Tamiya Championship Series (TCS) Track Page



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What's the best thing about Tamiya Radio Control race cars? Answer: Racing them around Tamiya America's premiere R&D test facility in Aliso Viejo, California.

Complete Address:
2 Orion (at the end of the street)
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
For more details call 949-362-2240 (ask for customer service)

The Tamiya America R&D test facility was built in 1993 and it is used to test and evaluate new radio control products. It is also used to host many of Tamiya America's racing events and a few industry racing events. The hosted events include the Tamiya Championship Series, Tamiya's Endurance races and in the past; The Reedy Race of Champions and the KO PROPO Grand Prix.

When special events aren't taking place the Tamiya Test Track is open to the general public every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except on holidays, weather permitting. We welcome all with a passion for Tamiya radio control race cars to come by and join the fun. It's a great place to learn how to drive on a smooth asphalt racetrack as well as learn how to set up a radio control car to changing track conditions. We also have a dirt track where everyone can enjoy their favorite Tamiya off-road vehicle.

Track Details

Fee
The track is free to use for open practice on Saturdays.

Track Hours
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cars Allowed on the track
The only brand of cars allowed on the Tamiya facility is Tamiya manufactured vehicles.

Pit tables
The Tamiya facility only has a few benches. Everyone attending is strongly encouraged to bring their own portable tables and chairs.

Power
Power to the Tamiya America Track is currently shut off. Guests attending the track on Saturdays are asked to bring pre-charged battery packs to run their cars or they may also bring their own personal silent gas generators for their convenience.

Spare Parts
Tamiya's customer service department is closed during the weekends. These Local Hobby Stores are good sources for your Tamiya parts needs.

Basic Rules

Track Supervisor
The Tamiya track is supervised by a loyal group of volunteers on Saturdays. The volunteers are there to answer questions, help those who are new to a race track environment and to explain the rules to keep basic law and order. The volunteers are also helpful in making sure everyone has a good time. On occasion, you will see Tamiya’s marketing and customer service personnel play with new products that have not been released yet. They are there to show off these new products and answer any questions you may have on sneak preview items. If you ever want to get a glimpse of a new release before it hits store shelves, odds are you will see it at the Tamiya Test track first.

Things to know
For those new and seasoned Saturday drivers we have listed below a basic set of rules and guidelines. These rules and guidelines are there for everyone's benefit and to make sure that everyone's experience is a pleasant one.

Frequency Board
1. The track facility has a radio frequency board. This board is used so the use of radio frequencies is easily policed and everyone's vehicle stays under control. The board has frequency clips that must be used at all times. The board has the following frequencies: 1-6 in the 27 MHz band and 61-90 in the 75 MHz band. When driving on the track you must first make certain your frequency is available for use. Simply go to the board and if the frequency is open grab the clip and drive. The frequency clip must also be used when testing or checking your vehicle in the pit area. All frequency clips must be returned when you're done with your run on the track so others that are using the same frequency as you may have a chance to drive on the track. We ask that our guests not hog the clips. Those of you who own 2.4 Ghz systems for your radio need not worry about the frequency board as they automatically scan for available frequencies and police themselves.

2. New comers may easily identify their radios frequency by looking at the back of their radio. If you are uncertain please ask the track volunteers to help you.

Rules Of The Road

The track volunteers will prepare the track surface by blowing off debris from the track each Saturday morning. The track volunteers will also determine the tracks course layout and traffic direction prior to the 10:00 a.m. opening.

Remember, there is no cost at all for driving at Tamiya America's R&D test facility. The only thing we ask is that you drive a Tamiya vehicle. No other brands of vehicles are permitted. The use of other brand tires, bodies, batteries etc. is allowed. Tamiya only asks that the basic car be a Tamiya.

When driving on the track make sure to keep your vehicle under control and observe the following basic rules of the road.

1. Make sure to drive in the direction of the day. Some Saturdays the track runs clockwise and others it runs counter clockwise. This is done to mix things up a bit and to give drivers practice in both directions. The track volunteers always announce the direction prior to the 10 a.m. opening.

2. You must drive from the drivers stand.

3. Keep your car under control. Practice smooth control.

4. Do not stop in the middle of the track. If a problem arises be sure to pull off the driving line and out of the way of the flow of traffic.

5. If you are stuck on the track somewhere or your car is upside down be sure to warn your fellow drivers on the drivers stand by vocally calling out where the incident is. I.E. if your car is upside down in the sweeper section call out "upside down car in the sweeper section" or "dead car on the straight away" Calling out incidents like this will prevent unnecessary collisions or accidents.

6. Never stop in the high speed straight away. Always pull your car off from the track in the pit row area.

7. If a car is lapping the track at a higher pace than yours make way by moving over a foot or two to let the faster car go by. Slower cars need not stop to give way as all that is needed is a foot or two for a faster car to cruise by.

8. Never turn on your radio or car on unless you have the correct frequency clip. If you have a 2.4 GHz equipped radio it's OK to turn on your radio at any time.

9. If your vehicle is equipped with reverse, only use it when it's absolutely safe from oncoming traffic.

10. If parts come off your car and spill onto the track due to an accident please make sure it's safe to walk on the track before retrieving them. Watch for approaching cars at all times.

With the above rules and guidelines being observed by all our guests we can insure a fun and safe experience. For our new guests we know that it can be intimidating being the new guy at the track with little to no experience. Please feel free to introduce yourselves to the track volunteers and to the people who frequent the track. We promise they don't bite and they are more than happy to teach you the ropes.