Mike Reedy 1941-2011

0 May 17, 2011, 5:33 a.m.

It is with great sadness that we report to you that mastermotor builder and R/C legend Mike Reedy has passed away today.

Reedy was known in the R/C industry for his involvement withTeam Associated and Reedy Modifieds, mostly because of his unmatched motortuning and building skills.

For the majority of modern R/C racing history, Mike could befound in the pits at every large electric race in the world working away at hismotor station to get each and every one of his drivers just the right tune ontheir Reedy motors. Whether you needed more torque in a difficult jump section,or more top end at the end of a long straightaway, Mike was able to give everyone of his drivers exactly the type of power they needed to win.

Reedy contributed much to the technology of the R/Cindustry, but perhaps what he contributed more to were the lives of so manyyoung men coming up through the ranks. What some may not know, is that Mikeserved as the race team manager for the Team Associated/Reedy race team formany years. During this time, he scouted, recruited, and cultivated some of thebest talent in the world (including some of the pros we see dominating today,like Ryan Maifield). As team manager, Mike was responsible for starting manydrivers’ pro careers in the sport. A quick walk around the pits at any majorrace can lead you to hearing countless stories involving Mike Reedy, most ofwhich include phrases like ‘gave me a chance’ or ‘responsible for where I’m attoday.’

It is safe to say that without Mike Reedy’s involvement inthe R/C industry, our technology would be nothing like it is today. And withouthis involvement in many racers’ lives, a large portion of people at the trackwouldn’t be the same either. He was truly a one of a kind human being, and hisabsence at the track and in the lives of those he knew will surely be a void that proves impossible to fill.

One of Mike Reedy’s major contributions to the R/C world,was the Reedy International Race of Champions and the 'Reedy Race format.' We had a chance to talk with manyof the world’s top pros last winterabout not only the Reedy Race, but about Mike Reedy himself. Here are those interviews: