The RDS Competition Spec RWD Drift Car is now available as an unassembled kit. The RDS Builders Kit is intended for serious drifters who want to build a capable drift chassis that they can add all of their favorite electronics and 200mm body to, so it does not include a body, motor, ESC, radio system, steering servo, gyro, battery or charger. The RDS can be set up for three different battery sizes; a competition style 2S shorty LiPo pack, LCG 2S shorty pack, or a standard sized 2S stick pack.
We’ve engineered the RDS, from the ground up, for a specific purpose, to compete. The lead engineer on the project is a seasoned drifter who owns and operates a competition drift track/hobby shop and has been at the center of the drift scene for many years, getting direct feedback from fellow drifters. Through his own experience and others, he’s definitely learned a thing or two about what competitive drifters are looking for in a competent car. Using this knowledge, our in house engineering team has developed a highly competitive rear wheel drive drift car that excels on surfaces which are found on many prepared RC drift tracks, such as carpet, P-Tile, and polished concrete. The RDS drift car can also be set up for unpolished concrete and asphalt.
Competitive drifting is based on line, angle, and style. While competing, judges look for how close someone is to the ideal line and whether or not they are maintaining maximum angle throughout the run. Judges also want to see drivers move through the course quickly, consistently and with minimal corrections after they have committed to an angle. While this is mostly achieved by skill, it is absolutely necessary to have a quality drift car platform with predictable handling, so the driver knows what to expect from the car. A competitive drift car must also be tuneable to suit each driver’s personal driving style, as well as different track conditions. The RDS excels in this area with its lightweight carbon fiber based chassis, tight tolerances and complete adjustability. Everything on the RDS is adjustable including camber, caster, toe, Ackermann, roll center and center of gravity.
Because there are many different track conditions out there, we’ve designed the motor plate so that it can be mounted in three different positions, altering the RDS’s chassis roll and weight bias. This can be used to adjust the amount of traction and chassis roll the RDS has on different surfaces.
The high mount rear motor location provides maximum rear weight and chassis roll, making it ideal for polished concrete and P-Tile. Having the motor almost directly over the rear axles allows for maximum traction without making the chassis too rear heavy.
The mid-high motor location allows maximum roll, but moves the motor forward, in front of the rear axle. This provides slightly less traction in the rear of the RDS, while still maintaining chassis roll.
The mid-low location minimizes chassis roll and gives the RDS a more balanced feel. This is perfect for high traction surfaces such as carpet or asphalt.
Being able to fine tune your drift car’s Ackermann is important because it directly affects corner speed. Having the Ackermann set correctly allows the RDS to maintain a perfect arc through the drift and also increases exit speed. With the right setting, the braking action of the chase wheel rotates the rear of the RDS around, setting the driver up for the next corner. Track size also plays a big part in the amount of positive Ackermann needed, so being able to fine tune Ackermann is an absolute must. We’ve made fine tuning Ackermann on the RDS easy by including multiple steering link positions as well as a special sliding Ackermann plate. The RDS also has many other adjustments including front and rear toe, font and rear camber, and front caster. The RDS kit is loaded with tuning capabilities and was designed for even the most competitive drifters.
While the RDS kit is an advanced competition spec drift car, it is also the perfect choice for beginning drifters who want to start out by building a highly competitive drift car with little startup cost. The RDS drift not only performs well, it is incredibly durable and affordable. In today’s market, it’s difficult to find quality vehicles with an affordable price tag. We at Redcat understand that just because a car is of outstanding quality and highly competitive, it doesn’t need to be super expensive. We take pride in offering quality vehicles, of our own design, at an affordable price.
Specifications:
RDS Kit: Unassembled Kit
Electronics: None
Radio: None
Chassis: Carbon Fiber Upper, Lower Deck, Shock Towers & Motor Mount
Drive System: 2-Wheel-Drive
Transmission: Single-Speed with 3 Motor Positions For Adjusting CG & Weight Bias
Length: 445mm in stock setup
Wheelbase: 253mm - 261mm Adjustable. Stock Setup is 257mm
Suspension: 4 Coil Over Shocks / Sliding Adjustable Ackermann
Wheels: 6-Spoke Rims with Scale Wheel Nut Covers
Tires: HDPE Drift Tires
Needed to complete:
Body: 200mm wide, 253-261mm wheelbase
Motor: Brushless Recommended
ESC: Brushless Recommended
Gyro: Drift Specific
Steering Servo: Standard Size (high speed recommended)
Radio System
Battery: 2S LIPO (shorty pack recommended)
Charger: Compatible with Battery Choice
RedCat Racing
