TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Lauren Bendrat

0 Nov. 4, 2014, 4:33 a.m.

11/4/2014
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!

While living in Valencia, CA, several years ago I met Lauren Bendrat when she first started attending club races at Hot Rod Hobbies. She stuck out from many other wives and girlfriends who occasionally accompany racers to the track because she never seemed afraid to get her hands dirty - whether that meant helping fuel nitro vehicles in pit lane or turn marshaling crashed cars and trucks. When the Traxxas Slash Spec class boomed onto the scene she was one of dozens who jumped into racing for the first time behind the wheel of a short course truck. Her skills rapidly improved, and her always-friendly demeanor (the nickname “Okie Dokie” stems from one of her most commonly used phrases) made her a fan favorite - even among the men she regularly beat on the track. It has been quite a while since we both called the same local track “home,” so when I read on Facebook that she had picked up a few sponsorship deals recently I figured this was as good a time as any to catch up.

Aaron Waldron: How did you get started in radio control?

 Lauren Bendrat: I got started in RC through an ex-boyfriend who raced nitro 1/8 scale buggy. I spent a couple of months pitting for him and then decided I wanted to race. I have been racing ever since!

 AW: How often do you hit the racetrack?

LB: I’m club racing 3-4 times a week at the moment. I’m going to try and travel to other local tracks to practice and race more.

 AW: What are your favorite classes? 

LB: My favorite class would have to be stock 1/10 2wd buggy.

 AW: When did you decide to start attending bigger races? 

LB: I would say probably my second year of racing that I wanted to go and attend the bigger races in my area.

 AW: What’s your biggest on-track accomplishment? 

LB: At the 2010 Hot Rod Hobbies shootout I got 3rd in the Stock Short Course class. I haven’t reached the podium at a big race since. In club racing, I would say my biggest accomplishments are getting my car dialed and improving my lap times every week.

 AW: Do you get treated any differently at the track because you’re one of the few female racers?

 LB: I don’t think I get treated any differently being one of the few women. Everyone jokes around the same with me as they do everyone else.

 AW: Were you ever intimidated to line up on the drivers’ stand with nine guys who aren’t used to racing with, and getting beat by, a woman?

 LB: No I don’t get intimidated by racing guys who I haven’t raced with before. I just put on my ‘A’ game and focus on doing my best in my race.

 AW: Why do you think there are so few women who race RC cars?

 LB: I’m not sure why there aren’t more female racers. I have been seeing more over the last few years, but still hardly any. Maybe when they hear “RC” they just thinks it’s a toy. I bet if more came out to the track and really saw it, they would think it was awesome and want to join in!

 AW: Is there anything that could help introduce more women into the hobby?

 LB: I can’t think of anything that would help get more women into the hobby.

 AW: What led to you scoring a job with Upgrade RC? How long have you been working there?

 LB: Well, a former employee at Upgrade RC nicknamed “Crash” raced all the time at Hot Rod Hobbies. I was there a few times a week racing and practicing. We talked all the time and he knew I didn’t like the job I was at, so he mentioned me to Robert and Jayme Ibon. I went in a couple days later for an interview and have been working there ever since. In February I’ll be celebrating five years with Upgrade! Thank you, Crash!