Yokomo
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese company from Adachi
, Tokyo
that specialize in radio-controlled car
s, it was one of the first manufacturers in Japan to build RC cars and it also invented the RTR (Ready To Run) cars, but most notable of all is their long-running "Dog Fighter" series of radio controlled buggies, mainly through its successes in racing.
's .49ci Dune Buggy
, which was sold as a kit. The car became a success and helped to introduced radio controlled cars into Japan.
In 1970, the company would become involved with another US RC car manufacturer, when they imported the RC-1, produced by Associated
, into Japan. As a result, they became involved in the production side of the market, when they manufactured option parts for the car. This was the start of its partnership with Associated which continued to this day.
The company, who would be renamed Yokomo, which is a combination of the two words, Yokobori Mokei, soon began producing its own competition RC cars in 1977 with the Mini Racer RC-12
. The Porsche 917
/30 that was bodyshell of the kit later formed the basis of the company's Can-Am car styled logo.
Its biggest break was in 1983, when it introduced the YZ-834B
, the first of the long-running "Dog Fighter" series of 1:10 off-road buggies.
The car was imported into West Germany
by Graupner and was marketed as a Graupner Dog Fighter. Although criticized for having ground clearance that was considered to be too low for a typical off-road course, it wasn't until 1985, when Gil Losi, Jr. used the car to score his and the company's first IFMAR
title for the inaugural 1:10 Off-Road World Championship 4WD title.
The car was replaced by the YZ-870C, known as the "Super Dog Fighter", jointly developed by Masami Hirosaka
, who was brought into the company following his victory at the following IFMAR 1:10 Off-Road 4WD event. His involvement was rewarded, when he successfully defended his crown in 1989. To this date, with the exception of his first title, won driving a Schumacher
CAT, all other IFMAR titles he won have been either for Yokomo (six) and its partner for the Japanese market, Team Associated (eight) and still win national titles for the company. Masami's father, Masaaki was an employee for the company.
Yokomo are also known for the infamous and very rare YR-F2 chassis line. Despite being a full time front-wheel drive RC, the YR-F2 is banned from certain racetracks as it was too fast for other RC's.
In 2003, Yokomo broke the R/C car mould further, when they introduced radio-controlled drifting
with a series of cars that was built especially for drifting
. Yokomo recently partnered with Tomy
in 2008, releasing a series of miniature R/C cars based on its licenced D1GP
and drifting cars similar to its R/C line.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese company from Adachi
Adachi, Tokyo
is one of the Special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is located north of the heart of Tokyo. The ward consists of two separate areas: a small strip of land between the Sumida River and Arakawa River and a larger area north of the Arakawa River...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
that specialize in radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled car
Radio-controlled cars are self-powered model cars or trucks that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter...
s, it was one of the first manufacturers in Japan to build RC cars and it also invented the RTR (Ready To Run) cars, but most notable of all is their long-running "Dog Fighter" series of radio controlled buggies, mainly through its successes in racing.
History
The company became involved in RC car production when the shop, , owned by , built a ready to run version of CoxCox Models
Cox Models, a former division of Estes Industries of Penrose, Colorado, was a multimillion-dollar hobby company, is one of the hobby industry's oldest companies and is noted for its production of miniature model internal-combustion engines....
's .49ci Dune Buggy
Dune buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power-to-weight ratio by either lightening the...
, which was sold as a kit. The car became a success and helped to introduced radio controlled cars into Japan.
In 1970, the company would become involved with another US RC car manufacturer, when they imported the RC-1, produced by Associated
Associated Electrics
The acronym TC5 redirects here. For the American rock band, see The Click Five.Associated Electrics, Incorporated of Lake Forest, California is one of the world's leading manufacturers of radio controlled cars, trucks and accessories...
, into Japan. As a result, they became involved in the production side of the market, when they manufactured option parts for the car. This was the start of its partnership with Associated which continued to this day.
The company, who would be renamed Yokomo, which is a combination of the two words, Yokobori Mokei, soon began producing its own competition RC cars in 1977 with the Mini Racer RC-12
Mini Racer RC-12
Mini Racer RC-12 is 1/12 scale RC car made by Yokomo from 1977 to early 1980s. it was produced when Yokobori Mokei changed their name to Yokomo. RC-12 box had both Yokomo and Yokobori label on it. there were 2 kind of models of RC-12 series. "Mini Racer RC-12" came with narrow chassis. "Mini Racer...
. The Porsche 917
Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6...
/30 that was bodyshell of the kit later formed the basis of the company's Can-Am car styled logo.
Its biggest break was in 1983, when it introduced the YZ-834B
YZ-834B
YZ-834B is electric powered RC vehicle made by Yokomo. the first version was introduced in 1983 for off-road race.-External links:**...
, the first of the long-running "Dog Fighter" series of 1:10 off-road buggies.
The car was imported into West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
by Graupner and was marketed as a Graupner Dog Fighter. Although criticized for having ground clearance that was considered to be too low for a typical off-road course, it wasn't until 1985, when Gil Losi, Jr. used the car to score his and the company's first IFMAR
International Federation of Model Auto Racing
International Federation of Model Auto Racing is the world governing body of professional radio controlled racing.The organization was created in 1979 by professional racer and RC model entrepreneur Ted Longshaw. At that time, many different governing bodies operated under their own rules...
title for the inaugural 1:10 Off-Road World Championship 4WD title.
The car was replaced by the YZ-870C, known as the "Super Dog Fighter", jointly developed by Masami Hirosaka
Masami Hirosaka
is a Japanese radio controlled car driver who is considered to be the world's most successful of all with a record fourteen IFMAR World Championships in 1/12 scale electric, 1/10 scale Pan, 1/10 scale 2WD off road and 1/10 scale 4WD, all electric. He was considered to be one of the highest paid...
, who was brought into the company following his victory at the following IFMAR 1:10 Off-Road 4WD event. His involvement was rewarded, when he successfully defended his crown in 1989. To this date, with the exception of his first title, won driving a Schumacher
Schumacher Racing Products
Schumacher Racing Products is a well established manufacturer and distributor of radio-controlled cars and accessories.- History :...
CAT, all other IFMAR titles he won have been either for Yokomo (six) and its partner for the Japanese market, Team Associated (eight) and still win national titles for the company. Masami's father, Masaaki was an employee for the company.
Yokomo are also known for the infamous and very rare YR-F2 chassis line. Despite being a full time front-wheel drive RC, the YR-F2 is banned from certain racetracks as it was too fast for other RC's.
In 2003, Yokomo broke the R/C car mould further, when they introduced radio-controlled drifting
Radio-controlled drifting
Radio-controlled drifting refers to the act of drifting with a radio-controlled car . R/C cars are equipped with low-traction tires to aid in the ease of inducing and maintaining controlled oversteer. Car setups are often modified to allow the car to drift more easily, by replacing motors, shocks,...
with a series of cars that was built especially for drifting
Drifting (motorsport)
Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...
. Yokomo recently partnered with Tomy
TOMY
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
in 2008, releasing a series of miniature R/C cars based on its licenced D1GP
D1 Grand Prix
The , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled Professional Drift, is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Option magazine & Tokyo Auto Salon founder Daijiro Inada, and drifting legend Keiichi Tsuchiya hosted a professional level drifting...
and drifting cars similar to its R/C line.