TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Tim Lime - SWORKz New USA Team Manager

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Mike Garrison

0 Dec. 3, 2019, 8:43 a.m.

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com 

Welcome to LiveRC's weekly column, "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Here we spend a little time talking with industry icons including racers, manufacturers, team managers, developers, promoters, and everyone in between! Sit back, relax, and go behind the scenes as we interview them all!

For this week's Talk It Up Tuesday we sit down with newly appointed SWORKz USA Team Manager, Tim Lime, to discuss his new role, the brand, and more.

LiveRC: Welcome Tim to this week’s edition of “Talk It Up Tuesday”! Let’s start off by asking who, what, when, where, how, and why did you get started in R/C car racing?

Tim: Thanks for having me Mike! My Father started flying RC airplanes in 1970 and had me flying airplanes at age 4 (1977) in Phoenix, AZ - which turned into a career for a while. So, I believe my first car might have been around 1978 and it was a Tamiya Rough Rider that I received for Christmas. Since that I have raced on and off for many years with cars like the Frog, Traxxas Bullit, RC10, TRX1, Mugen Super Athlete etc. I was working for Horizon in Champaign, Illinois when we acquired TLR, and I started to focus a little more on the surface side. I raced on-road touring cars with the XXXS and off-road with the GTX and XXXNT when I wasn’t traveling to RC Pylon races and other events for Horizon.

LiveRC: At what age did your son Camden start racing?

Tim: Camden started racing around age 5 I believe. His first car was a Traxxas Slash at age 3.

LiveRC: Over the years you’ve played various roles from a racer, a mechanic for Camden, team manager for Xpert servos, and you are now the USA Team Manager for SWORKz. How did the new deal with SWORKz come about?

Tim: Our deal was a unique path. We went to dinner with Elliott Boots and Georg Horninger after Silver State, and just talked about R/C. Then in June I was told that if we were to switch engine brands that we would have to switch chassis as well - even though this was not written anywhere in our contracts. When I was 100% committed to switching to an OS-based product, I had to start looking at our future. I asked my friends from Mexico that had asked me a few times playing around trying to get us to SWORKz who I should contact concerning this move and they pointed me to Max Sonnleitner. I contacted Max and he got the ball rolling and had Franco from RC1-Racing get us a car to test back in August that we have been running here and there at numerous places. When corresponding with Georg and making changes I realized it was a good fit for all of us. We then met up with the SWORKz owner and engineer at the RCGP race and I mentioned that I think a US team manager was an important need in the US market, as we need someone to be able answer questions, and if that person couldn’t, to have a pipeline to be able to get the answer. That’s when I offered my services as I worked closely while at Horizon with all the team managers and have also been the US team manager for RC Concept and Xpert.

LiveRC: What made you and Camden choose SWORKz, rather than pursuing one of the other manufacturers?

Tim: It really came down to fit. We had talked to multiple companies about different deals and this one had the best fit.

LiveRC: SWORKz is not a new brand, but with the help of a very successful past few years, is becoming more and more popular in the United States. What are your goals as team manager for SWORKz in the 2020 season?

Tim: Well, to win Nationals and the Worlds of course [laughs]. In 2020 we will still be a small top tier team, but looking at building regional and local teams that can share info for sure. 

LiveRC: Are you currently accepting resumes for drivers interested in applying for sponsorship? If so, how do they contact you?

Tim: Yes, we are looking for drivers at all levels. They can go to RC1-Racing.com to apply.

LiveRC: The signing of Ryan Cavalieri and Elliott Boots significantly boosted the brand. Can we expect any new big-name boosts coming to SWORKz for 2020?

Tim: We shall see, I’ve been contacted by a few top tier drivers!

(Photo by Circus RC)

LiveRC: The SWORKz Facebook page has teased of a new 2wd buggy coming soon. Can you give us any hints, clues, or info regarding the new buggy compared to the previous version?

Tim: That’s over my pay grade [laughs]! I know it’s been in the works for a while. I believe they were trying to get it done by the Worlds, but just couldn’t get it finished in time. I do see it having a really good year in 2020 though.

LiveRC: SWORKz in America is now distributed by RC-1 Racing. Tell us a little about RC-1, and where customers / dealers can get their hands on the cars and products.

Tim: RC1-Racing.com is based out of Florida. Franco, the owner, also runs Homestead RC Raceway as well. We have dealer info on the site, and we do offer consumer sales on there as well.

LiveRC: Which of the SWORKz vehicles is your favorite, and why?

Tim: Right now, it’s the S35-3 nitro buggy.

LiveRC: As a mechanic for Camden, how you compare the build process, maintenance, and tunability of the SWORKz lineup to other brands on the market?

Tim: I’m still on the learning curve, but it really seems to be low maintenance. Talking with Cavalieri, he says it’s really an easy car to work on with minimal wear.

LiveRC: What events for 2020 can we expect to see you, Camden, and the SWORKz team in attendance?

Tim: The plan is to start with DNC, Desert Classic, PNB, Silver State, all three ROAR Off-Road Nats, and then the Worlds in Brazil.  We will also be doing the two RCGP races and other regional events.

LiveRC: Thank you for joining us today Tim, and we wish you and Camden both the very best of luck for 2020! Is there anything you would like to add before we go?

Tim: Thank you Mike, Brandon, Tyler and the whole crew at LiveRC we look forward to seeing all of you in 2020. Also, to any end user, feel free to contact me anytime with any question you might have about the SWORKz brand.