Interviews

Below you can find many interesting interviews with some of the top drivers, as-well as some great RC personality’s!

Exclusive Interview with Cris Oxley - UK Micro Challenge Organizer and Promotions Director!

What made you want to set up such a unique event like the UKMC- I had the idea for a ‘Micro National’ around the Summer of 2005. I had put so much time and effort into boosting the popularity of the forum, and I felt that micro’s deserved a ‘National’ style race as much as any other class did! The rest, as they say, is history!

How did you feel after the first UKMC, how did you think it went, did it all go to plan - I felt so proud after UKMC1. Considering an event like this had never really been done before the day went so smoothly. Everyone in the forum had been a great support from day one. They all knew how much we had to do to plan and organise this event. TRRAC were very professional as well and it was a pleasure to have worked with them.

Are you happy with the overall turn out from both events- Im dissappointed that the on-road class wasnt supported better. We had two chances with the two events and it proved that onroad micro racing is dead. The numbers at UKMC1 were amazing, and we had some top names too! UKMC2 was a little bit quieter but that was because we had a few clashes with other race meetings. We learnt our lesson that day!

How long did it take to organise and set up the first UKMC back in April 2006 - I think we started talking seriously around the very beginning of January…we did all that in less than 3 months I think!

Did you encounter any problems when running both events that have made you think twice about doing something again - Afew..personality clashes are hard to over come. Im a very strong minded person, and if I think something is the right way to do something then I will battle to get my way. Maybe thats a bad thing…but ive done that with the forum since day 1 and thats been a huge success…maybe its not a bad thing after all! I learnt ALOT though..alot about myself, alot about these kinds of events and alot about why certain people get involved in events like this. Some of it good, and some of it bad.

Apart from UKMC3 have you got anything else planned for the future regarding the UKMC- Yes Im sneaky..theres alot of things on my note pad that no one knows about.

Any other comments- Just really to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the forum from not only day one, but to the present day..and to everyone who has supported the UKMC. Ive made ALOT of friends along the way, and afew enemys too boot but every step has been worth it and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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Exclusive Interview with Adam Drake 2007 ROAR Gas Offroad National Champion

First off I would like to take this opportunity in congratulating you in becoming the 2007 ROAR Gas Off road National Champion and thank you for taking the time in completing this interview! I thought we would keep this interview as a general interview, in order for people to get a better understanding of yourself and your racing history rather then focus on your great achievement of winning the 2007 Gas off road ROAR, which has been featured on many websites already! Anyway lets move on to the questions!

How long have you been involved in RC- Almost 15 years.

What classes have you raced-1/10th electric: 2wd, 4wd, truck, touring car, 1/10th Nitro:truck and production MT. 1/8th Nitro:Buggy and Truggy.

Have you got a favourite track if so which one- The Dirt or Thunder Alley

What was your first RC- Hot Shot.

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the season- Yes, 2007 has been an awesome year. I’m really excite that the Team is running so well. We’ve had more cars then any other manufacture in the main at all the major 1/8th races in the US and Mike and I have won all three majors. Nitro Challenge, Silver State, and ROAR Nationals.

What is your racing history- I started racing when I live in S.C. My local track was SCORE in GA. I then moved back to Michigan for work and school. I mainly race at TARCAR in the summer and CRCRC in the winter. Both tracks are located in Ohio. I moved to CA seven years ago to work for Team Losi Racing.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently- Not really, I just tried to have fun and do the best I could.

Have you got a favourite RC- Team Losi 8ight buggy.

In general do you prefer racing in the US or overseas- I enjoy both. Going overseas is always new and exciting. I like the different style tracks.

When you first started off in RC did you ever picture yourself as becoming a National Champion - I hoped so, but didn’t really know. RC isn’t something that came easy to me. I had to work very hard and practice a lot. I was always told that if you are going to do something, do your best and give 100%.

Current Sponsors- Team Losi Racing, Trinity, Tempgun.com, Airtronics, Lunsford, MIP, Novak, A Main Bodies, SkipGear.com, B Mods, HT Batteries, GMK Supply, TKO, Avid RC, UpGrade, RCid, and The Dirt.

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Interview with Chris Doughty 1.10th Offroad Super Star

Name – Chris Doughty

How long have you been involved in RC- Started racing in 1989 ish

What classes have you raced – 10th elec off-road, 18th off-road and 8th rallycross mainly, played at 10th elec TC and 8th Nitro Monster Trucks.

Have you got a favourite track if so which one – There are so many good 10th off-road tracks, they are all very different too, Kidderminster and Bury Metro are both great, very hard but great. CMLRaceway is pretty special.

What was your first RC– My Dad’s Mardave Meteor – cheers Dad!

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the session – It’s been my best season start so far, a change of cars over the winter was always going to be hard, I had raced my previous cars for a very long time, changing cars and racing outside of the familiar was going to be a challenge but the cars I am using and the teams that support me have been fantastic.

What is your racing history – Some of the things I am proud of – 2002 European Champion in 4WD, Multiple BRCA National race wins, 12th qualifier at the 2003 worlds, multiple RRCI series winner, multiple BRCA Junior Champion. And very recently, winning a BRCA National A-Final leg with a car I had some input into the design.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently - Not at all, well, there are the odd occasions when I would have liked not to have crashed, or made a different tire choice but you can’t win them all.

Have you got a favourite RC -I am not really a nostalgic person, I like advancements and improvements and my current cars are the best ones I have driven, so right now, its Associated B4 and Atomic-Carbon S4.

Current Sponsors– LRP, Team Associated, Proline, CML, Atomic-Carbon, Dragon Paints, MK Racing

Any other Comment’s– I would just like to thank both my new, and long-standing sponsors, I believe I have the best car/motor/battery/speedo package around in both 2WD and 4WD right now. All it needs is the same level of performance from the driver. (Which it might not be getting)

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Interview with Darren Johnson Top 200mm Touring Car Driver!

Name – Darren Johnson

How long have you been involved in RC- 11 years

What classes have you raced – 1/8th on road in the early 1990’s, then I stopped for about 7 years, 200mm from 2001

What is your current class(s)- 200mm Touring

Have you got a favourite track if so which one– Brooklands, Halifax

What was your first RC– Tamiya Ford Fiso Ranger XLT

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the season– Nationals Not really, I have taken TQ at all 4 nationals, but have only won 1 race despite leading all of them. One of them was my fault, when I crashed and broke the car when leading by a couple of laps, Ooops ! The highlight has been winning the GP in Madrid, the EC track. We had 2 days of dry practise, and I was very happy with my car, but for the race day the weather was bad and the final very wet, which was a real shame as I wanted to show the car was good in the dry !

What is your racing history– 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 National Champion, 3rd at EC, Heemstede 2006.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently - Yes, I would have changed my brake pads before the final of the EC, they ran out about half way through !!

Have you got a favourite RC - Serpent Sprint, there were very few adjustments, I just put mine on the track and raced it Smile

Current Sponsors– CML, Team Magic, Nova Rossi, K-Facory tyres, Microtech Racing, Horizon Hobby, TecroTec.

Any other Comment’s– Just enjoy your racing, there is nothing better than a close,clean race in a final. Thanks to my sponsors for making racing possible.

Happy Racing Smile

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Interview with Chris Hudson Top 1.18th Driver!

Name - Chris Hudson

How long have you been involved in RC- Since 1993

What classes have you raced – 10th off road, 8th off road, 10th electric on road, 10th IC on road, Mardave and 18th off road.

Have you got a favourite track if so which one – My top three would be, in no real order… Ashby, Wombwell, Broxtowe. I couldn’t really pick a favourite as I enjoy driving just about anywhere for different reasons.

What was your first RC– A Tamiya Staduim Blitzer, bought for me by my Mum in ‘93 still got it, still abuse it and its still fun!

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the session – I am very happy with the way the Micro Challenges turned out for me and I am very much looking forward to the Micro Nationals.

What is your racing history – I mainly do club racing at the moment. I did the Tamiya Eurocup for about 5 years, usually in the A somewhere. I have done a number of local events like the Don Valley winter and summer series.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently - Maybe if I had started going to some bigger events sooner I might be further on in the sport, but I have enjoyed every second of what I have done and thats what it all about for me.

Have you got a favourite RC - My favourite RC is the Tamiya Hi-Lux 4X4, I love the engineering and thought that went into making the car and its 3speed manual gearbox work so well.

Current Sponsors – UKMicro RC, Team Tekin, Team Scream

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Interview with Mark Stiles Top 1.12th Driver!
Name -Mark Stiles

How long have you been involved in RC- I started racing back in 1999.

What classes have you raced – 1/12th oval (all of the classes at some point or another), 1/12th circuit, 1/10th electric touring car (19t and modified)

Have you got a favourite track if so which one- For outdoor tracks it’s a toss up between West London and Cotswolds. West London is a very technical track which requires pinpoint accuracy. Cotswolds is faster and more open, but it also rewards smooth and accurate driving, which is why I like it. As for indoors, well they are all temporary so it’s difficult to have a favourite. Hereford and Chesterfield are great venues with good sized track areas though.

What was your first RC –Mardave V12

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the season-I had some very good results over the winter, so this set me up well for the outdoor season in 2007. I switched to modified touring cars before the nationals started as I think this class will be what everyone is running at nationals within a year or two, and the 19t entry lists were quite small for the nationals this year. Racing modified has been a steep learning curve for me, and I haven’t really done as much running as I would have liked. This is due to financial constraints (I’m a student!) and also the bad weather we’ve had recently. As a result I’ve struggled at a couple of the nationals, but it looks like I’ve put the gremlins behind me with a strong B final result (13th overall) at the last national. Hopefully I can continue this good form for the rest of the season and make the top 20 overall (that’s my aim anyway!)

What is your racing history- I started racing back in 1999. My technology teacher ran an after school club for Mardave V12 cars. I got involved with that, and within about a year I had found my local club in High Wycombe, where I still race Mardaves every Tuesday evening. I raced Mardaves for several years (including a few seasons of 12th oval nationals), and this taught me the basics of driving and car prep. I then had a go with another members’ 12th circuit car, was instantly hooked, and got one of those in about 2003. A year later I got my first touring car and started to race in the 19t class at West London. I’ve done the last 4 full seasons of 12th scale nationals, and this is my 3rd season of touring car nationals. I’ve been abroad to race 12th scale a few times as well. I’ve been to Holland and Sweden for the Euro’s, and Italy for the World’s last year. 2 years ago I got offered a drive with Mirage Racing, which I still have and am very proud of.

Some of my most notable results include;

2007 1/12th scale Euro’s 15th, 2006/7 BRCA 12th scale nationals 6th overall (with a few top 5 finishes), 2006 19t KO Grand Prix 2nd, 2006 Cotswolds BRCA 19t national winner, 2006 BRCA 19t nationals 6th overall, 2004 1/12th oval hot-rod ‘world champion’, multiple 1/12th oval national winner.

Regarding RC looking back would you have done anything differently- Not really. I think that racing Mardaves for a while before getting involved with the more complex classes was a good move, as it enabled me to start developing my skills without breaking the bank. I would recommend this as a starting point for any young racer. The only regret I really have is that I didn’t start racing earlier. I started when I was 12 or 13, and there currently some very talented young drivers who aren’t a lot older than that, and already have several seasons of top level racing experience under their belts.

Have you got a favourite RC- 12th scale is my favourite class, so I guess my favourite car has to be the Associated RC12L4 that I ran at last seasons’ nationals. However, Hot-Bodies are releasing a new car this autumn which I will be running at the nationals, so I guess that will be my new favourite!

Current Sponsors - Mirage Racing, Hot-Bodies, Orion, Nosram, Edit, Hudy, GRP, VRC, Microtech Racing, TiR, MRT

Any other Comment’s - I’d like to thank my sponsors for their continued support. A lot of people think that being sponsored just means that you get cheap equipment, but anyone who has ever been sponsored will know it’s about a lot more than that. I see the main benefit of being sponsored is that I have access to some of the best advice available from some of the best drivers in the UK and the world. A special mention must go to Mick Farrell and Nigel Hale, who have given me endless support and advice at the 12th scale nationals for the last couple of years. If it wasn’t for them then there’s no way I’d have been in the A final at all last season, so I’m very grateful for all the help they have given me. Other influential figures have been people such as Andy Moore, Chris Kerswell and Andy Griffiths, so thanks to those guys as well! Hopefully I can pass on what I’ve learned from them to the next generation of young drivers!

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Interview with Matt Williams, Top 1/8th IC Driver!

Name - Matt Williams

How long have you been involved in RC - 3 1/2 years.

What classes have you raced - 1/10th IC, 1/8th IC 235 IC.

Have you got a favourite track if so which one – Halifax.

What was your first RC - HPI RS43.

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the session – YES.

What is your racing history - Club level a lot of 1st places. Last year I was seeded 58 in the National Series this year at present 42 still two meeting’s to go.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently - Yes I would of gone straight to Serpent.

Have you got a favourite RC- Just Serpent F180.

Current Sponsors – Mirage.

Any other Comment’s - Enjoying a lot more National Meeting in 2008 with 6 rounds of Serpent F180 Car.

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Interview with Craig Drescher All-round RC Super Star -

Name - Craig Drescher 

How long have you been involved in RC- I had my first car just before my 11th Birthday for Christmas. A Tamiya frog with a 380 motor. It was like a bat out of hell. You do the math. It’s too many years for me to think about :)

What classes have you raced –

Over the years I’ve raced -
380 Tamiya frog class which is the same as the stock classes of today.
2wd Off road buggy
4wd off road buggy
1/10th electric Truck
1/10th Gas truck
1/12 scale
1/10 scale on road (pan cars)
1/10th electric Touring Car
200mm Nitro touing cars

Have you got a favourite track if so which one – My favourite on road track would be Tamiya in the states. Off road would be Yatabe Arena in Japan. They had some amazing layouts in the early days.

What was your first RC– A tamiya “no guts no glory” Frog with a 380 motor. I still have this car although it’s several modifications later.

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the session –
Well this season hasn’t started yet but we’ve been working hard with the 1/8th team to get as much from the car pre-season as possible. Getting the team together for regular test sessions and having a good team rapour is important and all the guys are appreciative of this. They are all working very hard and getting on well together. I’m really excited to see what will happen with the 1/8th season and I know it’s going to be extremely competitive. Everybody seems to be having fun- that’s good to see.

What is your racing history –
Long and winding:)
3 times junior champion
13-15 times national champion including all classes
11 times European Champion in electric off road
Multiple World finalist in almost all the classes I’ve competed in. Highest finish is 3rd place in the Worlds with a couple of 4ths thrown in for good measure.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently – Not really. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done and been very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. I’d loved to have won a Worlds but for me it’s not the end of the World and I would have struggled to dedicate my life to doing this. I’ve had a good balance with all that I’ve done and I’m still having fun. Maybe once I’d won that World’s things wouldn’t be the same because you can’t better it. Maybe it wouldn’t change things and who knows. I like to look forward and not back so I’d say no regrets. Racing has given me so many more opportunities to travel and meet different people than almost any profession I could have chosen and to be recognised in your field is an achievement in itself. I’m happy with everything that I’ve done.

Have you got a favourite RC – Car or Driver? My favourite car would be my Rc10 team car with the aluminium tub. I had some good success with this car and it was some of the best racing days I can remember. Currently I’m loving the new RC8. I haven’t driven or raced it yet but working with the team to get everything in place for 2008 has me excited. It’s something new for me but I can already see and feel the appeal. I think I’m going to enjoy racing 1/8th….

Current Sponsors– Associated, Reedy, Novak, Ko Propo, CML Racing, Proline, Protoform, Kimbrough, TS designs, RB engines, Much More.

Please visit www.aeforums.co.uk which is in association with CML, AE Forums is the UK’s ONLY forum dedicated to the Team Associated range of RC vehicles.

Interview with Brandon Melton Team Associated Driver -

Name - Brandon Melton

How long have you been involved in RC- I have been involved in R/C for 14 years but have been racing for 11 yrs.

What classes have you raced – I have raced all 1/10 electric off-road classes, 1/10 touring cars, 1/10 gas trucks, and 1/8 gas buggies.

Have you got a favourite track if so which one – Of the tracks I’ve raced I’d say my favourite is “The Badlands” in Myrtle Beach, SC.

What was your first RC– My first R/C car was a Kyosho Raider RTR.

So far are you happy with your overall progress of the session ( or last session) – I have been very pleased with my adapting to the RC8. It was my first leap into the 1/8 scene and feel I have picked it up quickly.

What is your racing history – I first saw R/C cars at the local Hobby shop while purchasing baseball cards there. After receiving my first RTR, I only wanted to go faster from there, then I found tracks, and it’s lasted 11 yrs so far.

Regarding RC looking back would you of done anything differently – It used to be harder 5-10 years ago to get sponsored living on the East Coast, so I would have probably tried to go to more west coast races to meet people with their respected companies.

Have you got a favourite RC – Right now my favourite car is defiantly the RC8. Before I would race for the competition and just to try and win. Now when racing the RC8, I look forward to the fun I’ll have driving it while trying to win, not all just about winning.

Current Sponsors– Team Associated, Reedy, LRP, TQ Fuel, Express Motorsports, BSR Racing tires, JP Graphics, Xtreme Racing products

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