Author: Tony Phalen

As an avid RC enthusiast, Tony has been building, bashing and racing RC Cars for over 30 years. He has participated in every kind of surface racing events - 1/18 scale trucks, 1/10 scale TC, Rock Racers, Rally - if it had wheels, he's raced it! He's also worked on both sides of the industry fence; collaborating with many major manufacturers (as well as being a sponsored driver) to working for a high-profile industry magazine. During this time he has learned many tricks, tips and techniques and is sharing that knowledge on CompetitionX - the most informative RC website on the internet!

Review: Team Durango DETC410 Touring Car

Review: Team Durango DETC410 Touring Car

Touring cars have always been one my favorite classes to drive (and race). There’s something cool about driving a 4WD land missile on a tight ... Read More

Review: HPI Savage X 4.6 Special Edition

Review: HPI Savage X 4.6 Special Edition

HPI’s Savage has seen many variations over the past couple years. There’s been the Savage 21, the Savage SS, the Savage Flux (E-version) and even ... Read More

Team Associated RC10 Classic Online Build

Team Associated RC10 Classic Online Build

Team Associated has re-released the original RC10, now slated the RC10 Classic. This piece of history includes all the things that made this buggy an ... Read More

Team Associated Factory Team T4.2 Online Build

Team Associated Factory Team T4.2 Online Build

Team Associated has added the Factory Team treatment to their T4.2 offroad stadium truck. Adding features like their 12mm Big Bore shocks, VTS Slipper unit ... Read More

Review: Team Associated RC12R5.2 1/12 Scale

Review: Team Associated RC12R5.2 1/12 Scale

Team Associated has been designing competitive racing machines since they built their first 1/8-scale on-road car back in 1969. During the first few years, the ... Read More

Team Associated Qualifier ProLite 4×4 Project Build

Team Associated Qualifier ProLite 4×4 Project Build

Whenever a new vehicle hits the shelves (especially a Ready-To-Run), I always have this thought in the back of my mind that asks whether this ... Read More

Slippery Savage Center Drive

Slippery Savage Center Drive

Question: Hi Doc, I have a question about the drivetrain of my HPI Savage XS Flux. Sometimes when I am enjoying my drive, it is ... Read More

Nitro Engines – The Three Needles

Nitro Engines – The Three Needles

Question: Hi Doc, I have the GS Storm Unlimited Truck 1/8th scale with the blue R25MT rear exhaust engine. I have searched high and low ... Read More

Making the Smartech Speedy Tiger Speedier

Making the Smartech Speedy Tiger Speedier

Question: Hiya Doc, I have a Smartech Speedy Tiger and I'm looking to install a new engine in it. It gets really hot, especially when ... Read More

Dual Rate Discovered

Dual Rate Discovered

Question: Hey Doc, I am rebuilding a Kyosho Vanning buggy and regifting it to my 38 year old son - I originally gave it to ... Read More

Review: Axial Racing Jeep Wrangler Wraith Poison Spyder Edition

Review: Axial Racing Jeep Wrangler Wraith Poison Spyder Edition

Axial’s Wraith has always been one of my favorite RC cars to drive. Its combination of speed and crawling ability allows me to drive it ... Read More

Review: Losi Micro Brushless Rally Car

Review: Losi Micro Brushless Rally Car

Something that amazes me about the RC industry is the constant progression from year to year. I can understand larger scale vehicles getting upgraded with ... Read More

Review: Team Associated Rival MT Monster Truck

Review: Team Associated Rival MT Monster Truck

The monster truck scene has been in a bit of a lull lately, but Team Associated is hoping to change all that with the release ... Read More

Slashed My Slash Chassis

Slashed My Slash Chassis

Question: Heya Doc, My son just purchased a Traxxas Slash 2WD VXL model and within 10 minutes of driving it the chassis broke in front ... Read More

Runtime with my HPI Vorza

Runtime with my HPI Vorza

Question: Heya Doc, I have a HPI Vorza and was wondering how much run time I should get from 2 3S LiPo batteries. Also, can ... Read More