INTRODUCTION >>> R/C Tech is proud to present our third annual installment of the International Model & Hobby Expo, from the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. An annual tradition for the radio control and hobby industry, the Hobby Expo is an avenue for manufacturers, distributors and retailers to reach media, buyers, and the public with their products.

For the first time, exhibitors were allowed to sell products from their booths this year, in an effort to increase exposure and attendence at the show, as well as provide a setting for retailers to exhibit at the show. This helped bring back a few companies to the show that were absent last year, but others were still noticeably missing. While still a large event, the Hobby Expo seems to have lost a bit of its luster in the face of direct competition from other shows such as RCX and Hobby Visions.

This year boasted other new features, such as the Buyers Choice Awards, honoring innovative and notable new products, and an R/C Triathlon, testing the skills of R/C celebrities on the ground, in the air and in the water. This also allowed for show-floor demonstrations of radio controlled airplanes and boats, something that the show had never seen before. All three demo areas were a great success, and will hopefully return next year. Despite the afore-mentioned competition, the Hobby Expo is taking the right steps to move it back to the fore-front of industry conventions, without resorting to extreme displays and booth girls to bring in attendees.

COVERAGE >>> We have collected over a hundred photos here from the floor of the show, focusing on some of the newer and more interesting products displayed. Use the navigation bar on the left to go from page to page, and be sure to join the discussion in our official 2003 Hobby Expo discussion thread in the R/C Tech forums. Enjoy the coverage, and we'll be sure to be back here next year!

AIRTRONICS >>> With the incredibly popular M8 computer radio and its synthesized frequency add-ons from Novak Electronics, Airtronics has cemented itself as the current company to beat in racing radio technology.

While not showing anything groundbreaking for the R/C vehicles market at the show, Airtronics was armed with a number of interesting products, including a new line of digital servos, and the cool-looking aluminum mid-cases for many of its newer and older servos. Available in many colors and compatible with new and old Airtronics servos alike, the cases are a cheap way to add flair to any R/C vehicle or project.

You can visit Airtronics on the web at www.airtronics.net.

APEX R/C RACING >>> This company was offering an innovative form of portable, 1/43 scale racing known as the R/C FasTrack System. Using a modular track system constructed of ABS plastic, you are able to construct a self-contained race track that is not only portable and expandable, but has its own computer scoring system. Great for indoor entertainment, parties, hobby shops or even as something to rent out, the FasTrack system was a blast to drive on and easy to pick up.

The cars were plenty fast for their size and get 7 to 15 minutes of run time on a 2 minute, 30 second charge. With a variety of cars available, and 12 frequencies to choose from (all on the 27MHz AM band), there is plenty of flexibility. The scoring system determines which car to score based on the height of a flag attached to the car's antenna, and it works perfectly. The cars themselves have both forward and reverse, are fully digitally proportional, and can be adjusted via steering and throttle trim rates on the controller. At $80 for a RTR car and $160 for a simple track layout, this system is worth checking out.

			The sample track layout available at the show, complete with scoring tower and pit lane.

			The bottom of each track piece contains interlocking bits to make things go together easily. The track will not slip on most surfaces, and we experienced no track separation as we tested it.

			To score the cars, FasTrack uses six lights, to be broken by flags that are attached the cars' antennas. With each car having a specified flag height, it is easy to keep track of who is who.

You can visit Apex R/C Racing on the web at www.apexrc.com.

ASSOCIATED >>> One can count on Associated having one of the nicest booths at the show each year, and this year was no different. Sharing space with Reedy and LRP as always, Associated displayed many of its championship-winning vehicles, along with new products such as the Monster GT RTR monster truck -- a.k.a. the BFT -- and the RC10T4 Team Truck kit. There were also a number of "Factory Team" options for all of the Associated vehicles, including a ton of option parts for the forthcoming Monster GT. Enthusiasts can start saving up their money already!

			The hottest item from Associated at this year's show was the brand-new Monster GT truck. Over a foot wide and nearly two feet long, the Monster GT features a .21-sized engine and is available as a RTR kit with two bodies to choose from.

			More close-up shots of the Monster GT.

			Hot on the heels of the B4 buggy, Associated released its stadium truck counterpart, the T4. Having already captured a ROAR title in its first major event, the T4 puts Associated right back into the thick of the offroad scene.

			Some more close-up shots of Associated's new T4 truck.

			The latest oval chassis from Assoicated, the RC10L4.

			Still at the top of its game after all these years, the Factory Team TC3 has been one of the most successful R/C race vehicles ever.

			Associated had many championship-winning cars on display, such as this B4 driven by Travis Amezcua to the ROAR 2WD Buggy title. Note the Team Peanut logo!

			Another championship-winning vehicle, this time Mark Pavidis' T4 he piloted to the 2WD Modified Truck title.

			Associated modified this TC3 to accommodate 14 cells and installed a specially-constructed Reedy motor to nearly break the 100 MPH barrier.

			Cliff Lett's infamous Associated RC10L, used to set a Guinness-verified radio-controlled land speed record.

You can visit Associated on the web at www.teamassociated.com.