Little Forest Raceway is a small purpose built track for 1/10th Off-Road RC Cars in New Plymouth.

A Taranaki radio controlled car club has gone from humble beginnings to one of the country's biggest in just four years.

The Little Forest Raceway was established by Scott Kendall and started its life as a large rubbish pile at the site of TBS Coatings, Corbett Rd, Bell Block.

Kendall has been racing radio controlled cars for 30 years, since he was aged seven, and asked his boss if he could build a track in a small forest area because at the time there was nowhere to race 1/10th electric off-road racers .

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom, left, takes a backseat to his son Xavier, 11, at the Little Forest Raceway radio controlled car club on Sunday.

"It was primarily just for myself to practice on cause I was selected to attend the worlds for the national body."

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He told a few friends about the track and since then things have taken off and the club now boasts 59 affiliated members.

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF Scott Kendall established the Little Forest Raceway, a purpose built track for 1/10th off-road radio controlled cars in New Plymouth and is the club's president.

The rapid growth didn't really surprise Kendall who had previously established an on-road track in the Manawatu in 2003.

"I've always had the attitude if you build it they will come."

The club's track has been rebuilt twice and is now 200 metres of twists and turns, ready to challenge drivers of all abilities.

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF Competition was fierce at New Plymouth's Little Forest Raceway club day on Sunday. The track was purpose built for 1/10th off-road radio controlled cars.

Kendall said the club had great family atmosphere.

"You are not sitting in front of a screen, that's the biggest thing for parents, it gets their kids out having a bit of fun in the fresh air.

"It's mechanical so it makes you think about what you are doing."

GRANT MATTHEW/STUFF Racers work on their cars at New Plymouth's Little Forest Raceway, a purpose built track for 1/10th off-road radio controlled cars.

The club's membership includes New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom's family.

Holdom, who acknowledged having a bit of a petrol head background, said his son Xavier had signed up with the club about six months ago.

"I know my way around a Torana," he joked.

"Xavier is the one who races and I just come along as the pit crew and I've got a rolling set of spares which is this car.

"There's a real family vibe around here."

Xavier said he enjoyed the challenge of racing radio controlled cars.

"It's a fun experience to drive them around and I enjoy it," he said.

"It's fun and you get to make new friends and meet new kids."

The club hold race meetings twice a month and welcome anyone to come along and enjoy the atmosphere.