Brent Thielke starts #RC5BuckChallenge for sponsored racers to support local hobby shops

0 Jan. 23, 2019, 9:54 a.m.

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

In an effort to give back to local hobby shops as a sponsored racer, Team Associated team manager Brent Thielke has started what he calls the #RC5BuckChallenge on Facebook.

In a recent Facebook post Thielke stated, "Today I am starting something new. I’m calling it the #RC5BuckChallenge.

As a sponsored racer I provide very little economic impact to the tracks I race and practice at. Sure I buy drinks and snacks, help anyone who asks and dial in customers cars, but rarely do I purchase items off the wall or out of a display case. Although, I rely on these tracks to hone my skills so I can compete at the top level of our sport.

As a sponsored racer I get a lot of perks. Free/discounted parts, electronics, bodies, tires, graphics, etc. And in my position, no-cost travel to race around the world. What I would of done 20 years ago to have this sort of sponsorship!!!

I love this sport/hobby and I fear it may be going down a dark path that ends in more tracks and shops closing due to lack of local support. Therefore, every time I practice or club race at a track I will be adding $5 to the track’s already reasonable fee. This will come out of my personal funds, not Associated’s. This is just a small way I feel that as a sponsored racer I can give back to the local tracks that I rely on so much for maintaining my lifestyle.

So there you have it! The RC 5 Buck Challenge. If you claim to be a sponsored racer on any level, I challenge you to join me and help support our local tracks so we can continue to have a place to call home and earn the benefits of our sponsorships. Track Owners, I encourage you to promote and recognize sponsored racers who participate in this challenge. Trust me, us Team Managers are watching.

#KeepRCFun #BuyLocal #SmallBusiness

Just to be clear, this is a personal decision I have made and is in no way tied to Associated Electrics or any of my other sponsors."

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