Dustin Evans started racing RC cars at just six years old, but the hobby always took a back seat to other interests - like go-kart racing. That all changed in 2006, though, when he decided to take RC racing more seriously and see where it could take him. He was quickly signed to Team Losi Racing and became one of the country’s fastest electric off-road racers, eventually winning a Reedy Race of Champions Invitational title and ROAR 2WD Modified national championship in 2011.
Even among a flurry of offseason moves as many of the industry’s biggest stars swapped teams and pursued new opportunities, it was a particular surprise to see Dustin Evans leave Team Losi Racing, Team Orion and JConcepts to sign with Team Associated, Reedy and Pro-Line - after all, he had been with TLR since 2007, Team Orion since 2011 and JConcepts since 2012. His debut with his new teams came at one of the biggest races in the world, last weekend’s Reedy Race, where he finished fifth. I asked him more about the decisions he made over the last few months for this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Aaron Waldron: Congratulations on the switch to Team Associated and Pro-Line! What was the main factor behind your big move?
DE: Reedy/Associated and Pro-Line Racing make some of the best racing products on the market today. When they started talking with me I was at a point in my career where I felt a change would be a good thing.
AW: How much track time have you had with your new equipment?
DE: After my new contract began January 1st, I was at my local track MHOR R/C almost every day before heading out to California to prepare for the Reedy Race. At this point I have had about three weeks and really enjoying the new equipment.
AW: You scored a round win and finished fifth overall with your new cars at the Reedy Race. How did you feel about your debut with the Associated and Reedy team?
DE: I feel it was a good start with all the new equipment. The Reedy race is always very hard, and to finish fifth at my first event is solid. I always want more but is definitely something to build off of. I was very consistent all weekend and had great speed with my Reedy powered AE cars.
AW: Your career got started at the same track - MHOR in Aurora, CO - as Team Associated engineer Kody Numedahl. How much influence did he have on your decision?
DE: I would say Kody Numedahl had some influence on my switch as he is a really good friend, and also a great engineer. I am excited to finally be able to work with him after all these years.
AW: You spent the first ten years of your pro career - including a national title and Reedy Race victory - with Team Losi Racing. Was it a difficult decision to leave?
DE: TLR and I had a lot of success together and I am very grateful for everything they have done for me. Making a decision like this is never easy and I will always remember the great successes we had together.
AW: When did you start talking to Team Associated? What excited your about the opportunity?
DE: Reedy/Associated approached me pretty late into what most consider the “silly season.” Reedy/Associated has one of the best racing programs with great people behind it. I felt it would be a great relationship and an opportunity for many successes.
AW: Tell us more about your switch to Pro-Line Racing. How did that come about?
DE: Pro-Line has great tires and accessories, and after talking with Daniel Adams, I felt it would be a good fit for me.
AW: Did you talk to any other brands about racing for them in 2017 before making your decision?
DE: A few companies talked with me, but none of the talks went very far. I am very happy that Reedy/AE reached out to me and gave me this opportunity.
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to thank LiveRC for the interview and all my sponsors for the great support: Reedy, Team Associated, Proline, Upgrade-RC, MHOR R/C, Bradley Fine Line Designs, Sanwa, OCRC Raceway, MIP, Makita, Kicker, and LiveRC.
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