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I wanted to build scale versions of real cars I saw. I also love VWs, as I have a 1971 VW Super Beetle, and wanted to make ones to match.
I love customizing my cars to be my own and not look like everyone else's. That got me into modifying them from a look standpoint. I get to pick the paint schemes, themes, designs myself. No one can tell me what to do! If I like it or if I don’t - it’s my choice.
There are also performance modifications. Most of the cars that you buy need to be upgraded. FRCMods has done the best job by partnering with Batrazzi to provide RTR cars with upgrades already installed. Beyond that you have to do some upgrades. I am not an extreme performance builder though. I tend to keep some scale realism in the vehicles and strong performance.
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The list could go on and on. If I don't like it and smile when I see it, I don't drive it. So therefore I have to modify it to be fun and cool for me to drive.
I just love making them look real and still be driveable. We take them on hikes all the time and to see people's reactions is the best. They love the scale accessories and the designs and often comment on how they had no idea you could do this and ask where to buy one.
It is an amazing feeling. Honestly I just laugh to myself because it is so cool. When you see your own creation being admired by other people, it’s a great feeling.
When you make something to look cool, and it does, and it drives well and performs, it makes me laugh and makes me happy. All the stress and hard work is worth it at that point. I love seeing mini versions of real cars doing cool stuff on the rocks. Look – I made that Zamboni RC car and it’s crawling over big rocks! It’s awesome.
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I get inspiration from a lot of different places. One many people don’t think of is – Hot Wheels. I have modeled several of my designs after Hot Wheels versions of cars. For example, I painted my FMS FCX24M Defender90 to match the hot wheels and added stickers, livery, accessories and it looks awesome. It’s totally unique now.
Other hobbyists. Vehicles from TV Shows and Movies.Pictures I find on the internet. My family and friends. Sports teams even (I designed an scx24 for my son’s father-in-law that was themed after his favorite American football team). Obviously, real-life cars and things I have seen.
Yes, many times actually. I have won several different contests, both in person and online, for my builds. We do meet ups and events with the Micro Crawler Club in Utah regularly and it is always fun to bring my builds. It feels so great to be recognized and know you have done a good job on something original and cool.
Kenneth Robinson and I are now the judges for the Micro Crawler Club Show and Shine competitions that happen 3 or 4 times a year at their events. It is so fun to see what people like and what they come up with.
I love it when we are on a trail and a kid sees a build and is so happy about it. When someone says, look he has a dog in his car, or Captain America is driving, and they can relate to it, it is the greatest feeling and keeps me coming back and doing more. When it makes others happy, it makes me happy, and that is a great day.
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