ORIGINAL: foxy42
No, that's not true, just cos the market is dominated RS4 type cars and NTC3s, don't for one second think that that's all 1/10th has to offer. Properly set up racing cars (think NT1, V1 RRR, Serpent, Mugen) are phenomenally quick round a track.
Having said that, a 1/8th formula car with a really good engine is going to be quicker. Depends what you are doing, speed runs or track racing. If track racing, then you can spend up to $900 easily on an engine for a 1/8th race car, and have a car with a throttle response and powerband that are just insane, instant power on demand and 45,000rpm. Combined with the enormous rear tyres and traction these cars have, they are just untouchable round a track.
For top speed runs though, the 1/10th is arguably the better choice. Smaller, lighter, less wind resistance, engines rev high, less drivetrain friction, good gearing options...
But bear in mind, I'm talking about the best cars with the best engines (the only fair way to make the comparison). Comparing a Kyosho inferno GT with a .32 engine to an 18SS is not relevant, either car at that point can be made to go faster than the other by replacing engine, gears etc. Out of the boxes performance is fairly similar. Example...put a competition .12 in the SS and it will have a higher top speed than the stock Inferno. Put a competition .21 in the Inferno and it will eat the little 18SS for breakfast. See what I'm saying?
ahh, Foxy, the RS4 hater. Anywho, i think GT5500 has it wrong, 1/10's are made more for the track, and the 1/8s are more bashers, because they are based off of offroad chassis'. But dont think that a large engine always does better. I dont want to say it, but a competition 1/10th with a .12 in it, blows by any RTR, such as the beloved RS4, no matter how large its engine is.