Exclusive interview with Ryan Lutz as he talks Tekno RC switch

A fairly well-kept secret by RC industry standards, rumors of Ryan Lutz’s switch to nitro off-road upstart Tekno RC began swirling over the last couple of weeks and was officially announced this morning. Ryan was quick to the keyboard to answer a few questions about his new deal.

 

RL: Thank you very much. I will be a team driver for Tekno, but I believe there is sometimes a disconnect with what a top team driver really is and does for a company. I prefer to see my position referred to as a brand ambassador. I feel I will be adding to Tekno's marketing, advertising, and customer service efforts, beyond my duties as a top driver on the track. I feel my job is to create even more awareness for Tekno in the R/C racing marketplace, and show to customers why I feel this is the best company for me to represent and race for.

 

 

 

RL: It was a very difficult decision. The decision was solely my own and their company direction was their decision after my departure. 

 

RL: I first started talking with Daniel (Lewis, CEO of Tekno RC) over a year ago as they were interested in me. At that time I spent the next year kind of observing how they conducted business and constructed their racing team. I closely watched some of their drivers performances on the track and how their cars were performing. I was particularly impressed with the performance of the truggies! As the second half of this past year started I tried to recruit a couple of my friends and people I really trust to go and run the Tekno cars and provide me some feedback on their performance. All indications from car quality and performance, all the way to the back end of team camaraderie and customer support were all extremely positive. I was also impressed with the presence of their team at the races I attended. They had beautiful tents set up, with the team pitting together and working together. A lot of my best friends and favorite people at the track in this hobby/sport are on the Tekno team. This was another big pull for me.

 

 

 

RL: Anyone who has followed my career knows this is the type of challenge I love to accept. The difference this time is that Tekno is proven. They have the cars I like to race. I've watched their growth over the past year and consulted with those running their cars. So this time I am coming into a brand that has proven itself at the grass roots and regional level. Now I get to prove it on the National and World stage! For that I am extremely excited. 

Here's a point I’d like to make: many people enjoy watching sports. They may not have have any skin in the game, but perhaps it's a hometown feeling of pride or something similar. I feel R/C is much the same way for a lot of people. At these large races, people who are at home watching on LiveRC are rooting for their favorite drivers. Often their favorite driver runs the car they are using. This can create a feeling of pride of ownership. I hope to create that for Tekno RC. I want to be that person who the team, and Tekno customers, look up to and root for at the National and World events. I really feel this can build an even better sense of community for Tekno RC!

 

 

 

RL: Absolutely. I made those statements fully knowing where I was headed. Tekno is based in San Diego, CA. Daniel Lewis, the company owner and engineer mastermind, as well as team manager Matthew Wolter will be going with me to the large events. This will give me a familiar voice down in pit lane and some knowledgeable eyes watching my car. For regional events I will often be going with Matthew, or there is also the large regional team presence, a lot of whom are already good friends of mine that will be able to assist me in putting Tekno at the top.

 

RL: I did not.

 

 

 

RL: The plan is for everything else to remain as it is.

 

RL: Thank you so much for this opportunity and putting up with my shenanigans these past few days. This is a huge move for me and one I think will propel me to new heights!