HPI RC Drift Cars: Sprint 2, E10 and RS4 Sport 3 Drift
HPI Racing helped make RC drifting popular with affordable four-wheel-drive drift cars. The Sprint 2 Drift came with a 15-turn Firebolt brushed motor, drift tyres and full-time 4WD, later updated with 2.4 GHz radios, waterproof LiPo-ready ESCs and painted bodies such as a 2010 Camaro and Nissan 350Z. The E10 Drift offered licensed bodies at a lower price, and the RS4 Sport 3 Drift added a sealed drivetrain that reduced maintenance. Many are now discontinued but common on the used market.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
Main models
| Model | Drive | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint 2 Drift | 4WD | 15T brushed motor, drift tyres; later 2.4 GHz and waterproof ESC |
| E10 Drift | 4WD | Affordable, licensed bodies |
| RS4 Sport 3 Drift | 4WD | Sealed drivetrain, low maintenance, licensed bodies (e.g. Subaru BRZ) |
From HPI and dealer listings; check HPI’s site for current and discontinued kits.
4WD drifting
HPI’s drift cars use 4WD with hard drift tyres, which makes sliding easy and forgiving, perfect for learning. Modern competitive RC drifting has largely moved to rear-wheel-drive chassis with gyros, which hold deeper angles. A 4WD HPI drifter is still a great way to start, drive at home and enjoy sliding with friends. Current options are compared in best RC drift cars.
Buying used
- Check the drivetrain: belts (Sprint 2) or sealed gearboxes (Sport 3) should run smoothly.
- Look for cracked suspension arms and bent shafts.
- Ask about the radio and ESC version; older 27 MHz radios need replacing.
- Check that drift tyres are included and not worn flat.
- Spare bodies add value.
Setup tips
- Use hard drift tyres suited to your surface.
- Reduce steering dual rate if the car spins easily.
- Try a slightly lower ride height for smoother weight transfer.
- Add a gyro if your radio and servo support it.
- Use smooth throttle; 4WD drifts need steady power.
Upgrades
Popular upgrades include a brushless motor and ESC for smoother power, a faster steering servo, ball bearings, and a counter-steer kit on cars that support it. Lightweight bodies make transitions quicker. For budget alternatives, see cheap RC drift cars.
Where to drift
Smooth, clean floors like garages, polished concrete and indoor tracks suit HPI drifters best. Rough asphalt wears drift tyres fast. Clubs and indoor drift tracks host sessions where 4WD and RWD cars often run side by side.
How HPI shaped RC drifting
When RC drifting took off in the mid-2000s, inspired by full-size drifting in Japan, HPI was one of the brands that made it easy to try: affordable ready-to-run 4WD cars with hard tyres and realistic licensed bodies. Many hobbyists’ first slides were on a Sprint 2 or E10 in a garage or car park. As the hobby matured, drifters moved to dedicated RWD chassis with gyros, adjustable steering geometry and lighter bodies, but HPI’s early cars introduced a whole generation to the style.
Tyres matter most
Drift tyres are hard plastic or compound rings that slide predictably. Different compounds suit concrete, P-tile, carpet or asphalt. On a new surface, try a couple of compounds before changing anything else on the car, since tyre grip has the biggest single effect on how a drift car behaves.
Before your first run
Charge the batteries, check every screw is tight and test all controls before driving. A few minutes of checks prevents most early breakages.
FAQ
Does HPI still make drift cars?
Many models are discontinued; check HPI for current ones.
Is the Sprint 2 Drift good for beginners?
Yes, 4WD makes drifting forgiving.
What motor does the Sprint 2 Drift use?
A 15T Firebolt brushed motor.
4WD or RWD?
4WD to learn; RWD with gyro for modern drifting.
More on this topic: the complete RC Cars guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
