These rides can be more than just toys
Adam Drake, a five-time national radio-control car racing champion, shares how he’s made a career out of off-road racing with a toy car. Photo: Annie Tritt for The Wall Street Journal
By A.J. BAIME
Aug. 11, 2015 11:06 a.m. ET
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Adam Drake, 36, a five-time national radio-control car racing champion from Fontana, Calif., reflects on his custom Lincoln pickup, as told to A.J. Baime.
Lots of people have played with radio-control cars, but few realize there are national- and world-level racing competitions and that there are professionals who make a living racing. I’ve competed in the U.S., England, Thailand, Sweden, Australia, and Italy. My wife, Ronda, is probably the best female racer in the world.
For my daily driver, I wanted something useful for my work that also celebrates my love of wheels. The best man at my wedding, Brett Oakes, is a custom-car designer who’s designed vehicles for SEMA in Las Vegas—the world’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show. In 2006, he offered to build me a vehicle. We started with a stock 2006 Lincoln Mark LT pickup and talked over what I’d want (nothing too flashy). I didn’t see the finished truck until it was on display at SEMA in Vegas.
Five-time national radio-control car racing champion Adam Drake with his wife Ronda, also a top racer, at Revelation Raceway in Ontario, Calif. Behind: Mr. Drake’s custom Lincoln pickup, which ‘celebrates my love of wheels,’ as he puts it. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
While the pickup is useful for carrying radio-control car racing gear, it’s also a one-of-a-kind piece of machinery with two televisions and a stereo that ‘can practically shatter the windows,’ says Mr. Drake. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Some of the couple’s racing cars. Mr. Drake’s cars are built by Japanese company Mugen Seiki. The cars can cost as much as $1,500 a piece. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A close-up of the racing car’s inner machinery. It’s powered by a mixture of ingredients, mostly notably nitromethane. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A car in action at Revelation Raceway. ‘The cars aren’t geared for top speed,’ says Mr. Drake. ‘It’s more about acceleration, so you can time your jumps and turns.’ ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Mr. Drake in action. As a professional, his racing has taken him all over the globe. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
More action at the track. Mr. Drake sometimes finds himself competing against his wife. ‘We’re our biggest supporters,’ he says. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Detail of Mr. Drake’s Lincoln, the work of custom car designer Brett Oakes, who was also Mr. Drake’s best man at his wedding. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
A close-up of a door handle that shows some of the wood grain used in the interior. ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Mr. Drake’s logo is painted on the truck’s body so you can see it if you’re looking at it from a certain angle. ‘It’s all about clean design and technology,’ he says. ‘The only thing missing? You can’t drive it by radio-control.’ ANNIE TRITT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
The paint job is off white with a thin silver pinstripe. My racing logo is painted in pearl into the body, so you can see it only if you’re looking from a certain angle. Inside are two TVs, and the stereo can practically shatter the windows. In the truck bed are four subwoofers lit up with blue LED lights, visible through plexiglass windows.
It’s all about clean design and technology. The only thing missing? You can’t drive it by radio-control.
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