LiveRC interview with Ryan Maifield!

0 July 9, 2014, 7:43 a.m.

7/9/2014
By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

By far, the biggest story of 2014 to this point has been the switch of one of Team Associated's longest-tenured and most successful racers of the last 20 years leaving - and not only that, but going directly to their biggest rival, TLR. To put Ryan Maifield's switch into the perspective of pro sports, the best comparison would be when the Boston Red Sox sent Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees all the back in 1920 (and AE can only hope that they won't be cursed for 86 years). But it's bigger than that, because most RC racing enthusiasts couldn't have seen this possibly happening, as though Kobe Bryant opted out of his contract with the Lakers to sign with the Celtics. Internet message boards and social media were set aflame the instant the news broke, and everyone has an opinion - from the diehard fanboys who've burned every Ryan Maifield poster they own and writing him off as a "traitor" to those who've predicted he'll win every race for the next ten years.

Ryan has quite the task ahead of him to grow accustomed to an entirely new assortment of off-road vehicles, but his painter apparently got a head start. Ryan has had plenty of success in the 4WD class over the last decade, so it'll be interesting to see if he can coax the best results yet from the 22-4, shown in the middle. An interesting note to those keen observers who spotted the decals on the 8IGHT 3.0 press photos - Maifield confirmed that he will continue running the Airtronics M12 radio system, but switch to Spektrum servos, and is still powered by Sidewinder fuel.

Of course, none of that matters to Ryan Maifield - he's got one job to do, and that's to win races. With his TLR/Orion debut set for this weekend's JConcepts Summer Indoor Nationals at A Main Hobbies' Outback Raceway in Chico, CA, Ryan took the time to sit down for an interview with me to talk about his switch and what it means for his career.

Aaron Waldron: In an industry where the biggest stars switch teams like they’re playing musical chairs, you’re among the very few who’ve never made a switch. How does it feel to make such a huge change after over a decade?

Ryan Maifield: Honestly, there are so many feelings involved with a move like this that it could really disrupt what you are trying to accomplish. I tried to put feelings aside and focus on facts and results from testing, and I’m confident that I made the right decision for me and my future.

AW: When it came down to decision-making time, how hard was it to commit to the changes and go ahead with it all?

RM: It was a very difficult decision. There are a lot of unknowns and question marks in your head with a move like this. But I just trusted my gut instinct, made sure I did my homework and research, and by the time it came down to making a decision and signing the dotted line, it felt right.

The current ROAR National Champion 22 2.0, which has proven itself competitive at tracks across the country, should be a solid fit for Ryan. He'll get his first chance with it this weekend on the clay of Outback Raceway.

AW: Did you hesitate to leave AE team manager Brent Thielke, a longtime personal friend, and Reedy after helping jumpstart your career?

RM: Yes, absolutely I did. Brent has always been a good friend of mine and in times acted like and played the roll of a big brother. We were friends before the business side of racing started and I hope we will continue to be friends after all this calms down.

AW: What prompted the switch? Did you approach TLR, or did they approach you?

RM: It was mutual I think. We have talked in years past, just briefly, but never anything serious and when it really came down to it this time they were ready and prepared for my phone call. Negotiations went smooth with TLR and feel like TLR is a good fit for me.

AW: Was the move to Team Orion part of the deal? Did that happen simultaneously? How did that switch come about?

RM: The switch to Orion was a no brainer, honestly. I know they have the best, or at least equal to the best, electronic equipment for every racing class that I participate in. I've been friends with Joe Pillars from Team Orion for many years, and he has always reminded me that the door was always open.

AW: Did your relationship with any of your now-former teammates influence your decision?

RM: No, I am friends with everyone at AE and Reedy, racers and employees alike. I made this decision based on putting myself in the best position to be happy and win races and have a future in the industry. I have never had any personal relationship issues with anyone at AE/Reedy.

Interested minds have wondered for years how Maifield would do with the 8IGHT platform, which has the best racing record of any 1/8-scale buggy over the last seven years. A national champion back in 2006 with the Thunder Tiger EB4-S3, Maifield has proven he can drive anything and be fast with it - perhaps a switch from the maligned RC8 project of the last couple of seasons will be the breakthrough he needed.

AW: Did the switch have anything to do with any of the equipment you were using, especially the struggles with AE’s prototype 1/8-scale buggy?

RM: I won’t go into details with any of the reasons behind my switch. Team Associated is an awesome company that makes great products, and has taken care of me for many years. I appreciate everything they have done for me and I hope they feel the same about me.

AW: Which TLR vehicles are you most excited to race? Which are you looking to help develop into the best in the industry?

RM: I’m excited to race all the vehicles. I’m looking forward to working with the TLR racing and engineering teams to help continue to develop all their race vehicles.

AW: How did longtime sponsor JConcepts, with owner Jason Ruona formerly racing for TLR and having returned to AE, react to the news?

RM: Jason and everyone at JConcepts have been very supportive through this process. Jason has been there when I have had questions or concerns, and he has played the unbiased and neutral role through this decision making process. He just wants me to be successful and happy, and if thats the case it will benefit both of us.

AW: What do you expect will be the biggest differences in team environment between AE and TLR?

RM: I honestly don't know. I have no expectations or prior judgments, so I will just learn as I go.

It's interesting to see that TLR sent press photos of Maifield's body atop the recently-discontinued TLR 22SCT, fueling speculation that there's a '2.0' in the not-so-distant future - which would make sense, given that Maifield is a multi-time national champion in the class. Thanks for rocking the LiveRC beacon, Ryan!

AW: You’ve helped nurture a couple of very fast, young racers in Arizona, both of whom use products from your previous sponsors. How have they reacted to the news? Will any of them be switching as well?

RM: They understand my reasons for leaving, but at the same time both of them are in a good position with Team Associated and Reedy, and I don't want to disrupt their progression in this industry. If either of them want to make a move in the future I will be there for support and try to play the unbiased, neutral role that Jason Ruona has been for me.

AW: Will you have enough time ahead of the upcoming ROAR Electric Off-Road Nationals, and especially the IFMAR 1/8-Scale Worlds, to get ready to compete at the level you expect?

RM: Yes, absolutely. This is my full time job, so that means I have plenty of time and opportunity to get everything in order to compete at the level I expect. With the support from the TLR crew, JConcepts, Orion, and Novarossi i have everything I need to be competitive in every class at both the ROAR Nationals and the Worlds.

AW: What are your goals for the rest of the 2014 season? Do you think the new sponsors give you a better chance at finally attaining the world championships you’ve come so close to winning?

RM: My goals are the same as they have always been: I want to win, but at the same time I understand there are a lot of things that need to come together for that to happen. I am just going to focus on being as prepared as possible and let the chips fall where they may. As far as attaining a world championship, I feel my chances are as good as they ever have been. Winning a Worlds is not a easy task, obviously. There are many great drivers that don't have a Worlds title, but world championships don't define who you are or what you have done in the industry. Up to this point I have had a great career and adding a Worlds title would be icing on the cake.

Ryan Maifield

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