Interview situations are one of those rarer opportunities in life when, if you have your wits about you, you can stumble on some real gems of information. I thought we should dig a bit deeper into the technical aspects of racing, buggy set ups, and manufacturer design processes. So, who better to allow us an insight into that side of the scene than one of off-roads widely regarded 'set up kings'. Simon Moss has contributed an enormous amount of practical testing and track side experience into the development of Schumacher racing products over the last decade. He was fundamental in the amazingly successful Cougar SV platform, and his eye for detail and precision has earned him great respect within the racing community. Simon's recent move to a drivers deal with up and coming manufacturer Ansmann caused some understandable ripples on the racing forums. So we thought we would catch up with the man who holds over 85 A Final National placings and a bevvy of European top 5 finishes to his name. Get ready for a truly wonderful look into the more technical side of off-road with one of the sports true wizards...Simon, that's your cue ;)
ORRC - When you first picked up a transmitter, were you instantly addicted or did it take longer to form your love for RC?
Simon - I think when I got my first RC car I pretty much knew it was something I was going to get into. My Dad bought me a Tamiya Boomerang when i was 9 and I think his passion was definitely something that got me hooked. Ive always been a competitive person, and getting into RC gave me a good place to practice!
ORRC - How many races did it take you to discover you had a natural talent for racing?
Simon - Growing up it was difficult to gauge exactly what you are capable of at club level. I was fortunate that I grew up with some really great club racers, and it wasn't still I started winning at the club when I was around 12 that I figured I could be onto something. My dad wouldn't let me compete at National level until I was good enough, so I didn't even do these until I was 14/15 i think! Think I was 41st in my first year.
ORRC - When you build a buggy, what's your least favourite part of any build?
Simon - To be honest i don't really dislike any of it. Over the last 5/6 years Ive been really heavily involved with development with Schumacher so building different cars from start to finish is great way to continue learning that development side. Mind you, before this I never did anything as this was my Dad's department so I would of said every part back then!
ORRC - How do you approach your race meetings at National level, do you drive any different if your previous meeting was a success?
Simon - I think car wise its all about preparation. Before a National I will spend at least a night on each car making sure everything is running right and any parts that might need cleaning/replacing are done before I hit the track. That way I know that practice is all about learning the track and tweaking the setup, rather than worrying about if i might have any problems.
Driving style wise I don't really change anything. The level is so high at Nationals that I just focus on being as quick as I can, and hope that even if I make the odd mistake ill still be quick enough to get a good score in the round. Normally if I go clean I'm there or thereabouts.
ORRC - When your buggy doesn't respond as you expect it to over an obstacle, what's your most reliable method of 'saving' it?
Simon - Depends on the obstacle! Anything from full throttle to full brakes normally works! If its a jump then throttle most times, otherwise hitting stuff slower always helps!
ORRC - Do you prefer racing indoors or outdoors?
Simon - I enjoy both really. I always feel that when the outdoor seasons comes around, I'm really looking forward to it and that's the same at the end when we head back indoors. I'm not a massive fan of really small indoor tracks, but places like Worksop I really enjoy.
ORRC - When you pass another buggy during a race, is your main priority to complete the pass as quickly as possible, or get back on racing line steadily and calmly?
Simon - I think its about making the pass stick. As I said earlier, the quality is so high at Nationals and Euros that you might only get one or two chances to get passed, so whichever line is needed is the one I take!
ORRC - If you could take one class to race forever what would it be and why? 2wd or 4wd?
Simon - 4wd i think. Its where i started racing years ago and I always look forward to that class anywhere I race. My results don't seem to differ much between class, and although I enjoy the different style 2wd brings, I'll always be 4wd at heart
ORRC - How many lipos will you take to a national meeting on average? Are you happy to charge at the meeting to gain maximum performance from your batteries?
Simon
ORRC - Do you ever find that during a race you can relax and not worry so much about the other drivers around you? Name such a meeting?
Simon - Not really. I guess there is a little less pressure on at a club meeting or local winter series/ regional etc, but there are always plenty of people looking to raise their game and give you a real challenge so to be fair, you cant ever relax. You've always got to try just as hard.
ORRC - With your recent move from Schumacher (some would consider them your spiritual home) are you finding new challenges with your racing by testing the new manufacturers products?
Simon - It was a massive decision for me to leave Schumacher. After being part of the team for 13 years, they have obviously played a massive role in my development as a driver and a person. The opportunity from Ansmann came along at the right time however, and I think I was due a fresh challenge after so long at my previous team. The challenges are completely different from what Ive done before at Schumacher. Ansmann are a team very new to the top level racing scene and that obviously brings a different set of boundaries and limits to test. I must say though that the cars have been pretty fantastic straight out of the box. After a few initial teething problems which comes with all new ventures, the cars are really showing some fantastic pace.
Simon - I don't tend to completely strip the cars down that often. The main parts I focus on before every meeting though are normally transmission parts, such as diffs/gearbox etc. I also rebuild the shocks before every meeting, fully stripping them and replacing the seals if needs be.
ORRC - When the racing pack spreads out during a race, do you find it difficult to assess how you are doing by just listening for race control? How do you keep focused on your pace during those critical 5 minutes?
Simon - We're fortunate that the commentators we have in the UK are great at telling you exactly whats happening on the track, so its pretty easy to have an idea of what sort of pace you are running. I find that I can normally pick up a checkpoint somewhere on the track which gives me a gauge of how I'm lapping against the other quick guys in my heat - like if we both pass similar points on the track. When the pack does spread I think you need to stay focused on your own race, as often if you try too hard that's when the mistakes come. You just have to stay patient.
ORRC - What's the most pleasurable win during your career?
Simon - Definitely my first National win at Bury Metro. The strange thing about that meeting was that on the Saturday evening I fell over playing cricket with the Mid West guys and twisted my elbow pretty badly. On the Sunday morning I went over to Jacqui Rowcliffe who was doing booking in and told her I wanted to pull out because I couldn't hold my transmitter properly. She persuaded me to stay in the meeting and I ended up TQ and taking the win! I'm pretty sure I'm the last person to win a meeting at a National based on FTD qualifying.
Simon is with out doubt one of the off-road scenes greatest assets. His commitment and loyalty during his years at Schumacher and his new forward thinking approach to joining Ansmann is certain to assist him in gaining even greater success both on and off the track. When the racers of the futre look back into the realms of off-road racing history, Simon Moss will be there as a man who takes on challenges for the greater good of the sport, develops his own skills through solid research and development and pioneers new concepts that cause positive change for thousands of RC users. We wish Simon the best of luck with his new Ansmann drive and look forward to seeing him appearing high up in the National race rankings next year.
To learn more about Ansmann Racing products visit www.ar-uk.com
To view the full product range from Speed Passion visit http://www.speedpassion.net/
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