Nearly a decade ago, toward the end of my "pro" RC racing career, I heard about some big race back East (which is pretty much anywhere past the Colorado River for most Californians) that was going to replicate the 24-hour schedule of the Snowbird Nationals but with a nitro off-road race. The pre-race hype promised big jumps, scary monsters, and a level of pageantry not seen at RC races. I've still never had the opportunity to go, but I always marvel at the photos of whatever bizarre decorations covered the pit area, the crazy track layouts, and the stories told by RC's growing number of top pros that made the trip. Eight years later, the Psycho Nitro Blast is one of the biggest races in the U.S. (486 entries this year!) and still one of the most exciting stops of the informal RC tour. After another successful year of the PNB, this time called "Days of the Damned," I shot race founder Dave Leikam a Facebook message to learn more about what makes him - and the Psycho Nitro Blast - tick.
Aaron Waldron: How did you get involved with RC racing, and how long ago?
Dave Leikam: Well, I got involved in RC racing shortly after moving from Wyoming to Georgia back in 1986. It was kind of funny because it seemed like every kid in my neighborhood had some kind of RC car. I purchased my first car used from one of the kids, a Tamiya Monster Beetle and I was instantly hooked. From there I bought an RC10 and got my first taste of racing at the “Sugar Bowl” which was one of the best facilities in Georgia at the time. I spent most of my weekends racing there through middle and high school.
AW: Was the first Psycho Nitro Blast the first race you ever organized?
DL: It was actually. I took a break from racing to do the college thing and in 2001 I jumped in and started racing 1/8 gas. I traveled around and attended all of the RC Pro Series rounds, as well as local and larger regional races, but always felt like the races could be produced better. That’s how the Psycho was born.
AW: Did you think the race would last this long and grow this large?
DL: After surviving the first PNB I honestly didn’t know if I could do it again. The first year we went around the clock for four days straight and it about killed everyone. We made some changes for the next one and from there it seemed to grow every year and everyone really liked what we were doing. I honestly had no idea it would grow to be this large.
AW: How important was it for you to create certain aspects of the PNB that are so different from any other RC race?
DL: My goal was to always try and make the PNB atmosphere unique and unlike anything you’ve seen at an RC race - including the track and our wooden ramps and features. There are a lot of big races out there and most of them stick to a normal “race” format, which is cool, but the Psycho was to be that one race where normal was thrown out.
AW: How has the PNB evolved over the years?
DL: It has definitely become a much bigger production over the years. Every year we try and add new things that will create the “wow” factor for the racers. A few years ago I built a jumbotron and hung it inside the building playing videos and sponsor promos. This past year we had a cool flaming car stand so guys could take some killer pictures of their machines. We also added a picture-taking area complete with a character from my Haunted House. Just things to add to the overall experience outside of the racing.
AW: Is it a challenge to keep putting together interesting track layout ideas?
DL: Not really. I just start drawing and keep an eraser handy - LOL. Once the outline is drawn up I can then get an idea of the location of the track sections. Another unique thing about the PNB is we have crazy names for most of the track sections so racers get a general description ahead of time of what that section will entail. I really enjoy painting out the track outline then talking with my track builders Bobby Moore and Travis Melton about what we could do in certain areas. We have a good time coming up with ideas.
AW: What’s the most difficult part of organizing such a large event?
DL: I want everyone to have the time of their lives. Racers, sponsors and spectators alike - I want everyone to be happy and feel like they are getting the best experience possible. Making sure that happens takes a ton of effort.
AW: What’s the best part of putting on the PNB?
DL: Walking around and seeing everyone smiling and having a great time with friends who share the same passion. That is what it’s always been about.
AW: What’s the worst?
DL: Politics and negative attitudes.
AW: Why has the Psycho Nitro Blast become such a draw for big-name drivers, elevating the prestige of a Pro class win?
DL: I think the pro drivers are looking for a true test of man and machine. The longer hours, the ever-changing track conditions, ten-minute qualifiers and over 30 hours of available practice is something they don’t get at many of the bigger races.
AW: Who are some of the people who’ve helped with the continued success of the Psycho Nitro Blast?
DL: I would first like to thank you Aaron for having me on Talk It Up Tuesday!
So many people have helped us out along the way. I would like to thank Oliver Aspinwall for putting up with me all those years; Jennifer Smith for the countless hours, blood, sweat and tears in helping me build and tear down our races every year; Bobby Moore of RC Trackmasters and Travis Melton for the awesome track builds; our production staff of Nick Jones, Dustin Thompson, Aaron, Brantley and Blake Hellinger, Jamey Powell, Allan, Violet and Tyler Leikam; our media guru Jacob Peterson; our race directors Jimmy Babcock, Canyon Thompson and Lance MacDonald; Bob Kendall and Brandon Rohde from LiveRC; Ryan Lutz and Adam Drake for attending virtually every race since year one; the Psycho Girls, Gabby Merkle and Siobhan Slaney; the Paranoia Haunted House monsters; and all of our sponsors over the years. If I left anyone out, you know who you are! Without any of you it just wouldn’t be possible.
AW: What can we expect next year?
DL: A whole lot of crazy!
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