06/25/2026
We hate to see another track close their doors. The RC ONE Racing team always treated us like family. They supported our rebuild after the club trailer was stolen and hosted Midwest Carpet Off-Road Series events.
As always, difficult and emotional decisions have to be made when owning and running a business, and unfortunately one of the hardest is deciding whether to continue on or close the doors.
It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to close RC One Racing.
It has been a dream of mine to open a race track and host major races and events, bringing together top drivers from across the United States and around the world. Beyond the big events, the weekly club racing was always the most enjoyable part—hanging out and racing with friends every week. We truly had an amazing group of people walk through our doors over the years, and that is what makes this decision so incredibly difficult.
Unfortunately, the RC industry is in a difficult place and will likely continue to lose race tracks and hobby shops. The business model of many manufacturers has shifted toward selling directly to consumers, leaving hobby shops to fight over the remaining scraps. The direct-to-consumer marketing strategies and the endless list of so-called “sponsored” racers have made it increasingly challenging for local race tracks and hobby shops to survive.
The decline in racer turnout has not helped either. At the end of the day, without football players there would be no football games. Without baseball players there would be no baseball. Without racers, there is no racetrack. A racetrack can only survive when racers come through the doors, race regularly, and support the facility that gives them a place to race.
I am sorry that I was unable to bring in enough new racers to replace those who have stepped away from the hobby. On top of that, our landlord recently increased our rent by more than 30%, while utilities and operating costs have continued to rise.
Unfortunately, it is simply no longer sustainable for us to continue.
I also know some people will say that RC racing has become too expensive. While I understand that everyone has different priorities and budgets, RC racing is ultimately as expensive as each person chooses to make it. Like any hobby or form of entertainment, it comes down to the choices people make with their time and money. The reality is that RC racing remains one of the most affordable forms of racing available, and the friendships, competition, and memories it creates are worth far more than the dollars spent.
Some people will say that we could have focused more on the retail general hobby side of the business, but that was never my vision. I wanted RC One Racing to be a race track first, supported by a professional hobby shop—not the other way around.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who has walked through our doors and supported us over the years. It has been an incredible six-year journey filled with challenges, unforgettable memories, and some truly amazing highs. We have watched so many kids grow up through this hobby, seen friendships formed, and watched families spend quality time together. Those moments are what made all of this worthwhile.
Our final race will be held on July 1st.
We will be vacating the building throughout the month of July. During that time, all inventory will be discounted 30%–50%, along with store fixtures, equipment, and everything else in the building.
Thank you for being part of the RC One Racing family. We could not have done it without you, and we will always be grateful for the memories we’ve made together.
Mike Himanek
RC One Racing
