Thank You.

   

    Well, here we are. It's October 18th, 2019, and here I sit writing my first words in nearly eight months. While there isn't just one singular reason for my lack of literary mutiny, I think we can all agree that a new post has most definitely been long-overdue. No one has ever accused me of being fashionably on-time, so I suppose its only fitting for the cliché "better late than never" response, but I digress.

    Since my last post in February, a literal plethora of change has happened in my life, both on and

I tried for years to secure TCS gold, and this year I finally got it.

off the track. I wrapped up the Seattle RC Racers indoor season championship in Formula One in March, followed by a successful switch to outdoors, racing Tamiya M-Chassis cars again. It was a welcome divergence from the usual classes I would contest, along with the challenge of taking a previously-lambasted M06 RWD chassis and making it a contender. That, coupled with a win at the Tamiya TCS NW Regional, and a TQ-Second place finish at the Seattle RC Racers' annual Summer Sizzler, meant 2019 was by far and away the most successful year ever in my mediocre career.

A surprise 3rd at CTS4 at SeaTac. 

I also saw, felt, and experienced the breakup of my marriage of seven years, the fallout that came thereafter, and the ensuing divorce which I'm set to embark on. To describe these highs and lows over the past eight months as "contrasting" would be the understatement of the century. Having said all that, sometimes these moments and experiences have a way of showing us what's truly important in life. Things like family, friends, and positive reinforcement. A healthy hobby doesn't hurt much either.

    I've long maintained that RC car racing is as much of an escape as it is a exercise in mechanics, concentration, and competition. A simple escape from the dregs of society and the ludicrous stresses of everyday adult life. The world is rough out there, so the least we can have is an activity to bring a small slice of heaven to our world every couple weeks. Over the years, I can point to just about every facet of this great hobby as a reason for my unequivocal love for it. Based on my situation in life or my attitude at the time, it could be the mechanical side of things; sitting at my desk, immersing myself in my car. Sometimes it's the raw competition that gets my blood pumping and my heart happy. Sometimes it's all of the above, as I bet to guess is the case for the majority of racers out there.

    But at this juncture in my life, the more I step back and analyze my situation from an outsider's perspective, I realize it's really the people that keep me going; the friendships I've forged and the people I look forward to seeing when I head to the track. When things go awry and life seems insurmountable, its invaluable to have those good souls in your corner. So, with my current love for toy car racing being centered around the racers themselves, I thought I'd thank some of those that have helped keep me "on track" and keep RC great.

Korey Harbke
    You'll never find a fast guy quite like Korey. I've been around enough hot shoes in my RC career, but none are quite as approachable and helpful as Sushi-Boy Harbke. It's his ultra helpful and down to earth nature that keeps the belief alive that just because someone is fast, doesn't quite mean that they've forgotten their roots. So thanks Korey, for being the exception to the rule, and having fun at the track.

I make it my personal mission to irritate Stuart 

whenever possible.

Todd & Stuart Mason 
    This father/son team is a force at each track they show up to, and while Stuart is the young local phenom of the PNW on-road scene, the elder Mason is the glue that keeps Seattle RC Racers going. His tireless efforts to keep top-notch RC racing in the Seattle-metro area are inspiring and his choice of alcoholic beverages are hilarious, which confirm his status as the Felix Unger of 12th scale's "Odd Couple". So who is the second half of this duo?

You don't see Brian with a manual very often.

His reaction is priceless….

Brian Bodine
    Playing the part of Oscar Madison in 12th scale's "Odd Couple" is none other than Brian Bodine. Brian has raced just about every class that's ever been offered in his countless years in competition, is one of the fastest, yet still has the uncanny ability to throw an off-the-cuff comment that incites laughter from those around him, not to mention the unique ability to get under Todd's skin with a TQ and a friendly jab in the pits. The beer to Todd's cosmopolitan, if you will. They're truly a sight to see. Thanks fellas for making intense competition fun!

The Canadian Connection
    It's a well-known fact in the Pacific Northwest, that if there is a race to be held, and the name of the game is fun competition, you can bet the Hosers from the Great White North will make their presence known. Thanks to Alex for the "GripWorks" pop-up shop, to Keith, Nospoom, Tiny, Jesse G, and John Tsang for the great attitudes and awesome racing. You guys give us an international flavor at our club days, and leave us with a lingering ketchup chip smell and a sticky maple feeling...… Although, that sounds a bit dirty.

SSI
 

Island life.

If you've ever been to a local on-road race, been privy to my Facebook exploits, or have stumbled upon our newly-formed YouTube channel, you may have heard of SSI: Shitshow Island. What started as a group of friends pitting together at our Hangar 30 Wednesday series, has literally become it's own living breathing entity of swear words, debauchery, and chaotic ineptitude.... and it's perfect that way. Complete with Two blow-up palm trees, those of us that pit on the so-called "island" are less interested in having deep, technical conversational exchanges as we are having a bitchin' time making fun of each other and attempting to imitate actual competent RC car racers. Thanks to Mike Boyle, Jeff Johnson, Tim Cook, Andrew Cartwright, Jerry Boyle, Sara Mendoza, Jake & Alex Danilchik, and anyone else who's contributed to the symbiotic disharmony that is Shitshow Island over the past couple years. You all are the real heroes and a big reason why Northwest RC racing is so rad.





Kyle Bradshaw

Making videos is fun. Seeing people enjoy our

janky video show? Priceless.

I've been privileged to call many fellow racers my friend, but few continue to be a positive pain in my ass quite like Kyle Bradshaw. One of my very good friends, Kyle has more than done his part to keep me centered amidst the chaos that my life has entailed these past several months, along with continuing to keep the Wednesday Hangar 30 program humming and grooving. Above all this, the SSI YouTube channel we have created has become yet another avenue for ridiculousness where we share with the world, our uncanny ability to create complicated disorder from simple toy cars.

Have a watch, you won't be disappointed! Well, maybe just a little.....
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj0xXzZ8lMFi3KbL855khLg


    While this is more of a personal post than I would've normally posted, I think it's important to give credit where credit's due when it comes to those that have helped someone out during a difficult time. With the help of good friends, family, counseling, and countless other resources, I feel like I'm in a space in which I'm truly happy to be. Every day is a challenge, but having a healthy hobby and surrounding myself with positive people make the lows manageable, and highs all that much more enjoyable. RC is rad, kids. So are the people that race it. Enjoy this hobby for what it is, but also what it can provide, I know I have.

-JRoy