This time we are happy to welcome Robert Pietsch in our series of „ETS Family Interviews“. Let`s hear from Robert how his job at Mugen looks like and what he is expecting from RC in the future!

ETS:
Hell Robert and welcome to our “ETS Family Interview” . As you live in the south of Germany (Bavaria) and very close to the Austrian border, tell us how you and your family are doing and how you managed to stay healthy and safe in the last months?
Robert:
We are all doing well. Obviously everything is getting a bit closer to usual these days. Basically we were following the advices how to deal with the situation. Once a time, we were in quarantine, but we weren´t infected fortunately. We are living landside, so it was easy for us to go outside and enjoy ourselves.

ETS:
You are racing RC cars since a very long time. Have you ever had such a long break without racing as we have it right now? How much do you miss the competition on the track?
Robert:
No, I haven´t had such a long period without racing in my career yet. As you mentioned above, I race rc cars since a very long time. To be honest I must say due to the lockdown I was able to think about racing a lot. I have the feeling this break brought me back some motivation. I have also tried to find a better mindset in that period of lockdown, which I hope being able to continue later on.

ETS:
In which year you have started the RC Hobby and how long did it take until you raced the first time on a real racetrack?
Robert:  
It was in the early 90´s and I got to the track initially because of my dad and my uncle started with racing at the late 70´s. It was a good time back then and I also have the feeling 1:1 motorsport was way more famous than nowadays.

ETS:
When you grew up in RC racing, which was the driver you liked watching the most – did you had an RC  hero?
Robert:
I didn´t had any real idol. I remember it was always impressive for me, when I saw somebody at the track who was fast. I was waiting each month for the upcoming rc newspapers, loving to see the pictures and news of the races. It was clear to me I want to do the same.

ETS:
When did you made the transition from a competitive racer to professional driver? Was it at the same time you started to design RC cars on the computer?
Robert:
I would describe myself not as a professional racer at any time, because it was always a combination of designing and driving. Only the part of driving might have been a bit more in the past than nowadays. In 2007 I have drawn a 1/8 car in my spare time beside my normal work (CAD CAM in a company producing parts for Airbus). That car has got the Shepherd Velox later on, as they have offered to me to work in their company fulltime back then. So I moved to Heidelberg which was around 450km away from my hometown. It was a pretty successful story coming up with the idea of that car, which kept its base in the following years. After that, I changed to Mugen Seiki where I´m still working these days.

ETS:
When we are looking onto the career you made until now, you are one of the best known Nitro Onroad  racers in the world because you have won a lot of races and titles. The greatest victory for sure was your 2011 world championship title in 1:8 scale which you won in Miami. When you think back to this day, which feelings are coming into your mind first and what was the most emotional moment for you?
Robert:
Basically it has changed my life a bit. It was like reaching the maximum possible. I was on pole position the 3^rd consecutive time at these worlds, so my target for the final was clear. After I was dominating the practice and qualification in 2009, but losing the title to Lamberto who won his 9^th title back then, I was so proud to be the first champ after his several consecutive wins. The most emotional moment was, when I have called my parents after the final telling them I´m the new world champion (btw. it was nighttime in Germany). I also remember several friends of mine told me afterwards, they did public viewing on liverc along with some barbecue. This also made me very proud, because it shows up people and friends are interested in what you do. Also they got the key of my apartment from my parents, and prepared some coming back surprise inside.

ETS:
Last year, after some years passed by, you celebrated another world championship title when Shoki Takahata won it for Mugen at Steel City Raceway/USA with the car that you designed. How thrilling was it to watch the final from the sideline compared to driving on the track by yourself?
Robert:
It was also very emotional for me. Basically I always dreamed about my own designed car would be world champion once with another driver, because in the past some people always thought, I have designed the cars mainly for myself and my own driving style, which was never the truth honestly.
It almost happened before, when Simon Kurzbuch was winning the world´s with the Shepherd Velox, which was produced with the base of my design back in 2007. The same worlds our prototype MRX6 car finished 2^nd with Takaaki Shimo.So it was kind of a weird situation.
Generally it was a big win for me last year too. All our team was so proud and happy. I also have a good relation with Shoki, and I must say he has impressive driving skills.

ETS:
After designing many nitro cars for Mugen, you finally stepped into the electric market in 2017 when the first Mugen 1:10 scale touring car came onto the market. How challenging was it for you and your team to enter the electric racing scene with a brand new electric car after so many years of drawing and racing nitro cars only?
Robert:
It is very difficult, because we were already well known as a nitro manufacturer. I achieved a very strong ETS result at our very first race. That was good on one side, but on the other side it brought along a huge pressure. It was hard for us to get into the market with a consistent and healthy growth. The impact of any mistake we did was way bigger compared to a slow and steady step in. The image of our car never reached its deserved standard, even if we had some more good results with ETS and TITC A-main later on.

ETS:
Do you see any big differences between the nitro and the electric market? Do the customers have specific needs which are completely different?
Robert:
It is obviously completely different. In my point of view it is coming up from huge differences such as testing, preparing, racing mode, and so on.
Due to those kind of things, racers growing up a different mindset to what they want to have, and what is important for themselves. I feel it is simply the result of the time in which category you grow up.

ETS:
The job “RC Car Designer” sounds very unique as it is something special in a niche business. How does a regular work day look for you when you are designing a new car? Do you work more on the computer or does the practical testing on the track finally require more time?
Robert:
I´m working way more on the software. There are a lot more things to do, which customers basically never see, because usually they only see the final product.
I think a normal working day doesn´t look to much different from others, besides the testing. Basically you are growing up an idea bringing it into 3D files, checking everything, choosing material with the resulting production machines…, prepare the drawings with tolerances for the prototype, testing the prototype, doing revisions to the 3D file and drawings, prepare packing lists and manuals and handle it into mass production. I think it is a pretty similar way like any other product development.

ETS:
Are you working on a new project at the moment? If so, can you tell us what it`s all about?
Robert:
Yes, we are working on a new touring car, as well as some other interesting new projects. Soon there will be more information on that.

ETS:
How important is the feedback of your team drivers during the testing stages of a new car? Do you rely more on your own experiences as you really know what you are doing, or is it important to also collect as much data’s as possible from other drivers as well?
Robert:
I think it is very important to hear the other drivers. Especially electric touring car is very difficult to test setup wise compare to nitro because of the tires. You have more parameters on it such as, additive, age of tire, temperature, insert, additive time….
In nitro, even if you use the same tire like the run before, you can realize a setup tendency.
You basically need more information and documentation to realize a tendency in terms of setup, and the drivers need to be very precise on how they do their setup tests.

ETS:
After the 1:8 scale worlds last year you announced that you will race less nitro to focus more on
electric racing. Was it an easy decision for you as you are a real “nitro guy”?
Robert:
I think such a step is never easy, but I think it shows up our motivation to grow up our electric business at the same time.

ETS:
After racing the ETS series now constantly for the last 3 years, what in your opinion makes the series so popular all around Europe and the rest of the world?
Robert:
I guess it is simply a good overall product.

ETS:
During your career you must have raced on a lot of different tracks. What is the best racetrack you raced on with your nitro cars and do you also have a favorite track in the electric touring car class?
Robert:
Nitro: Valencia
Electric: RC addict and Apeldoorn

ETS:
Do you follow any other sports on TV beside RC racing and are you a fan of somebody?
Robert:
I´m following MotoGP and alpine skiing when I find the time. I wouldn´t say I´m a fan of some person, but I`m excited for example of the huge passion and love Valentino Rossi has for his sport, even when results aren´t the same as it has been in the past. In skiing I like the downhill skiers, because they are simply crazy. When you see yourself what type of slopes they drop down and it is pure ice basically, you believe they are from a different planet. Also the physical training they do to hold those huge forces is impressive.

ETS:
You live close to the Alps. Do you go for skiing during the wintertime? If so, on which mountains we can meet you most of the time?
Robert:
Yes, I use to go skiing in the winter. Mostly I´m going to Fieberbrunn/Saalbach and Obertauern. But I usually go once a winter in ski holidays with my closest friends. Then we go to Italy or Switzerland most of the times.

ETS:
The Bavarian and Austrian kitchen is pretty famous all around the world! What is your favorite food when you go out for dinner?
Robert:
As I was in Italy so many times in my life, I like their food a lot.  Also the way how Italians enjoy their food, suits to myself. Also I like barbecue together with my family and friends.

ETS:
Robert, thank you for being a part of our world of racing and for the insight views of your job as a designer for the cars we all like so much. We look forward to see you racing at the highest level for many more years. Now it`s your time to end our nice interview!
Robert:
Thanks a lot!
I wish everyone to stay safe. Let´s hope we get our previous life back soon.

Next in our ETS Family interviews is multi-time ETS winner, Viktor Wilck.  Hailing from Sweden, Viktor has an impressive list of race results against his name, including two Reedy Race titles alongside his many European victories.

ETS:
Hi Viktor, and thanks for taking the time for this interview.  As we’ve asked all the drivers so far, it’s strange time for the world right now, so how are you doing and is the family staying well?
Viktor:
Hi Guys, my family and myself are doing all right. We try to not meet too many at same time and take our distance.  Hope all of you and the ETS crew is staying healthy and safe.

ETS:
So, without racing, how do you keep yourself busy right now?  Sweden seems to be much more ‘open’ than many other countries, so have you still been able to go to the track at all?
Viktor:
I try to promote the brands I’m supported from as much as possible with setup, videos and support to their customers online. As you say Sweden has tried a different approach to the situation with keeping most of our shops and business open as much as possible. We still have a limit of 50 people for an event or gathering, and there is still no official race organized by our federation. We can go to the tracks and there are people coming back for practice now, so I’m very happy about this.

ETS:
Where in Sweden do you live?  How long have you lived there, and do you like that area?
Viktor:
I live in Gothenburg, the second capital of Sweden on the west coast. I lived here all my life and I like our “medium” sized city next to the sea where you can find all necessary brands, shops and restaurants while still not being too big and crowded city. Our airport is 20min from the city, which is also nice with all our travelling.

ETS:
One thing all racers seem to love is seeing each other’s RC space at their home.  Have you got a separate room for your RC stuff?  Where do you do your ‘RC Work’ usually?
Viktor:
Yes, we moved to a new apartment last year that allowed me to get an office and RC room to do my daily work to my cars 🙂

ETS:
Going right back to the start then, how did you first get started in RC racing?  What can you remember from the early days?
Viktor:
When I was about 11 years old I watched an older neighbour playing with his Kyosho car on the parking lot. We later went to the local club and after we started racing we went to races for more than 10 years together; I have a lot to thank Bjorn my old neighbour that taught me a lot and helped me out in my early days racing. My biggest memory when I was young was a podium finish on the off-road nationals back in 2000.

ETS:
Was there anyone you looked up to when you started racing?  Did you ever think it would become your full time career?
Viktor:
When I started, my first car was a 2WD Team Losi XX. Back then there was no touring car class and the biggest stars were Brian Kinwald, and Masami Hirosaka, so probably those two. I used to check the car action RC magazine and read about all the big races. Of course it was a dream to become full time RC driver, but it was never the goal. It slowly emerged as a possibility when I made the A-final and 5^th place at my first IFMAR world championship back in 2006, when I was 18years old and started to think what to do once school is finished.

ETS:
You are a full time RC driver.  How long have you been “working” as a racer for, and did you have any ‘real’ job before you were a full time driver?
Viktor:
I started to work at local distributor, PROCAR in 2007. Back then it was the Horizon distributor in Sweden. I worked there for a few years on the side until there was not enough time than to go to races. I learned a lot from the staff and the owner Lars helped me a lot with connection to the RC brands and the industry. At the same time I was offered a contract with TAMIYA as a factory driver. I have always tried to keep in contact with distributors or other companies during my RC career. This is something I think can be useful in the future and important to understand the other side of the industry, rather than only racing.

ETS:
If we think about the beginning years of the ETS Championship, you were always a contender and part of the mighty Tamiya team then.  What was this like to work with people like Marc and Jilles every week?
Viktor:
We had a great time together, back then ETS was not so big and just getting started. I think there was a more relaxed feeling in the beginning of ETS and new places for events, so I think everyone was very excited and enjoyed those years. I think later when looking back at it, it was quiet a big deal to race for such a big company as TAMIYA. Everyone at the company was very supportive and I can’t thank enough for the support from Maezumi, Suzuki and Kono. Together with the drivers we made a great team that dominated the touring car class for a few years and built a good friendship until this day.

ETS:
Since Tamiya later decided to cut back (and eventually completely close) it’s racing team, you moved on to Serpent, where you were really their top electric driver.  With a lot of Serpent then based in China, you had quite a lot of trips to Asia then.  What do you remember best from your time with the ‘Orange brand’?
Viktor:
In the last years at TAMIYA I felt I needed to try something new to get back my motivation. About 2 years before TAMIYA started to close down the factory team I made the decision to move to Serpent. I think with Serpent I had a very close relationship to the factory and the people behind the company. It was good to learn a different racing scene in Asia and I got to do more races, which helped my driving, and consistency. Probably the greatest moment with SERPENT was to put a brand new car platform (the Project 4X) on the podium and 3^rd place at the IFMAR World Championship in Beijing, China.

ETS:
And now, you’re with Infinity.  Initially you were re-united with the ‘old Tamiya team’, what was it like to have your old friends and teams all together again?
Viktor:
Yes, it was like getting back to the TAMIYA team feeling but of course with different company. I had a very good welcome and feel I made a successful first year with the INFINITY team.

ETS:
And now, with Marc and Yannic no longer part of Infinity, you have more responsibilities in the European electric scene really – what is the team like for you now?
Viktor:
It was sad to see Marc and Yannic leaving the team. But we have to look forward. We still have a big team. And with myself and Jilles in Europe, and Naoto, Akio and many more in Asia I’m sure we can do good results in the upcoming season.

ETS:
And alongside this, you are also the European Manager for the Dash line of electronics from Arrowmax, a fairly new brand.  What is it like working with them?
Viktor:
I’m really happy to work together with the people at Arrowmax and DASH, they supported me also before and I look forward to take on more responsibility. DASH is fairly new brand but we already made a good stance in the market and I think we can continue to grow the team and develop the products.

ETS:
What race result are you most pleased with if you think back on all your racing?  Perhaps your two Reedy Race titles stand out the most?
Viktor:
Of course my first Reedy title stands out with Tamiya, that one felt special and always was a race I wanted to win. But I’m also really happy to be able to win my second Reedy title last year with INFINITY in my first year with the team. After that I would say my two runs with 3^rd place at the IFMAR world championship and my two ETS wins.

ETS:
And is there any track or race you didn’t go to yet, that you really want to visit?
Viktor:
Perhaps racing in Australia would be nice, I was never able to go to an event there.

ETS:
RC racing has changed a lot over the years.  What has been the most fun or exciting event you can remember being too?  Maybe something you’d like to go back and experience again?
Viktor:
When I was younger and started to go to international events the Snowbirds in Florida was very exciting racing 24/7. IIC in Las Vegas was always very special with so many things to do around the track. And I have to say the ETS in Gran Canaria – that was a special race and something I hope we can go back to in the future.

ETS:
Thinking of when you aren’t at the ‘big races’, do you do much racing in Sweden – either National events or club races?  How is the on-road scene in Sweden usually?
Viktor:
I do the nationals every year and try to do as many races as possible back home, always nice to meet the old friends and race at your local clubs. The on road scene has been on the low but slowly starting to pick up again. 

ETS:
Outside of RC racing, what other hobbies do you have, or what do you like to do in your free time?
Viktor:
Just enjoy hanging out with friends and I try to do some sports occasionally.

ETS:
And what about other sports – is there anything else you play yourself, or follow closely?  Do you have a team or player that is your favourite?
Viktor:
I follow Formula 1, Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, had the opportunity to meet Rossi in Mugello, so he will always be no1, and Tiger in Golf. Try to play Tennis and Padel with my friends as much as possible.

ETS:
And finally, I guess you’re hoping things get back to ‘normal’ soon and we can get racing properly again.  What would you say you have missed most during this COVID-19 time?
Viktor:
Of course racing, that has been too long now. And just meeting all friends around the world, I hope everyone stays safe and healthy and we see us back at the track soon!

ETS:
So Viktor, thank you for your time.  We hope you, your family and friends stay well and look forward to seeing you at the track again soon.  As we close – is there anyone else you want to thank or acknowledge that you didn’t so far?
Viktor:
Thanks for having me and great job with the column Oli! I like to thank my sponsors who still support me in these difficult times, big thanks to: INF1NITY, SMJ, DASH, ARROWMAX, PRO-SPEC, SWEEP, MPE, TD-DESIGN, RACEBERRY

Our interview guest for this week is Francesco Martini from MonacoRC. He is well-known for being the mechanic of Bruno Coelho, but in this interview you will get some other interesting information about Francesco and his life in Monaco. Enjoy this weeks “ETS Family Interview” with Francesco Martini!

ETS:
Ciao Francesco! Thank you for taking the time to be a part of our series of “ETS Family Interviews”. At first we want to know if you and your family are all right in these difficult times we are all going through right now.
FM:
Fortunately, all my closest friends and relatives are fine. I immediately felt that COVID 19 was not something to take lightly and I immediately took steps to distance myself and limited contact with others. It wasn’t easy to stay at home for such a long time for someone like me who is always traveling around. But I was able to enjoy my son and my wife fully. I took the opportunity to work and I think overall good ideas for the future came out.

ETS:
You are from Italy but you are living in Monaco. How many years ago you moved to Monaco and how is it to live in this very special place which most of us only know from watching the Formula 1 race?
FM:
I have lived in Monaco for more than 20 years now and I can say that I have seen it change a lot in these years. Probably I have changed more than the city. Living in a Country/city of this size has its pros and cons. I now appreciate more tranquility and safety compared to a few years ago where I was more interested in nightlife. Living in Monaco for those who love motors is like being in paradise.

ETS:
A couple of years ago you founded the MonacoRC brand where you sell RC stuff and also create some of your own products. But what some people in RC do not know is that you are also the owner of “Enrico Coveri”, an Italian fashion brand based in Firenze. Tell us a little bit about Enrico Coveri, what you are doing there and how that all began with you in the world of fashion!
FM:
For many years I have been the creative director of this historic Made in Italy company. I have always lived in fashion and this is simply my normalcy. I started working when I was very young, directing and organizing fashion shows around the world. I follow what are the most important relationships with licensees and I often enjoy shooting the group’s advertising campaigns.

ETS:
That sounds very interesting. How do you manage to have a good balance between working with Enrico Coveri, MonacoRC and going to all the races with Bruno Coelho during the year?
FM:
Good question! In fact, it is as if I had several lives and those who know me in one of them wonder how I can deal with something else at the same level of professionalism they know. Actually, I don’t even explain it to myself, the only thing I know is that I don’t like doing things just to do them. When I make a commitment I feel the responsibility for having made it and I try to do it at my best. This attitude of mine often leads people to think that I only do one thing but who knows me in my various “lives” knows that I sleep little, research a lot and I always want to do and learn more.

ETS:
When did you get started into the RC Hobby? Can you still remember your first car or the first track you ever raced on?
FM:
I remember it very clearly. As a child I would have liked to run with these models and I also had several but most of the time I couldn’t even assembling them fully. I studied in a boarding school, and how you can imagine, living in a boarding school doesn’t allow to cultivating many interests. I’ve always said that I started making modeling at the age when it would have been better to quit. In 2000 my job absorbed me completely and I wanted to find something that would make me relax a bit. So I remembered this passion that I had never been able to to enjoy completely. I entered a shop and bought my first racing car. The first experiences did not bode well but over time things improved and my passion increased.

ETS:
What was your best personal result in RC, or a race result that you are very proud of?
FM:
My best result certainly does not come from the races. My approach to driving has always been that of a means of understanding the model and how to perfect it. I have won several National titles and collected TQs and excellent placements in noble races but I have always looked for satisfactions in the pits.

ETS:
You still race from time to time and you seem to be always fast on the track. In 2019 for example you were TQ at the EFRA IC 40+ Euros in Monaco. In the end you finished 3rd overall. Was it a special race for you because it was in your home town?
FM:
This race was one of the most fun because it was experienced with extreme lightness and I had the pleasure of being assisted by probably the best Nitro mechanic, Fabio Domanin, who came to Monaco to let me play, As it may seem incredible, despite being my “home track” I never train there, and thinking I made TQ in a category where the hours on the track for preparation are fundamental, fills me with pride. I would have liked to do more, especially for Fabio who worked as well really hard, but in the race I made a stupid mistake that probably compromised our ability to play it.

ETS:
Since some years now you work together with Bruno in a very successful way. How did it happen that you became his mechanic and how is it, to work together with one of the best drivers on the planet?
FM:
For several years now, Martin Hudy has taken the reins of the Xray On-Road projects. I had the pleasure of experiencing this handover step from Juray and I had the honor of participating in the development team. We have worked for years trying to make the best car on the market. The results started to arrive with Alexander but our Team was in fact the only one who had only one driver who could play it while the others could count on more drivers. One day in Spain Martin tells me that he would have liked to invest in a young driver and shows me Bruno. I looked at this “young man” who was sitting on the track as if by the pool on a deckchair with slippers on and his girlfriend next to him. I turned back to Martin burst out laughing in his face. That weekend Bruno between a swim in the pool and a heat on the track risked winning the European championship … Bruno has always been followed by his dad Cesar who was much more prepared on the nitro categories than the electric ones. We soon understand at the World Championship in the USA, where Bruno almost took the win that Martin had seen right and that he could do very well. The problem was that the electric is a difficult category to approach at certain levels and it was necessary that someone with a “know-how knowledge “had to follow Bruno. So Martin came to me and asked me if I could help him out. As I said before, I do not have the character of doing things halfway and therefore taking the commitment we started working together. The most beautiful discovery was to know Bruno’s greatness as a person rather than as a pilot. We have become very close friends and I think this is the magic formula that makes this collaboration possible.

ETS:
During a race weekend you always have to find the perfect setup to go really fast and compete against the other top drivers. But when you are there as a mechanic only, you only can work with Bruno`s feedback after the run. Is it sometimes difficult to imagine how the car feels on the track when Bruno is driving or can you see easily which changes you have to do to get the car even faster?
FM:
Over time the tuning has refined and Bruno’s feedbacks have become clearer to me. The role of the mechanic is a bit like that of the goalkeeper of a football team. Things get even more complicated if Ronaldo is attacking because when the team loses you tend to think that the goalkeeper is to blame. Being always spot on to everything is really difficult especially because compared to others we spend less time on the track testing since Bruno drives many categories and can hardly be there for tests. The fast drivers all look for the same two things, traction and steering. Bruno is a driver who, when the race starts, can put his effort into making a difference, my job is to try to create for him the means to enable him to do so.

ETS:
Is it harder for you to stand on the side line and watch Bruno in a thrilling race or do you feel more stressed when you are racing yourself on the driver stand?
FM:
For sure following Bruno’s races is way more stressful than driving myself.

ETS:
Bruno missed the world’s title in 2016 in China after he was TQ. Can you describe your feelings after he finally got the job done in 2018 in South Africa, starting from P2 and winning against Ronald who is always very hard to beat?
FM:
China was hard. Everything was working out correctly. Our first WC together prepared with such care and that saw us comfortably in command for all the qualifications. A final won and several seconds ahead halfway through the second final when in a moment everything changed. Even the weather made us understand that that was not our day. It was not so difficult to not win but to try not to lose that determination that we had created and that led us to be ready to win. But there the champion that Bruno is came out, and he started again with his head down with even more desire to win. In South Africa, at the warm up, we had found an excellent set up for our car with particular solutions. At the world championship we arrived with the same set up but we were not as confident as before. Bruno was there and head-to-head with Ronald but we knew we could ask for more and with all due respect to others we didn’t want to finish second place. The night before the finals in agreement with Bruno, I changed the set-up to the model by making difficult decisions and counterclaims compared to our experiences on that track. In the first final test we understood that it was the right decision, still a few small changes and then the rest is history.

ETS:
Tell us how the party was after Bruno won the race in South Africa?
FM:
The feeling felt for this title is something unique, also thanks to the fact that it is a victory that has been sought with all the energies and that came with a splendid win to crown years of commitment by the whole Team, not only mine and Bruno.

ETS:
Compared to the world of fashion you work in, how would you rate the ETS in RC? Is the ETS kind of a “fashion week” of RC because everybody is there to get the best show of RC racing down on the track?
FM:
In a way, the example you have given can fit but if I have to be honest, I see ETS more as a trendy party than the show where usually the atmosphere is less carefree and more employed. So maybe ETS is the cool fashion party and the World Championship is the catwalk.

ETS:
What do you like more: Racing yourself or winning a big race as Bruno`s mechanic?
FM:
For some time now I have only been driving for fun or to try new parts, which gratifies me but not how to get an important result with Bruno.

ETS:
Do you have other things you are passionate for beside fashion and RC?
FM:
It may seem incredible but I also find time for other things. I love good food and I really like discovering new places. I have a great passion for photography that I pour both on my work and in my personal life. The family is at the center of everything and I have always tried to keep my mind hungry every year by studying something new. I have collected diplomas and certifications developing skills that I will never use just for the desire of learning something.

ETS:
As you live in Monaco you might have experienced the Formula 1 race there for multiple times. How special are the vibes in the city of Monte Carlo during the F1 race weekend?
FM:
Montecarlo in some periods of the year becomes even more special, the Formula 1, the boat show and the Tennis attract the jet set from all over the world creating a unique and surreal atmosphere at the same time.

ETS:
Thank you for your time and the very nice interview Francesco. It was really interesting to find out some things about you and your life in Monaco. We look forward to see you on track soon!
FM:
It has been a pleasure for me to talk about different things than the usual. Thanks for the great questions.

Next one up in our series of ETS Family Interviews is Frederik Broløs Mikkelsen from Denmark. He is one of the fastest Pro Stock racers of the last years making the A-main at almost every race!

ETS:
Hello Frederik and welcome to our series of “ETS Family Interviews”. How are you and your family doing at the moment? Has the Covid-19 lockdown affected your life in Denmark a lot or was it not so bad in the area you are living?
Frederik:
Thanks a lot for having me. My family and I are doing fine at the moment and are nearly back to “normal” life again. The Covid-19 lockdown came a bit quick in Denmark, but on the positive side it meant that we could still go outside and enjoy the weather. It seems like the virus outbreak, for now at least, is under control and we have been able to go to the track and race RC again.

ETS:
You live in Tølløse which is located somewhere between Copenhagen and Odense. Tell us a little bit about your home town and what you are doing there when you are not racing RC cars!
Frederik:
Tølløse is a nice relaxing and quiet city, with many farm areas around. When I’m not racing RC cars or preparing them for the next race, I’m spending some time running. I’ve never really been good at running, but it’s a good challenge and I like to try and improve and see the progress.

ETS:
You are 22 years old right now – at what age you started the RC hobby and how did it happen? Who was the person who got you involved in the RC hobby?
Frederik:
I was 13 years old when I went to the local hobby shop in Tølløse to buy an RC car. The owner told about a club where they had a track that I could run and I thought that might be fun instead of using it on the road at home. At first it was once a week that I went to the track at club nights, but I got addicted to it quite fast and once a week, became quickly 2-3-4-5 times a week.

ETS:
What was your first RC Car?
Frederik:
My first RC Car was an LRP S10 Blast TC. Already after a couple of months, I decided to buy a more advanced car. I had been to a couple of races as a spectator and thought it would be fun to try, so I bought a used Tamiya TRF 416 to compete with.

ETS:
Do you still remember the first official race you attended and how it turned out for you?
Frederik:
I don’t remember my first official race in Denmark, but I do remember the first time I went to an ETS. I had been racing for almost 2 years at that point, when my father and I decided to go. It was the 2^nd round of the ETS in Hrotovice/Czech Republic in 2013. I had some technical issues where the car would run fine for 4 laps and then go into limp mode and go really slowly. We found out the issue a little late, but for the last two finals the car drove all 5 minutes and I could win the N-final overall. So apart from the technical issues it was a really nice experience.

ETS:
How big is the RC racing scene in Denmark? Do you have a lot of tracks to practice and race around you or do you always have to travel larger distances to get your car down on a track?
Frederik:
There is not too many drivers unfortunately but we do have quite a few tracks around in Denmark. I’m quite lucky to have a track only 1km away from home, so normally when I want to practice, I can take all my stuff in a bike trailer and then cycle down to the track, which has both an indoor and an outdoor track. On Zealand (the east side of Denmark) there are 5 tracks for asphalt racing and 3 tracks for carpet.

ETS:
When we look on your last couple of years racing RC cars, it is easy to see that you improved a lot as you now make the A-main in Pro Stock at the ETS very constantly. What, from your perspective made you that much better? Was it just more practice or did you also learned more about the perfect car setup and stuff like that?
Frederik:
I think it’s a bit of both as well as huge support from my sponsors. Toni Rheinard from Tonisport has been a big part of my racing career supporting me since 2014 and has helped a lot both on and off the track, pushing me in the right direction. In 2018 Jürgen Lautenbach from LRP also came in the picture and supported me. I had been using LRP products for quite some time, so being able to drive for him was quite special and working together with him has been a pleasure.
Practice wise I already from the beginning, when I started racing, I had been eager to go to the race track and practice. I think that consistently practicing every week has helped, maybe not if you look at it short term, but in the long run, it has definitely helped me. One key thing that has helped me the last couple years was finding the right car that suited my driving style and also had more setup opportunities. Going to many of the big international events has also helped me a lot as that’s where I have learned a lot setup wise, but also watching the fast guys to see where I could improve.

ETS:
The Pro Stock class at the ETS is ultra-competitive and especially when you are fighting for an A-main spot there is no space for mistakes. As almost everybody is kind of nervous before qualifying, what do you do to keep calm and focused before an important heat?
Frederik:
I try not to think about the end result too much and instead just focus on the racing lines and when to brake and accelerate, because otherwise it can be extremely stressful when you are tied with 5 other people in a qualifying run. So instead of thinking I need to be that fast or in that position, I try to think that I just need to do my best and then I can see the result afterwards and then make changes accordingly.

ETS:
It seems that a lot of successful Pro Stock drivers don`t want to make the next step in entering the modified division.  Is this caused by the limited amount of other modified races (compared to stock races) they can do during the year or do some of them rate the competition in modified as “too high” for them?  What is your opinion about that and do you plan to race modified at some day?
Frederik:
I don’t look at modified as the next step from Pro-Stock. I look at them as two different classes, which both has their own unique feel. I think the reason many Pro-Stock drivers don’t race modified instead, is because they enjoy the feel of Pro-Stock and like the balance in power. When I started racing RC it was only after 1 year that I decided to race modified and did that for a couple of years. I do still enjoy racing modified but I do prefer Pro-Stock and the close competition at ETS.

ETS:
The ETS series seems like a magnet for so many racers as a lot of them are doing more than only one or two ETS races per season. What keeps you racing at the ETS and always makes you travel to the races again?
Frederik:
I think it’s the good atmosphere and the high level of competition. It’s nice meeting up with friends from all around the world and enjoy the hobby that we all enjoy. I’m also learning a lot every time I have been to an ETS. I haven’t been going home from an ETS without learning something new and I do really enjoy the whole trip, driving to the different countries and as the competition is very high, I like to try and improve and do well at every race.

ETS:
What was the best racing experience you had until now in your RC racing career?
Frederik:
Definitely the ETS in Apeldoorn last year where I ended up 2nd. Got 3^rd earlier that season so being able to move one step higher on the podium was special for me and has given me more confidence going forward. The weather was extremely good and the track in Apeldoorn is really enjoyable to race on especially when it`s sunny.

ETS:
Do you have an all-time favorite RC racer you look up to?
Frederik:
I would say Marc and Ronald. I remember when I started racing RC I always enjoyed watching them whenever they were driving.

ETS:
What is the best Racetrack you have ever raced on?
Frederik:
Definitely Apeldoorn. The grass is always green and the facilities are really well maintained. The asphalt gives a really good amount of grip and the curbs are perfectly build so they can be driven on, which is perfect for racing.

ETS:
Is there any special race around the world on your bucket list that you would like to attend someday?
Frederik:
TITC in Thailand has always looked special and maybe also the World Championship some day in the future.

ETS:
Do you have any other hobbies beside RC racing?
Frederik:
I do run quite a bit when I’m not racing RC cars. I try to run 4-5 times a week depending on how my legs feel. My ultimate goal would be to complete a marathon in under 3 hours, but that is still a bit out in the future.

ETS:
What style of music do you call your favorite?
Frederik:
I don’t have any particular favorite, but I’m not really a fan of heavy metal and rock.

ETS:
What is your favorite destination for some relaxed Holidays?
Frederik:
As I was younger, I really enjoyed going to southern France with the caravan. We used to start our holiday at midnight and then started the journey driving through Europe, spending some days at different campsites in different countries, with the end destination being southern France.

ETS:
Which typical Danish food do you enjoy the most?
Frederik:
That would be a chopped steak or Danish pork meatballs with potatoes and Danish brown sauce.

ETS:
As we are coming to an end now we want to thank you for your time Frederik! We really appreciate having you in our ETS Family and if you like to thank somebody you can do this right now!
Frederik:
Thanks a lot for having me and making these great Interviews. I want to thank my Mom and Dad as well as my sponsors Toni Rheinard from Tonisport and Jürgen Lautenbach from LRP for making all this possible!