TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Harley Yoshii [VIDEO]

0 May 26, 2017, 4:54 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Welcome to LiveRC's weekly column, "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Here we spend a little time talking with industry icons including racers, manufacturers, team managers, developers, promoters, and everyone in between! Sit back, relax, and go behind the scenes as we interview them all!

Since transitioning from go-karts and quarter midgets to RC cars seven years ago, 17-year-old Washington native has become one of the fastest racers in the Pacific Northwest. Read what he had to say about his RC career, his goals, all the things he likes about Tacoma RC Raceway, what he thought about getting taken out at the JConcepts Spring Indoor Nationals and more in this week's Talk It Up Tuesday.

Photo: 2wdmod.com

Aaron Waldron: How old are you, and where are you from?

Harley Yoshii: I am 17 years old and I am from Olympia, Washington

AW: How did you get into RC, and how long have you been racing?

HY: I got into RC after my friends started bringing their cars to the quarter midget tracks. I eventually bought a Traxxas slash. After a few months of bashing in the yard I took it to an RC track, 4 Seasons RC. After that first night I was hooked and on that same night I bought a Team Associated SC10. I am currently on my seventh year of racing RC cars.

AW: Did you have a motor sports background before picking up a transmitter?

HY: Yes; before I started racing RC cars, I raced quarter midgets and go-karts. I started racing when I was four years old and raced for eight years. Throughout those years I won seven championships. I decided to quit after I wanted to move up, but the organizers wouldn't let me because I wasn't old enough.

AW: In what ways are RC cars and go karts similar? How are they different?

HY: Buggies are the most similar thing to racing go-karts, because they are open-wheel cars and - and they’re an endless amount of fun. The difference between the two would be the danger. You're less likely to get injured in an RC race.

AW: What school do you attend? How often do you practice and race?

HY: Currently I go to North Thurston High School, and I try to go racing at least once a week.

AW: Do you have any plans for what you’d like to do after high school?

HY: My plans after high school are to go to college and learn about either construction or aerospace.

Photo: 2wdmod.com

AW: What made you decide to start attending big races and trying to attract sponsors?

HY: What made me start attending big races was to try out different tracks and meet new people. What got me trying to get sponsors was mainly to help my parents out so that things could be a little bit cheaper. I also like representing companies that have products that I enjoy using.

AW: What’s your favorite track? Favorite big event? Favorite racing class?

HY: My favorite track would have to be Tacoma RC Raceway because of all the competition, and the friendly people and environment. My favorite big event is the NW Gold Cup at TRCR because the fastest guys in the NW come to this race and I always have so much fun at this event. My favorite class to race is 2WD modified buggy.

Photo: JConcepts

AW: How did you react to the crash with Spencer Rivkin at the JConcepts Spring Indoor Nationals? Do you feel any differently after a week to think about it and see what others have had to say?

HY: My initial reaction was being very angry. I grabbed my car, threw it into my pit area, and walked outside to go sit in my car and calm down before re-entering the track. After having time to think about, I understand why he went for that move. I'm pretty sure any driver would try to make a move like that on the last lap, but gaining a position from it isn't right.

AW: I’ve heard so much about the environment at Tacoma RC Raceway. What’s it like calling TRCR your home track?

HY: It's an honor calling TRCR my home track. With such a high competition level, friendly people and a fun environment, everyone always has a good time here.

Photo: 2wdmod.com

AW: What are your proudest racing moments?

HY: The moments that I'm most proud would, of course, have to be all of my wins - but my favorite moment of all time happened when I didn't even win the race. My favorite moment was at this years JConcepts Spring Indoor Nationals in A1 racing with Ryan Cavalieri. I had so much fun battling with Ryan and hearing all of the locals cheer me on and knowing that I can hang with one of the best in the industry is what makes it so amazing.

AW: Do you have any goals for your RC career?

HY: My goal for my RC career is probably the same as every other young upcoming driver: to become a "pro" driver.

Photo: 2wdmod.com

AW: When you’re not at the racetrack, what are some of your favorite hobbies?

HY: I really don't have any hobbies that I like to do outside of racing RC. I've tried many different sports and could never really get hooked into it.

AW: What’s the best part of RC racing? What about RC racing annoys or bothers you?

HY: The best part about racing for me is having close battles with your friends for the whole duration of the race. The most annoying thing about RC racing to me is when someone is yelling at a corner marshal or arguing with another driver on the drivers stand.

Photo: 2wdmod.com

AW: Who are some of the people that have helped you the most?

HY: The people that have helped me the most would definitely be my parents; without them I wouldn't be here. Also, the guys at TRCR like John Walentia, Luke Smith, Ryan Matesa, Scott Brown, and Michael Schoettler - the list can just go on forever, but they have had a huge impact on helping my abilities to improve my driving and knowledge on stuff like setups.

AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

HY: Thank you for having me! I'd like to thank my family and all of my friends at TRCR for all of their help and support. I'd also like to thank my sponsors: Team Associated, Reedy, JConcepts, Lunsford, MIP, and Fusion Graphix for all of their help and support.