Kyle McBride is perhaps Australia’s best-known RC racer ever, having splashed onto the major international scene with a surprise fourth place finish at the 2010 IFMAR Worlds and remaining a contender around the globe ever since. McBride became the first international driver to win a Pro nitro class at the Silver State when he topped the Buggy class in 2013. He joined Team Associated in 2014 and proved he could race smaller buggies as well when he won the Open 4WD category at the 2015 Reedy Race of Champions. Learn more about Kyle, his RC career, and his future goals in this week’s Talk It Up Tuesday.
Aaron Waldron: How old are you, and where are you from?
Kyle McBride: I'm currently 21 years old as of last December, and I hail from Brisbane, Queensland in Australia!
AW: How did you get into RC, and how long have you been racing?
KM: My dad, Scott, found RC racing after riding motocross for some time and breaking too many bones! He ended up doing it for fun and as a hobby for 20 years. He got got me my first car, which was a Losi Mini-T, when I was about ten years old. I mucked around with it a little but I was still very young, I really found the passion and began racing 2wd Stock regularly when I was 12 and haven't looked back since!
Photo: Cynthia Lye, via Facebook
AW: What do you do for work? Is it difficult to find time to practice and race?
KM: I work with my dad part time to keep myself busy! The only thing that really stops me from getting to the track is the rain we get here down under :) But for the most part I space my time out sufficiently so I can make it to the track and all of the races I attend!
AW: What made you decide to start attending big races and trying to attract sponsors?
KM: When I was about 13-14 years old, my dad and I were doing our best to make it to as many races around Australia as we could to try to produce some results and just gain experience. Once I started winning races within Australia, my dad put in a lot of time and money to try to get me to some overseas races to get my name out there. Basically, we wanted to see how I would go and again gain massive experience from racing with the best. The main focus was the 2010 IFMAR World Championships in Thailand. I managed to make it to the final and place fourth at my first world Championship!
Photo: Kyosho America
AW: What’s your favorite track? Favorite big event? Favorite racing class?
KM: My favourite track would have to be the C-netic track located in Surabaya, Indonesia! It's the biggest and most gnarly track built on this planet that I've ever raced on. Apart from the World Championships I love attending the big races in America, like the Silver State and Dirt Nitro Challenge, and also love the Neo Race! I started with 2WD 1/10-scale buggies but have grown a love for the 1/8-scale buggy class without a doubt.
AW: Having traveled around the world to different events, how does the racing scene in Australia vary from other places you’ve visited?
KM: Our scene in Australia can be up and down sometimes. Now that we are hosting the IFMAR 1/8-Scale Off-Road World Championships in 2018, a lot of interest has grown back into nitro racing and just racing in general. But I cannot lie, some of the races that I've attended overseas are just epic when you consider the number of entries and the crazy tracks some people have built. It's definitely a different experience that's for sure.
Photo: Christian Putrabani, via Facebook
AW: What are your proudest RC moments?
KM: Coming fourth at my first ever World Championships is one of the best feelings I've felt, as it was so unexpected and jump-started my RC career. Along with my first ever big win in America, at the Silver State in 2013, I'm very proud of my father and me for also winning the last seven straight Australian crowns — it hasn't been easy and I can't thank my father enough for the effort he has put in to my career to get to this point so far. Lastly, the bunch of FEMCA Championships I've managed to win as well — it’s always awesome racing in Asia!
AW: Do you have any goals for your RC career?
KM: Without a doubt, earning multiple world championships is my biggest goal. It's easier said than done, and I know a lot of work will have to be put in to get to that point! Obviously, I want to win every race I go to, just like every other professional in the sport. I plan on starting up my own apparel company at some stage, to create my own brand and maybe change up the RC scene a bit and put some cool products out there. I'd love to become an idol of the sport and 100% reach the top and beyond, but of course always stay humble!
AW: When you’re not at the racetrack, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
KM: Quite recently I've really been getting into basketball! I love to play it and also watch it, along with my fair share of golf every now and then. I love hitting up the gym and, of course, spending time with family and friends whenever I get the chance. Being outdoors is my thing!
AW: What’s the best part of RC racing? What about RC racing annoys or bothers you?
KM: Apart from actually winning the races, I really enjoy being able to meet so many new people around the world and spending time with quality friends I've made through RC racing! But the most important thing is that I just love RC racing and actually driving around all the different tracks is so fun for me. For the most part RC racing is awesome; sometimes a lot of politics and people's negative opinions can ruin things, but I prefer not to focus on any of the negatives and just do my job and enjoy myself.
AW: Who are some of the people that have helped you the most?
KM: My father is the most important person in my life and has to put in so much to get me where I am today, which I am forever grateful for! All of the sponsors I've had throughout my whole career are the ones who really supported me during every season and they are the ones who believe in me which I am also grateful for. I wouldn't be here without any of them.
AW: Thanks for the interview! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
KM: Just want to thank you Aaron and LiveRC for the cool interview and I hope to see all you racers out there real soon! Don't forget to keep it FUN!
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