THE Retired Report – 2025 Smells Like Nitro!
Hello there fellow rc hobbyists this is THE Retired Report. First off, I want to wish all of you a happy new year. Second off, 2025 is starting to smell a lot like NITRO!
In my last Retired Report, I talked about how I felt like Team Associated won the year of 2024. So what does Associated do on the very first day of 2025? They absolutely CRUSH IT be announcing the return of their RC10GT nitro stadium truck, that’s what they do! Not only does the RC10GT help bring back vintage racing, but it also helps put nitro back onto the map.
Ya know, years ago I did a column on how everything happens in cycles and that nitro was wayyyy overdue for a triumphant return. Shortly thereafter, a number of companies started producing new fuel powered trucks, some with newer “gasoline” technology. Sadly, none of those releases were able to set off the nitro market again, but hey, at least they tried, sadly the engine tech still wasn’t quite where it needed to be.
Welp, me for one, I just can’t take it any longer. I’ve GOT to get some nitro back into my life. Yes, I know flame outs suck. Yes, I know carb tuning on our tiny nitro engines can make you pull all your hair out. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, I need that sound! I need that smell! I literally NEED nitro back in my life.
However… there isn’t a lot of nitro RTRs to had now days. Traxxas certainly still has nitro, from the Revo 3.3, to the Nitro Rustler, to the original old school T-Maxx. I was an early adopter of the original Nitro Revo, and I remember that as probably being my best ever experience in the nitro powered world. My original Revo ran consistently, had more than enough power, but more so, OMG it was so much fun to bash with. So ya, it seems I need to cut that check and get those nitro fumes kicking again! Seriously folks, I am beyond stoked to go nitro again this year.
On a slightly different note…
Going into 2025, here’s a few things I would love to see in the rc world.
First up, NITRO scale rock crawlers. In my mind, scale rock crawling has run out of steam. Every build has been built a thousand times over, and as a whole, the trucks haven’t really changed all that much from the early crawlers. However, IMO, if you wanna take your scale crawling game to the next level, that requires even more realism, which means fuel power! I mean seriously folks, can you even imagine a TRX-4 or SCX10 III with a REAL exhaust note? Imagine if your RTR crawler came with an easy to remote start nitro engine that was designed for long life, consistent running, and massive torque for crawling? Imagine the sound of a dozen fuel powered crawlers going through the woods! OMG, seriously, that’s next level cool! And while it would take some new tech, mainly a new style engine that isn’t like our race engines, but one designed for torque, that’s why our hobby exists, to keep taking fun to the next level.
Another thing I’d reallyyyy love to see in 2025 is higher cell counts. For example, can you imagine a stock 1/10 8S Traxxas Maxx? Can you imagine a bone stock 1/8 10S Team Corally Kagama? Or a 12S 1/5 ARRMA Kraton? With higher voltages, comes higher efficiency. 1:1 cars like Tesla run very high voltages for a good reason. I’d love to see the rc manufactures lower Kv ratings and increase cell counts. With a higher voltage set-up, consumers would get longer run times, less heat in their electronics, and generally a better experience. Plus, if you really want to go extreme, there is no replacement for voltage!
Ok folks, I’ve used up enough of your precious time for today. If you get a chance, please drop by your LHS and say hello!
YOUR Cub Reporter
