R/C racing has been a big part in my family for about the past.....25 years (?). Traxxas has been an industry leader for professional R/C cars that can take a beating. Their electric cars aren't the best for keeping up with the pro's, but they're still pretty fun. That's because traxxas really switched their focus to the gas platform. Those gas cars/trucks can move and are a little more durable. Traxxas is a good way to go for sure. If any of you are interested in anything from a toy to a regular racer, go see Lawrence at "The Hobby Shop" in Killeen. He's been around R/C cars for about as long as my family has. He's a good guy and will get you set up for sure.
If you want one you can beat and race check out the HPI Savage line. I have jumped that thing in ditches, cartwheeled on asphalt, concrete, dirt and grass, and she still kept ticking. My biggest like on this was that some parts when broken, like the turnbuckles, can be fixed without a trip to the shop by switching it from one on another corner.