Interview with David Jun, Designer of the Tamiya 801X.

Hi David, First off, do the piston screws hit the top caps?
The standard ones can, so lately what we've been using is a button head screw. Even the standard screws aren't really a problem, they have never caused any damage. The button screw allows a slight bit of extra travel.

You're a designer at Tamiya USA - how did that come about and how long have Tamiya USA been involved in products - Tamiya UK are an impotent toy flogger, Tamiya USA seem to really know their stuff?
I guess I started designing about 6-7 years ago, it started off with the hop up options and things like that,
that eventually evolved into Tamiya Japan giving me the ok to design the 801 buggy.

Is it a bit cold for you over here?
Actually it's kinda nice. I used to live in New Jersey and New York when I was really young, and this is really nice weather compared to what I was told it would be like..

Have you tasted the McDonalds over here yet, and how does food here compare to back in the good ole U S of A?
No I haven't... I havent had a big variety of food yet, but it tends to be more meat and potatoes type of food, which is fine, it's nothing unusual. I'm personally more into spicy food.

Where abouts do you live?
In Southern California, I've lived there for 25 years.

Have you ever knowingly participated in a rodeo?
No. I would participate in a mechanical rodeo though.

The stars and stripes is a nick name for your countries flag - what was your nickname at school?
People just call me David or Dave, It's kinda boring.

Can Jimmy have one 801XT shock catridge and damper rebuild please? no, go on, PLEASE?
Sure.

We hear you went to Tamiya Japan to learn the business of designing the Tamiya way - tell us all about it!
Oh, I was there for about 3 weeks, and they were just showing me the kinda protocols and some tips about how the moulds
are made, which gives me a better understanding about how to make the part more effectively. I also got to meet a lot of the
team which is good when it comes to scheduling.

If you were in a pub and had a choice between beer and vodka - which would it be, and whats your fave pub nibble?
Beer - I like Newcastle ale, that's one of my favourite beers. Pretzels and peanuts for snacks.

Do you fancy eating an English chocolate delicacy in a race against another yet-undecided competitor of a foreign persusion?
I would rather see Ryan Lutz and Hupo compete in the CHOC OFF.

Anything else you'd like to add to the interview?
Our 801 buggy is doing really well this week, so hopefully we can win or at least be in the top 5.

Interview with Jared Tebo - 1/10th offroad world CHAMP, and all-round great guy.

You are the reigning 4WD 10th off road WORLD CHAMPEEN - that's pretty cool isn't it - what do your non-racing buddies back home think about you being a big-dog in racing - do they think you're playing with toys or a serious motor sport warrior.

Yeah that's pretty cool; some people like mainly Megans friends think it's just playing with toys, but all my friends understand.

Have you tasted 'fish and chips' over here & what do you think of malt vinegar? - Jimmy goes nuts for that stuff?
Uhm, I don't eat fish so I haven't tried that, I haven't had any malt vinegar.

What do you think of grey rainy old England - have you been here before?
I like the architect of buildings, everything looks old and stuff like that. The cloudy weather would get old pretty fast I think. I like it here, it's not bad. The roads are confusing though.

We hear you'll be defending your title at the 10th Worlds in South Africa later this year - how do you think you'll perform with the underdog Kyosho?
Uhm, if the race actually happens I think it will be pretty good - I like my cars a lot, I don't think I'm at any disadvantage or anything like that. I can't believe it is in South Africa.

Are you an early-to-bed sorta guy at big meetings like this - do you go to sleep dreaming of 'the right lines'?
Definitely early to bed, I turn into a huge baby when I get tired, I take my racing really really serious, I'm not here to play around. I do enjoy going out and the social scene, just not at the races.

Your hair is pretty big - whats the maddest thing you've ever found in there?
I've never really found anything, it's pretty thick so nothing can get in.

Whats your favorite day of the week and why?
I'd say Sunday, when I'm not at the races - I get to go to church with my wife, hang out with my dog, and just relax.

Kyosho make loads of ace stuff - from diecast models to flying stuff - do they ship boxes and boxes of COOL toys to your door regularly or do you have to beg for stuff?
I don't get anything other than RC cars. I collect Valentino Rossi stuff, so I got some cool stuff like that.

Anything new and cool coming out on the electric scene that you'd know about?
We have our new 2wd - the RB5SP, it isn't out yet, hopefully it will be for sale in a couple of months.

Whats Gil Losi up to these days? We were hoping for some crazy inventions but so far it's been stuff designed in Japan for the most part it seems. Any ideas boss?
Yeah, he pretty much just works for AKA, he doesn't really do much work for Kyosho.

KFC or McDonalds?
Outside of the US, KFC. Inside the US - McDonalds - KFC suck at home.

Thanks for taking the time to be TEBO - do you have anything you'd like to add?
Thanks to everyone for the support in our industry, and having fun playing with toy cars :)

Interview with Nic Hamilton, top Kyosho Dude.

How long have you been racing toy cars for?
well, I started properly about a year ago driving a kyosho, 2 years ago I started driving around the garden.

Do you race any other classes?
Just 1/8th scale, and I have done a little bit of 1/10th on road.

Do you have time for other hobbies?
No, not at all, don't have time for them, apart from playing computer games. My favourite is gtr evolution, and in that my favourite car to drive is a mini cooper.

What's your favourite TV program?
kenan and kel.

Do you like the electric 8th cars?
Seeing them go around is cool, but for me I dont really enjoy electric, it's all quiet. The whole part of it is to hear the
engine, see all the fumes and hear the noise.

Who are your favourite rc drivers?
Firstly I would say Jared Tebo, but also Ryan Maifield and Ty Tessmnan.

Where are you travelling to next?
My next R/C race is a 12 hour Mini Z enduro race, in Essex. It'll be a team event, Mick Craddock, Neil and myself will be racing.

What is your all time favourite R/C car, and what is your dream big car?
Well I havent really been in R/C for long, so obviously it would be the mp9 for me, but the turbo burns used to be really good as well, that's proper old school, my brother used to race one.
I'm sort of in love with the Mclaren SLR but I've seen a Bugati Veron in chrome, but that's never going to happen!

Which part of the Neo09 track do you like the best, and which is the most difficult section?
My favourite part of the track would be the double in the middle, you get big air from that. I would say all the track is hard, but the hardest part is the double in the back right hand corner, it is so far away from the rostrum you can hardly see it.

Have you received any easter eggs this year, which is your favourite, how do you like eggs cooked?
I've received three I think, the crunchie one was pretty good. i'm not really a big fan of eggs, so omelette would be my favourite.

Do you have a dedicated mechanic?
Uhm, well, I've got my main man Mick Craddock, I would say he's my mechanic and mentor as well. He takes me everywhere, without him I wouldn't be where I am today. kudos to him big time, and especially kyosho as a team.

Do you like pie?
(Exclamation of suprised excitement) I would say yes! I do like pie, meat pie is my favourite at the moment. My Nan's meat and potato pie is my favourite, on a Sunday in Manchester.
(Jimmy apologises profusely and hopes that Nic wasn't expecting a serious interview)

What racing achievement are you the most proud of?
Well my main achievement is I have made 8 a finals to date, which is pretty good to say I dont race very much. I also finished 8th in the AKA Winter series.

What is your ambition within r/c car racing?
My ambition is to get a lot better, but to be running within the top 20 drivers would be my main ambition. I would like to
go to the European Championships, I'm going to Euro B this year, but I would like to go to Euro A, and 8th Worlds.

Do you practice and if so where is your local club?
I practice once a month, as I'm always away with F1 with my brother and that, so I can't really dedicate my time, once or twice
a month. In the winter I try to practice every week. My local club is Herts Nitro Model Club.