DEVELOPING: Due to TLR, Hinz to XRAY?

0 Dec. 19, 2017, 10:10 a.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

A spark of activity in what has otherwise been a rather quiet offseason might catch fire in the next couple of weeks, as rumors have begun circulating that Team Associated could lose two long-time electric off-road racers to different teams.

Wisconsin native Chad Due, who won the Open 2WD class at the 2012 Reedy Race of Champions and more recently made the 4WD A-Main at the ROAR Electric Off-Road Nationals in Maryland, is said to be moving to the Team Losi Racing camp. I’ve heard that TLR offered a considerable increase in support over what Due was getting from AE, as he’ll now be one of the top names racing alongside Dakotah Phend, and while the decision wasn’t easy it was simply too good to pass up.

At 10:18 PM CT last night, Due announced his departure from Team Associated and Reedy on Facebook:

“With the 2017 racing season coming to a close, I have decided to make a move away from Team Associated and Reedy Power.

With over a decade of time spent racing for them the decision was both emotional and challenging to make.

I can’t thank Brent Thielke, Kody Numedahl, Brian Mellow, Sean Cochran and Rick Hohwart enough for all their help. Without them I couldn't have accomplished what I have over the years. I also would like to thank all of my teammates over the years for making racing so much fun year after year. This may be the end for some of us as teammates but I look forward to seeing all of you at the track very soon.

I would like to wish Team Associated and Reedy Power nothing but the best going forward!

2018 here I come. New chapter coming soon!!”

Team Losi Racing team manager Kevin Gahan recently “liked” Due’s Facebook Like page:

Which then had its headline banner with Due’s sponsors removed:

The other driver that may be moving on is Arizona’s Tommy Hinz, who we hear may be headed to XRAY. Like Due, the move to a smaller squad means that Hinz will go from one of the many AE teammates overshadowed by Ryan Cavalieri and Spencer Rivkin, to one of the XRAY team’s top contenders. I’ve heard fewer particulars about this potential transaction, but it sounds like the move itself isn't much of a secret among the in-crowd.