Our culture is influenced by everything we see. Everything we read, watch, listen to, and experience. It is fair to say that our distant cousins over in the United States have contributed greatly to the myriad of cultural influences that shape and form our society today. Off-road RC is no stranger to drawing inspiration from different cultures, with many racers often heard to say that the early days of Tamiya and Kyosho's Japanese RC and cultural influences being formative during their introduction to our beloved sport. I was talking recently with some of my racing friends and we all commented on how brands such as Team Associated have always shaped the very landscape of our hobby for as long as we could all remember. With their roots built from solid American racing culture and their deep and well acclaimed success at every scale of competitive model car racing, it is no surprise that Associated continue to bring the influence of the 'star spangled banner' across the water to the shores of the UK with every product they release.
As I began to think more deeply about how we all look fondly at the United States west coast warm climate with their beautifully created dirt racing tracks, I decided to pick up the phone and get in touch with one man who would definitely have something to say about the subject of both Team Associated, and racing 'across the pond'. A few days after this phone call I am sat here sharing with you the inspirational words of the off-road racing legend Neil Cragg.
Neil is not only a long serving Team Associated racing star, but also holds the benefit of racing at the very highest level both here in the UK and over in the USA. His wealth of experience across multiple racing classes and track surfaces make him a wonderful source for a professional view on how the American racing culture has built many aspects of our domestic racing here in 'Blighty'. Neil was more than enthusiastic when I began priming him with some really detailed questions regarding this interesting subject, and as always, he gave us a world class performance. Join us as we begin our journey through the 'Stateside Connection' of Neil Cragg and Team Associated. Both at the very top of our sport here and in the USA....
ORRC - Can you tell me the facts about your valued involvement with the development of Team Associated products? In other words when your not on the track, how do you contribute with the products?
Neil - There is always contact between drivers and the team. Ideas are sent back and forth, things that need changing or some things that can be improved. Then there's the feedback from what's been tested and where, why such a thing is better than such a thing. Racing does become more than just a weekend thing!
ORRC - The release of the hotly anticipated B44.2 is big news at present. What are your experiences during testing of the new kit?
Neil - I'm really excited with the B44.2, the car is going to be dialled. The B44.1 was a great car that I love driving and with the .2 the little changes here and there should help a lot, especially on our tracks. Sometimes when a company comes out with a new car people think they need a complete overall change, but from the .1 to the .2 they have improved just the little things that needed looking at.
ORRC - Our friends across the Atlantic have such a growing and vibrant scene. What is the most inspiring thing about racing for an American based manufacturer?
Neil - I absolutely love racing for Team Associated, I've been with them for 15 years and I can't see that changing anytime soon. The thing with it being based in America is that they never stop, those guys live and breath racing and are always looking for the next big thing, be it 10th or 8th scale.
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| True British 'Dirt Master'...Neil does the double at the oOple Invernational...on dirt! |
Neil - Definitely, those guys are the absolute kings of racing on and building clay tracks. They know how a car needs to be setup, tyres etc just from the look of the track. They know when a track needs water or sweeping. It's really awesome that we finally have a proper dirt track in the UK and speaking from experience it's such a great track, the RHR guys really nailed the 'American style track'.
Neil - The major differences between the two is that the Americans seem a little more professional than us, it's treated like a job over there. In the UK the top guys all take it serious and everyone wants to win, but we all still remember why we got into racing......to have fun!
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| Hemet Racway - California |
Neil - I think the reason for this is that the B4 was and still is an amazing car, when it was designed and then released it was so much better than anything out there. It's pretty clear the geometry of the car was very good straight from the off. Also pretty much everyone I know had a B4 at some point in their racing life so I suppose its a comfort thing as well.
ORRC - Space is something that is not in short supply in the States. How do the tracks for 10th off-road compare to other parts of the world besides the prevalence of clay?
Neil - The tracks are awesome in America, not just because of the clay but because of the way the tracks are designed. Some of the ideas that they come up with are really smart. Although you do find a lot these days that tracks are a little small and very compact, and they try and fit as much in as possible, maybe a little to much, it's like jump, jump, jump, corner, jump, jump, jump, corner.
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| Santa Ana off-road track - California |
Neil - To be honest I've always been a big fan of the old school American racers, these are the guys I grew up reading about in magazines! Mark Pavidis is a legend of the sport and a former team-mate, and also a true gentleman. When you talk to him your talking to a 2 x world champ but you would never guess! Another one is Matt Francis, again a 2 x world champ but would drop everything to help the little guy! Then there's the current crop of superstars from across the pond, the Maifields, the Cavalieri's, the Tebo's. Those guys are the best in the business because they put everything into it, it's tough to keep up with these guys and their what we aspire to compete with!
ORRC - Your success at Worlds level is well documented. When you attend a World Championship event, do you feel that the high number of full time professional racers from the States is seen as a big advantage to Associated? Most other countries only have a few full time racers.
Neil - It is a big advantage to have a big team at a world championship, the more drivers to get advice and input out of the better. Personally I think Associated have the biggest pool of talent at the worlds, you have mayfield, cavalieri. Then there's Kinwald, Hartson, Bradders, and the team boss Brent Thelke. With all those stars your never gonna be to far away from a decent set-up!
ORRC - If you had to pick a Team Associated product that you considered the best example of American engineering at its best, what would that be and why?
Neil - That's easy, the B4 or B4.1. It's easily my favourite car and it's got such longevity, people forget it came out 10 years ago and it's won every worlds since!! It's was just designed perfectly, a real work of art!
ORRC - Can you describe how it feels to be in the company of racers such as Maifield and Cavalieri? Do they eat breath and sleep RC?
Neil - These guys are two of the top three drivers in the world in my opinion, it's as simple as that. The hours that they put in are phenomenal but they get out what they put in. They have very contrasting styles, Maifield is the fastest driver I've ever seen over a lap, just crazy to watch. Where as Cavalieri is the just a machine at churning lap after lap, and is also cool as ice under pressure, trust me I know!
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| Maifield is a real professional racer who just lives for the sport |
Neil - When I race in America you pick loads of funny sayings that you end up using for a few weeks when you get home, then you forget about them, then the next trip to America their all there again! There's the commentator saying "getting her done!" when your on a good run. "donkey flip" for a big crash. "waffle stomp" which is when you've landed on someone over a jump! "popping a stand" is a wheelie!
ORRC - Do you find that your driving style has changed due to having access to products that are created in the States for a world wide audience? Do you find yourself better prepared for bigger meetings with such diverse products at your disposal?
Neil - I'm not sure if my driving style has ever really changed, always try and stay clean and smooth. It always helps having input in new parts because when the finished article comes out you know what to expect from the testing.
ORRC - What's your favourite American food?
Neil - Those who know me know I love a Denny's breakfast when racing in America! There's also a fast food joint called Chickfi'la that is amazing.
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| What a way to start a day racing - Denny's breakfast for Neil! |
Neil - They really love that we always keep the hobby side of the sport, serious but still there to enjoy ourselves. They like how well organised our big races are. They're really impressed how we get through a whole national event in just a weekend, because those guys like to practice for a few days first!
ORRC - Why do you feel that wheel transmitters are the popular choice in the USA when sticks are more popular here in the UK?
Neil - From what I understand and what I've read, back in the day you where considered a bit poor if you had sticks instead of a wheel?! Whereas in England people just seemed to lean towards sticks. Although in the last year or two we've seen a massive increase in racers in the UK using wheel radio's, mainly because of a lack of stick radio options out there. If you look in some of the earlier heats most new drivers all have wheel radios now.
ORRC - Have you ever visited AE's head office?
Neil - Yes I've been to the old place and the new place. I went to the old factory in 2003 with Bradders, it was cool to see how it all works and also cool to hang out with Mike Reedy in his office! We went to the new factory for the first time in 2011, again with Bradders, and Ben Jemison! ( he doesn't know how lucky he is!) It's much bigger than the old place. Unfortunately I've never been in 'area 51'. This is the room where the engineers do most of their work and come up with the ideas that keep them ahead of the game. There's only a handful of people I know are allowed in there...... Maybe one day!
ORRC - What is your favourite race venue in the States?
Neil - In 10th scale the cactus classic was always a great track and race to compete in, a true American track. But favourite track? It has to be Competition Hobbies in Arizona. It's basically what you would build if you had a spare million or two! A huge indoor venue, indoor pitting with electric for every spot. A huge model shop in the building, a touring car track and a dirt oval. They even have a stair master on the drivers stand stairs, seriously!
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| Every day of the week in the USA! |
Neil - For me it's the best because it's what our cars were designed for. It's so much more fun hitting a triple or a double that's been sculpted to the perfect shape rather than an obstacle that's been placed on the track. Plus I bet if you ask any top driver, there's few better feelings than nailing a perfect lap with a 2wd on a clay track, trust me!!
Neil - I think I have two or three big factors that have contributed to my success. One is a great team, I always wanted to race for Associated and when Craig Drescher asked I jump at the opportunity and haven't looked back. Another one is my Dad, he's always supported me in everything I've done, and he's an amazing mechanic, a genius when it comes to setup. The last one I can think of is the age old saying, practice, practice, practice. When I first started racing I used to race Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday's, every week. I fitted a lot of racing into those first few years and I know this helped me out massively.
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| NorCal Hobbies epic outdoor track |
Stay tuned for the next chance to learn more about how the sport of off-road RC racing bridges many divides in our world...not just water. I will be catching up with Neil again very soon as we continue to expand our discussions relating to his 'Stateside Connection'.
My thanks go to Neil for this wonderful insight into his exciting views and opinions.
To learn more about Team Associated products visit: www.cmldistribution.co.uk
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