There are certain cars in the history of radio-controlled racing that transcend their era. They don’t just win races—they define categories, shape driving styles, and become the benchmark against which everything else is measured. The Yokomo YZ-870C Super Dog Fighter is one of those cars.
And now, it’s back.
The YZ-870C made its debut on the world stage at the 1987 IFMAR Off-Road World Championships in Ramsey, England. It was a car that immediately turned heads. Under the control of Jay Halsey, the first-ever 2WD off-road world champion, the YZ-870C stormed to a 4th-place finish in its very first appearance. For a brand-new car to compete at that level against established machinery was nothing short of remarkable. It was the beginning of a legacy.
But the YZ-870C wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It went on to dominate the Japanese off-road scene, winning the All-Japan Championship in 1988. And then came the crowning achievement that would cement its place in RC history: in 1989, the legendary Masami Hirosaka piloted the YZ-870C to victory at the IFMAR 4WD Off-Road World Championships. A Yokomo driver had won the world title.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The Super Dog Fighter had proven itself to be a world-class machine, capable of taking on the best in the world. It became the car that everyone wanted—the machine that defined the late 1980s off-road racing scene. To this day, Yokomo holds more IFMAR 4WD 1/10-scale Off-Road World Championship titles than any other brand, with an impressive seven wins. That legacy began with the YZ-870C.
So, why does a re-release of a nearly 40-year-old buggy generate such excitement? The answer lies in a combination of nostalgia, engineering, and a genuine respect for the history of the hobby. The YZ-870C is not just a static display piece. It’s a car you can actually take to the track and race. As Yokomo’s development team put it: “We wanted to reproduce the original form as much as possible, but we also wanted people to enjoy driving it… we have tuned the drivetrain parts to be compatible with modern equipment”.
The re-release has been met with overwhelming demand. The initial production run sold out rapidly, leading to additional production runs. Yokomo has even released special limited-edition versions, such as the “Protec 4 Body” edition, to celebrate the launch of their Vintage Series.
Whether you’re a collector, a racer, or simply an admirer of RC history, the Yokomo YZ-870C Super Dog Fighter is a significant release—a true legend reborn.
