1/12^th Electric Circuit

1/12^th scale is all about smooth, accurate and consistent driving. Most of the worlds top model car racers started off with 12^th scale, and still consider it as their favourite class. It is said that racing 1/12^th scale is like playing golf; it takes a few hours to learn, but a lifetime to master!

This class of racing is probably one of the oldest in the country and started off way back in the 1970’s. The cars we race today are 1:12th scale replicas of the modern day Le Mans prototype sports cars such as the Audi R10 and Peugeot 908.

The cars are of a simple design but feature the use of latest materials such as carbon fibre and titanium. This makes them very lightweight which gives them their incredible speed and acceleration, making them probably the fastest of any of the electric classes of racing. They are powered by rechargeable electric batteries, with an electronic speed controller and small electric motor providing the drive to the rear wheels. Major manufacturers such as Associated, Hot Bodies and Corally all market 1:12th scale cars and there is fierce competition at the top level between these major teams.

Here in the UK the racing takes place indoors on a special carpet surface like the one we have at WRCC. The cars use foam tyres and this gives them amazing levels of grip in the corners, making them real fun to drive. There are a large number of BRCA affiliated clubs throughout the country that run 1:12th scale cars and to be able to race indoors in the warm and dry has to be a major attraction. They can also be raced outdoors on tarmac tracks and this is in fact the norm in sunnier parts of the world such as Japan and the US.

Unlike the other electric classes, the races are 8 minutes in length. This increased track time for your money, combined with the relatively low cost of running 1:12th scale circuit cars has to be one of the major advantages of this class.

A British national championship is run throughout the winter at a number of different venues across the country. These meetings consist of two full days of racing with qualifying and finals, just like the full size events. At the end of the season a national champion is crowed.

On the world stage Great Britain has achieved great things in 1/12th scale with our very own David Spashett being crowned world champion in 1994, 1998 and 2006 for Corally;  titles he holds alongside his countless European and British championship wins. The current European Champion is Britain’s Andy Moore, who won last years championships in Sweden using a Hot Bodies Car.

As with any class, there are several different cars to choose from depending on a drivers experience, ability and budget. As a rough guide we have split the most popular kits/cars into groups, as detailed below;

Entry Level/Beginner

The FTX car is a budget version of the Associated RC12 L4, which has been the benchmark design in 12^th scale for a number of years. The Corally SP12M is an older Corally model, but is still well supported by major stockists.

FTX Fantom (RRP 99.99)

Corally SP12M

National Level/Expert

Some of these cars require upgrades in order to obtain their full potential. Having said that, in the right hands they are all capable of being world beaters. It is a case of deciding which car best suits your situation in terms of cost, advice/backup and parts availability. The Corally SP12X is probably the most popular car at the moment, but all of the others have representation at the BRCA nationals

Hot Bodies Cyclone 12 (RRP 184-99) – Current European Championship Winning Car

Corally SP12X – Current World Championship Winning Car

Team Associated RC12L4 (RRP 149.99)

CRC Gen-X

V-Dezign Carpet Ripper

Kawada M300RSX (RRP 189.95)

For info and results on the BRCA national 1/12^th scale championships visit www.bevens.co.uk

Follow this link to an interesting article by Trevor Coult on how to prepare a 1/12th circuit car

WRCC do not currently run this class on a regular basis.  Please contact us for more information.