The 2017 season marked a big change for Adam Drake. Long revered as one of the nation’s top nitro racers, Drake has spent his career racing for - and helping to develop the engines of - many of the industry’s top nitro engine manufacturers. He’s won major titles with Italian brands Picco, GRP, Novarossi and Sirio, but for this season he joined the O.S. Engines roster and will fulfill a similar role for the Japanese giant. I reached out to Adam to ask him about the switch for this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Aaron Waldron: Congratulations on the switch to O.S! What was the main factor behind your big move?
Adam Drake: Thank you! O.S. has over 70 years of engine expertise and is passionate about winning and providing consumers the highest quality products. O.S. is the proven choice of champions and I’m honored to be a part of the O.S. team and look forward to being involved and helping with future development.
AW: How much track time do you have with your new engines?
AD: Mother nature has really limited my track time with the new engines, but the initial testing has been great. Two weeks ago I attended my first race with the engines and they were awesome. I was able to win Buggy and Truck at the Stadium Nitro Shootout! (Editor’s note: the following weekend, Drake finished third in both Buggy and Truck at the Southern Indoor Championship.)
AW: You’ve race for nearly ever other major engine manufacturer in your career. How does it feel to join the Japanese brand?
AD: O.S. is very passionate and it’s an honor for me to race for O.S. Japan!
AW: You have a lot of history both on and off the track with Novarossi. Was it a difficult decision to leave?
AD: The relationship with Novarossi has been amazing and they’ve treated me like family. I appreciate my time with the Novarossi, but I look forward to building and have a similar relationship with O.S. for years to come.
AW: When did you start talking to Hobbico about joining O.S.? What excited your about the opportunity?
AD: I started talking with O.S. Japan in early December and then shortly after I spoke with Hobbico. The passion and ability to provide consumers with the highest quality products is what excited me the most about O.S. Hobbico understands the importance of being engaged in the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products. It’s exciting to work with a company that understands the value in being involved and supporting their customers.
AW: You spent most of your career as a representative for Horizon Hobby, and now you’re working with competing distributor Hobbico. Does that feel weird at all?
AD: No, it doesn’t feel weird. It’s very exciting!
AW: Did you talk to any other brands about racing for them in 2017 before making your decision?
AD: Yes, there were a couple of brands that reached out to me near the end of 2016.
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
AD: I would just like to thank my wife Ronda, Mugen Seiki Racing, O.S. Engines, Pro-Line, Hitec, Tekin, Hobbico, TrakPower, Lunsford, Upgrade RC, Avid, CowRC, A Main, LiveRC, and Pro-Motion T-Shirts.
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