamiya and give the Kyosho Optima the nod. That said, being the rusted on Tamiya fan, maybe the Astute 2022 is the go for the 2WD class. And the EVO if you go down the AWD Tamiya route.

[@PopalongRC]

EVO is popular and Astute is not legal unfortunately

[@michaeldorich4485]

If you're going to stick with Tamiya I would consider, DF03 "Dark Impact" for 4wd. For 2wd I would not consider the Grasshopper or Hornet because they are not durable. The Astute 2022 is probably too new for a vintage class, but may be for another class. For 2WD vintage I would try to find and RC10 or Losi JRX2, but they may be too expensive. I don't know much about the Kyosho cars, but they had some good re-releases. I would consider the Kyosho 2WD Ultima. The quality is supposed to be excellent.

[@ianalexander8374]

Astute and the super hornet

[@_Andrew._]

So when will they remake the Falcon?

[@peteredwards7114]

Topforce Evo all the way 😊

[@speed_hunters_rc]

Grasshopper for the 2WD win 😂

[@PopalongRC]

Haha

[@peterbaker7963]

So simple 1) do buy Tamiya , years and years of racing have shown me that much, 2) Set you car up correctly for the track your on.. 10% the Car, 30% battery/motor combo and the rest is set up. Trust me I have raced at the highest level.

[@benstutley2904]

Personally, my Iconic Revival vote is for Carl to run an '89-'93 Schumacher ProCat, & I want to see Mark running the Top Force Evo, -I reckon the Evo chassis has some potential that Mark could drag out of it, having seen what he can do with a TT01! - plus the underdog vs the favourite might see you in the same heat! I think that would be good fun :) As for the 'Astute 2022' -you're just click-baiting me & I'm reacting like a sheep in the headlights... Please, Don't! How many b*ll*cks have Tamiya dropped on that & the TD4? Just Imagine a pair of 2 & 4wd, 7075 chassis modern designs capable of competing with modern Schumachers' & Associated's & with the names; 'Astute' & 'Avante' ...? -my wallet has just puckered up while I'm typing this! -doubt I'm the only one with childhood Tamiya loyalty either ... Have a word with Tamiya when you can guys. Merry Xmas Boss's, the family's, & all the subscribers, and bring on 2024! :)

[@Jaxon_durbidge]

Top force evo is by far best choice

[@PopalongRC]

It is also a popular choice

[@deanmurphy-brown4452]

I'll tell you what you want, not my Baja Champ. Bits fall off of that all the time 🙂

[@essex_ken]

Get a mcd rr5 or w5 and do the in door nationals in Feb

[@PopalongRC]

Will take a look

[@neontetra1000]

How the hell is he gonna race an mcd rr5 petrol car indoors? Someone is gonna die.

[@essex_ken]

@@neontetra1000 🤦‍♀🤦‍♀

[@Divefire]

Get a Thunder Shot or Terra Scorcher. It'll surprise you.

[@kratcliffe5680]

How much do rochestter pay you?

[@PopalongRC]

They let us shoot the video in store and feature all these cars and we did not have to buy them to feature them… it’s a win win. We have visited several stores as we like to Popalong to support local clubs and stores …

[@stevenhogan9724]

What about a nova fox great 2wd

[@PopalongRC]

I’ve always liked the nova fox👍

[@Helghast73]

Can you not get a Kyosho so Mark might not laugh 😂? if you can how about the scorpion 🤷🏻‍♂️ or like Mark a Schumacher.

[@PopalongRC]

Still early and we have options

[@Helghast73]

@@PopalongRC Merry Christmas you two and everyone else, have a good one 👊

[@donnienicholson180]

Ta07 MSX then send to America for me to tune😂

[@PopalongRC]

Postage will cost as much as the car

[@donnienicholson180]

@@PopalongRC lol....yep. heehee

[@troysrcchannel5659]

Do people race Mini Z over there?

[@PopalongRC]

Yeah but we have not as yet Will do it in 2024

[@troysrcchannel5659]

@@PopalongRC oh you will love it. I went to my first organized race the other night and had such a good time.

[@Fly2kill1]

A kyosho or Schumacher

[@PopalongRC]

You might be on to something

[@doughuckel1975]

Try a tt02b r for race

[@PopalongRC]

Actually interested in this but nobody locally runs them and they won’t compete with any other buggy

[@beandean356]

Boss does the wife know you are buying more cars?

[@PopalongRC]

Gonna try and blag I’ve been a good boy and they have been left by Santa

[@leebentley6257]

Evo

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@AJXR6T]

Not a tamiya get something worthwhile racing and not slightly different versions of the same care not updated since the 80s

[@PopalongRC]

Fair point

[@danjaz2000]

Tamiyas are junk. But i love them so. Hehe. Evo and astute.

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

Not a Tamiya. Get a MCD Racing XR5 Rally ultimate and go do some proper racing....

[@PopalongRC]

Not a bad shout that

[@doh4828]

Nope. Hasn’t got that x factor.

[@jadeddragon4254]

It's not all about speed bro, embrace the experience these vintage cars give you

[@PopalongRC]

@jadeddragon4254 exactly

[@douglaspuglas6888]

Top Force defo the Astute hmmmmm ugly and not as track focused as the TF. The mud guards are just Noooooo .

[@PopalongRC]

Popular choice … you’re right about the Astute

[@dannydavis4506]

Tamiya not good , break too easily , , get kyosho losi or Associated or Schumacher , or anything else .....

[@PopalongRC]

variety is the pice of life