RC Car Racing in the USA: 2025 Schedule, Registration, Gear, and Tips 🏎️💨

RC car racing is booming, and 2025 is packed with major events across the USA. The ROAR sanctioning body (Remotely Operated Auto Racers) has announced the national championship dates and locations. From March through October, the calendar includes big RC racing meets – carpet and paved on-road racing, off-road electric and nitro racing, and more. For example, the year kicks off with the 1/10th Scale Electric Carpet On-Road Nationals in New Rochelle, NY, and wraps up with the 1/10th On-Road Paved Nationals in Fresno, CA. In this guide, we lay out the full 2025 USA RC racing schedule, how to register, gear checklists, and travel tips. Whether you’re a veteran racer or a beginner, you’ll find all the info you need to hit the track ready for action.

What is the full schedule of RC car competitions in the USA for 2025?

The 2025 RC racing calendar is headlined by ROAR National events held around the country via redrc.net. The table below lists the major championship races, with dates, class, and location. All these events are ROAR-sanctioned, meaning they follow the official rules and championship format.

Major 2025 ROAR Championship events (dates and venues). The schedule runs from early spring through fall 🚀.

• Spring (March): The season opens with the 1/10th Carpet On-Road Nationals at 360V2 Raceway in New Rochelle, New York. Later in March, the 1/8th Electric Off-Road Nationals happen at Silver Dollar Raceway in Chico, California.
• Late Spring (May): Mid-May sees the 1/10th Electric Dirt Off-Road Nationals at the Hoosier RC HobbyPlex in Indiana.
• Summer (June): In mid-June, Thornhill Racing Circuit in Hutto, Texas hosts the 1/8th Nitro Off-Road Nationals, which for 2025 features nitro buggy and truggy classes 🛠️. (Nitro Buggy and Nitro Truggy are contested.)
• Late Summer (August): The 1/10th Carpet Off-Road Nationals run August 14–17 at Island Speedway Off-Road in Iowa. (This event features short-course and buggy classes on carpet.)
• Fall (October): Finally, the 1/10th Electric On-Road Paved Nationals take place Oct 23–26 at Cen-Cal Raceway in Fresno, California. This is the last ROAR championship of the year.

These are the major national events. Many local and regional club races are held throughout the year, but the table above covers the big ROAR nationals. (For example, in mid-summer 2025 ROAR’s Region 8 hosts carpet off-road championships in Iowa – a tune-up event for the nationals.) ROAR’s calendar shows how diverse the 2025 season is. For instance, California hosts two ROAR nationals (the March off-road race and the October on-road race), while Texas hosts the big 1/8th off-road event in June.

Which RC car events include both nitro and electric classes in 2025?

The 2025 ROAR Nationals feature separate events for electric and nitro classes. The 1/8th Electric Off-Road Nationals (March 20–23) at Silver Dollar RC Raceway (Chico, CA) crowns champions for E-Buggy and E-Truggy, while the 1/8th Nitro Off-Road Nationals (June 18–22) at Thornhill Racing (Hutto, TX) is dedicated to Nitro Buggy and Nitro Truggy. (Other nationals are electric only.)

What about local and “near me” events?

Aside from ROAR nationals, many club tracks run fun races all year. Local clubs often post schedules on RC calendar sites (e.g. RCSignup) by state or region. For example, if you live in California, look for spring and summer carpet series or drag meets at local hobby shops. In North Carolina and other states, club carpet and off-road races run through winter and spring. Check regional RC forums or local tracks for “weekend racing near me” – these grassroots races are great for practice. (Note: ROAR’s nationals are the tip of the iceberg; every weekend there are local races in the US. See RCSignup’s state-by-state listings.)

How to Register and Prepare for RC Competitions

Registration Process & Entry Requirements

To enter ROAR national races, you must have an active ROAR membership. ROAR Nationals require a valid membership through the event date. Memberships are available on the ROAR Racing website or through many tracks. Registration is done online via the rcSignup platform for each event (see links on ROAR’s site). For example, the 2025 1/10th Off-Road Nationals opened registration on February 17, 2025. Keep an eye on the ROAR news or club forums for the exact “registration opens” date.

Entry fees are typically around $100–120 per class (sometimes more for triple-amain finals). You choose your classes (race categories) during signup. Most ROAR Nationals allow up to 3 classes per driver, but one car per class. For stock classes, specific control tires are required (e.g. JConcepts “Smoothie 2” 2.2-inch tires). Tech inspection happens at the race, so bring all required parts (motor case, stickers, etc.).

Use this checklist to prepare your entry:

• ROAR Membership: Ensure it’s active for the event dates.
• Online Entry: Register on rcSignup for each national event you plan to attend (open/close dates vary by race).
• Classes: Pick your class (e.g. 2WD buggy, 4WD truck, short course) and only enter one chassis per class.
• Fees: Prepare payment (entry is done online, typically $110 for first class).
• Tires & Fuel: If needed, buy any control tires (stock classes) or nitro fuel in advance.
• Tech Items: Have your race transponder, motor tags, and any ROAR-required electronics ready (see ROAR rules for specifics).

Gear and Car Preparation

Get your RC car ready well ahead of the race. If you’re entering a national class, you’ll want a competitive race kit and spares. Here are some key items:

• Race-Ready Car Kit: A complete RTR or kit with all needed parts. A top choice is the Losi Tenacity DB Pro 1/10-scale Desert Buggy, a highly rated 4WD brushless buggy built for racing via amazon.com.
• Spare Parts: Extra bodies, shock springs, arms, gears and especially tires. Bring a set of JConcepts Smoothie 2.2″ tires (stock buggy tire) and spares for your class. Also pack plenty of LiPo batteries (2S or 3S, depending on class) and a fast charger. Quality packs like Spektrum Smart LiPos (5,000mAh or higher) give long run-times for practice.
• Transport/Storage: A sturdy carrying case or pit bag (with bottom support) keeps your car safe. The TORIBIO RC Car Storage Bag for 1/8 & 1/10 is a water-resistant transport bag with pockets for tools and a hard bottom via amazon.com.
• Timing Transponder: Most ROAR races use an AMBrc timing system. You’ll need a personal lap transponder. The Team Associated MyLaps RC4 Pro Transponder is popular – it mounts on your car and saves lap times directly in its memory. (Check that it’s the latest RC4 or RC4 Pro model.)
• Radio and Extras: Use a digital 2.4GHz radio system (e.g. Spektrum) that meets ROAR rules. Pack a tire pump, tire glue, tools, chargers, and spare screws. Also bring a folding chair, canopy or umbrella for shade, and any needed race documents.

Putting it in real-world terms: if your class is 1/10th 4WD buggy, you might show up with your Losi buggy on a TORIBIO pit bag in the trunk, a set of JConcepts rubber tires in hand, charged LiPo packs, and your MyLaps transponder clipped on. Being organized means less stress at race time ⚙️.

Travel and Event Tips

• Book Early: Nationals draw crowds, so reserve a hotel close to the track as soon as possible. Many tracks (like Hoosier Hobbyplex or Thornhill) list nearby hotels on their websites.
• Arrive Day Before: Give yourself a full practice day before racing starts (see practice dates in the event details). Use early practice to shake down your car and tune shocks or gear ratios for the local track surface.
• Fuel & Supplies: If racing nitro classes, plan fuel needs. Otherwise, pack plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen – most events are outdoors in summer.
• Race Schedule: Check the exact race format (qualifiers, mains) once on-site. Mains often happen on the last day, so drivers compete hard all week. Stay flexible in case of rain or delays – many large events are rain-or-shine.
• Meet Fellow Racers: Introduce yourself in the pits. Veterans often help newcomers with track specifics or rules. Many clubs have Facebook pages or Discord channels – joining these can give last-minute tips and race alerts.
• Stay Legal: Follow local COVID or venue rules (some tracks may require masks or have spectator limits). Also, observe all safety guidelines (no fueling in pit lane, etc.).

Tips for First-Time Competitors

If it’s your first national race, remember everyone starts somewhere:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Practice on similar surfaces. If possible, visit the track a few weeks in advance for club nights or practice days. Learning the track layout and lines ahead of time is a huge advantage.
• Learn the Rules: RC racing has many little rules (e.g. pit lane speed limit, transponder protocols). Read the ROAR rulebook or ask organizers about tech procedures (battery checks, weight limits). Don’t be shy to ask questions – most organizers want everyone to have fun.
• Pace Yourself: Races have multiple rounds (heats) and mains. Keep cool, and focus on clean laps rather than wheel-to-wheel bumping early on. If you make a mistake in one heat, recover in the next – consistency often wins.
• Watch and Ask: Between your runs, watch other drivers’ races or pit setups. You might pick up a tuning tip or strategy. Swap numbers or cards with fellow racers; many drivers share advice and form a friendly community.

Conclusion

The 2025 USA RC racing season is full of exciting events across the country. Mark your calendar with the dates above, sign up early, and start practicing now. Getting all your gear ready – including a race-ready kit like the Losi Tenacity DB Pro buy on Amazon, a transponder, and a transit case – will make race day much smoother. We’ve also given tips on registering, preparing your car, and traveling to events.

With practice and planning, you’ll be ready to race. Visit official sites (like ROAR Racing and RCSignup) or local club pages for the latest updates and entry links. Get your registration done early and share this schedule with fellow RC fans. See you at the track – race hard and have fun! 🏁

Sources: Official 2025 ROAR Racing calendar and event pages via roarracing.com, plus event registration details. These confirm dates, locations, and rules for 2025 national RC championships.