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| To win a European Championship is a lifelong dream for many racers. To win THREE of the same championship is pure domination, dedication, and well-earned success. |
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Alex, you have once again earned yourself the 1/12 Modified European Championship title. This is your third consecutive title, how does it feel winning your third title compared to when you won your first?
Alex: The first time was obviously special, but it has felt better in one sense, every year, as itâ™s less and less a result of luck, and more a result of continuous hard work and consistency. |
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They often saying winning one championship is hard, but winning that title again is even harder. Is that true?
Alex: It can be hard because of the pressure you put on yourself, or let the public put on you. It is harder because you are not the only one thatâ™s trying to improve every year â“ the competition is working towards the same goal. |
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Talk to us a bit about the XRAY X12 platform. What do you feel makes the X12 superior to other brand models on the market?
Alex: The XRAY brand has always been synonymous with quality. Being made in Europe, and under constant supervision and insight into the manufacturing process, quality remains the backbone of the success for the X12 platform. As a team we are working extremely hard to improve all our existing platforms year by year so we are in a constant development progress which ensures that the drivers will always get the latest, fastest and best performing cars from XRAY. |
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What sort of preparations and training do you do to prepare yourself for an event like the Euros?
Alex: I prepare myself by racing nationally and internationally in this class. I test things throughout the season, to try and have the best possible package for the European Championships (which usually tends to be the end of the indoor carpet season). Whenever possible, I try to visit the local tracks for some test sessions as well, to keep my driving up to par, and to test new parts and ideas. |
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Modified 1/12 scale racing is arguably the fastest paced form of R/C racing. The incredible speeds and precision requires amazing focus. How do you achieve and keep this focus when racing such under pressure?
Alex: I practice and race almost every week. Driving fast and with high levels of consistency is a must for me. The 1/12 scale format is interesting because of its longer 8-minute runs, compared to the 5 minute runs of Touring Car for example. This gives room for a more conservative approach at times, which can pay off well. Driving slightly slower than the car is able to go, but staying off the boards for 8 minutes, is the key to success here. |
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Up next is the 1/10 Scale European Championships. Which classes are you competing in?
Alex: I will be racing in the Touring Car Modified class in Trencin. We have a strong team that will run the stock class and for the first time we will see also the European Championship in the formula class where again as a team we will have a strong line-up. |
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Who do you feel will be your biggest competition for the event?
Alex: My biggest competitors are the âśusual suspectsâť, i.e. the Germans Ronald Völker and Marc Rheinard. With my teammate Bruno Coelho we will face them to defend our last year title. |
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Will we ever see you racing the growing F1 class in the future?
Alex: I have no plans to race this class at the moment. I always saw the F1 class more as a hobby level class, which should leave us pros out of it. I think there might come a point where this class becomes too professional, and we should do everything we can to preserve the rules which has made it successful. |
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You are most well-known for your on-road racing, however, XRAY now offers a full lineup of competitive off-road vehicles as well. Have you ever considered racing off-road?
Alex: I definitely find off-road to be appealing, especially the electric classes thatâ™s being run on carpet these days. It seems as a fast paced class which is fun to drive, without the pain of cleaning the dirt off the cars afterwards. My current schedule sadly doesnâ™t allow for any off-road adventures at the moment. But who knows what will happen in the future? |
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What does a typical âśwork weekâť consist of for you?
Alex: I usually race 3 or more weekends per month, so typically I travel home between races, and spend most of my free time to prepare my equipment for the next event. |
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What is the BEST and WORST thing about being an R/C car racer?
Alex: The absolute best part for me personally is the travelling, which has enriched my life in more than one way. I have met so many great and fun people on race tracks throughout the years! The worst part is being exhausted after racing. Also known as the RC âśhangoverâť. |
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What are some hobbies and interests you have outside of R/C car racing?
Alex: I enjoy vegetarian cooking and travelling. |
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Do you have any plans to visit America for racing in 2016?
Alex: I will attend the IIC in Las Vegas this October. This is my favorite race event, and I was so happy to hear the news of its return in 2016! |
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Thank you Alex for joining us today, is there anything you would like to add?
Alex: Feel free to email me any questions at any time. RC related or not, I will do my best to reply! You may also send me a message on Facebook. I will be also happy to answer any questions at XRAY Facebook groups:
XRAY T4
XRAY X12
XRAY NT1
or at XRAY forum at forum.teamxray.com
My email address is [email protected]! |
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