RC is one of those wonderful sports that guarantees any participant the chance to meet and enjoy their hobby standing next to their heroes. The whole racing scene is full of opportunities for virtually any RC fan to spectate or even compete at a wide variety of meetings and events, with an equally diverse range of like-minded individuals. When you speak with Tony 'RudeBits' Evdoka, you are consumed by the feeling that this guy has a passion for this diverse and welcoming sport that you never knew existed. He is knowledgeable, experienced, friendly, objective with his opinions, and last but by no means least...he breaths professionalism. A Team Kyosho 1/10th off-road star and owner of RudeBits accessories, Tony just oozes the very qualities that make this sport what it is. I was so excited to speak with Tony recently as he has to be considered one of the sports great movers and shakers. I had to be aware that he is a very busy man with his many RC and lifestyle commitments because I'm sure any of us could listen to Tony talk racing science all day without even batting an eyelid for fear of missing a gem of information.....so, over to one of my personal favourite life-long contributors to RC......welcome to this page...Tony Evdoka.
ORRC - When you first came in to contact with an RC vehicle, explain the feeling you got, and what you enjoyed about your first ever experience?
Tony - Well I can certainly blame my wife for this when she bought me a Tamiya monster truck to play with!
Building the product was the initial interest but that soon develops to building the race cars and of course racing.
ORRC - From all the races you have taken part in, describe one situation that made you realise that you love RC, and always will?
Tony - F3/4/5s Championship at Worcester some 12 odd years ago I think. David Burton and I were just pitting for my son Richard at this event. I was skimming motors and changing brushes while Dave was looking after all the tyres etc. Richard was the first person to ever do a double at this annual event and I was so happy, I was crying like a baby - Silly man or what! :)
ORRC - The race community is comprised of thousands of club racers, manufacturers, team drivers, retailers etc, who do you admire within this huge community? Explain why?
Tony - WOW what a question? So many I could mention. Kevin Moore, Ellis Stafford, Jamie Booth, Lee Martin to name just a few. Craig Drescher gains huge respect as numerous British and multi European (11 titles I think) Champion and of course our only ever off-road World Champion, and current 2wd British Champion, Neil Cragg. They are all just so talented drivers in their own right, many others too. They inspire us all.
The person that stands out for me though is Phil Booth from Schumacher Racing. A past World Champion that some may not know and extremely knowledgeable in designing new cars. He was so helpful in my Schumacher days and is a true gentleman too.
ORRC - Your recent success in regaining your F1 status is such a warming story for the scene, explain the first time you ever raced at national level, where, when, and what car? How did you get on?
Tony - Yes re-gaining F1 status in both classes this year and the oldest person to achieve this of course is a good achievement but now the new goal is making those Nationals 'A' finals again. Must work harder! A lot harder! I believe my first race was at Kidderminster in their glory days (although the club doing great again recently) and I was then driving for Schumacher - did well actually making the E final if I can remember that far back.
ORRC - The race scene is dependent on people such as yourself, people who devote vast amounts of time in support and development of products and infrastructure for racers, explain your involvement with running grass roots club meetings over the years?
Tony - Grass roots is where it's at and we should all do more in my opinion. I believe every club should run a juniors heat and championship, even for just a few. I remember standing at track side and spotting talents like Darren Bloomfield, Lee Martin, Tony Truman, Nick Goodall and so on was very exciting times and in those days it was all about promoting the juniors and spotting the new talent - The only problem they beat me nowadays.
ORRC - What is your favourite race meeting on the annual calendar and why? Which race would you just not miss? :)
Tony - I enjoy many races and really I just couldn't single just one out. Love to see a Euros in the UK once more though. The last one I competed in was at Teeside many moons ago!
ORRC - When you first began developing RudeBits, how much mathematical science went into your work on weight distribution for your brass products? Have you got a secret formula for working out optimum weight distribution for 1/10th off-road racing?
Tony - That's a simple question - Get the best drivers in the world to test and use the products - A lot of product might get thrown away testing but these talented drivers always know the right balance. Then make it available to the whole world knowing your product actually works - easy really!!
ORRC - Before your released your first range of brass weight products, did you experiment with other dense metal compounds? Explain why brass is the choice for your accessories?
Tony - Brass is the heaviest and the cheapest material for weight - Other materials available but too expensive for RC racing - Brass all the way
ORRC - Your racing career has given you many wonderful experiences, share your favourite human quality that you have discovered in fellow RC fans?
Tony - I think we have an extremely honest sport - where can you see thousands and thousands of pounds of equipment just left on pit tables everywhere and nothing goes missing - this is extra ordinary in my opinion, especially in modern times. Our sport is a family affair and to see families out there, whether a whole family out together or just farther and son - our sport is special for those reasons and of course many more.
ORRC - If you had to describe your racing style as a letter of the alphabet, which one is it and why? ;)
Tony - Well this question will have some people laughing for sure.
I am clearly the letter 'S' - 'S' for Smooth - Stylish - Superb but unfortunately also Slow!! - LOL
ORRC - Your sponsorship with Kyosho allows you to compete with the very highest quality chassis and geometry, what other buggy manufacturers do you find exciting in today's scene and why?
Tony - It's all about the K Team mate :) but on a serious note, I think there are many good manufacturers out there. Team XTreme making the Vega Kyosho mid-conversion must be on my list. Their 2wd car has improved my results no end. I have always admired any mark that actively develops their products. Kyosho is world famous manufacturer though and I am very proud to be part of their team.
ORRC - Can you name one race track that has been your favourite to drive on during your long and successful career? And why?
Tony - Indoor worlds track in Finland some 10 years ago. Indoor dirt. I didn't do great but ended up commentating the main A Finals.
Great atmosphere, track and the Fins were extremely organised
ORRC - How often do you test your weight addition products pre-production and find that a really tiny adjustment, let's say 5grams here or there, makes a massive difference to the handling characteristics of your buggy?
Tony - I play with weight ballast every time I race. I can't notice only 5g.
ORRC - Your are known for your clean and precise driving style on the track, do you think that cleaner laps will always prevail over drivers who are quicker in certain sections of a track but drive to close to the edge to afford mistakes?
Tony - Mistakes cost way too much. I believe in driving within ones capabilities. I am all for clean and accurate driving but so long as you can have that extra in reserve.
ORRC - Can you explain how your current involvement with some of Europe's best drivers helps you develop amazing RC products for your RudeBits range? Who helps you during testing?
Tony - I am very happy to sponsor some of the best drivers in the world and all of them help. Ellis Stafford, Lee Martin and Paul Bradby stand out to me as drivers that have a vast knowledge base and they have helped loads.
ORRC - With RC racing culture being much more easily accessible to the masses, with the advent of Internet forums and information websites, where do you see off-road racing being in say 10 years from now? Do you feel there are enough young people getting access to our sport to sustain the 'next generation' of racers for instance?
Tony - The Internet for sure will help more and more. The BRCA website is informative in all classes of RC but in my opinion it should be advertised more. On that note I am convinced in my own mind we need TV coverage to get our sport to the next level. Forums like oOple should be congratulated for their efforts as this is a great place to gain information for meetings, products and general RC stuff etc. I would like to see a website where only recognised knowledgeable personnel or drivers have access to give the right advice. We also need more meetings in the public places.
ORRC - What advice would you give to a club racer who wants to improve their ability whilst also learning the most they can about the car they drive?
Tony - Think of racing like a ladder you have to climb.
We all add too much power. A slower motor will improve your results.
Once you can drive 5 mins clean with no errors over and over then you can add power.
Make sure your cars are always prepared well. This is key in my opinion.
Practice, practice and more practice.
Ask advice from the top drivers especially on set ups. Don't be afraid to ask them, they will help you.
Do your regional events and get a better formula.
Enter the Nationals and always watch the best drivers and how they go about their business.
If you get good enough to gain a F1 license compete at Euros and Worlds - It is a great experience for sure, so do it.
The most important ingredient of all, is to really enjoy your days racing at any level you compete at.
ORRC - With technology advancing at such a remarkable rate in the last decade, what's your thoughts on the next step with regards power sources in off-road racing? Lipo now, what's coming next do you think?
Tony - I am not sure we need any more power - When I came back after a 9 year break, I was shocked at Lipo power with brushless motors - I would like to see wireless speedos and motors - I like the neat and tidy idea.
Tony is a real credit to our community, not just for his amazing quality RC products sold under the RudeBits banner, not just due to his wonderful track skills backed by RC giants Kyosho, not just due to his friendly and welcoming nature...but mainly because he is the very reason we should all be thankful we have access to such an amazing sport. Characters who transmit such passion and love for a discipline can only be described with one word in my opinion.....Legends. Thanks go to Tony and his sponsors for such a great interview. We wish them all the best of luck for 2012.
To get your hands on your own RudeBits products visit http://www.rudebits.co.uk
To check out the gob smacking work Tony creates in his day job visit http://www.rudecar.co.uk
To view the complete Kyosho range of products visit www.kyoshoeurope.com
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