Please stop by and check us out. We are located on the South West corner of University Parkway and US-301 behind Exotic Cycle, just 5 miles West of I-75 - near Keels & Wheels and East of SRQ Airport.

Directions: www.machinesrchobbies.com/wsn/page5.html

We have over 75 different radio controlled cars and trucks to chose from in stock. We also have R/C planes, boats, and heli's in gas and electric. We are fully stocked with replacement parts and options for all of the popular R/C vehicle brands.

We can special order most parts that we do not have in stock or you can order them from our web site and have them shipped to your home. Unlike most hobby shops, we order parts almost every day and usually get them in less then a week - no more waiting a month for a broken part that you need to get driving again.

Please drop us an E-mail if you have any questions or for any special parts you are looking for.

Or stop in and talk to one of our helpful and experienced employees with over 50 years of experience in Radio Control: Gene, Rysann, Kyle, Phil, or Janet.

Thank you,

Gene 'the machine' Hickerson -  Owner

2007 Brazil National Champion 1/8 Buggy, 2007 RC Pro East Series Arena Truck Champion, 2005-2007 ROAR Florida State Series 1/8 Nitro Buggy/Truck Champion

Pro Factory Driver Sponsored by:

CEN Racing, Maxy's Pro Racing Fuel, Pro-line, OS Engines, Futaba,  Kolor Koncepts, Advantage Racing Products, and KMW Racing Products.

Click here to see some of our weekly specials

We can get you all set-up to start racing R/C cars with the best equipment available. We have all of the high end R/C racing cars, parts, and hop-ups. Whether you are an expert or a beginner, Machine's R/C Hobbies has what you want and need. We also do Repairs on all types of R/C cars & Trucks. Estimates are only $20. Repairs are just $40 per hour plus parts, unless you purchased it here, then it is only $30 per hour. Basic engine tunes are just $20. Please bring in everything needed to test drive your car for all repairs, including radio, batteries, fuel, starter, radio, ect. Your vehicles will be serviced only by Professional Factory racers & mechanics. Machine's R/C Hobbies owner has been an ASE Certified Platinum Level Master Technician since 1995 with an AS College Degree in Automotive Technology.

2 New R/C Off-road Tracks Now OPEN!!!  We have been working with the county for over 1 year, and our non-for-profit clubs new track is now finished and is open for FREE practice 7 days a week. Nitro & Electric Off-road racing on a huge 175 x 85 supercross clay track. Our 1st Club Race was April 6th, 2008. Everyone is welcome and All R/C cars and trucks are allowed. You must have ROAR Insurance to race - available at the track.  Click here for more info 

Manatee R/C has completed their new off-road R/C track next to the flying field. They are only allowing the Traxxas Rustler XL-5 RTR to be raced at this time. The track is located in Palmetto, you must be a MCRC member to use the track. Get your Rustler today for only $169.99 @ Machine's R/C Hobbies. http://www.manateerc.com/

TEAM Machine's R/C Hobbies Shocks The World Again!   Last Sunday October 28th, in Charlotte, NC, Andrew Smonik and Gene Hickerson put their CEN Racing Matrix Pro FRE's into the A-main event at the 2007 IFMAR 1/8 Off-road Pre World Championships. The team drivers finished 4th & 6th against the very best drivers in the World, the 2nd and 3rd highest finishing USA drivers. Get your CEN Matrix today at Machine's R/C Hobbies.  Results: http://www.neobuggy.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2933

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies takes 5th and 6th place at the 2008 ROAR Nitro Truck Nationals with the CEN Racing GST 7.7's. Smolnik and Hickerson finished the whole 45 minute A-main with no breaks or problems at the Nitro Pit in Arizona. http://www.roarracing.com

Gene 'the machine' Hickerson wins again. With 184 entries, Machine's R/C Hobbies owner wins round 4 of the FSORS in Ocala against the best drivers in FL including the IFMAR World Champion Billy Easton. Get your CEN Matrix FRE today - on sale now!  http://www.fsors.com

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies wins another Series Championship. Team driver, Justin Cranford, won the 2007 Emerald Coast Series with his CEN Racing Matrix TR Arena FRE. Cranford also took 3rd place in 1/8 Nitro Buggy with his CEN Matrix C-1 Pro FRE. That is 3 State/Regional Championships this year for Machine's R/C Hobbies Racing.

Machine's R/C Hobbies takes 6th place in 1/8 Expert Buggy and 10th place in 1/8 Expert Arena Truck at the 2007 RC Pro Series International Nitro Off-road Finals against over 300 of the worlds fastest drivers. http://www.rcprosites.com

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies wins again! Owner Gene Hickerson wins the 2007 RC Pro Florida Nitro Off-road Series Finals at B&B Raceway last weekend in 1/8 Expert Buggy. Team driver, Joey "Batman" Perez and J.P. Tirronen also put their CEN Matrix Pro's in the A-main event. http://www.buggy-sport.info/blank.php?path=content/printable.php&contentid=7884

Machine's R/C Hobbies wins another National Championship. Last September, Gene 'the machine' Hickerson went to Brazil to attend the 1/8th scale National Championships and won with his CEN Racing Matrix Pro FRE. Hickerson also finished 5th place in 1/8 Truck with his Matrix TR Arena FRE after having a problem with his transponder. Click here for more info: http://www.jonehrc.com/2007/09/13/gene-hickerson-report-on-brazil-national-championship-cup

***SUPPORT THE LOCAL HOBBY SHOPS THAT SUPPORT THE RACES.

Please check out the race series we sponsor and these other cool R/C links. Don't forget to support your local clubs and tracks.

http://www.sarcar-inc.org - On-road Racing in Englewood

Http://www.sbroc.com - Sarasota's R/C Off-road Club

http://www.fsors.com - Florida State Series

http://stateseries.rcprosites.com/site.php?op=content&contentid=570 -  RC Pro Series

http://www.jonehrc.com/ - New R/C News Site in East Malaysia

http://www.manateerc.com - Manatee County's Off-road track & Flying Field

http://www.sarasotarc.com - Sarasota County's Flying Field

http://www.buggy-sport.info - R/C Racing News site

http://www.neo-buggy.net - 1/8 Buggy news site

Our web site shopping cart is now operational. You can now browse through over 60,000 hobby products ranging from model rockets to trains, models to R/C airplanes. When you order online from our VeriSign Secure Site, your products will be shipped right to your door, saving you time and money. And when you need customer service and help, we are here to help you in Sarasota. Please stop in our store front hobby shop to see the products in person. We also have videos, magazines, and other literature about Radio Control vehicles.      

 MACHINE'S R/C ONLINE HOBBY SHOP

3-20-08

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies has a good showing the the 2008 Silverstate Nitro Challenge. With 300 entries and over 1,800 viewers, Gene Hickerson managed to bump up from the G-main all the way to the C-main with his CEN Matrix Pre before running out of luck. In 1/8 Truck, Hickerson qualified 17th and finished in the B-main with his Matrix TR Arena. WATCH IT LIVE!!! next time on http://www.rclive.com

2-25-08

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies wins again! At round #3 pf the FSORS, owner Gene Hickerson broke in qualifying and had to bump up from last in the D-main all the way to the A-main. Hickerson lead the whole 30 minute A-main until the last lap before dropping to 2nd after getting stuck in a mud puddle. http://www.fsors.com

10-15-07

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies driver, Johnny Sanchez, makes the A-main in 1/10 gas truck and in the 1/8 Expert Buggy class with his CEN Matrix the 1st time racing it at round 1 of the 2008 FSORS. Team driver and owner, Gene Hickerson, also made the A-main in 1/8 Buggy. http://www.fsors.com

10-1-07

Team Machine's R/C Hobbies wins their 4th Series Championship in less then 3 years! Owner, Gene 'the machine' Hickerson, won the 2007 RC Pro East Coast Series Championship last weekend in Savannah GA in 1/8 Expert Arena Truck with his CEN Matrix TR Arena FRE truggy. In 1/8 Expert Buggy, Hickerson took 3rd overall after 2 DNF's due to some bad luck.      http://www.rcprosites.com

Click here for the latest R/C car racing info

We have all the major R/C brands in stock, plus many more:
TEAM LOSI, TEAM ASSOCIATED, TRAXXAS, KYOSHO, MUGEN, HUDY, CEN Racing, HOT BODIES/HPI, OFNA/Jammin, Parkzone, Hangar 9, Pro-line, Maxy's Fuel, Novarossi, OS Engines, Mega Engines.

Already have a R/C vehicle and ready to Race it?
Join a R/C car club.
Click the links below to visit the local R/C clubs in the South West Florida area.

The new Machine's R/C Off-road Club (formerly SBROC) Track - Now Open in Rotunda West. Visit www.sbroc.com for more info.

 Radio Control Car Q's & A's:

Q - What does R/C mean?

 A- R/C stands for Radio Control

Q - Why are the R/C cars & trucks in Hobby Shops more expensive then at Toys R Us and Radio Shack?

 A- The Remote Control cars at Toy stores are just that - Toys. The Radio Control cars at Hobby Shops are scale versions of full size cars. The R/C cars at toy stores are designed with only 1 thing in mind - cost. The R/C cars at Hobby Shops are designed for performance and durability. Every part is replaceable and available for purchase at the Hobby Shop and can be fixed yourself the same day. Toy R/C cars do not have replaceable parts. If something breaks, you have to return it to the manufacture and wait months before they repair it and ship it back if it is even possible. Hobby Shop cars are also much faster and have a longer range due to better radio controllers and receivers - up to 1 mile range on some.

Q - I see generic R/C cars on Ebay for as low as half the price. Is it worth saving a few dollars to get a knock off car made in China from Ebay?

  A- 1st : Ebay has some great deals at times, but you have to know exactly what  you are looking for and the experience and knowledge to know that you are not getting ripped off. Plus Ebay is not strictly regulated and can be an unsafe purchase. As long as the Ebay seller ships you a package (even if the box is empty), they are not responsible to refund your money. I hear horror stories every day of customers who never received their order or received something damaged or completely different then what they ordered.

 2nd : The knock off cars on Ebay are usually made in China, while the cars in Hobby Shops are made in Taiwan or Japan and designed and distributed by manufactures located in the USA. Companies such as Team Losi, Team Associated, Traxxas, CEN Racing, Kyosho America, RC America, Horizon Hobby, and Hobbico all have large warehouses in the USA with 1,000's of replacement parts and hop up accessories on hand. The sellers with look-a-like cars on Ebay usually do not have any replacement parts available and do not have any customer service if you have a problem with you vehicle. Even though they may look similar to name brand cars, most of the parts are not interchangeable, so if you loose control and smack a curb, you car will be useless and will become trash just like the toy cars at toy stores. Spending $200 or more for a toy car that can not be repaired is an expensive lesson to learn.

Q - Are there tracks, fields, and courses for R/C cars, boats, and planes?

 A - Yes. Manatee & Sarasota County have R/C flying fields. There are model boat clubs that meet and race in ponds and lakes all over Florida. Just like Go Karts, BMX, and Motocross, R/C cars & trucks are raced on street and dirt tracks all over the state. Just about every type and size of nitro& electric powered R/C cars in hobby shops are raced in their particular class. Weather you like Nascar/Indy oval, Off-road/Supercross, or F1/Sedan Road Course racing, there is a class in R/C for you to compete in for less money then any other form of MotorSports. And the best part is that R/C racing is 100% safe with no risk of injury.