FUTURE STARS OF RC: Sammy Moran

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Tyler Hooks

0 June 1, 2018, 8:33 a.m.

By Tyler Hooks
LiveRC.com

Future Stars of RC is a regular column on LiveRC where aspiring RC journalist Tyler Hooks has a conversation with fellow up-and-coming racers across the country, covering youth-friendly topics such as school subjects, watching TV, throwing huge whips and, of course, girls. 

Sammy Moran is a young California hotshot taking wins and podiums in as many places as he can. We caught up to him after two big wins at the JConcepts INS series.

Name: Sammy Moran 
Age: 16 Years Old
Sponsors: TLR, Fantom, Proline, Coyote Hobbies, Spektrum, Horizon Hobbies, MIP, RC Speed Secrets, Walden Designs, Cheater Racing, JL Racing Products

TH: When did you first begin racing?
SM: I starting with RC cars when I was either 9 or 10 with a Traxxas Rustler. I started racing about a year later with a TLR 22 rear motor buggy and have been hooked ever since.

TH: What is your biggest racing accomplishment? 
SM: My biggest accomplishment has to be winning 17.5 pro stock buggy and 13.5 4wd buggy at the INS at Tacoma RC this year.

TH: What is your worst racing failure?
SM: I think my biggest failure was two years ago at stock nationals where I finished in the F main. 

TH: Where do you attend school, and what is your goal for a future occupation?
SM: I am home schooled though Excelsior Charter Schools. I plan on going to college but I'm not sure what I want to do when I get older other than work in the RC industry. 

TH: What is your favorite class?
SM: My favorite class in school is Science, and in RC racing I love 2wd buggy. 

TH: Do you have a girlfriend?
SM: No

TH: What do you think of the old saying “girls just get in the way of racing?”
SM: I don't think it's true, there are many fast female racers in RC and I treat them the same way I would treat anyone else.

TH: What is your real dream car?
SM: I'm not super into real cars, so I haven't thought about it much. Just something that can hopefully haul my RC stuff.

TH: Huge whips, driving absolutely flat out or more calculated driving, smoother on the throttle?
SM: This one is funny for me, I used to throw whips all the time and earned the nickname "whipper snapper" but as I have progressed and gotten more calculated with my driving and whips the nickname that has stuck is "the killer."

TH: Action sports or conventional sports, what do you follow in your free time?
SM: I normally don't watch much TV, but if I do it is either football or motorsports.

TH: This interview comes on the heels of a successful weekend at the Jconcepts INS series, how was the weekend as a whole?
SM: I had a fantastic weekend meeting all sorts of new people. Definitely a nice group of racers. TCRC put in a great layout and I will definitely be back again in the future.

TH: Who did you look up to when you were an even younger racer? Who has been the biggest help to you as a driver?
SM: The racer I have looked up to from the beginning is Ty Tessmann because he is super smooth and fast. I like that he doesn't throw a fit when he has a bad race. The person who has provided me the most help as a driver is Bill Willming with Fantom racing. He taught me the importance of patience and driving smart. 

TH: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a new, up-and-coming racer?
SM: I would tell them to practice patience and good sportsmanship, and to not be afraid to ask questions or for advice.