Durango signs Lutz to 10-year deal

0 Jan. 10, 2011, 6:24 p.m.

Our good friend (and cameraman extraordinaire) Ryan Lutz has just done something not many people get to do- secure employment for a solid decade.

In an NFL-like move (except for the 40 million dollar compensation...presumably), Team Durango has signed Lutz to a whopping 10-year contract.

While most drivers are inking two or maybe even three year deals, Ryan is pioneering what could be a new era in contracted drivers. In 10 years, Lutz (26) is likely to be into the twilight of his top-level racing career. As for Durango- they could be very successful, or...not very successful, nothing is for certain, and only time will tell how the move will ultimately pan out for both parties. But for Lutz, it seems as if it is a no-lose situation. Unless, of course, they are paying him in R/C car parts...

The terms of the deal were not disclosed. There is no word on if Lutz received a signing bonus, or if there are any performance-based incentives and no-trade clauses. I guess it's only a matter of time before drivers begin hiring agents. For the sake of all that is right with our sport, let's hope Drew Rosenhaus never sees an R/C race!

Anyway, back to the issue at hand- congrats to Ryan and his family! Couldn't have happened to a nicer dude.

Here are some choice words from the man himself, straight from Team Durango:

“I am extremely excited today to have forged a long term contract with Team Durango. Originally we agreed, in principle, to work together until the end of the 2010 season and we would talk longer term come December. Another thing this offered was the chance to really test the DNX408 and get to know the company before making any decisions. This is why I am so excited to have signed a 10 year contract with Team Durango. In the past three months I have gotten to see how this company operates, and the pride that they take in making top-of-the-line racing vehicles. Their slogan is, “Serious about Racing” and I have never witnessed a company take this more to heart. That is why I am confident that the next 10 years will be wrought with success for both parties involved and why I am proud to put my name alongside Team Durango. In the next 10 years I will do everything I can to help Team Durango make the best R/C cars on the planet, and help make sure their customers are as satisfied as possible with the products they are buying! All-in-all with this deal of a decade in hand I’m ready to get started winning and performing at my best for this company that has put a lot of faith in me! I’m really looking forward to it! ”