Matt Keller

One of the most popular local hobbies has a big following in a Brays Oaks Management District store called RC Hobby Shop.

At 11261 Southwest Freeway, RC, which stands for remote control, carries a wide selection of remote control vehicles and replacement parts.

Remote control hobbyists enjoy driving, racing, and working with all types of vehicle styles such as stock cars, retro cars and monster trucks. The vehicles are controlled by battery-powered devices, and now with lithium batteries, the fun lasts longer.

Co-owners Matt Keller and Charles Molho have been in business since 2018. They sell only the world’s leading product line of remote-control cars – TRAXX – which is a Texas company.

“TRAXX makes fast, durable cars, with replacement parts available for 10 years,” Keller said. “Now with the lithium batteries, the run time is up to 30 minutes.”

He explained why remote-control cars are such a great hobby.

“You can find any open space, any good location near home, or one of Houston’s parks,” Keller said. “When you are driving a remote-control car, you get an adrenaline rush, and you can push the level of performance of your car without worrying about injuries. You can do backflips, high speed, wheelies, and things you could never do with a real car.”

Keller began working in a Sugar Land hobby shop at age 16, and he has loved this hobby for as long as he can remember.

“Everyone gets something different from this hobby,” Keller said. “It is a positive way to occupy time and it is a great shared hobby to do with other people -it’s a great family activity for all ages and all genders. It gets kids off digital screen type of activities.”

Online videos provide instructions about the hobby, such as how to handle the vehicles. Enthusiasts also like to work on cars – some upgrading their vehicle —  and they enjoy sharing the hobby with others. There are plenty of clubs on social media for sharing with like-minded hobbyists.

Keller and Molho experienced an all-time high in demand and sales during the COVID era.

“We had a line out the door and remained open because people were stuck at home and wanted projects to keep their minds busy,” Keller said. “This got them away from sitting around watching TV.”

Their line of cars includes a series perfect for beginners, with slower vehicles that top out at 30 miles per hour. These cars are durable and easy to fix.

They also feature the top-of-the-line TRAXX car, the XO-1, which is the fastest remote control car that has even been designed;  reaching a speed of 100 miles per hour.

Monster trucks are good for rugged terrain, and retro cars are popular because of how much they look like trucks and cars of the past, such as a 1979 Blazer.

The shop also sells a full range of parts and accepts order online; they ship nationwide. They encourage people newly interested in remote control cars to come in person to talk about the products. That’s what Keller loves most about being a retailer in this business — discussing the hobby and the vehicles.

RCHobbyShop.com
Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday  Noon to 5 p.m.

— By Arlene Nisson Lassin