I met Aaron Kothman during my first trip to the Big Apple Novarossi Nitro Challenge at Barnstormers RC Raceway in New York last year, where I first saw him and his family - with Mom, Dad, and little brother Andrew - all sharing a love for a hobby that they dove into headfirst. I had watched him competing at the Reedy Race of Champions earlier that year, where he finished fourth in the Junior final, so I wasn’t surprised to learn he had already become one of the fastest up-and-coming racers in the Northeast despite having only picked up a radio for the first time a few years ago. I reached out to Aaron on Facebook to learn more about his life, his RC career, and his future goals for this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Aaron Waldron: How old are you, and where are you from?
AK: I just turned 16 years old and I am from Glenville, New York.
AW: How did you get into RC, and how long have you been racing?
AK: I got into RC almost 4 years ago when I started racing at a little outdoor track near my house. My dad had an old Slash and we took it over to that track one weekend and I had a great time.
Kothman in 2013, at his first indoor race
AW: What school do you attend? Is it difficult to find time to practice and race?
AK: I am home schooled. I don't really practice, but I do club race weekly and try to make sure I run lots of laps and try different setups on my cars. Being home-schooled does allow me to travel to races throughout the year, so that is cool.
AW: Do you know yet what you want to pursue after high school?
AK: I really enjoy racing right now and hope to continue moving forward with it. I also hope to do more travel racing if I can. After high school I will go to college.
AW: What made you decide to start attending big races and trying to attract sponsors?
AK: I love racing and lots of competition. After attending a JConcepts Indoor Fall Nationals that had nearly 400 entries, which was close enough to drive to with my family, I knew I would like to attend more big events. I am always wanting to get better and after I attended that race I knew I could learn something every time I attended a big event. After a couple years of racing it made sense to see if I could represent the brands I was confident running. For me having sponsors is also a big motivation to be better.
AW: What’s your favorite track? Favorite big event? Favorite racing class?
AK: My favorite track is probably Hobby Action. It is challenging and the location is amazing. My favorite event was the Reedy Race at OCRC in 2016, I hope to go back again. I like 2wd Modified buggy the most, but I am also really liking Nitro Buggy the more I run it.
AW: Do you think it’s an advantage that your family operates an RC track? Do you work at the facility often?
AK: Not really. It is more of a club that is only open on race days right now. I do help when we are preparing for big events and preparing the track, calling races, opening and closing up on race days. It does keep my club racing cost low though.
AW: What are your proudest RC moments?
AK: Getting 3 podium finishes at Motorama this year and making the A main at the ROAR nationals in 2wd SCT last year are my best results so far. Winning the Nitro Truck A main at the 2016 Quebec Classic was also pretty cool.
AW: Do you have any goals for your RC career?
AK: I would love to be a Reedy Race invite winner someday. I would also like to attend and do well at an IFMAR worlds event.
AW: When you’re not at the racetrack, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
AK: I enjoy playing a few computer and PS4 games.
Photo: RC Excitement, via Facebook
AW: What’s the best part of RC racing? What about RC racing annoys or bothers you?
AK: The best part is my family enjoys this hobby with me. Also the people I have met and the friends I have made. The most annoying thing is probably hearing complaining about tracks and track conditions. Every track is different and a new challenge.
AW: Who are some of the people that have helped you the most?
AK: I need to thank my Dad and my Mom. I know they do so much to keep me racing. There are also so many local racers l race with who have helped me & supported me so much over these few years. They have always been my track family. Local hobby shop owners who have provided me with great support and of course my current sponsors Horizon Hobby, TLR, Spektrum, Team Orion, REDS, Proline, Ogio
Photo: RC Excitement, via Facebook
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
AK: Thanks for thinking of me and asking me to do this. Thanks for all you do for the RC industry. Also your first name is pretty awesome!
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