TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Tony Truman

 

In addition to being one of the top off-road racers in England, and having quite an interesting connection to full-size automotive racing, Tony Truman is known around the world for his distinctive voice - providing commentary for a number of international events. In fact, he has even joined the LiveRC crew on a few occasions, most notably the 2015 IFMAR Worlds in Japan when we sat alongside one another for a week of misaligned lexicons and lots of laughing. I reached out to Tony to learn more about him, his RC career, and his time behind the microphone for this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday. (Cover photo: Chris Beach, via Facebook)

 

 

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

Tony Truman: I’m 28 years young and come from a town called Banbury; it's between Birmingham and Oxford (places people might know across the pond).

 

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

TT: The story of me getting into RC is quite a funny one — well, more strange. Like most, I got a car for Christmas one year from my parents. I had actually spotted it when we went to a local toy store and my eyes lit up! It was a second hand Tamiya Astute on display, which came with radio and electrics, so I was all set up and ready to go. Back then my father was working for a race team and was heavily into motor sport, so when he saw a flyer about a local RC club he didn't hesitate to let me know and we went to give it a try. That's how it all began. Now, the strange twist: the bit I didn't mention was, at the time, I was also trying my hand at go-karting. Again, it was something my father had done a lot of in his younger years. Now, he had actually got me setup with a full-sponsored drive to do my first season! “Awesome” you think to yourself! Nope, not me. Instead, I told him I wanted to race RC cars — and the rest is history. What could have been? (insert emoji of face to palm) This all began back when I was 9, meaning I have been racing for 19 years.

 

Photo: Nemo Racing MX, via Facebook

 

AW: What do you do for work? Is it difficult to find time to practice and race?

TT: During the week I work as a quality inspector. I work for a composite company that makes around 80% of the body work for the Red Bull Formula One team. We do also do work for the rest of the grid, but Red Bull is our main customer. I wouldn't say my work effects my practise or racing. In all of my time racing, I have not really been one for mid-week running; it's always just been what I do at the weekends. I think it's more difficult getting permission from my partner, Ashley, to go racing. She is definitely the boss.

 

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

TT: Progression, I think, is the best answer to this one; it sort of just happened. Starting at the club level I just worked my way up as I got better, going from club to national events and then on to internationals. Back then sponsorship wasn't my goal, I just loved going racing. 

 

Photo: Blaine Baird, via Facebook

 

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

TT: My favorite track is Lake Park in Florida. My favorite big event is the NEO Race, and my favorite class is 1/8-scale gas off-road. 

 

AW: What race announcing experience did you have before joining LiveRC for the Worlds in Japan? Is that something you do regularly back home?

TT: I have announced at the NEO Race for a few years running, as well as the UK nationals. I have been talking to myself for quite some time now (that's what it feels like sometimes). I dipped in and out of a few LiveRC broadcasts at the Cactus Classic and when they attended the NEO Race. People seem to think I'm quite good, so I do it when I can. 

 

 

AW: What are your proudest RC moments?

TT: Maybe not the proudest, but one of my biggest achievements was making the double A-Mains at the NEO Race with gas and E-buggy.

 

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

TT: To win an international event. I have come close a few times.

 

Photo: Jodie Houston, via Facebook

 

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

TT: Football / soccer. I would say I take it just as serious as my racing.

 

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

TT: Definitely the best part about RC is the racing! You can't beat it I don't think. The things that annoy and bother me about racing — wow, I will try keep the list small: the lack of common sense at the track is a good one. RC track toilets! Most of the federations and people who say, "if this didn't happen, I would have done so much better.”

 

Photo: Simon Moss, via Facebook

 

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

TT: Two people stand out to me: my father, Phill, is the stand out one for me. This sport has always been something we have done together as a team. I will never be able to thank him enough for the efforts he has put in. Also, my close friend Lee Martin. It didn't matter if we had the same car or not, he has always been someone that has helped me and been a great friend.

 

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

TT: Big thank you to not just my current sponsors but anyone that has helped me through my RC lifetime. I have made some great friends and hope to make many more.