EFRA is very lucky to work with some of the best and most established RC racing clubs in the world, welcoming racers to their home tracks for several days of high-intensity competition! Of course, it takes amazing amounts of effort, time, patience and very hard work to make any one of these events a success, and that’s where the race organiser comes in!
In this interview series, we’ll meet some of the hardest-working people in the world of RC! This time, we are talking with Thomas Schadler of Club der Modellbaufreunde Süd Ost in Austria!
EFRA: Hello, Thomas! How are you doing?
Thomas: Thank you, I am fine and looking forward to the Euro 40+ on our home track!
EFRA: We can’t wait! So just to get the formalities out of the way, what is the full name of your club/organization, and where is it located?
Thomas: The name is Club der Modellbaufreunde Süd Ost (short CMbf Süd Ost) and is located in the southeastern part of Austria – County Styria
EFRA: And how many people work or volunteer for the club/organization?
Thomas: Our club is a very small one – we are currently 4 active racers and again only 4-6 hobby drivers.
EFRA:Â What type of racing does your club/organization cater to?
Thomas: We are organizing 1/8 scale off road races – we have hobby weekends, club races, local races, national championships and now also the first EFRA Race!
EFRA: That’s amazing, the club really has a full schedule! What is your official role within the club?
Thomas: I am the founder and chairman – In 1997 the club was founded and since then I have been the chairman except for a ½ year break.
EFRA:Â And on a daily or weekly basis, what do you do for your club/organization?
Thomas: My daily job is fully focused on organizing the event in September – creating a new track, planning everything and motivating people to support as as much as possible. There is almost no day where I am not do anything doing or organizing something for the club. In the last three years, we made a lot of improvements for our whole facility, including extending the track space, adding a new club house, water supply, new canteen and so on.
EFRA: How many events or races do you organize for CMbf Süd Ost in total during a normal year?
Thomas: On average we are hosting two to three races a year.
EFRA:Â How often do you organize major national or international races?
Thomas: National races are organized with an alternative split in the north and south regions of Austria. In the last couple of years, we have organized 4 national championships – electric buggy and gas buggy
EFRA: What would you say is the largest event you’ve organized for CMbf Süd Ost?
Thomas: The biggest event was the Austrian Nationals 1/8 Buggy – with around 100 drivers
EFRA: What event or race would you say is your proudest or most successful for CMbf Süd Ost?
Thomas: We had a lot of successful races organized. I am most proud on one of the Austrian Nationals which was the most exhausting for us as host! We had a lot of rain and bad weather conditions during the weekend. But with all the effort of my club members we could dry up the track during night and early morning hours – so finally we could race and at least we had a great A-Main.
EFRA:Â Are there many local racers take part in regular or weekend events at the club?
Thomas: Before COVID it was more traffic, but not only on our track! In our region there are 4 race tracks within 35 km – so we are visiting each other the stay in touch with our friends.
EFRA:Â Who would you say is the most successful racer from your club, and what kind of accomplishments have they achieved?
Thomas: The most successful racer from my club is Martin Fortmueller (former Karner) He is a multiple Austrian Champion, winner of Kyosho Masters, winner of multiple international races, multiple participants of European Championships and Worlds as well! The last Euro 40+ he finished 4th!
EFRA: That’s really great! So, looking to the future, what would you say is the most important thing to get new club members to participate?
Thomas: For sure we encourage local spectators visiting the race! Our Track is located on a very rural area in a small village! For sure we will have locals on the Euro 40+, too.
How to get new members? It’s very important to get new members to be active on our own track. Next, never judge someone by his material – that means if anybody appears with a RTR or another old car – let them drive! We try to give all as much as possible support. We are collecting used tires for young drivers as an example! Testing the facility, the first times is for free for anybody. Also we always keeping last season cars for maybe interested boys and girls for testing or handing over those to support the youth.
EFRA: Definitely very wise words – getting ‘new blood’ into the hobby is very important to keep thigns going! So what would you say is the biggest challenge facing the RC hobby in the next few years?
From my point of view: the costs! Starting this hobby from zero will be expensive! The global increase of life costs might be a showstopper for parents to support their kids. RC Racing has become more and more professional, and young drivers are putting to much effort in special parts, expensive engines, and tires instead of focusing first on their driving skills! The youth are also having too many possibilities how to spend time on the weekends.
EFRA: Finally, what’s the first piece of advice you would give to another club/organization event organizer?
It is hard to give any advice but what my experience shows to me is: If your guests realize that you put effort in everything what you are doing it will be honored. Even if not, everything is perfect create an event that everybody feels welcome! That is also my goal for the Euro – I am sure there are existing bigger tracks, bigger paddocks, higher driver stand but people will keep us in mind because it was a event full of friendliness, friendship and fun
Heavy pressure 😊
EFRA: It certainly is – but it always pays off in the end! Thank you very much for your time, Thomas!
