What if you drove hobby grade RC car at an event like Dodger's Parade?

[JetFalcon]

Hey everyone,

I’m curious how people would react if someone brought a hobby-grade RC car ($500–$1000 range) to a huge public event — like the recent Dodgers Rally Parade.

Picture this: the parade hasn’t started yet, the streets are blocked off, fans are lined up on both sides, and someone drives their RC car down the empty road just for fun. Would:

• Police or event staff immediately shut it down or confiscate it?
• There be any actual laws or penalties (public safety, obstruction, etc.)?
• Or would the crowd cheer for it — since most people never get to see a fast, high-end RC car up close?

What’s funny is I saw a few drones flying overhead, and no one seemed to care — they’ve become pretty normalized now. But an RC car on the ground has a totally different energy. The noise, the movement, and the realism grab people’s attention way more than a drone.

And on the other hand, what about something more reasonable — like the Dodger Stadium parking lot before a regular home game? Fans walking around, tailgating, etc. Would that be a better environment to run an RC, since it’s not inside the stadium or blocking anything?

I’m curious what you all think — both from a legal/common sense angle and from the fun/showmanship side.

I believe my car is a 1/8 Arrma truck. Most kids are intrigued by it, it's enough to get kids to wanna see it or talk to you. Adults, it depends, if it's a serious adult, they think it's dumb but I feel a typical Dodgers fan who is drunk at a tail gate will like it especially if it does donuts in a dirt patch where you can kick up a bunch of dust. Or if there is a jump, I think people will go nuts too.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Id be nervous driving something like that around crowds of people or cars lol

 

[Littlemotor]

You “believe” your car is an 1/8 Arrma…. You don’t know?

I personally think that the parade deal has the potential to paint ALL RC’ers in a bad light.. Regardless of wether it’s “began” or not, the streets are closed off for a reason..

A parking lot would be a more sensible venue between those two options imo.. That being said-I would not do either because you have ZERO control of what CAN go wrong, and there are undoubtedly gonna be drunk idiots, and children around. ANY 1/8 vehicle has the potential to put someone in the hospital.

Also, you should probably start here, and introduce yourself…

https://www.rctalk.com/forum/forums/introduce-yourself/

 

[xjtorc]

is this AI?

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

Not going into the hypothetical questions, but as far as the legal question, that would be best answered by the local authorities instead of some randos on the interwebs

 

[JetFalcon]

Id be nervous driving something like that around crowds of people or cars lol

Well, it wouldn't be around a crowd because the streets were blocked off an empty. The entire crowd were behind barricades and before the parade starts it's just a few orange vest workers just keeping order.

I wouldn't risk it because it be very hard to get back a $500 RC car, I think anyone who is going to do it would need to accept the fact it could get confiscated or they probably couldn't get it because they be stuck behind a bunch of people, or have to hop the barricades. I just though it be funny to get a reaction from a huge crowd on a historic baseball event.

You “believe” your car is an 1/8 Arrma…. You don’t know?

I personally think that the parade deal has the potential to paint ALL RC’ers in a bad light.. Regardless of wether it’s “began” or not, the streets are closed off for a reason..

A parking lot would be a more sensible venue between those two options imo.. That being said-I would not do either because you have ZERO control of what CAN go wrong, and there are undoubtedly gonna be drunk idiots, and children around. ANY 1/8 vehicle has the potential to put someone in the hospital.

Also, you should probably start here, and introduce yourself…

https://www.rctalk.com/forum/forums/introduce-yourself/

I understand, hopefully the operator is experienced or drives it somewhere it can be seen but won't hit anyone. Kids seem to like it though, some parents may not like it because they think it's dangerous. If it's a chill parent, they may like it too. But most soccer dads don't like it, they probably think it's distracting their kids and know their kids rather play with a $500 RC car than go to soccer practice. Some soccer dads may not like it but say nothing because they know it's a public park so they respect it as a public park. But I never heard a kid tell me my car is too dangerous, they all like it.

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

is this AI?

Was my first thought as well

 

[JetFalcon]

is this AI?

yes, most of it, but it was faster to get my point across in a clear way.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

yes, most of it, but it was faster to get my point across in a clear way.

Did you ask this same question to AI? I'm curious for the answer lol

 

[JetFalcon]

Did you ask this same question to AI? I'm curious for the answer lol

My question:

someone on the forum asked you (AI), what do you think spectators at a dodgers rally parade would do if they saw a $500 RC car driving around 30-60 mph doing donuts or jumps before the parade started? Because the streets are empty, crowds are behind baracades, so there is plenty of room for people to see it

ChatGPT said:​

That’s a great follow-up question — and one that taps into both psychology and crowd behavior. Here’s how I (as “the AI” on the RC forum) would respond thoughtfully, while staying grounded in realism and event dynamics:

---

AI Response:
Honestly, if a $500+ hobby-grade RC car started ripping around at 30–60 mph doing donuts or jumps before the parade started — with barricades up and fans already waiting — the crowd would probably go nuts… at least at first.

Spectators would likely cheer, clap, and pull out their phones. Most people never see a real hobby-grade RC car at full power — the speed, noise, and realism make it look like a mini performance. It would stand out way more than a drone, since everyone’s attention is already on the street, not the sky.

That said, once police or event staff notice, their reaction would likely shift from “fun and entertaining” to “potential safety issue.” Even though the streets are technically empty, they’re under control of the parade organizers and LAPD, which means you’d be operating in a restricted event zone.
They probably wouldn’t fine you for a first offense, but they’d likely intercept you fast — possibly detain you briefly or confiscate the RC as a safety precaution. (Think “you’re not in trouble, but don’t do that again.”)

So socially?
The crowd: amused and impressed.
Authorities: alert and disapproving.
Legal gray area: could fall under “interfering with an event” or “public endangerment,” depending on how strict they are.

In a nutshell — it’d probably be viral for 60 seconds, then shut down in 90.

If you really wanted to do it for the showmanship factor, a safer and smarter play would be the parking lot demo before or after the event, or coordinate with an organizer ahead of time to run it as part of the parade. You’d get the same energy — cameras, cheers, and attention — but without crossing any legal lines.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I would NOT bring my RC anywhere near that event.

If you run it before the game, you gotta store it in your car for 4 hours where shady ppl KNOW you'll be occupied. The car will get stolen.

Drunken asshats looking to start a fight after the game, esp if home team loses... Step on my RC and find out.

Its a bad time waiting to happen.

Bring your RC some place where its crowded and RC is welcomed as part of the show and I believe you'll have better results.

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

I would NOT bring myself anywhere near that event.

You got that right

 

[JetFalcon]

I would NOT bring my RC anywhere near that event.

If you run it before the game, you gotta store it in your car for 4 hours where shady ppl KNOW you'll be occupied. The car will get stolen.

Drunken asshats looking to start a fight after the game, esp if home team loses... Step on my RC and find out.

Its a bad time waiting to happen.

Bring your RC some place where its crowded and RC is welcomed as part of the show and I believe you'll have better results.

Why would anyone want to steal a $500 RC car? I assume it makes more sense to steal something like a laptop bag that could have a laptop in it. How will a thief even make money off a $500 RC car I think it will be more difficult to get money off that compared to something more universally used but expensive like an iPhone, laptop, iPad.

I assumed hobby grade RC cars are something most lower income people would not even touch with their finances so thus, you eliminate a lot of potential customers. Compared to something more universally accepted like fencing off a stolen iPhone or PS5. I think most people will own a iPhone first before a $1000 RC car.

Maybe a drunk Dodger fans will stomp on it but why should they, I thought they cheer up or think it's funny. I wish someone would have tried driving a $500 RC car near Roger Stadium after Game 7 when the Blue Jays lost. I wonder how that crowd would have reacted, if the Blue Jays fans think you're mocking them or just think it's just a fun toy.

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

I assumed hobby grade RC cars are something most lower income people would not even touch with their finances

I’m just here for the pictures

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

 

[CertifiedMike]

I worked on Lansdowne Street in Boston for years. Thats the street that Fenway is on.
You have NO IDEA what a drunken, pissed off crowd can be like.

I don't know where you live but ppl around here will get their windows smashed for a crisp $5 bill on a front seat.
A $500 rc???!!! Yup! 10000000% a target, even if the thief has not a single clue about RC.
Not everyone is a scumbag, but there are a few who give ALL of humanity a bad name.

I spent a lot of time in Boston and New England working in bars and night clubs. I installed, maintained, rented, repaired pro audio and lighting. I would guess I've dealt with more than my fair share of drunken foolishness, intentionally hurtful or just because they weren't thinking, ppl can get nasty.

I believe there is a place for RC'ers from all sorts of different income levels. I don't think there is a cut off line.
I bought my RC when I was a kid with a next to non-existent income level. We work it out if we love it enough.

Would YOU give someone $100 for a $500 RC???

THAT is how theives make money... stealing ANYTHING.

 

[Tunedfrog]

.

 

[JetFalcon]

I worked on Lansdowne Street in Boston for years. Thats the street that Fenway is on.
You have NO IDEA what a drunken, pissed off crowd can be like.

I don't know where you live but ppl around here will get their windows smashed for a crisp $5 bill on a front seat.
A $500 rc???!!! Yup! 10000000% a target, even if the thief has not a single clue about RC.
Not everyone is a scumbag, but there are a few who give ALL of humanity a bad name.

I spent a lot of time in Boston and New England working in bars and night clubs. I installed, maintained, rented, repaired pro audio and lighting. I would guess I've dealt with more than my fair share of drunken foolishness, intentionally hurtful or just because they weren't thinking, ppl can get nasty.

I believe there is a place for RC'ers from all sorts of different income levels. I don't think there is a cut off line.
I bought my RC when I was a kid with a next to non-existent income level. We work it out if we love it enough.

Would YOU give someone $100 for a $500 RC???

THAT is how theives make money... stealing ANYTHING.

I live in Lake Forest, Orange County CA, and I likely could leave my $500 RC car on a table on no one would touch it. My area is one where most people drive Teslas and they are the common car here.

But what would a thief even do with a hobby grade RC car, will they try get into the hobby? Or will they rather have $50 even if the RC car they stole is used but they stole all the accessories needed to run it, even if they saw it was worth $500? If they are drug addicts, why don't they convince their drug dealer to get into RC cars and just say, I want $500 worth of drugs for a $500 RC car.

Only Los Angeles area, maybe DTLA, is where I will see the kind of people you're talking about. I was around those Dodger fans, they all seem happy, but the team won a World Series, so it's hard to say how they would have reacted if they lost and they were all in the street and then saw a $500 RC car being driven around in their after game riots.

I am sure it would have been fine to drive it after Game 7 in DTLA after the Dodgers won the World Series and residents were celebrating in DTLA. I think a $500 RC car doing donuts is much safer than illegal fireworks or car side shows.

 

[Littlemotor]