Future Stars of RC: Zach Freeman

This week for the 'Future Stars of RC' we caught up with 2020 Chili Bowl Champion Zach Freeman, one of the hottest prospects in RC Dirt Oval, after he wrapped up multiple classes in the TARA series.

Name: Zach Freeman
Age: 14
Sponsors: Power Products, 57 Designs, Papa Willies, DE Racing, McAllister Bodies

Tyler Hooks: When did you first begin racing?
Zach Freeman: 6 years old

TH: What is your biggest racing accomplishment?
ZF: Winning the wingless sprint at the 2020 RC Chili Bowl. It was unexpected and being the first appearance at the Chili Bowl made it extra exciting. 

TH: What is your worst racing failure?
ZF: When the car failed and broke a dogbone prior to racing in the finals at the Chili Bowl. This was the A main short course race, and I was looking forward to racing. 

TH: What is your goal for a future occupation?
ZF: Commercial Airline Pilot

TH: This article comes after taking a couple of big wins in the TARA series, how did it feel becoming the series champion?
ZF: It started out as fun for us, we were traveling for the first time. So, to win the series made even more special. I am thankful for the exposure that racing in the TARA series has given me, and I was able to meet many people who have encouraged me to do more, like go to the RC Chili Bowl this past January. 

TH: What is your favorite class for school and racing?
ZF: For school, math is my favorite. For racing, sprint car. 

TH: What is your real dream car?
ZF: There are a couple, 71 Plymouth Barracuda and 69 Dodge Charger.

TH: Huge whips, driving absolutely flat out or more calculated driving, smoother on the throttle?
ZF: Calculated and smooth on the throttle. I want to be thinking about the next move I will need to make. 

TH: Action Sports or Conventional sports, what do you follow in your free time?
ZF: action sports like motocross, mountain biking, and drag racing

TH: Do you ever venture into on-road or off-road racing or stick purely to oval?
ZF: I began in off road racing when I was in 6 at GS Hobby. I added oval just a couple of years ago to have something to do in the summer when we were not racing. I still do some off road, but the current pandemic has limited the off road because it is indoors. I found a lot of success in oval, and I’m looking forward to continuing racing more and more in oval. 

TH: Who did you look up to when you were an even younger racer, or who has been the biggest help to you as a driver?
ZF: I looked up to Jared Tebo and JR Mitch in off-road when I was younger. They attended The Hanging Judge races at GS Hobby so I got to race with them several times.  My dad is the biggest help. He watches my driving and helps me correct my mistakes. 

TH: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a new up and coming racer? 
ZF: Learn to avoid the wrecks. A lot of racing isn’t about how fast you are, it’s about consistency.