Joel Valander is one of several up-and-coming international talents in the Finnish racing scene, and his name has become a regular occurrence in headlines on our site after several major victories - including back-to-back 4WD national titles. Following Friday’s announcement that he had earned the championship despite missing the final round due to illness, I reached out to Valander on Facebook to learn more about his life, his RC career, and what it’s like racing across the Atlantic in this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Photo: Euro Offroad Series
Aaron Waldron: How old are you, and where are you from?
JV: I'm 19 years old from Riihimäki, Finland.
AW: How did you get into RC, and how long have you been racing?
JV: My dad had RC cars when he was younger and when I was 7 years old he bought me a used Team Associated TC3. Then I just started by going to the local track, and here I am now 10 years later.
AW: What school do you go to? What grade are you in? What are your plans for after graduation?
JV: I'm at a vocational school studying Information and Communication Technologies and Electrical Engineering.
AW: What made you decide to start attending big races and trying to attract sponsors?
JV: I did pretty well in Finland and then I heard that the ISTC Worlds were going to be held in Netherlands in 2012, so we went there. We had an awesome time and after that we went more often to big races. I also got my first sponsorship from Eurorc.com a little bit later, and that helped me to go more often abroad.
AW: What’s your favorite track? Favorite big event? What different classes have you raced?
JV: For favourite track, I have to say Hudy Arena. I like the 1/10-scale Off Road Euros and the EOS series. I have raced 1/10-scale touring car, 1/10-scale electric buggy and 1/8-scale electric buggy.
AW: Having traveled around the world to different events, how does the racing scene in your area vary from other places you’ve visited?
JV: Not that much really. We have many fast guys in Finland, but of course the level is a lot higher at big races. Track conditions are biggest difference.
AW: What are your proudest RC moments?
JV: My two Finnish National titles and four EOS A-mains.
AW: Do you have any goals for your RC career?
JV: Win a big international race! And maybe someday do this for a living if I have the opportunity for it.
AW: When you’re not at the racetrack, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
JV: I like to hangout with my friends and girlfriend. I also like to play video games.
AW: What’s the best part of RC racing? What about RC racing annoys or bothers you?
JV: The best part is driving on a nice track when my car is dialed. Making mistakes and throwing a good position away is what annoys me a lot.
Photo: Euro Offroad Series
AW: Who are some of the people that have helped you the most?
JV: Well, I can't name all of them, but of course my Dad for being the biggest sponsor, as well as Axel Toivonen and Niko Vuorenmaa from Eurorc.com, the whole XRAY team, and all my racing friends for awesome time in this hobby!
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JV: Thanks to Aaron and LiveRC for the interview. Also thanks to my sponsors XRAY, Eurorc.com, Hobbywing, HUDY, Highest, EV-Peak and T-Shades. See you at the track!
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