RC Drift Bible - 2026 Styles.
WOW!.... too much to say...
In 2025 there was a lot of consolidation for replicating super sticky real life drift.
Drift Masters and D1 seems to be going for insane speed, while formula D still has a slightly different philosophy here.
RC cars have become faster and also spend less time on brakes and more time on throttle.
And the PRO RC secrets are finally out. The social media expansion and Youtube translators have been invaluable.
If only I'd had these in Japan 20 years ago. I could have shared so much more.
Grip
One thing that's for certain is the old secret ways of generating grip by the PRO RC drivers is now becoming common knowledge.
It's an easy equation on the now benchmark surface. P-Tile + Heat = Grip
The way you mount the trye, how much of it is in use to generate heat are all the talking points for a phase in English called "Burn Tune".
it's a "hot" topic for track owners also who don't want their surface destroyed in the process.
items for discussion here.
High traction rims... Especially the REVE-D reduced size with exposed inner.
FDR increases and options for gearbox tune.
All GO for POWER. Noting that 11.5T and 13.5T with big turbo and boost still seem favourable at the top.
Ackerman, weight and rolling resistance
At the front of the car, Ackerman is now well understood and tuning is comfortably known and manufacturers are catering for the absolute minimum of rolling resistance in the front of the car with light weight components. However with these being available. It always confused me why a super light weight aluminum option is offered when aluminum is obviously heavier than a solid plastic.
Companies like TOPLINE https://rctopline.com/ have always sat in the middle developing ceramics and hard plastics that perform in the niche.
Overall.
These days it's all about serviceability and adjustability.
Japan's Big 3
The big 3 in Japan which are Tamiya, Yokomo and Kyosho haven't really changed as they provide a wide range of products which means they get cross-pollination but the specialists really need to focus. As you spread a range between beginner and pro, do you still have the time to perfect something. Rather than forcing someone down a path, the manufacturers are opening up their flexibility.
TAMIYA
https://www.tamiya.com/japan/index.html
Still focus on the entry level. The TT-02 is the mainstay 4WD carpark drifter. but the body range is still expanding with many new bodies capable of drift use.
The other good thing here is that others support conversions as you progress or get your kids involved.
Matrix RC https://mrc.jpn.com/parts/tt-02en/ supports a switch to RWD from the TT-02.
Wrap Up Next https://wrapup-next.jp/ support the Tamiya options as well as supporting Yokomo and their own machines with niche components that can offer that bit extra
.
KYOSHO
https://rc.kyosho.com/en/rccar.html
Kyosho have targeted the scale scene but at an level that anyone can run with. This is the RWD fazer.
Adjustable wheelbase and a RTR version as an option gets more into it. .
Solid for bash in 2026.
YOKOMO
https://teamyokomo.com/
Their MD Master Drift hit's Version 3.0
4 gear / 3 Gear / pinion & crown transfer have all been used at the top but there has been those nagging belt conversions that don't go away. Torque transfer has been a major topic over the last few years, and there is no clear winner.
Gearboxes have one drawback. Fixed ratios. Which leave the user without another flexible option for performance.
The biggest news for Yokomo MD is the abandoning the Fixed Gearbox on the MD and allowing belt driven options.
While little else has changed, the key here is another flexibility option with ratio flexibility. you could potentially overdrive the rear even more on high grip surfaces.
Front end remains the Slide Rack at the pro end.
They offer the RTR , Rookie , Super Spec and Master Drift Versions, depending on your ultimate target.
Entry point is a SUB-$500 RTR special RWD version of the Rookie Drift which is about what you need.
The upper end of RC drift has skyrocketed to the $2000 region for RTR or even $4000 plus Controller.
and that's without a body. And its gets even crazier with the specialists.
Japan's Specialists
2025 World Champ finals included Yokomo Shibata REVE-D and Overdose, lets look a bit more at the latter 3.
REVE-D
https://teamreved.com/
The new Champ.
REVE-D Offer the RDX-RCIII PRO conversion for their RDX Entry level Chassis to engage at the top.
They are really the brand that exposed the secrets of how to setup a chassis and got people talking about Eliminating Bump Steer, getting the "perfect" drift ackerman, getting better torque transfer. then set about building their own full suite of electronics and support parts for RC Drift and Drift Only.
A huge round of applause from me.
Unlocking some of the secrets for everyone for knowledge transfer and tuning options.
As mentioned above that extra bit of grip may come from the way you mount your tyre. a "fraction" of tyre compression can make a difference.
OVERDOSE
https://weld-jp.com/overdose/
Their GALM now has so many options that add microns of performance and beauty.
Its always been a good looking chassis but it's heading up to the 4K make for full tune.
New part towards the end of 2025 included a new $250 Slide rack that offers insane angle.
And while these new springs and helper springs offer a great feature of printing the spring rate directly on the spring, so we really need to see Overdose Logo in 20 different versions. on the one component.
at $52 for a set of 2 springs / 2 helpers and the separator. Especially if you want options, you might need to spend $400 to get the full range. I'm sure they could lower the cost a little by reducing the number of manual processes they have in manufacturing.
That's getting up there in price for the regular guy, but then the regular guy isn't going to buy Overdose. It's a real commitment to limited run of special parts that never ends and you also need to know how to get the most out of these parts.
BuzzBreak
And now there's two overdose brands to buy. You need two sets of logos. Buss Break seems to be the Exterior facing brand for any RC user. Wheels and real branded treaded tyres with great looks and the old HPI feel.
... and there's more stickers and brand items than actual parts. Gotta love their merch drops.
SHIBATA
https://www.dr-grk.com/product/
Another of the Japan big hitters, like overdose, they bring real world drift car setup into RC and use that knowledge vice versa.
Sobagiri and Hibino are the top players in D1 so I'm not sure why Taniguchi adds credibility into their RC drift chassis. As a D1 commentator maybe?
The GRK-5R is the top of the Shibata range. It has a floating rear and a complicated triple idler gear gearbox setup that takes a inline motor and somehow gets torque through it.
Anyway, the GRK has evolved also and Drift users can now use all the knowledge on tap.
Others
RCO
These guys allow you to swap any of the top Japanese makers chassis and swap any front end with any back end. The flexibility for brand mix and they are expanding.
MST - Max Speed Technology
https://www.rc-mst.com/
MST now offer great range of drift cars focusing on multiple layouts for all kinds of uses.
FRX - Front Motor Rear Drive Tub Chassis for that 'Scale' layout.
MRX- Mid Motor Inline with a rear gear drive ratio quickchange.
RRX - Rear Motor Rear Mount.
RMX- Rear Mid High and Low Mount versions
This is the comp focussed chassis once tuned such as the RMX 3.0
Then there's also
OPTIONS
AZADA RC
These guys shocked the world with their Merlin, heave spring monoshock suspension machines creating something special.
Rhino Racing
https://rhino-racing.com.cn/
Thes guys have the shark. An all alloy adjustable machine that really looks great and handles well.
KKPIT
https://www.kkpit.com/
KKPIT have the PDK which has some innovative design features with really thin front a-arms, interesting shock mount points and other unique features.
USUKANI
https://www.usukani.com/collections/nge
The NGE is the second incarnation from Usukani that offers a different approach with inboard sus etc.
The other PDS range is another decent entry chassis.
3Racing
https://3racing.shop/
These guys have the really cheap (with it's limitations for sure) and really good Sakura D6
But the AUPER D6 is almost due for full release. So stay tuned in 2026.
Team Associated
https://www.associatedelectrics.com/teamassociated
in 2025 , team Associated entered the drift scene, with an RTR DC10 and Ken Block style Mustangs a plenty. These can tune up pretty well, but now for old boys like me there's a nylon version called the Classic.... taking me back to RC10 buggies of the 80's
Should I get this in 2026 to replace my D6?
Traxxas https://traxxas.com/
Traxass have the 4-Tec Drift option which another entry level machine. In some ways their proprietary approach might be the only reason why this one is left on the shelf.
Some great features and some not so great.
So with all these options and more.... Where do we go in 2026?
