We have been following Team Kyosho driver Andy Dibrino since the 2011 Cactus Classic. At that race our field reporter Zack Rogers mentioned to us he is a really fast up and coming driver. So we thought we would gather some pics and tell his story of how Andy Dibrino got into R/C Racing…!
Check out this interview we did with him back at the 2011 Cactus Classic…!
RCI: Andy you caught our attention at the 2011 Cactus Classic with your two wins in 13.5 stock buggy and truck!
AD: Thanks! Yeah the Cactus was a dream come true. My goal going into the event was to win both 13.5 Truck and 2wd Buggy, and to make the Mod 2wd SC A-main. I ended up as the TQ and winner of both 13.5 classes, and finished 9th in Mod 2wd SC!
RCI: How did you get into rc car racing?
AD: About 2 and a half years ago I broke my collarbone, and I had already been to the r/c track a few times with a friend. Since I couldn’t ride motocross I was pretty bored. At the time the Traxxas Slash was really popular and being a motocross guy I had to get one and race it. From there on I started race maybe once a week. Six months later I broke the same collarbone again racing motocross, so yet again I had all the time in the world to race r/c. I defenitley got hooked that summer.
RCI: How long have you been racing rc cars?
AD: I have been racing for 2.5 years now.
RCI: You race motorcycles? Which ones do you race?
AD: Yes I do. I rode my first motorcycle when I was 3 and a half years old, and I started racing motocross when I was 5. I mainly do road racing now, and supermoto now and then. I have a Suzuki SV650 twin for road racing, and a Honda CRF 250R and 450R for supermoto.
RCI: Is it alot tougher for you to prepare for a moto race than rc cars? (I am speaking to your wrenching and mindset!)
AD: I would say the preperation for an r/c car race is a lot tougher. Motorcycles need the oil changed every race weekend, and tires every other race weekend. Other than that you load them up in the trailer, check the bikes over, and go racing. My dad does all my bike prep and my motor builder is at the race track every race weekend incase there is a problem we can’t solve. All I have to do is show up and ride, so its way easier (Thanks Dad!). Getting ready for an r/c race is really hectic. I always practice right before an event, and rebuild most my cars. Thats very time consuming, and not to mention last minute tire and parts orders.
RCI: Right now who is your toughtest competition in RC Racing? Who do you fee you have to battle the most with at the rc track on “Any Given Sunday?”
AD: Shaun Dunlap is by far my toughest competition. We race weekly, and its always very intense and fun. He usually wins, but once in while I snatch a win or two. Its awesome to have a guy like him to race though. No matter who wins, I always drive my hardest and perform my best because I am either trying to drive smart and stay ahead, or trying to chase him down. This past weekend at Regionals we battled all weekend. He was the first person to congradualate me when I won the Mod 2wd Buggy class, so its awesome to know he is happy for me anytime we race together.
RCI: Andy the ROAR 2011 Off-Road Nats are this week at Nor-Cal Hobbies! How much preparation went into this race? Were you happy with your performance at the 2011 Hot Rod Shootout?
AD: I am really excited for nationals. I have put in a lot of preperation so far. I had 3 race nights, and 3 practice days before the 3 day ROAR regional last weekend, and then 2 race nights coming into the nationals this weekend. I really was not impressed with myself at Hot Rod. I came into that race with no preperation, and I feel like I didnt live up to my potential. It was still a fun weekend and I came out with solid results in Mod Truck and Mod Short Course.
RCI: Do you plan to take it to the next level in RC and qualify for the 2013 worlds?
AD: I do plan on taking it to the next level and qualifying for worlds!
RCI: Where can we see Andy Debrino in the next five years?
AD: I am really not sure where I will be in 5 years. I am still trying to decide wether I want to persue a professional road racing career or a professional r/c career. Right now I am leaning towards r/c, so you could see me as a full factory racer! We will see!
RCI: We see that you make RC Insider’s Zack Rogers T’shirts! What is Debrino Designs? Where can we score some of these one of a kind T’s!?
AD: DiBrino Designs is a little business I started a few years ago. I got a vinyl cutter and went from there! Its kind of a side job/ hobby for me. I love designing logo’s and stuff, and I am obessed with stickers, so its a fit. Right now I do custom stickers and clothing for motorcycle and r/c racers. You can check out Zack Rogers, Shaun Dunlap, Joe Pillars, and myself this weekend to see some of my work!
RCI: Anything you want to add feel free?!
AD: I just want to give a shout out to Joe Pillars! Without him, I would NOT be racing r/c. Joe has helped me progress for the past 2 years, and it really shows. I couldnt ask for a better team manager. Also thanks to my friend and teammate Shaun Dunlap. Shaun is another big part of my sucess. He always pushes me out on the track to go faster and be the best I can. And last but not least, my Dad Keith DiBrino. R/C racing wouldn’t hold the joy it does now if I didn’t someone to share it with. Its awesome to have a Dad like mine that is into all the same hobbies I am, and that is willing to support them at the highest level possible. Thanks so much!
Photo Gallery
Source: www.rcinsider.com
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