It’s not secret that scale crawlers are all the fashion proper now within the RC universe. With their path crawling prowess and extremely detailed look, what’s to not like? If you’re a scale and path fan like we’re, you’re most likely a fan of GCM Racing too. GCM manufactures scale vehicles and elements for customized RC builders. The Canadian firm is run by Chris Robinson, a self-professed life lengthy RC freak. Chris’ duties contain 3D design, product growth, machining in addition to planning and operating occasions for tiny truckers as effectively. We just lately obtained an opportunity to take a seat down with Chris to seek out out
extra about GCM and decide his mind about all issues RC and tiny vehicles.
RCCA: How did GCM Racing get began?
CR: It began with frustration! Seriously! We had been operating monster vehicles within the early 2000s, like brushed E-Maxx and HPI Savage again within the day, and changing them to brushless and rock crawlers utilizing some heli elements and cobbled up body mounts. It was time for us to alter frustration to innovation round 2007, and we determined to start out making full conversion machined chassis for the Savage, together with brushless conversions and suspension mods for the E-Savage as effectively. Fast was enjoyable, however then Axial got here out with the AX-10 crawler, and we started making conversion elements for these to make the buggy right into a scale truck. Our first scale truck chassis got here out in 2008, referred to as the CrossCanyon. Within a few years we had designed a full leaf spring chassis referred to as 4TEN, to transform AX-10 elements, after which moved all of the motor/transmission stuff up entrance to make method for interiors and extra lifelike truck builds. In complete, we’ve designed and manufactured 5 chassis strains, 7 scale transmission conversions, and three totally different axle manufacturers thus far.
RCCA: What is your favourite a part of scale RC?
CR: I actually love the mechanics of vehicles. Doing suspension geometry and layouts helps me get my nerd repair in, however I’m an outdoorsman, and actually like to get out on trails and rocks with the tiny vehicles. This matches effectively with product testing, and an excellent alternative to construct up a cool rig for photos and movies. It’s a problem to me to get to an attractive spot out in nature, and arrange a correct scale photograph or video shoot. Of course, driving and trailing with associates is a serious spotlight, and I’ve constructed life lengthy friendships with many I’ve met within the scale truck group. I’m all the time smiling when out with associates on the path! like seeing drivers with smiles on their faces having fun with a observe I designed. I additionally attempt to be taught from top-of-the-line
RCCA: What type of occasions are you concerned in with scale vehicles?
CR: We obtained concerned in occasion internet hosting again in 2015 with the GCM Adventure Series, a non-class path occasion the place drivers need to navigate groomed programs and sort out sure driving challenges. Soon we added truck tech-in so as to add factors for sure options of operate and appears, after which added a full present and shine GCM Gallery. This Gallery occasion has lead us to be concerned in 6 years of the Ultimate Scale Truck Expo, in addition to dozens of different scale truck occasions in North America. We have hosted full GCM Gallery, Adventure Series and Expedition occasions a number of occasions, and likewise run a GCM Gallery different host’s occasions. It’s an actual pleasure to reward the dimensions truck builders for his or her efforts in areas like Engine Bay, Interior, and Accessories, in addition to Paint and Weathering and so forth. We wish to become involved in driving occasions and constructing challenges as effectively.
RCCA: What future Projects are you able to inform us about?
CR: We’ve nearly completed our first full 12 months of the CMAX2 chassis, our newest design, and we proceed to construct and launch extra new physique fitment setups for this one. We’re additionally re-releasing a few of our authentic wheel designs from 2014, as a particular venture. There’s additionally a cool new T-case design coming for our standard LRT2 scale transmission setups. Always new concepts brewing!
RCCA: Do you could have every other hobbies?
CR: You possible already found out I’m a little bit of a gear head, and up to now I’ve constructed full measurement hotrods, and vintage vehicles and vehicles a number of occasions. I’m into journey, fishing, open air stuff, and hanging out with my household. On the RC pastime facet, I’ve been into vehicles and vehicles, and so forth. because the 80s, and likewise run boats, and do flying, though I don’t have an excellent document with helicopters!
RCCA: Is there anything you need to let our readers know?
CR: I’m so glad to be on this scale truck phase of RC, and I’ve had the privilege of mixing a lot of my hobbies with touring throughout oceans and North America to do it, assembly the best folks on earth! The RC group has been an enormous optimistic achieve in my life, and I’m tremendous glad to have so many nice connections by means of this pastime. So many individuals have supplied options, helped with builds, and collaborated occasions with us, and I’d wish to say because of all of them. As we are saying in our movies, “tiny trucks!”
To be taught extra about Chris Robinson and GCM Racing,
try these hyperlinks:
gcmracing.ca
tinytrucks.com
jsscale.web
youtube.com/gcmracing1
patreon.com/gcmracing
Instagram: @gcmracing
Facebook: @gcmracing
Text by Leigh Guarnieri
Images courtesy of Chris Robinson