Stadium truck

Lore & Background

The construction of most manufacturers' stadium trucks are similar to those of buggies. Most feature wheels and tires that are both larger in diameter and wider for increased ground clearance and improved handling and stability. The chassis of most electric powered models is constructed of plastic or a fiber/plastic composite while internal combustion powered models typically have chassis made of aluminum. Their appearance loosely resembles that of full scale trophy trucks and short-course trucks. The primary difference is that the tires and suspension components extend far outboard of the body, similar to open wheel cars. Short course trucks, a similar type of R/C car, much more closely resemble full-size trophy trucks. Although stadium trucks have no direct full-size counterpart, their name refers to types of full-size R/C vehicles that are raced on a closed circuit or stadium rather than a long, outdoor road course. The R/C vehicles themselves are also often raced in an indoor, stadium-like setting.

Reader's Guide

Stadium trucks are notable for their distinct combination of truck-style bodies and open-wheeled layout, setting them apart from buggies and short course trucks. Their construction borrows from buggies, with larger and wider wheels and tires for better ground clearance and stability. Electric models use plastic or composite chassis, while combustion models use aluminum. The name derives from full-size R/C vehicles raced on closed circuits or stadiums, and the R/C vehicles themselves are often raced indoors in stadium-like settings. Their legacy lies in bridging the appearance of full-scale trophy trucks with the open-wheel performance of buggies, creating a unique category in off-road R/C racing.

Did You Know?

• The name refers to full-size R/C vehicles raced on a closed circuit or stadium.
• Electric powered models typically have a plastic or fiber/plastic composite chassis.
• Internal combustion powered models typically have an aluminum chassis.

From Electric Trucks to a Global RC Brand

Traxxas, headquartered in McKinney, Texas, did not begin as a broad RC conglomerate. In 1986, the company launched its very first product line: electric-powered stadium trucks and buggy models. That narrow focus gave the brand its identity long before it expanded into boats in 1989, nitro engines in 1992, full-sized monster trucks in 1999, or aircraft in 2012. The stadium truck category therefore represents the genetic code of the entire Traxxas catalog. What started as a single product family grew into an expansive range spanning short-course trucks, crawlers, on-road cars, rally vehicles, boats, and even a drone. Yet the stadium truck remains one of the core classifications in their current lineup, sitting alongside monster trucks, short-course trucks, and on-road cars as a distinct vehicle type. The company's trajectory from a single electric truck platform to a multi-category manufacturer underscores how foundational that 1986 decision was to everything Traxxas would eventually become.

A Deep and Varied Stadium Truck Roster

Traxxas's current stadium truck and buggy roster is notably diverse. The lineup includes the Xrt and Xrt Ultimate, the Sledge Belted, the Jato 4x4 VXL, Jato 3.3, and Jato 4x4 BL-2s, the Rustler 4x4 Ultimate, Rustler 4x4 VXL, Rustler 4x4 BL-2s, Nitro Rustler, Rustler 2WD BL-2s, Rustler 2WD XL-5, the 1/16 E-revo VXL, 1/16 E-revo, and the Bandit XL-5. Powertrain options span electric systems (VXL, BL-2s, XL-5 brushed) and nitro (Nitro Rustler, Jato 3.3). Drive configurations differ across the range: the Rustler is offered in both 2WD and 4WD, while the Nitro Rustler and Jato 3.3 are 2WD only. The Bandit, notably, exists exclusively in 2WD brushed configurations. Most of these vehicles are sold without batteries or chargers, and the company caters to both beginners and seasoned RC drivers. Speeds across the broader Traxxas range reach from 30 to 100 mph, giving stadium truck enthusiasts a wide performance spectrum to explore.

Pioneering Firsts That Defined the Industry

Traxxas's reputation as an innovator is anchored in a remarkable catalogue of industry firsts. The company claims the title for the first ready-to-run radio-controlled vehicle, the first fuel-burning RTR model, and the first driver-actuated forward/reverse transmission. They also introduced the first remote-operated locking differentials, the first high/low transmission, and the first auto-shifting two-speed transmission in the RC world. Waterproof electronics, a 2.4 GHz transmitter with an Apple iOS interface, and a self-righting system for monster trucks all carry the Traxxas first designation. Perhaps most striking is their claim of producing the first and only true 100 mph ready-to-run vehicle. In the marine category, they built the world's first nitro-powered boat, the Nitro Vee, which included a backup electric motor in case the engine failed. These innovations, many developed during the company's early stadium truck and buggy era, established Traxxas as a technology leader that competitors would spend years trying to match.

Full-Scale Racing and Sponsorship Legacy

Traxxas's involvement in full-scale racing is as deep as its RC catalog. The company served as title sponsor for the Stadium Super Trucks series, in which its president, Mike Jenkins, competed during the inaugural season. During the 2016 season, Team Traxxas fielded trucks for drivers Matthew Brabham and Sheldon Creed. Beyond SST, Traxxas took over as title sponsor of the Traxxas TORC Series in off-road racing, operating a Mobile Support Center on-site that carried parts, cars, trucks, and boats. Their sponsorship history extends to the CORR series until its 2008 demise, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (sponsoring Kyle Busch's No. 18 Toyota Tundra in 2010), and NHRA, where they backed Courtney Force in a Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car. They also sponsor motocross athletes and short-course racers including Jeremy McGrath and Keegan Kincaid. In the early 2000s, the Traxxas T-Maxx monster truck, driven by John Seasock, competed in the 4 Wheel Jamboree Series.