Looking for a straight-forward event and rules package to start your own monster truck racing?  This is the latest rules package available to used by prospective RCMTRS racing groups.  Outlining event procedures and specific class rules, this is a great resource to building your own race series!

Radio Control Monster Truck Race Series - 2021 Rulebook

Event Format

• Sanctioned events will run under the RCMTRS name and feature monster truck side-by-side style racing with an optional freestyle competition. The goal of the R/CMTRS is to replicate monster truck racing currently found today.

• Events can be held indoors or outdoors, and will feature scaled down track layouts from what is being used today. Events can either be over timed courses or feature elimination style racing. All vehicles will be electric powered.

Racing Format

• Racing will take place over the course of separate race rounds, with the event winner being determined through the total score combined from those rounds. Elimination racing should have a minimum of four separate rounds, while timed racing should allow drivers four consecutive timed runs. Two to four timed rounds will occur, allowing each driver to record runs in both lanes of the track.

• In the case of a tie, the highest finish (or finishes) or fastest single timed run from each lane for a particular truck will take precedence until the tie is broken.

• Each race will be started via a “Christmas Tree” style starting system. For elimination racing, the 1st truck crossing the finish line without penalty will be declared the winner. In timed events, the slowest time from each lane (per truck) will be dropped and the rest will be added to create a final time for each given round.

Racing Penalties

• False Start/Red Light – Time disallowed. Points earned up to that point remain. In the event of double false-starts, the truck that false-started last will be declared the winner. The only instance where a false start will result in advancing in the racing bracket is when the opposing truck hits a portion of the timing system. In that case, the truck red-lighting will advance but will not be awarded points for that particular race.

• Shortcut portion of racecourse and/or out of bounds – Time disallowed. Points earned up to that point remain. In the event of double disqualification, the truck that missed the course last will be declared the winner. Legality of run to be confirmed by driver and/or course marshals. Out of bounds area to be clearly marked prior to event.

• Contact with timing system/lights – Time disallowed. Points earned up to that point remain. In the event of both trucks hitting portions of the timing system, both trucks will be disqualified from that round of racing. The losing truck with the fastest time (fastest loser) will be allowed to advance to the next bracket of racing for that round.

• Both front tires do not contact ramp – 5 second penalty per instance. Legality of run to be confirmed by driver and/or course marshals.

• Truck does not meet class technical requirements - Disqualified from event. No points awarded. Truck can run in “Unlimited” Class if applicable at event.

Timing System Errors/Issues 

• If there is a timing error on a qualifying run, the truck that has a clean run with a timing error will be re-run in the same lane.

• If a timing error occurs during a race for example – If the winner of the race runs a clean run with the correct time his time and win will stand. The loser of the race has a timing error, he will run again and be able to record a new time to have a chance to be a fast loser if needed.

• If a timing error occurs on a disqualified run, that truck will not be run again.

Racing Classes

Axial SMT10

4WD Mini-Modified (2.2)

Retro

4WD Pro-Lite

4WD Pro-Modified

Axial SMT10

• Intended as a spec class for the Axial SMT10 monster truck.  Other AR60 based trucks can also be built, but must meet all rules listed below in addition to using the following parts specific to the SMT10 truck:  Tube chassis (AX31346/AX31347/AX31348/AX31350), SMT10 tires/wheels (AX31344/AX31345), shocks, and upper/lower links (AX33109).

• Stock Axial SMT10 tube chassis (AX31346/AX31347) required.  Aftermarket chassis not allowed.  Optional (and aftermarket) front and/or rear sway bars allowed.  Wheelbase limited to stock 13.9".  Alternate bodies acceptable.

• Stock SMT10 shocks required.  May replace plastic shock caps with optional aluminum caps.  May modify shock oil & spring rates.  Must keep stock shock front & rear mounting locations.

• Locked or unlocked AR60 axles acceptable.  No overdriven internal diff gearsets allowed (Must use 38/13 ring & pinion gear sets).  Aftermarket aluminum steering links acceptable.

• 14T/32p pinion (Steel aftermarket pinion allowed) with 56T/32P spur gear required.  No other gearing changes allowed.

• 12T 550 brushed motor (DYNS1222) required.  Either Axial AE-5 or Dynamite 60A ESCs allowed.   Either Tactic TSX45 or Spectrum S614 servo required.  4-wheel steering not allowed.

• Stock SMT10 wheels & tires required.  No shaving of tires allowed.  No wheel wideners allowed.

• Battery pack limited to a maximum single 7.4V (2s) LiPo (with a maximum 50c discharge rate).  Only hard-shell protected LiPo batteries allowed. Low voltage cut-off required with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries must be charged in LiPo charging sack.

4WD Mini-Modified (2.2)

• Open to all solid axle truck kits having 4WD or as listed below using 2.2" tires/wheels.  This includes (but not limited to) the HPI Wheely/Crawler King, Axial AX10/SCX10/Wraith/Ridgecrest, Redcat RS10, Redcat Everest, CEN HL150/B50, and Vaterra Ascender.  Other solid axle designs may also be used, but must meet all suspension requirements below.  Axial SMT10 trucks allowed, but must use an aftermarket 12-1/2" wheelbase 4-link kit.

• All aftermarket chassis and sway bars allowed.  Wheelbase limited to 12-1/2" maximum.

• Oil-filled shocks allowed. Quantity and mounting locations unlimited.

• Battery pack limited to a maximum single 7.4V (2s) LiPo or up to a 7 cell sub-C size (8.4V). Only hard-shell protected LiPo batteries allowed. Low voltage cut-off required with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries must be charged in LiPo charging sack.

• Any single brushed or brushless 540 can motor allowed.  Aftermarket spur/pinion gears allowed.  Longer 8th scale 550 can motors not allowed. 

  • Note:  Motor limit For "budget" mini-monster class - 15T closed-endbell, 0/Neutral timed brushed motor maximum.

• Competitor may modify steering. All aftermarket steering kits allowed. Rear steering may be locked.

• Aftermarket Electronic Speed Controller(s) (ESC) allowed.

• Onboard traction/drift device (i.e. Spektrum AVC, Traxxas TSM, etc.) or gyro’s not permitted.

• Trucks must run 2.2 tire/wheel sizes.  2.2" max outside bead diameter allowed.  Inner bead can be 3.2" if using Traxxas Monster Jam (or similar) wheel. 

• Trucks may use any available monster truck tires with Chevron "V style" tread. This includes (but not limited to) Axial, Tamiya, Traxxas, Imex, Pro-Line RC4WD, and HPI tires. Tread modifications allowed. Foam tires not allowed. Foam inserts may be used inside tires.

Retro

• Open to all solid axle truck kits having 4WD or as listed below. This includes (but not limited to) the Tamiya Clodbuster/Bullhead/Super Clod, Juggernaut.  Other shaft-driven solid axle designs may also be used, but must meet all suspension requirements below.

• 3 or 4-Link suspension designs prohibited. Stock Juggernaut 1 or 2 leaf-spring suspension allowed.  Sway bars /panhard bars / Watt's linkage prohibited.

• Wheelbase and shock locations should be in general scale to the real 1:1 truck being replicated.

• Stock and aftermarket chassis allowed, but Clod-based trucks must use ladder bar style suspension arms. Aftermarket (machined/3d printed) ladder bars may be used, but must match the stock Clodbuster ladder bar lengths.

• A maximum of two stock or aftermarket, closed/sealed-endbell brushed motors allowed with a maximum limit of 27T each or higher (35T, 45T motors also accepted).  540 sized motors only (no 550 cans). Zero/Neutral timed motors only.  Steel aftermarket pinions allowed.  Brushless motors prohibited.  Any motors with accessible brushes (ones that can be replaced) are prohibited!

• Lexan bodies allowed to replace hard bodies when applicable. Trucks that replicate a real 1:1 “old-school” style monster truck highly encouraged. Trucks featuring original “Box Art” paint schemes also allowed.

• Oil-filled shocks allowed.  Shocks must be axle mounted, no link mounted/cantilever shock setups allowed.

• Limit of a single 6 cell sub-C size battery or a single 7.4V (2S) hard-shell protected LiPo battery (maximum 50c discharge rating) is also allowed.  Low voltage cut-off required with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries must be charged in LiPo charging sack.

• Aftermarket steering links/kits allowed. 4WS allowed but not required.

• Onboard traction/drift device (i.e. Spektrum AVC, Traxxas TSM, etc.) or gyro’s not permitted.

• Provisions for a tow hitch and/or hook point required. Some Retro events may feature sled pulling as part of the racecourse.  Hitch must be solid-mounted to either the chassis or axle.

• Aftermarket Electronic Speed Controller(s) (ESC) allowed.  Aftermarket radio/receivers allowed.

• Aftermarket ball bearings allowed.

• Minimum of a 2.5” wheel diameter. All tires must feature a “Chevron Tread” style. No tread modifications allowed. Foam inserts may be used inside tires.  Dually style tractor tires allowed if replicating 1:1 vehicle.  Allowed tires are:  Kyosho USA-1, stock Clodbuster/Bullhead, RC4WD B&H, Imex Dually (#8660), Ofna Monster Blazer, JConcepts Firestorm/Golden Years, and JConcepts Fling Kings (only if using as dually tire sets).

4WD Pro-Lite

• Open to all solid axle truck kits having 4WD or as listed below. This includes (but not limited to) the Kyosho Twin Force, Tamiya Clodbuster/Bullhead/Super Clodbuster, Juggernaut 1/2, TXT-1/2, Axial AX/SCX10 axles, Axial AR60 axles, Axial SMT10, Redcat Ground Pounder, and HPI Wheely King.  Losi LMT is NOT allowed in Pro-Lite.

• All aftermarket chassis and sway bars allowed.

• Aftermarket ball bearings allowed.

• Oil-filled shocks allowed. Quantity and mounting locations unlimited.

• Up to two brushed motor(s) allowed, with a maximum limit of 15T each.  Maximum 540 size, closed-endbell can motors allowed.

• Aftermarket pinions/spur gears allowed. Unless factory equipped, adjustable motor mounts not allowed. Modifications to gearcase housing motor mounting points not allowed.

• If equipped, factory installed ring and pinion gear ratios must be maintained.  HD gearsets allowed (stock ratio only).

• For any truck using a multiple-speed transmission, transmission must be locked in a single gear before competing. On-the-Fly shifting not allowed.

• Onboard traction/drift device (i.e. Spektrum AVC, Traxxas TSM, etc.) or gyro’s not permitted

• Battery limited to a single 7.4V (2S) 60c max discharge LiPo or up to a 8.4V (7 cell) sub-C cell size battery pack. Only hard-shell protected LiPo batteries allowed. Low voltage cut-off required with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries must be charged in approved LiPo charging case/bag.

• Competitor may modify steering. All aftermarket steering kits allowed. Rear steering may be locked.

• Aftermarket Electronic Speed Controller(s) (ESC) allowed.

• Minimum of a 2.5” wheel diameter. All tires must feature a “Chevron Tread” style. Tread modifications not allowed. Foam inserts may be used inside tires.  This includes (but not limited to) Tamiya, JConcepts, Ofna, Pro-Line, Imex, and RC4WD tires.  Foam tires not allowed. Foam inserts may be used inside tires.  Losi LMT tires/wheels not allowed.

• Note:  Axial SMT10 trucks are allowed to run in this class using their stock chassis and 2.2" tires/wheels.

4WD Pro-Modified

• Open to all solid axle truck kits having 4WD or as listed below. This includes (but not limited to) the Losi LMT, Kyosho Twin Force, Tamiya Clodbuster/Bullhead/Super Clodbuster, Juggernaut 1/2, TXT-1/2, Axial AX/SCX10 axles, Axial AR60 axles, Axial SMT10, Redcat Ground Pounder, and HPI Wheely King.

• All aftermarket chassis and sway bars allowed.

• Oil-filled shocks allowed. Quantity and mounting locations unlimited.

• Battery pack limited to a maximum single 11.1V (3s) LiPo or up to a 10 cell sub-C size. Only hard-shell protected LiPo batteries allowed. Low voltage cut-off required with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries must be charged in an approved LiPo charging case/bag.

• Any brushed or brushless motor(s) allowed, with a maximum limit two motors. Aftermarket pinions allowed.

• Competitor may modify steering. All aftermarket steering kits allowed. Rear steering may be locked.

• Aftermarket Electronic Speed Controller(s) (ESC) allowed.

• Onboard traction/drift device (i.e. Spektrum AVC, Traxxas TSM, etc.) or gyro’s not permitted.

• Losi LMT may have center diff locked or unlocked.

• Trucks must run a minimum 2.5” wheel diameter, or larger. 
  

-  Ex.: A Clodbuster/TXT may use a 3.2” diameter wheel only if the tire is the same size or larger than a typical Clodbuster tire (JumboMaxx style). Standard T/EMaxx tires do not meet this requirement on a Clodbuster.  Stock Losi LMT wheels/tires are only allowable when used on a LMT-based entry.

• Trucks may use any available monster truck tires & foam insert combination. This includes (but not limited to) Tamiya, JConcepts, Ofna, Pro-Line, Imex, and RC4WD tires. Tread modifications allowed. Foam tires not allowed.

Freestyle Scoring

• Freestyle will be voluntary and separate from the elimination racing. Each competitor wishing to freestyle will receive up to two (2) scored minutes on the track.

• All trucks competing in freestyle must also compete in the racing event. All truck classes will be combined to compete for an overall freestyle title.

• Scoring will be based on a maximum score of 30 as judged by fellow competitors and/or appointed freestyle judges.   

Freestyle Judging Penalties

• Truck runs out of bounds or hits obstacle outside of freestyle area - Deduct one (1) point per occurrence. It will be the event director’s decision prior to freestyle to outline obstacles/areas deemed out of bounds.

• Truck requires track marshal assistance to right itself after flipping over - Deduct one (1) point per occurrence.. The driver has up to 5 seconds to attempt to “self-right” the truck without penalty.

  Copyright 2022-23 - RCMTRS