🚗 Hot Hatch: The Fun & Friendly 1/12th Class
Looking for a class that is easier to drive than a Mini but just as exciting? Welcome to Hot Hatch! With a longer wheelbase and more power, these cars are incredibly stable and a perfect entry point for anyone who already has standard brushed electronics from a truck or touring car.
The “Hatch” Spirit: This is a fun-first class. We aren’t strict “fun-police” regarding bodies, but we encourage iconic hatchback shells to keep the scale look alive!
🏁 The Chassis & Build
This class uses 1/12th scale kits that are slightly longer than the traditional Mini, providing a much more forgiving driving experience.
- Approved Kits: The Kamtec Hot Hatch and Mardave Hatch are the standard for this class.
- Wheelbase: 203mm – 205mm.
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive only with a solid spool axle (no differentials allowed).
- Materials: Keeping it low-cost! Standard kit materials (Steel/GRP/Alloy) only—no expensive carbon fiber or titanium upgrades.
Example Chassis Include:
- Kamtec Hot Rod / Hot Hatch / Hot Hatch Pro
- Mardave VRX OE/OES/OESC
- Schumacher Supastox / Supastox GT (No longer in production, but available 2nd Hand)
⚡ Electronics & Power
One of the best things about Hot Hatch is that it uses “standard” electronics you might already own!
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| ESC | Hobbywing Quicrun 1060 or 1080 |
| Motor | 21t Brushed (e.g., Core 21 or similar brushed motors) |
| Battery | 2S LiPo (7.4v/7.6v) Hard Case |
| Gearing | Standard 32dp Pitch |
🛞 The “Control” Tyre
To keep costs down and racing close, we use a Control Tyre. This means everyone has the same level of grip, and you won’t need to spend a fortune testing dozens of different compounds.
Required Tyre: Foam tyres with the Green Stripe made by Contact (Schumacher).
🖼️ Body Shells
- Style: Ideally “Hatchback” style bodies (VW Golf, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, etc.).
- GT Shells: We prefer to avoid “GT” or “Supercar” shells to keep the class identity, but we are flexible—it’s all about getting on the track and having fun!
Ready to give it a try? The longer wheelbase makes these a blast to drive on foam!
Grab a 1060 ESC, a 21t motor, and come join the grid!
Most Important Rule
Have fun!
These classes are designed to be accessible for newcomers through to national series racers – but with an emphasis on fun at the club level.
The rules are open enough to allow drivers to run what they own, without having to spend a fortune on new parts just to be able to compete.
Inevitably there will be a little bit of contact between cars while racing, as long as the racing is kept to a clean standard then there will be no problems.
If you see a rule that doesn’t look right or needs a clarification, do not hesitate to mention it to the committee and we will look to resolve it in the most fair way possible.