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
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 Matrix RC https://mrc.jpn.com/parts/tt-02en/ supports a swithc to RWD from the TT-02 and Wrap Up Next https://wrapup-next.jp/ support the Tamiya options as well.as supporting Yokomo and their own machines.
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. .
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
REVE-D https://teamreved.com/
the new Champ.
REVE-D Offer the RC3 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.
Shibata
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?
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 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
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?
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