FTX Banzai Drift Tyre and Wheel Set 1/10 Scale 4pc Black FTX6599

Overview

The FTX Banzai Drift Tyre & Wheel Set (4pc) is an essential upgrade for anyone serious about drift racing with their 1/10 scale RC car in the UK. Whether you're a seasoned competitor looking to fine-tune your setup or a weekend basher discovering the thrills of sideways driving, these purpose-built drift tyres and wheels are engineered to deliver the grip, responsiveness and performance characteristics that make RC drift racing so addictive. Drift racing has exploded in popularity across the UK, and having the right tyres makes all the difference between spinning out unpredictably and executing smooth, controlled slides that earn respect from your fellow racers.

This four-piece wheel and tyre set is specifically designed for the FTX Banzai 1/10th scale 4WD RTR RC car, one of the most popular ready-to-run drift platforms available to UK enthusiasts. The Banzai itself has become a go-to choice for those entering the drift scene because it combines affordability with genuine performance, and these OEM replacement tyres ensure you maintain that performance throughout the life of your vehicle. Drift tyres are fundamentally different from off-road or racing tyres—they're formulated with compounds and tread patterns optimised for sustained sliding and weight transfer rather than maximum traction, and understanding this difference is crucial to unlocking your RC car's potential on a drift circuit or tarmac surface.

FTX has built a reputation as a brand that delivers exceptional value without compromising quality, and this tyre set is a perfect example of that philosophy. Available from RC Model Shop, a trusted UK RC retailer, these genuine FTX parts are manufactured to OEM specifications and quality standards, ensuring compatibility, durability and the authentic performance characteristics that FTX engineers designed into the Banzai platform. Whether you need replacement tyres because your originals are worn, you're experimenting with multiple drift setups, or you're simply maintaining a spare set for competition day, this is the product you can rely on.

Key Features

• 1.9-inch Wheel Diameter — The 1.9-inch wheel size is the industry standard for 1/10 scale drift cars, providing the perfect balance between rolling diameter for speed and proportional scaling that matches the Banzai's chassis geometry. This sizing is critical because wheels that are too large or too small will affect your car's handling characteristics, differential rotation and overall drift dynamics.
• 26mm Wheel Width — At 26mm wide, these wheels offer a wide contact patch that distributes weight evenly across the tyre for consistent drift performance and predictable handling during transitions between acceleration and braking. The width is optimised for the Banzai platform, ensuring the tyres sit correctly within the wheel arches without rubbing or excessive toe-in issues.
• Black Colour — The black finish not only looks purposeful and professional on your drift car, but also helps with tyre temperature monitoring during extended practice sessions. Black tyres tend to absorb and dissipate heat differently than other colours, which can influence grip levels and performance during sustained drift runs.
• 12mm Hex Fitting — These wheels feature the industry-standard 12mm hex drive fitting, which is the universal mounting system across most 1/10 scale RC cars including the FTX Banzai. This standardisation means you can experiment with wheel sizes and styles across different builds, and replacement hubs are readily available across the UK RC market.
• Front & Rear Compatibility — This set is engineered for use on both the front and rear axles of your Banzai drift car. This universal compatibility simplifies inventory management, allows for easy rotation patterns to even out tyre wear, and ensures consistent handling characteristics across all four corners of your vehicle.
• Drift-Specific Compound — FTX designs these tyres with a drift-specific rubber compound that prioritises sustained sliding characteristics over maximum dry traction. This formulation allows the tyre to maintain consistent grip levels during sustained drifts, reducing the unpredictability of tyre breakaway and helping you maintain control during complex multi-angle drift sequences.
• Four-Piece Set — This package includes all four wheels and tyres needed for your Banzai, eliminating the need to purchase separate front and rear sets. Having a complete four-piece set means you can refresh your entire tyre setup in one go, ensuring all four corners are matched in terms of compound age, tread condition and performance characteristics.
• OEM Quality Standards — As official FTX parts, these wheels and tyres are manufactured to the same specifications and quality standards as those supplied with new Banzai vehicles. This guarantees compatibility with every aspect of your car's setup, from suspension geometry to differential behaviour.

Technical Performance

The FTX Banzai Drift Tyre & Wheel Set represents a carefully engineered solution for 1/10 scale drift racing. The 1.9-inch diameter and 26mm width combination has been proven across thousands of drift builds to offer the sweet spot between rolling speed and lateral traction needed for smooth, predictable slides. The black 12mm hex wheels are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring minimal runout and vibration that could disrupt your drift lines. FTX's drift-specific tyre compound is formulated to work across a range of track surface temperatures and humidity conditions common throughout the UK, from heated indoor drift tracks in winter to outdoor tarmac venues during warmer months. The tread pattern is designed to shed water on wet surfaces whilst maintaining consistent grip levels during sustained drifts, though tyres perform best on dry surfaces where tyre temperature can be managed more predictably. These tyres are pre-mounted on the wheels, meaning you can fit them directly to your Banzai with no additional preparation required—just pop off your old wheels and hex them onto the new ones. The tyre compound hardens slightly when cold and softens when warm, which is why many UK drift racers run a practice lap or two to get the tyres into their optimal operating temperature window before attempting serious drift sequences. Build quality is excellent throughout, with no visible imperfections, balanced weight distribution and wheels that run true out of the box.

What's in the Box

• 4x Pre-mounted drift wheels and tyres (1.9-inch diameter, 26mm width)
• Complete set for front and rear fitting

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these tyres suitable for my FTX Banzai drift car? — Yes, absolutely. These are the official OEM tyres designed specifically for the FTX Banzai 1/10th scale 4WD RTR RC drift car. They mount directly onto the 12mm hex hubs and provide the exact performance characteristics FTX engineers calibrated into the Banzai's suspension and differential setup. They are compatible with both the red (FTX5529) and green (FTX5529G) versions of the Banzai.
• What is the difference between drift tyres and regular RC tyres? — Drift tyres use a softer, more forgiving compound that prioritises sustained sliding characteristics and lateral grip during cornering rather than maximum forward traction. The tread pattern is optimised for weight transfer and predictable breakaway, whereas off-road tyres are designed for mechanical grip and traction in loose or uneven terrain. Drift tyres allow your car to slide in a controlled manner, while off-road tyres would resist that sliding and potentially cause your car to roll or flip.
• Can I use these tyres on other 1/10 scale RC cars? — Technically, yes—these are standard 1.9-inch wheels with 12mm hex fittings, so they will fit any 1/10 scale RC car with 12mm hex hubs. However, the drift-specific compound is optimised for the Banzai's geometry and suspension setup. Using them on a very different platform might not yield the same performance characteristics. Always check your car's manufacturer recommendations before fitting new wheels and tyres.
• How long do these tyres last before they need replacing? — Tyre lifespan depends entirely on how often you drift and the surface conditions you practice on. Heavy use on rough concrete or asphalt will wear tyres faster than light use on smooth indoor tracks. Many UK drift racers replace their drift tyres every 3-6 months of regular practice. The rubber compound will harden over time even if you're not using the car, so older tyres may feel less responsive even if the tread looks acceptable.
• What surface should I use these tyres on? — These drift tyres perform best on smooth, clean tarmac surfaces such as indoor concrete floors, outdoor car parks, or purpose-built RC drift tracks. They require a relatively smooth, flat surface to demonstrate their full potential. Rough concrete, loose gravel or dirt surfaces will wear them quickly and may not provide the predictable grip characteristics drift racing demands.
• Do I need anything else to fit these tyres to my Banzai? — No additional parts are required. These wheels come pre-mounted with tyres ready to fit. You simply remove your old wheels (unbolt them from the hex hubs using a hex key) and fit these new ones in their place. No tools beyond a basic RC toolkit are needed.
• Are these tyres suitable for beginners? — Yes, absolutely. The FTX Banzai platform itself is an excellent choice for beginners, and these OEM tyres are specifically designed to work with the Banzai's suspension and drivetrain. They will help you learn drift techniques with predictable, forgiving handling characteristics. Drift racing may look intimidating, but starting with the right equipment—including proper drift tyres—makes the learning curve much less steep.
• What is the 12mm hex fitting? — The 12mm hex fitting is the standardised connector between your RC car's wheel hubs and the wheels themselves. The wheel has a female hex socket (hollow opening) that receives the male hex stub on the hub, which is then secured with a small screw or pin. This system allows for quick wheel changes and is the industry standard across virtually all 1/10 scale RC cars available in the UK.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the FTX BANZAI DRIFT TYRE & WHEEL SET (4PC) FTX6599 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.