How to Get Into RC Drifting: RWD Kits, RTRs and Gyros

An RC drift car competing at a Power Drift event. — SOURCE PHOTOGRAPH
An RC drift-event photograph, not a full-size drifting-car stand-in.
Swap2209 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credit & source ↗

From the September 2026 research edition. Product details and prices are dated source records; confirm the exact model and manual before buying or making changes.

RC drifting is less about lap times and more about style: holding a smooth, sideways line through a corner, often in tandem with a friend. It is one of the most welcoming corners of the hobby, and you can do it on a polished concrete floor, a carpet track or a purpose-built drift surface.

It has also changed a lot. Drift cars used to be all-wheel drive (AWD). Today most drift cars are rear-wheel drive (RWD) and rely on a small electronic steering gyro to help you hold the slide.

This guide explains that shift, what a beginner RWD setup needs, two popular starting points (the MST RMX 2.5 RTR and the Yokomo RD2.0 kit), how to think about gyros (including Futaba's GYD550 being replaced by the GYD560), and micro options if you want to drift at home.

Key takeaways

RC drifting moved from AWD to RWD; Big Squid RC was already asking "Is CounterSteer Dead?" in 2016.

A modern RWD drift car needs a steering gyro. The Yokomo RD2.0 kit lists one as required, and the MST RMX 2.5 RTR includes one.

The Yokomo RD2.0 "Rookie Drift" kit is $209.99 at Super-G, and you still need a radio, electronics, battery, charger, body and wheels.

Futaba USA lists its GYD550 drift gyro as discontinued and points buyers to the GYD560 ($164.99).

For micro drift, Kyosho's Mini-Z MR-03 RWD needs an optional gyro, and the Turbo Racing C64 is a 1/76-scale RTR.

A short history: from AWD to RWD

For years, the standard advice was to start with AWD. DriftMission's FAQ still calls 50/50 AWD "the traditional way of drifting" and describes countersteer (CS) setups, which change diff ratios to send more power to the rear (for example, 30/70). That FAQ recommends beginners start with AWD and discourages "drift boxes," an older name for gyros. The page is undated and reflects AWD-era thinking.

By May 2016, Big Squid RC's column "Is CounterSteer Dead?" reported that many in the US felt CS had "gone the way of the Dodo." It noted that clubs overseas still preferred AWD, but that MST's US distributor was selling far more RWD chassis than AWD.

The Yokomo YD-2 family became one of the best-known RWD platforms. Super-G's October 2018 buyer's guide counted more than 14 YD-2 variants. An RC blog tracing the lineage describes the original YD-2 and YD-2 Plus, then E-series (high grip), S-series (low grip or P-tile surfaces, with a high motor mount), R-series (rear motor, ending in the RX) and Z-series (a middle ground). As of 2022, that blog named the RX (high grip) and SXIII (low grip) as top models.

The lesson for a beginner: advice you find online may come from the AWD era. If you are buying new in 2026, RWD with a gyro is the mainstream path, and older "no gyro" advice does not fit current RWD kits.

Why RWD drift cars need a gyro

In a RWD drift car, only the rear wheels drive, so the car wants to spin when the rear breaks loose. A steering gyro senses the car's rotation and automatically adds countersteer faster than your thumb can. You still steer and control throttle; the gyro smooths out the corrections.

Gyro "gain" sets how strongly it corrects. Too little and the car spins; too much and the front can wobble or oscillate. Start from the manufacturer's recommended setting and adjust in small steps.

What you need for a RWD drift car

Yokomo's RD2.0 kit listing at Super-G is a good checklist, because it spells out everything not in the box:

A 2-channel radio (transmitter and receiver)
ESC (electronic speed control)
Motor
Steering servo
Steering gyro
Short 2S LiPo battery
Charger
Body
Wheels and tires

A fast steering servo helps a gyro do its job, since the gyro can only correct as quickly as the servo moves. Spektrum makes a related point about its AVC stability system: its SR6200A manual says digital servos are required and that analog servos reduce performance.

Two ways to start

Ready to run: MST RMX 2.5 RTR

If you want to drive sooner, MST's RMX 2.5 RTR is a brushless RWD package that includes the gyro. MST lists:

XBL 2500KV brushless motor and XBL50 ESC
XTR-03 2.4G radio
B-07MG servo
MGX gyro
Adjustable caster (6, 8, 10 or 12 degrees)
Low or high center-of-gravity motor position
257mm wheelbase

MST says the chassis can be set up in RMX or RRX drive layouts. We could not confirm a current US price, so check a local retailer. MST also sells the RMX 2.5 as S, S Plus, RS and Classic kits if you want to build one yourself later.

Kit: Yokomo RD2.0 "Rookie Drift"

The RD2.0 is aimed at newcomers who want to build. Super-G lists the kit at $209.99 (at the time of writing, September 2026), with a resin chassis, a 4-gear gearbox and a larger steering angle. Super-G also sells a $179 electronics bundle with motor, ESC, servo and gyro. You would still need a radio, battery, charger, body, and wheels and tires.

Yokomo also sells RD2.0 RTR versions (for example, YOKDPR-GR86W and YOKDPR-MS15) through HobbyTown and AMain. We could not confirm their prices or included electronics.

RTR vs. kit at a glance

	MST RMX 2.5 RTR	Yokomo RD2.0 kit
Drive	RWD	RWD
Gyro	MGX included	Required, not included
Motor / ESC	XBL 2500KV / XBL50 included	Not included
Radio	XTR-03 included	Not included (2-channel needed)
Price	US price not confirmed	$209.99 kit; $179 electronics bundle (Super-G)
Build required	No	Yes

Choosing a gyro

Futaba GYD550 is replaced by the GYD560

The Futaba GYD550 is an AVCS counter-steer gyro with an "SR Mode." Futaba USA still shows it at $163.99 but marks it discontinued and directs buyers to the GYD560, listed at $164.99. For the GYD550, wireless tuning required a Futaba T7PX/R (v7.0) with a T-FHSS R334SBS/E receiver (v4.0); check the GYD560's own page for its compatibility, since we did not confirm it carries over. Note that Futaba USA also lists the 7PXR radio as discontinued, pointing buyers to the 10PX or 10PX USLE.

If you see a GYD550 on sale, it may still work well, but new support and availability will favor the GYD560.

Yokomo gyros

Yokomo announced the DP-302 V4 in November 2018 and later released the YG-302V2 (2023). We did not retrieve detailed specs for either.

Gyro receivers and radio mixing

Some radios build the gyro in. RadioLink's R8FG and R7FG receivers have built-in gyros with gain adjusted from the transmitter, and EuroRC listed the RadioLink RC6GS V3 with R7FG gyro receiver at €132.00. Futaba and FlySky also offer gyro mixing in their radios, such as Futaba's 4PM Plus.

Micro drift: starting small

If you do not have a big space, micro drift cars can run on a smooth floor or a small home track.

Kyosho Mini-Z MR-03 RWD. Kyosho's RWD Mini-Z chassis separates the steering and drive systems. A gyro is not included; Kyosho's optional unit is the MZW431.
Turbo Racing C64. A 1/76-scale RWD RTR micro drift car that weighs about 0.1 kg. The manufacturer page displayed "$999.99" when we checked, which is almost certainly a page error, and we could not confirm the real street price. AMain, HobbyTown and RC Planet stock it. Whether a gyro is included is not confirmed on the manufacturer page. Turbo Racing also sells a C65.

Common mistakes

Following AWD-era advice on a RWD car. Older guides discourage gyros; current RWD kits like the RD2.0 list one as required.
Budgeting for the kit but not the rest. The RD2.0 kit price does not include a radio, electronics, battery, charger, body or wheels.
Pairing a gyro with a slow servo. The gyro can only correct as fast as the servo responds.
Cranking gyro gain to maximum. Too much gain can make the front end shake. Adjust gradually.
Drifting in the wrong place. Use a private space, a dedicated track or a club surface. Never drive on public roads or near people who are not expecting a car.
Ignoring battery fit. The RD2.0 calls for a short 2S LiPo; check the chassis before buying packs, and charge on a LiPo-rated charger.

FAQ

Should a beginner buy AWD or RWD?

The current beginner options covered here, the MST RMX 2.5 RTR and Yokomo RD2.0, are both RWD. DriftMission's older FAQ recommends AWD, but it reflects the AWD era.

Do I need a gyro for RC drifting?

For a modern RWD drift car, yes. Yokomo's RD2.0 kit lists a steering gyro as required, and MST includes one in the RMX 2.5 RTR.

Is the Futaba GYD550 still available?

Futaba USA lists the GYD550 as discontinued and recommends the GYD560 ($164.99) instead. Some retailers may still have GYD550 stock.

How much does it cost to start RC drifting?

It varies. As one example, Super-G lists the Yokomo RD2.0 kit at $209.99 plus a $179 motor, ESC, servo and gyro bundle (September 2026), before a radio, battery, charger, body and wheels.

Can I drift indoors?

Micro cars such as the Kyosho Mini-Z MR-03 RWD and Turbo Racing C64 are small enough for indoor spaces. Check that the floor is smooth and the area is clear.