Southern California’s indoor clay tracks have long been the proving grounds for radio-control talent, but a recent Los Angeles Times profile revealed just how lucrative the scene has become.
The top 1% of RC racers now bank as much as $150,000 a year through factory contracts, prize money, and social-media partnerships Los Angeles Times.
That figure dwarfs what many weekend racers imagined possible and signals a shift from hobby to viable career path.
“I treat track testing like any other pro athlete’s practice session,” four-time IFMAR world champion Ryan Cavalieri told the Times. “Sponsorship bonuses kick in the moment I hit an A-main.”
How the money breaks down
| Revenue stream | Typical Share | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Factory salary | $50,000 | Horizon Hobby, Traxxas, Team Associated, or Yokomo pay retainers for brand exclusivity. |
| Podium bonuses | $15,000 | Series payouts (ROAR Nationals, JBRL) plus sponsor contingency checks. |
| YouTube & TikTok | $10,000 | How-to content, track-side vlogs, affiliate links to chassis and electronics. |
| Consulting & setup sheets | $5,000 | Selling tuning guides on sites like RaceNotesRC. |
| Product royalties | $0–$40,000 | Signature motors, tire compounds, or radio firmware. |
Estimates based on interviews with four factory drivers and two team managers, June 2025.
Why SoCal is the epicenter
- Tracks like OC/RC Raceway (Huntington Beach) and Thunder Alley RC (Beaumont) host national-level events almost weekly, keeping travel costs low for locals.
- Parts support is unrivaled: Team Associated’s headquarters sit 20 minutes from two major tracks, and Amain Hobbies runs a same-day courier for break-fix orders.
- Year-round outdoor weather means pros log more stick-time than drivers in seasonal climates.
What it takes to go pro
- Average 100–150 battery packs a week. Pros run multiple five-minute qualifiers per pack, then rebuild shocks and diffs nightly.
- Master logistics. Leading drivers carry three identical chassis: one race-ready, one for rain setups, one for spare parts.
- Content creation is non-negotiable. TikTok clips of 70 mph passes earn as many sponsor impressions as podium photos.
- Data logging. The latest Team Associated RC10 B7D uses a Bluetooth ESC that records throttle trace and motor temp. Drivers overlay that data with lap times in RaceCraft RC Lab for optimization.
Spotlight on three six-figure earners
| Driver | Home track | Primary chassis | 2024 prize take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Cavalieri | OC/RC Raceway | Team Associated RC10 B7D | $38,000 |
| Dakotah Phend | Thunder Alley | Losi TLR 8ight 2.0 E | $42,000 |
| Jared Tebo | SDRC Raceway | Kyosho MP10 TKI3 | $30,000 |
(Figures exclude salaries and social revenue.)
What brands gain
- Real-world R&D – Factory drivers submit weekly durability notes; Horizon Hobby’s 2025 Arrma Kraton update came straight from bashing stress-tests at SoCal practice nights.
- Authentic marketing – A single Instagram reel of Phend triple-clearing a 1:8 jump reached 2 million views, more than Arrma’s entire ad budget could buy.
- Product tie-ins – Signed limited-run bodies and “pro setup” roller kits regularly sell out on Amain within hours.
Career vs. hobby: should you chase it?
Entry costs: A competitive 1:8-scale electric buggy package (chassis, motor, ESC, four battery packs, tires) now sits around $2,600, less than one year of kart racing, but far above backyard RTR pricing.
Time commitment: Expect four nights a week at the track plus weekend race travel. Many pros live with roommates or run eBay parts stores to float early seasons.
Reality check: Only 25–30 drivers worldwide clear six figures. However, hundreds pull in $5,000–$20,000 annually, enough to offset hobby costs and then some.
Closing thoughts
The leap from backyard RC to paid racing is narrower than ever. With factory seats, social-media revenue, and rising event purses, dedicated drivers can realistically treat RC like a part-time or even full-time job.
Just remember: behind every $150,000 paycheck are thousands of laps, countless shock rebuilds, and an algorithm’s worth of TikTok edits.
If you aren’t sure you can make the cut, just stick to your favorite brand, the park, or a big open field.
One reply on “Meet the $150,000 RC Race Car Drivers”
This is no lie. I saw on a forum someone posted they are now making $250,000 a year between sponsors and YouTube. So these numbers actually might be low!