Talk-It-Up Tuesday with Viper R/C's Nick Malato

 

 

At the recent IFMAR 1:10 Electric Offroad World Championships, both Jared Tebo and Steven Hartson took home the gold. Tebo with his first ever 2wd World Championship, and Hartson with his first ever 4wd World Championship. While these two drivers have been in the spotlight for their victories, they are not the only one's who accomplished a "first" at this years IFMAR World Championships.

 

Over the past several years, what was started as an unfamiliar company name, has become a mainstream player in the brushless esc and motor industry. Viper R/C has become one of the fastest growing esc/motor manufacturer's on the market with their innovative line of products. This year the company attended their first ever IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championships, and in the hands of Lee Martin, finished a promising 2nd place in 2wd Buggy.

 

This event and result is a huge step for the company and its products. This week we have sat down with Viper R/C team manager, Nick Malato, to "Talk-It-Up!" 
 

 
 

LiveRC: Welcome Nick to this edition of "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Let's start by talking about you and your racing. When and how did you get started in R/C car racing?

Nick: Thanks for having me on "Talk-It-Up Tuesday," big fan of the segment and LiveRC. I started racing about 27 years ago my dad started flying r/c planes, but I always liked cars better. Ironically, my mom dragged me to my first race. I just wanted to play in the driveway. But after that first time I was hooked.

LiveRC: What are some of your accomplishments as a racer?

Nick: I have won several regional sized events over the years. I was in the 4wd Stock A Main at the ROAR Nationals in 1999, attended the 2003 IFMAR Worlds, I won the Stock Truck Class at JConcepts Indoor Nationals in 2011 at RCE.
LiveRC: When did you first join Viper R/C?

Nick: 2010, I was looking for an electronics sponsor and met them at the iHobby Show. I started as a team driver and in 2011 became a Consultant. As the company continues to grow, I became a full time employee this summer.

LiveRC: In addition to Team Manager, you also work closely with drivers to further develop new and existing products correct?

Nick: Yes, I have one of those fun jobs that have lots of roles. Marketing, Customer Support, Team Manager, Operations, Research and Development, but we do spend a good amount of time testing ideas and concepts. Some lead to other ideas as projects. Some tests may be to verify production quality of new items.
LiveRC: Viper R/C has some very innovative ideas, such as the push button programmable switch on the ESC's. Can you tell us a little about some of these innovative features found only on Viper products?

Nick: The VPort, which is our on/off switch, programming port is very innovative. Push button operation, allows for not only turning your car/truck on or off, but also to enter program modes and change profiles. The VPort also has the port to plug in the ProGauge/EZ Link or VLink programming tools. This is an easy and efficient way to access programming options. We also have done a lot of great work with the software in our units. The VTX systems all feature Smart Brake, with allows the driver to program different levels of drag brake at different rpm levels – which can help calm a car down through a sweeper, as an example. As well as, powerful blinky and boost mode settings. And the software on our Copperhead system makes a sensorless system, almost feel like its sensored.

LiveRC: Without a doubt, the Viper systems are some of the easiest to tune and work with at the track using the ProGauge. Can you tell us a little about the Progauge, and the advantages to it as opposed to other systems?

Nick: Great thing about the ProGauge is that its a small device, little bigger than a credit card, that lets you completely fine tune the speed control, quickly and easily, just plug it in and use. No receiver wires to move or re-calibration. You can do it trackside and makes changes in just a minute. It also lets you test your radio's PPM signal, individual cell voltages in your battery. And has a servo checker that is used by several servo companies to work on warranty items. We also now sell an EZ Link, which is a similar programming card, but more cost effective, it only works on programming the speed control.

LiveRC: Recently Viper R/C teamed up with UK superstar, Lee Martin. This partnership has proven to be quite successful as he not only took Viper to it's first IFMAR World Championship, but also finished 2nd overall! Congratulations to you guys! Tell us about the first ever IFMAR Worlds experience.

Nick: It was great, exceeded our expectations. Lee was incredible, in what were really difficult high traction conditions. He actually had the lead in A1 and A2, with a couple of breaks it could have been a real Cinderella story. Also with Travis Amezcua and Lee making the 4wd A Main helped to show it wasn't a fluke and the products can help compete at the highest level.
 
LiveRC: When, where, and how did Viper R/C get started in the first place?

Nick: Viper R/C is coming up on its 4th year of existence. It started from the fact that we have our own factory in Taiwan that produces products in the hobby industry. The decision was made to try make and develop our own innovative brand, unique from those other projects.

LiveRC: You spent this past week at the iHobby show in Chicago. What are some of the newest products from Viper R/C debuted there?

Nick: Our new VF 4 pole motors for 1/8 and 4wd SC, should be available shortly. And we also the updated ARC R10 2013 touring car we import from ARC. along with our VTX and Copperhead speed controls and VST motors.
 


LiveRC: Viper offers an extensive lineup of ESC's and motors. Can you give us a brief comparison of the various systems Viper R/C offers? (VTX, VTX1, Copperhead, etc.)

Nick: VTX Series has 4 models. VTX1 is for 1s operation no booster required (used to win both ROAR 1/12 17.5 National Championships in 2013). VTX10 works with motors from 25.5 to 7.5. VTX10R (used at the IFMAR World Championhips) handles all 2 pole motors and 550 2 pole motors. VTX8 works with 4 pole motors from 2s to 6s, in 1/8 and 4wd SC vehicles. Copperhead is our economy 4 pole system, which can be used as a replacement for RTR 's like a Slash or racing in any 4wd SC.
 
 
LiveRC: Any hints as to what might be next for Viper R/C?

Nick: We are always working on what's next. VF 4 pole motors should be out soon. Then maybe start the groundwork for a new 540 motor and next generation speed controls.

LiveRC: For hobby shops and tracks that wish to carry Viper R/C products, how do they go about doing so?

Nick: They can contact us directly at www.viper-rc.com/dealer.php or give us a call at the office (866-206-8558).

LiveRC: Currently the Viper R/C onroad team is in Las Vegas for the IIC. Do you expect a victory or two from team drivers at the event? If so, who in particular?

Nick: We always hope for victories!! But, our big gun for on road, Mark Smyka couldn't make the event this year he is recovering from some medical procedures, we miss him here. But we have some drivers here we are helping as well as some customers. And it’s a chance to see what we need to do to improve our on road program.
LiveRC: What is the next major event we can expect to see you and the offroad team at?

Nick: There are a lot of regional level events the Viper team will be attending, as well as the final two JConcepts Indoor Nationals. Lee Martin will be at the FEMCA Cup event in Taiwan. And we are already talking about 2014 Reedy Race, Nationals and On Road Worlds.
 
LiveRC: We have been very impressed with what we have seen from Viper R/C as a company, and the products. Thank you for taking time to joining us today, and we wish you all the best with the future of Viper R/C! Is there anything you would like to add?

Nick: Thanks to everyone at LiveRC they help make my job a little easier following our drivers around the country. Thanks to our drivers and customers who are helping to grow the company every day. And on a personal note thanks to everyone at Viper for giving me the chance to help show how great the brand can be. Jason, Allison and everyone at J Concepts for the help. Paul and Chazz at X Factory for the help, and support. And most important my wife Lorena and son Matthew for understanding while we are working so hard.

 

 

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