Monday Musing: It’s the People

We’ve talked often about all the different things there are to love in RC. The red hot competition. The tech. Engineering a perfect race car. A perfectly manicured race track at the start of a big event. Travel. Storytelling. Painting and design. Driving a clean race under immense pressure.

Today though, I’m thinking about what may just be the most important of all: RC people.

Of course, there are our best mates…the ones we go racing with every week or month, who we travel with, pit with, laugh with. Who know us and get us, and will do anything for us. Close mates make RC brilliant.

I’m thinking about some people in other categories too – other kinds of people that make RC great.

I’m thinking about new racers…who bring passion, and curiosity, and wonder, and drive to improve. Who remind us what it’s like to first encounter RC, or to be on that steep learning curve. New racers who might just become new friends. I met one such guy this week, shared a few conversations, exchanged a few setup tips, swapped cars during a practice session. His passion and commitment to improve were undeniable, and I found myself cheering for him in his finals, willing him to have a great time.

I’m thinking about rivals too. Maybe fierce rivals that motivate us to go that bit harder, find that bit more. Or the kinds of friendly rivals that fill pit areas and driver’s stands with banter, fun and friendly/ferocious competition. I raced with a couple of guys like this last night – so preoccupied were we with pre-race banter that we barely heard the hooter go. These are guys I deeply respect, and love racing against on the track. It’s a delight to go head-to-head with them each time I can get to a race track. The rivalry is friendly, intense and fun.

I’m thinking about old friends too, people we might have met a few times in years gone by who we cross paths with again and remember why they’re such good company. I hung out with some people like that last night too…we first met way back in 1991, and hadn’t seen each other for a long time until the last year or so. RC has a way of reconnecting us over the years.

I’m thinking about people who share their knowledge, tips, and ideas. Maybe people who work in the industry and support racers and races however they can. I’m in a new messenger chat group for a brand I’m running – and I’m loving seeing the willingness to share insights and experiences. Or maybe just people with accumulated years of experience or hard-earned knowledge…I listened to many of those conversations in the pit area this week.

And, of course, I’m thinking about people who give of their time, talents and expertise to make RC happen at all. The club I visit yesterday held it’s AGM. There were a couple of new names added to the committee, and a bunch willing to go around again, continuing a long commitment to see the club thrive. I’m heading to Manilla to work with a bunch of people like that this week too, on a big event that takes thousands of hours to pull together. Amazing people, all of them.

Race tracks are amazing. Race cars are awesome. Big events totally rock. Club events are super fun and chilled. Cars are cool to build, paint and tinker with. There are so many ways to love RC.

But just maybe it’s the people that matter most.

What about you? Who, or what are you thinking about this Monday?