What year did you start attending the Snowbird Nationals:
I attended my first Snowbird Nationals in 1996 at Thunder in Tampa; it was the second year that the race had been held. I missed the first one but my cousin, Richie King, had gone to it and came home with such excitement that we began making plans right then to attend the next year and I haven’t missed one since.

How have you seen "the superbowl of r/c" evolve over the years you've been attending?
Having attended all but the first Snowbird Nationals I have seen a lot of changes.  From a 100+ racers on the high banked concrete oval in Tampa to 700+ racers on flat carpet in Orlando.  The Birds have definitely grown to the biggest and best R/C race of the year.  Through all this growth the Thunder crew has remained the best around…thanks Mike, Julie and the crew. 

How has your r/c career developed during that time?
When I attended my first Birds in 1996 at Thunder Raceway cap tire racing was what I was used to.  When Mike moved the race to Orlando it was a totally different type of racing for me.  Wining several paved oval races over the years and then going to carpet was a big challenge.  The first few years running carpet certainly presented quiet a learning curve.  In 2003 when I won my first Birds Open Mod it was a great feeling to have won the Birds on both concrete and carpet.

What did it mean to you personally to become the overall oval champion last year?
Being able to win the overall oval championship last year was special.  Not only winning the championship but also being TQ in both classes made it even more satisfying.  Since Mike started the overall champion it had always been a personal goal to win it. Watching KSG cars and drivers win it before had been rewarding but winning it myself meant a lot to me.

Are there any people who have been integral to your success and enjoyment in r/c leading up to being the champion?
I must thank my family first and foremost.  My racing has always been a family effort.  My dad works as hard as anyone else around and my success is greatly due to him.  I have also had good sponsors over the years.   From some of the first that helped me like Bolink, Racetech, Orion, Jaco, Kisbey Modifieds.  To the ones that help me now KSG Motorsports, SMC, John’s BSR Racing Tires, Futaba, Novak, Protoform, Kimbrough.  Without their help none of this would have been possible. 

When you look back on your career so far, what turning points (successes or struggles) were most notable to you?
Probably the most notable thing has been being able to turn a hobby into a business producing race winning products. From starting KSG Motorsports with a few hop-up parts in the late 90’s to producing a complete car my passion has always been to make the best products possible.  It has been great to see racers use our products to win some of the biggest races around. The Lord has blessed me with the abilities to design, manufacture and race these cars and I hope to continue in the hobby for years to come.

Thanks!
Andy